The Dark Origin: Unraveling the Mystery of Humanity in Dark Souls
The origin of humanity in Dark Souls is deeply intertwined with the very fabric of the game’s lore, rooted in a forgotten being and the potent Dark Soul. In short, humans are creations of the Furtive Pygmy, a being who, unlike the more celebrated Lords, found a unique, fragmented Lord Soul – the Dark Soul – near the First Flame. Using this soul, the Pygmy birthed the human race, infusing their very being with a piece of its power, thus tying their nature to the Dark. This fragment of the Dark Soul is what we know as Humanity, and it manifests in the game as a small, black sprite with piercing white eyes. Unlike the other beings in the world of Dark Souls, humans possess a unique connection to the Abyss, able to withstand it and even find a peculiar comfort within its depths. The Humanity within them, therefore, is both the source of their sentience and their link to the Dark.
The First Flame and the Lord Souls
To better understand the origins of humanity, one must first understand the genesis of the world in Dark Souls. At the dawn of time, a primordial fire, the First Flame, manifested. This event brought about the concept of light and dark, life and death. From this First Flame, four powerful beings discovered Lord Souls: Gwyn, Lord of Sunlight, Nito, the First of the Dead, the Witch of Izalith, and the Furtive Pygmy. The Lord Souls granted them immense power, allowing them to shape the world. While the other three used their Lord Souls to establish the Age of Fire, the Furtive Pygmy chose a different path, using the fragmented Dark Soul to create humans.
The Significance of the Dark Soul
The Dark Soul, unlike the other Lord Souls, is not a singular entity but a fragmented one. This fragmentation is what allowed the Furtive Pygmy to distribute it amongst humanity. Each human carries within them a piece of the Dark Soul, and this is the essence of their Humanity. This connection to the Dark also explains why humans are naturally drawn to the Abyss and can exist within its depths without the same level of corruption experienced by other beings. Moreover, it’s the reason why humans are afflicted by the Undead Curse, a consequence of Gwyn artificially prolonging the Age of Fire. This manipulation forced the Dark into an unnatural dormancy, which results in humans becoming undead or “Hollow” upon death.
The Role of Humanity in the Game
The concept of Humanity is pivotal in Dark Souls, both in terms of lore and gameplay. As a game mechanic, Humanity is a resource that can be used to reverse hollowing, restoring the player character to a human form. This allows for summoning player allies and makes the player vulnerable to invasion by other players. A high Humanity count also significantly increases the chances of item drops and provides a boost to defensive stats.
Hollowing and the Natural State of Humanity
A crucial point in understanding the origins of humanity is that being a hollow is the natural state of humans in the Dark Souls universe. Before the manifestation of the First Flame, and by extension the birth of humanity, beings were more akin to the hollows we see in game. The Dark Soul is what imbues humans with their sentience and human form, therefore, being a Hollow means losing the Humanity that was gifted to them. “Going hollow” is therefore a consequence of losing that very fragment of the Dark Soul. The Undead Curse, a result of Gwyn’s meddling, is what ultimately drives the hollowing process.
The Implications of the Dark Soul’s Legacy
The Dark Soul’s legacy extends far beyond the mere creation of humans. It represents a different vision for the world, one where the Dark and its implications are not suppressed. The Furtive Pygmy’s act of creating humans, therefore, was not just an act of creation but an act of establishing a new possibility for the world of Dark Souls. The existence of Humanity, and its power over the state of being human or hollow, speaks to the central conflict of the game; the conflict between the Age of Fire and the coming Age of Dark. Ultimately, the narrative of Dark Souls implores us to consider the implications of this very decision and its consequences for the fate of the world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How Much Humanity is Needed to Reverse Hollowing?
To become human, you need to rest at a bonfire and select “Reverse Hollowing.” This consumes a single “soft” Humanity from your counter.
2. Is Humanity a Permanent State?
No, being human is not permanent. If you die while human, you revert to a hollow state, and you’ll need to expend another Humanity to become human again.
3. What is the Difference Between Soft and Hard Humanity?
“Soft” Humanity is the numerical value shown next to your health bar and is lost upon death. “Hard” Humanity is an item found in your inventory and can be consumed to replenish your soft Humanity counter.
4. How is Humanity Obtained in the Game?
Humanity can be obtained through various means, including defeating bosses, killing certain enemies, finding it as an item, or even obtaining it from rat bodies that were near corpses.
5. What Are the Benefits of Having 99 Humanity?
Having 99 Humanity grants approximately 40 extra points in each defensive stat.
6. What is the Maximum Item Discovery in Dark Souls?
The maximum item discovery in Dark Souls is achieved with 10 Humanity and the Covetous Gold Serpent Ring, resulting in a 410 drop rate.
7. Why are Humans Undead in Dark Souls?
Humans are undead due to the Undead Curse, a consequence of Gwyn’s interference with the natural cycle of the First Flame, which prevented the Age of Dark.
8. Is there a Downside to Being Hollow?
Hollowing has no negative effects on gameplay, other than cosmetic changes. However, reversing hollowing is required to summon allies and be invaded, and also to progress some NPC questlines.
9. Is There a Benefit to Being Hollow?
Hollowing provides a bonus to luck when wielding Hollow weapons with a hollowing level of at least 15.
10. Can Hollows Become Human Again?
Yes, hollows can become human again by using a soft Humanity at a bonfire and selecting the “Reverse Hollowing” option.
11. What is the Abyss and Why are Humans Comfortable There?
The Abyss is a dark, corrupting force. Humans are comfortable there due to their innate connection to the Dark Soul, which also has ties to the Abyss.
12. Are All Three Dark Souls Games Connected?
Yes, the Dark Souls trilogy shares the same universe and overarching cyclical narrative, revolving around the First Flame and the battle between light and dark.
13. Is Elden Ring Connected to Dark Souls?
No, there is no official connection between Dark Souls and Elden Ring. They occupy different universes.
14. What Happens if You Give the Blood of the Dark Soul?
Giving the Blood of the Dark Soul to the painter girl in Dark Souls III provides extra dialogue but does not alter the ending.
15. Is Gael’s Soul the Dark Soul?
Gael eventually possesses a large portion of the Dark Soul, making him a potential new God of Darkness. He is considered by many fans to have essentially become the next Furtive Pygmy.