The Bleeding Quest: Unraveling Slave Knight Gael’s Goal
Gael’s ultimate goal was to obtain the Dark Soul and use its blood as pigment for the Painted World of Ariandel. This wasn’t a quest for personal power or glory, but rather a desperate attempt to provide a means for a new world to be painted – a world that could potentially escape the decay plaguing the existing one. He undertook this perilous mission knowing full well that the Dark Soul would likely corrupt him, a sacrifice he was willing to make for the sake of this artistic endeavor.
The Desperate Search for Pigment
Gael’s journey begins with the seemingly simple task of finding pigment. The Painter, a young woman residing in the Painted World, seeks the means to create a new world. The problem? The only suitable pigment, it is believed, comes from the Dark Soul. This pursuit took Gael to the Ringed City, a location steeped in the history of humanity and where the Pygmy Lords, the original bearers of the Dark Soul, resided. Gael’s hope was to harvest their blood, rich with the essence of the Dark Soul, to provide the pigment needed by the Painter.
The Disappointment of the Ringed City
The Ringed City, however, is far from the wellspring of fresh blood he had imagined. The blood of the Pygmy Lords had long since dried, rendered unusable. Undeterred, and in a move born out of desperation, Gael resorted to consuming the Pygmies themselves. By devouring them, he sought to absorb their fragmented souls, and transform his own blood into a viable pigment. This gruesome act marked a turning point in Gael’s journey, propelling him further down a path of inevitable corruption.
The Transformation and Sacrifice
As Gael consumes more and more of the Pygmies’ souls, the Dark Soul within him grows, warping his being. He becomes a monstrous aberration, a physical manifestation of the power and the corrupting influence of the Dark Soul. During his boss fight, specifically in the second phase, Gael spits out the blood tainted by the Dark Soul, which is a grim realization of the price of his ambition. At this point, he acknowledges what he has become and appears to embrace the corruption. He knows that he will never get to deliver the pigment. The fight becomes a brutal last stand, a final desperate attempt to fulfill his goal, albeit through a corrupted means.
Accepting the Inevitable
Ultimately, Gael’s journey highlights the themes of sacrifice and the corrupting nature of power. He never sought the Dark Soul for himself, but rather for the benefit of another, for the creation of a new world. Yet, this noble purpose leads him down a path of grotesque transformation and despair. His journey culminates in a tragic, yet heroic, act of self-sacrifice, which allows his blood to ultimately become the pigment that he sought, by battling a stronger being to extract the blood.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Painted World of Ariandel?
The Painted World of Ariandel is an isolated realm, seemingly created by the gods to exile unwanted entities and items. It’s a fragile world, needing to be burned and re-painted to stop its decay and stagnation.
Why is Gael red-hooded?
Gael’s red hood is a prominent feature of his character. It’s an immediately noticeable characteristic that adds to his mystique and implies that the color has some level of significance. While the lore doesn’t give a definitive reason for his red attire, it possibly links to the idea of blood, which is thematically linked to his quest, or to the idea of sacrifice that often comes with the color red.
Why did Gael send the Ashen One to the Painted World?
Gael recognized the strength and capabilities of the Ashen One, having encountered them previously in the Ariandel DLC. He knew that he was likely to be consumed by the Dark Soul and therefore unable to return with the needed pigment. By summoning the Ashen One, he hopes to have them be his proxy, bringing the needed pigment and completing his task.
Why did Gael eat the Pygmies?
Gael ate the Pygmies out of necessity. The blood of the Pygmy Lords had dried up, and he needed the blood of the Dark Soul to serve as pigment for the Painter. Consuming them allowed him to absorb fragments of the Dark Soul, hoping to infuse his own blood with its essence.
Does Gael actually turn hollow?
Yes, Gael does turn hollow. During the second phase of his boss fight, he realizes his blood is infused with the Dark Soul and subsequently succumbs to hollowing. This transformation is visually represented and marks his descent into madness.
What is the significance of the hole in Gael’s chest?
The hole in Gael’s chest is where his heart would normally be, and where the power of the Dark Soul within him grew. This shows the power of the consumed Dark Soul and the effect it has on his physical form.
Is Gael stronger than the Nameless King?
Gael’s power is a subject of debate among fans. While both are incredibly powerful, Gael is generally considered to be on par with the Soul of Cinder or the Nameless King, if not stronger, due to his consumption of the Dark Soul. His raw power and resilience make him a formidable opponent.
How does Gael compare to Artorias?
Gael is considered to be significantly stronger than Artorias. Artorias’ strength was derived from the Soul of the Four Kings, while Gael directly consumed the Dark Soul. This gives him a vastly superior power level, making him a much more dangerous foe.
What makes Gael a good boss fight?
Gael is considered an excellent boss fight because it features three distinct phases, each with its own unique moveset. The fight is challenging but fair, with well-telegraphed attacks that can be learned and mastered. It demands patience and skill from the player.
How strong is Gael in the lore?
In lore, Gael is one of the strongest characters encountered in the Dark Souls universe, possibly second only to the Ashen One after they collect all of the souls. His transformation due to the Dark Soul grants him immense power, placing him above most other beings.
What happens after defeating Gael?
After defeating Gael, the player can then proceed to face Shira, who is a human enemy located near the location of Midir. Defeating her does not further Gael’s lore but does provide some further ending information.
What is the Dark Soul?
The Dark Soul is one of the four Lord Souls spawned by the First Flame. It was found by the Pygmy Lords at the dawn of the Age of Fire and they split it among the Hollows to create humankind. Every human has a small fragment of this soul, known as Humanity.
Why did Gwyn make the Ringed City?
Gwyn created the Ringed City as a means to control and manipulate humanity, ensuring they would continue to fuel the First Flame long after his own time had passed. He used them as a source of power in order to maintain the Age of Fire.
Who is the final boss of Dark Souls 3 DLC?
Slave Knight Gael is considered the final boss of the Ringed City DLC and is often viewed as the final boss of the entire Dark Souls series.
What happens if you give the Painter the Blood of the Dark Soul?
Giving the Painter the Blood of the Dark Soul allows you to continue with your game with no changes to the ending. The painter will make references to the power she is creating within her painted world. There are some extra dialogue options, but ultimately nothing else changes. It does not affect the ending.