The Lords of the First Flame: Unraveling the Lore of Dark Souls
The universe of Dark Souls is built upon a foundation of myth, power, and sacrifice, all inextricably linked to the mysterious First Flame. The power drawn from this ancient fire shaped the world and its inhabitants, leading to the rise of powerful figures known as the Lords of the First Flame. These individuals, each with their own unique path and motivations, became instrumental in the cyclical struggle between fire and dark. But who exactly are these lords, and what roles did they play in shaping the destinies of Lordran and beyond?
The most prominent Lords of the First Flame are: Gravelord Nito, The Witch of Izalith, Gwyn, the Lord of Sunlight, and the Furtive Pygmy. It is important to note that there is a distinction between the Lords who initially acquired their power from the souls found near the First Flame and those who later linked the First Flame to perpetuate the Age of Fire.
The Original Lords: Foundational Figures
Gravelord Nito
Gravelord Nito is the first of the dead, a skeletal figure of immense power over death and pestilence. His soul granted him mastery over death and the ability to command the undead. Unlike the others, Nito is not associated with light or fire but is instead a manifestation of the power associated with the realm of death that was created when the First Flame was discovered.
The Witch of Izalith
The Witch of Izalith is a powerful sorceress, who along with her daughters, was granted control over pyromancy through the power of her soul found near the first flame. She attempted to recreate the First Flame, which ultimately resulted in the creation of the Bed of Chaos, a destructive force that twisted Izalith and created demons.
Gwyn, Lord of Sunlight
Gwyn, Lord of Sunlight, is perhaps the most well-known of the Lords. He was not born as a god but a king with an army at his behest before the discovery of the First Flame. He found a powerful soul near the First Flame, which granted him immense strength and control over light and lightning. He led the charge against the ancient dragons, ushering in the Age of Fire and becoming a god-like figure in the world of Dark Souls. His efforts culminated in his linking the First Flame, a pivotal event in the series’ lore. Gwyn also had several children, including Gwyndolin, Gwynevere, and an unnamed firstborn who became the Nameless King.
The Furtive Pygmy
The Furtive Pygmy is a more enigmatic figure, often overlooked in discussions of the Lords. While the others became powerful rulers, the Pygmy is believed to have taken a piece of the Dark Soul and divided it among humanity, creating the beings that would later become the source of the undead curse, making him the origin of humanity, and the source of the darkness.
The Cycle of the Flame: Lords of Cinder
The linking of the First Flame by Gwyn established a cycle of sacrifice and renewal, where individuals strong enough to wield the power of the flame would be resurrected and tasked with relinking it. These are known as the Lords of Cinder. The Lords of Cinder are raised because the world needs more souls to reenact the linking of the first flame after others fail to take on the task. Some of the notable Lords of Cinder include:
- Gwyn, Lord of Cinder: Gwyn is both an original Lord and a Lord of Cinder. Gwyn’s initial linking of the flame set in motion the cycle of relinking.
- Abyss Watchers: These warriors, bound by duty, were tasked to eradicate the spread of the abyss. Their collective soul was used to attempt to link the flame.
- Yhorm the Giant: A tragic figure, Yhorm sacrificed himself in a vain attempt to protect his people.
- Ludleth of Courland: A small, seemingly insignificant lord, Ludleth chooses to link the flame despite his condition.
- Aldrich, Devourer of Gods: An individual twisted by his hunger, Aldrich’s power was deemed sufficient to link the flame.
- Lothric, Younger Prince: Lothric, along with his brother Lorian, were intended to link the fire, but Lothric denied the task which caused the reawakening of the Lords of Cinder.
The Consequences of the Flame
The Lords of the First Flame and their subsequent actions have far-reaching consequences, shaping the world and the lives of those within it. The act of linking the flame is seen by some as a necessary act of sacrifice, while others see it as a futile attempt to delay the inevitable arrival of the Age of Dark. The existence of undead is a direct consequence of the flame and the cycle, as the fading of the flame triggers the curse, which leads to the rise of the undead. The series explores the complex moral implications of these actions, challenging players to question the nature of sacrifice, power, and the very fabric of the universe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Did Gwyn exist before the First Flame?
Yes, Gwyn was already a king before he found the First Flame. He led an army before acquiring his powerful soul and beginning his campaign against the ancient dragons.
2. Why did Gwyn link the First Flame?
Gwyn linked the First Flame to prolong the Age of Fire and prevent the coming of the Age of Dark. He feared humanity and the natural fading of the flame, choosing to maintain the status quo, however unnatural it may be, at all costs.
3. Was Gwyn the first to link the flame?
Yes, Gwyn was the first individual to link the First Flame, establishing the cycle of sacrifice that would follow. It is this act that creates the “curse” of the undead.
4. Is Gwyn the Nameless King?
No, the Nameless King is actually Gwyn’s firstborn son. Gwyn disowned and erased his son from history after the Nameless King sided with the dragons.
5. How many times has the First Flame been linked?
The First Flame has been linked at least five times by Gwyn, the Abyss Watchers, Yhorm, Ludleth, and Aldrich. Possibly more if the player character and Solaire are factored in.
6. Did Solaire link the First Flame?
It is heavily theorized that Solaire may have linked the First Flame in his own world. His quest was to find his own sun, which likely alludes to him linking the flame in another instance.
7. Is Solaire Gwyn’s firstborn?
No, Solaire is not Gwyn’s firstborn. This is a common fan theory disproven in Dark Souls III.
8. What was Gwyn’s first sin?
Gwyn’s first sin can be considered his act of taking the power of the First Flame. It was against the natural order, by using this power to overthrow the dragons and extend the age of the fire unnaturally.
9. Why did Gwyn hate dragons?
Gwyn hated the dragons because he saw them as the source of a stagnant curse that prevented the progression of the world. He desired an age of life, death, light, and dark.
10. Why did Gwyn disown the Nameless King?
Gwyn disowned the Nameless King because his son sided with the ancient dragons, the very enemies Gwyn had fought against.
11. What caused the First Flame?
The exact origin of the First Flame is unknown, but it is theorized to be analogous to the Big Bang, arising suddenly without prior warning.
12. Why did Gwyn sacrifice himself?
Gwyn did not just “jump in the flame” and burn to a crisp. He sacrificed his soul as fuel to rekindle the First Flame, ensuring the continued Age of Fire.
13. What happens if the First Flame dies?
If the First Flame dies, the power of the Lord Souls and the Age of Fire will fade, and the Dark Sign will appear, ushering in the Age of Dark, and the rise of the undead.
14. Why did Solaire become undead?
Solaire became undead intentionally, seeking his own sun, leading him to travel to Lordran, unlike others who became undead due to the fading flame.
15. Who are all of Gwyn’s children?
Gwyn had four children: Gwyndolin, Gwynevere, Filianore, and the Nameless King, who was disowned and erased from history.
In conclusion, the Lords of the First Flame are a complex tapestry of figures who have shaped the world of Dark Souls. From the original Lords who discovered the flame and their souls to the Lords of Cinder who were resurrected to continue the cycle, each one contributed to the rich lore that makes the series so captivating. Understanding their motivations, actions, and the consequences that have followed is key to fully grasping the essence of the Dark Souls saga.