Who is the Big Girl in Dark Souls?
The “big girl” in Dark Souls that you’re likely referring to is Princess Gwynevere, the Princess of Sunlight. However, there’s a crucial twist: the Gwynevere players encounter in Anor Londo is not the real deal. It’s an incredibly convincing illusion created by Gwyndolin, the Dark Sun, Gwyn’s lastborn son raised as a daughter. This illusory Gwynevere is depicted as a giant woman, draped in white cloth, radiating warmth and sunlight, and exuding an aura of benevolence. The deception is key to understanding the lore and the crumbling world of Lordran.
The Illusion of Divinity
The Purpose of the Facade
Why create such a grand illusion? Gwyndolin’s primary goal is to maintain the Age of Fire and uphold the legacy of his father, Lord Gwyn. With Gwyn having linked the First Flame, the world teeters on the edge of darkness. Gwyndolin, blessed (or cursed) with a strong affinity for the moon and illusion magic, uses his powers to create a convincing image of Gwynevere. This illusion serves multiple purposes:
- Maintaining Faith: By presenting a seemingly benevolent goddess, Gwyndolin inspires hope and prevents the citizens of Anor Londo from succumbing to despair. The presence of Gwynevere offers the illusion of order and divinity in a decaying world.
- Guiding the Chosen Undead: The illusion is specifically designed to manipulate the Chosen Undead into fulfilling their destiny: linking the Fire and prolonging the Age of Fire. The promise of serving the “Princess of Sunlight” provides a powerful motivation for the player to overcome the numerous challenges ahead.
- Hiding Gwyndolin’s True Nature: Gwyndolin himself is a creature of the moon, associated with darkness and deception. His physical form is described as repulsive, with snake-like features. The Gwynevere illusion effectively masks his true appearance and prevents any scrutiny or potential rebellion.
The Size and Appearance
The size of the illusory Gwynevere is significant. She’s portrayed as being enormous, almost on par with the giants that inhabit Anor Londo. This exaggerated size reinforces her status as a deity. Remember that the inhabitants, giants or not, of Anor Londo, are far more likely to worship someone imposing and powerful, rather than someone of average human size. This majestic presence solidifies her image as a symbol of bounty and fertility. It’s a blatant attempt to inspire awe and obedience.
Her radiant appearance, draped in white and surrounded by sunlight, further emphasizes her connection to the Age of Fire. The overall effect is a carefully crafted image designed to inspire reverence and control the player’s actions.
The Truth Behind the Illusion
Gwynevere’s Flight
The real Gwynevere, according to lore, did exist. She was the daughter of Gwyn and considered a symbol of grace. However, she fled Anor Londo, departing for a new life. This departure left a void, one that Gwyndolin filled with his illusion. While the illusion is a fabrication, the character of Gwynevere was once a real person.
The Consequences of Revelation
The player can choose to shatter the illusion by attacking Gwynevere. Doing so reveals the truth: the sunny Anor Londo is plunged into perpetual twilight, and the city becomes significantly more dangerous. This act also makes Gwyndolin hostile, opening the path to a boss battle with the Dark Sun. The transformation of Anor Londo highlights the fragile nature of the world and the power of Gwyndolin’s illusion to maintain order, however artificially.
FAQs about Gwynevere and Gwyndolin
1. Is the Gwynevere we meet in Dark Souls real?
No, the Gwynevere encountered in Anor Londo is an elaborate illusion created by Gwyndolin. The real Gwynevere fled Anor Londo sometime before the events of the game.
2. Why did Gwyndolin create the Gwynevere illusion?
Gwyndolin created the illusion to maintain the Age of Fire, uphold his father’s legacy, inspire hope among the inhabitants of Anor Londo, and manipulate the Chosen Undead into linking the First Flame.
3. What happens if you kill the Gwynevere illusion?
Killing the Gwynevere illusion plunges Anor Londo into darkness, making it more dangerous. It also makes Gwyndolin hostile and prevents you from joining the Blade of the Darkmoon covenant.
4. Is there any benefit to killing the Gwynevere illusion?
The main benefit is the ability to challenge and defeat Gwyndolin, obtaining his soul and unique items. It also allows you to experience the Dark Anor Londo, a more challenging version of the area.
5. Who is Gwynevere’s husband?
After fleeing Anor Londo, Gwynevere is said to have married Flann, the God of Flame.
6. Why is Gwynevere so large in the illusion?
Her size is part of the illusion’s design, making her appear more godlike and imposing, reinforcing her perceived authority and inspiring worship.
7. Who is Gwyndolin?
Gwyndolin is Gwyn’s lastborn son, raised as a daughter due to his affinity for the moon. He is a powerful sorcerer with strong ties to illusion magic.
8. Why was Gwyndolin raised as a daughter?
Gwyndolin was raised as a daughter because of his inherent connection to the moon and its associated powers, which were traditionally considered feminine.
9. Is Gwyndolin evil?
Gwyndolin’s motivations are complex. He acts to preserve the Age of Fire, even if it requires deception and manipulation. Whether this makes him evil is a matter of interpretation.
10. Can you fight Gwyndolin without killing the Gwynevere illusion?
Yes, you can fight Gwyndolin without killing the Gwynevere illusion by obtaining the Darkmoon Seance Ring from the Catacombs and using it to dispel the illusionary wall in Anor Londo.
11. What does killing Gwyndolin do?
Killing Gwyndolin grants you his soul, which can be used to create unique weapons and spells. It also removes him as the leader of the Blade of the Darkmoon covenant.
12. Is Gwyn the Nameless King?
No, Gwyn is NOT the Nameless King. The Nameless King is Gwyn’s firstborn son, who was stripped of his name and exiled for siding with the dragons.
13. How many children did Gwyn have?
Gwyn had three children: The Nameless King (firstborn son), Gwynevere (daughter), and Gwyndolin (lastborn son).
14. Is Solaire Gwyn’s son?
No, Solaire is NOT Gwyn’s son. This was a popular fan theory, but it has been debunked by the game’s lore. The Nameless King is Gwyn’s lost son.
15. What is the significance of Dark Anor Londo?
Dark Anor Londo represents the truth behind the illusion of the Age of Fire and the decaying state of Lordran. It’s a reflection of the world without the façade of Gwynevere’s light. The illusions that Gwyndolin is capable of creating have the power to warp the world, and to make the impossible into possible.
Conclusion
The story of Gwynevere and Gwyndolin is a central piece of the Dark Souls narrative, exploring themes of deception, faith, and the decay of a once-great civilization. The “big girl” in Dark Souls is not simply a giant woman, but a symbol of hope, manipulation, and the lengths to which characters will go to preserve a dying age. The game’s rich lore and ambiguous characters continue to fascinate and challenge players, prompting discussions and theories within the community. Understanding these characters and their motivations is crucial to grasping the depth and complexity of the Dark Souls universe.
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