The Enigmatic First Lord Soul in Dark Souls: Who Possessed It?

The world of Lordran in Dark Souls (DS1) is steeped in lore and mystery, and one of the most intriguing aspects revolves around the Lord Souls. These powerful artifacts were discovered in the primordial chaos and granted immense power to those who claimed them. While the game directly identifies the holders of three Lord Souls – Gwyn, Lord of Sunlight; The Witch of Izalith; and Nito, the First of the Dead – the owner of the first Lord Soul, the most potent of them all, is less clear. The answer, shrouded in ambiguity, is the Furtive Pygmy.

Understanding the Lord Souls and Their Significance

The discovery of the Lord Souls marked the end of the Age of Ancients, an era ruled by the Everlasting Dragons. Gwyn, alongside the Witch of Izalith and Nito, wielded the power of their respective Lord Souls to overthrow the dragons, ushering in the Age of Fire. These souls weren’t merely powerful artifacts; they were fundamental aspects of existence itself. Gwyn’s soul represented light and power, the Witch of Izalith’s soul embodied life and chaos, and Nito’s soul commanded death. But the first Lord Soul was different, possessing an almost incomprehensible power.

The Furtive Pygmy and the Dark Soul

Unlike the other Lord Souls, the first Lord Soul wasn’t used to establish dominion. Instead, it was claimed by the Furtive Pygmy, an enigmatic figure often overlooked in the grand narratives of Lordran. The Pygmy didn’t seek power or control. He divided his soul into fragments, giving them to humanity. This fragmented soul is what would become known as the Dark Soul, the source of humanity and the reason humans are capable of hollowing. The Dark Soul directly contradicts the Age of Fire, which explains why Gwyn feared the Dark Soul and its potential to bring about the Age of Dark.

Evidence Supporting the Pygmy

Several pieces of in-game lore support the theory that the Furtive Pygmy possessed the first Lord Soul:

• The Opening Cinematic: The game’s introductory cinematic clearly shows a small, hunched figure – heavily implied to be the Furtive Pygmy – discovering the most powerful Lord Soul.
• The Primordial Serpents: Characters like Kaathe openly discuss the Pygmy and his role in the creation of humanity and the Dark Soul. Kaathe urges the player, the chosen undead, to embrace their humanity and usher in the Age of Dark, a fate that aligns with the Pygmy’s original intention.
• Manus, Father of the Abyss: While Manus is never explicitly stated to be the Furtive Pygmy, he is heavily implied to be a descendant of the Furtive Pygmy, and his connection to the Abyss solidifies the link between humanity, the Dark Soul, and the Pygmy. His massive soul could have stemmed from being directly linked to the Pygmy himself.
• Item Descriptions: Descriptions of items like the Human Effigy and the Dark Hand (used by Darkwraiths) directly mention the Dark Soul and its fragmented nature, linking it back to the “forefather” who claimed it.
• Kiln of the First Flame: Gwyn is found guarding the First Flame, not the Lord Soul. This suggests that the true threat wasn’t the Lord Soul of Light, but rather the potential of the Dark Soul and humanity to extinguish the flame.

Why the Ambiguity?

The ambiguity surrounding the Furtive Pygmy is deliberate. It’s a core theme of Dark Souls to explore the cyclical nature of power, the corruption of even the noblest intentions, and the forgotten figures who ultimately shape history. By obscuring the Pygmy’s identity and motives, FromSoftware encourages players to question the established narratives and draw their own conclusions about the true nature of the world.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the difference between a Lord Soul and the Dark Soul?

A Lord Soul is a powerful fragment of the original souls found at the beginning of the Age of Fire. The Dark Soul is the first Lord Soul, fragmented by the Furtive Pygmy and given to humanity. It is the source of human power, and the potential to end the Age of Fire.

Q2: Was Gwyn aware of the Furtive Pygmy?

Yes, Gwyn was aware of the Furtive Pygmy and the threat posed by the Dark Soul. This fear fueled his efforts to link the First Flame and prolong the Age of Fire.

Q3: Is Manus the Furtive Pygmy?

There is no definitive confirmation that Manus is the Furtive Pygmy, but it is heavily implied he is either a direct descendant or someone deeply connected to the Dark Soul and humanity. His origin and connection to the Abyss further strengthens the connection between Pygmy and the Dark Soul.

Q4: Why did the Furtive Pygmy fragment the Dark Soul?

The exact reasoning is unknown, but the most common theory is that he wanted to share its power with humanity, granting them the ability to challenge the gods and forge their own destiny.

Q5: What does hollowing have to do with the Dark Soul?

Hollowing is the process by which humans lose their minds and become undead. It’s believed this is because their fragment of the Dark Soul is incomplete and fades without a strong will or purpose.

Q6: What is the Age of Dark?

The Age of Dark is a potential future where the First Flame fades, and the power of the Dark Soul rises. It represents the ascendance of humanity and the decline of the gods.

Q7: What role do the Primordial Serpents play in the Lord Soul story?

The Primordial Serpents, particularly Kaathe, seek to manipulate the Chosen Undead into embracing their humanity and ushering in the Age of Dark. They are proponents of the Furtive Pygmy’s vision.

Q8: Are the Lord Souls necessary to beat the game?

Yes, obtaining the Lord Souls of Gwyn, Nito, The Witch of Izalith, and Seath the Scaleless (who gained a Lord Soul by betraying the dragons) is required to access the Kiln of the First Flame and fight Gwyn, the final boss.

Q9: Was Seath the Scaleless a Lord?

Seath the Scaleless was not originally a Lord, but he betrayed the dragons by revealing their weakness to Gwyn. In return, Gwyn granted him a fragment of a Lord Soul, solidifying his position as a powerful figure in Lordran.

Q10: Who linked the First Flame?

Gwyn was the first to link the First Flame, sacrificing himself to prolong the Age of Fire. However, the player character has the option to link the flame or extinguish it, ushering in the Age of Dark.

Q11: What is the Abyss and how does it relate to the Dark Soul?

The Abyss is a corrupted and chaotic force, born from the fragmented Dark Soul. It is a place of immense power and danger, capable of twisting and corrupting anything it touches.

Q12: Why is the Furtive Pygmy “furtive”?

The “furtive” aspect of the Pygmy suggests that he was deliberately hidden or obscure, possibly to protect the Dark Soul or avoid the wrath of Gwyn. He didn’t desire power or recognition, so he hid and fragmented his soul to share it with humanity.

Q13: Are there any remnants of the Furtive Pygmy in the game’s world?

While there is no direct encounter with the Furtive Pygmy himself, areas associated with Manus, Father of the Abyss, such as Oolacile Township, hold remnants of the power and corruption linked to the Dark Soul and potentially the Furtive Pygmy’s influence.

Q14: If the Furtive Pygmy is so important, why isn’t he a major character?

His absence is what makes him important. The game tells the story of the victors and the powerful, ignoring the true origins of humanity. The Furtive Pygmy’s story is a subtle but important comment on the nature of power and forgotten histories.

Q15: Is it possible to play as the Furtive Pygmy in any way?

No, you cannot directly play as the Furtive Pygmy. However, by choosing to embrace your humanity and usher in the Age of Dark, you are essentially fulfilling his original vision for the world.