Gwyn, Lord of Cinder: The Final Test in Dark Souls
The final boss in Dark Souls 1 is Gwyn, Lord of Cinder. This iconic encounter serves as the culmination of the player’s arduous journey through the perilous world of Lordran. Gwyn, once a mighty god who ushered in the Age of Fire, is now a hollowed shell of his former self, desperately clinging to the fading light. Defeating him is essential to either continue his legacy or usher in the Age of Dark, marking the end of your current playthrough and launching you into New Game Plus (NG+).
The Significance of Gwyn, Lord of Cinder
Gwyn isn’t just a powerful boss; he embodies the core themes of Dark Souls. He represents the lengths to which one will go to maintain a fading order and the sacrifices made to delay the inevitable. His tragic fall from grace, from a noble leader to a desperate husk, mirrors the overall decay and cyclical nature of the world in the game. His fight is a powerful climax that brings all the game’s elements together into a single, challenging encounter. He is one of the most recognized and iconic characters in the franchise, symbolizing the burden of legacy and the desperate struggle against the encroaching darkness.
Gwyn’s Fall from Grace
Gwyn was once one of the most powerful beings in Lordran, having discovered the First Flame and ushered in the Age of Fire. However, as the flame begins to fade, he understands that the Age of Dark will follow. In a desperate attempt to keep the Age of Fire going, Gwyn sacrifices his soul to the First Flame, thereby prolonging the age but diminishing himself. This sacrifice, along with the burdens of ruling, have warped him, turning the once great Lord into the hollowed, desperate being you encounter at the end of the game.
The Battle with Gwyn
Gwyn’s boss fight is a stark contrast to many of the other encounters in the game. He is swift and aggressive, wielding a powerful greatsword and capable of chaining together devastating attacks. Unlike some of the more fantastical bosses, Gwyn’s power comes from the pure force of his strikes and his speed. This makes for an encounter that requires skill, precision and the ability to adapt to his relentless assault. He’s also one of the few bosses that is consistently parryable, offering players a chance to turn his power against him. However, even for experienced players, this fight can be challenging, and requires knowledge of his patterns and proper timing for parrying.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Gwyn and the End of Dark Souls 1
1. Does killing Gwyn end the game?
Yes, killing Gwyn triggers the end of your current playthrough. You’ll be presented with a choice that determines your ending, and immediately afterwards the game moves to New Game Plus (NG+).
2. Can you continue playing after killing Gwyn?
No, you cannot continue in your current save after killing Gwyn. The game automatically starts NG+. There’s no going back to explore or complete unfinished business on the current playthrough.
3. What are my options after killing Gwyn?
After killing Gwyn, you have a choice. You can either link the fire by interacting with the bonfire (the “Good Ending”) or walk away without rekindling the flame (the “Evil Ending”). Both endings lead directly into NG+.
4. Is Gwyn weak to Dark damage?
Despite the lore implying a connection between Humanity and the Dark, Gwyn is not weak to Dark damage. He is, however, slightly weak to Fire damage.
5. Is Gwyn the hardest boss in Dark Souls 1?
While Gwyn is the final boss, he is not considered the hardest by all players. Many find Black Dragon Kalameet, a secret boss in the DLC, to be much more challenging. It’s a subjective matter but Gwyn is still a formidable opponent.
6. Who is the most powerful boss in Dark Souls lore?
According to the lore, the Nameless King, who is heavily implied to be Gwyn’s firstborn son, is considered to be the strongest character in the lore. He is however, a boss in Dark Souls 3, not Dark Souls 1.
7. Is Gwyn considered a villain?
Gwyn is often portrayed as a central antagonist, or at least a character who’s actions led to many of the problems present in the game. While his intentions are to maintain the Age of Fire, his methods and the resulting consequences can be seen as villainous.
8. What was Gwyn’s first sin?
In the context of the game’s lore, Gwyn’s “first sin” is considered to be claiming the First Flame and establishing the Age of Fire. This act, though beneficial initially, eventually led to the world’s decay and the Undead Curse.
9. Why is Gwyn fighting me?
Gwyn fights you because he fears the coming of the Age of Dark, a time when humans would have control. He wants to keep the Age of Fire going, which he believes is best for the world, even in its current decayed state. He’s fighting to prolong the dwindling light and prevent the emergence of a new order.
10. Why did Gwyn sacrifice himself to the Flame?
Gwyn did not literally throw himself in the fire. He sacrificed his soul to the First Flame, using it as fuel to keep it burning. This act prolonged the Age of Fire but weakened him drastically, resulting in his hollowed state.
11. Who are all Gwyn’s children?
Gwyn has three well-known children, and a fourth who has been erased from history: Gwynevere, Gwyndolin, and Filianore. The lost son is the Nameless King, who sided with the ancient dragons.
12. Are the Dark Souls games connected?
Yes, all three Dark Souls games are connected in the same world but in different timelines and regions. While each game has a standalone narrative, they share themes, lore, and some key characters, with events in one game having ramifications for others.
13. Who is the saddest character in Dark Souls?
This is largely subjective but many consider Great Grey Wolf Sif to be the saddest character in Dark Souls due to the nature of its loyalty to Artorias. Other strong contenders include the Daughter of Chaos and Lucatiel of Mirrah.
14. Who betrays you repeatedly in Dark Souls?
Patches is a notorious character throughout the Dark Souls series, known for repeatedly betraying players. His motivations are generally self-serving and he is a persistent thorn in the player’s side.
15. Who is the most powerful entity in Dark Souls?
While Gwyn is credited for ushering in the Age of Fire, it’s not entirely clear who the most powerful entity is. Manus, who created the Abyss, and the Ashen One of Dark Souls 3 are strong contenders, but the lore often leaves this ambiguous. The Nameless King is also considered to be one of the most powerful characters in the lore.
Conclusion
The final boss fight against Gwyn, Lord of Cinder in Dark Souls 1 is more than just a challenging encounter. It is a culmination of the game’s themes, a battle against the fading light, and a pivotal moment that defines the ending of your playthrough. Gwyn’s tragic story, his desperate fight to prolong the inevitable, and the choices he forced the player to make are why he’s such an iconic boss and a crucial character to the series lore. Understanding his role and his motivations adds depth to your journey through Lordran, making this final battle all the more memorable. Prepare yourself; the Lord of Cinder awaits.