Who Saved the Chosen Undead? Unraveling the Mystery of Dark Souls’ Beginning
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The question of who saved the Chosen Undead in Dark Souls is one of the most fundamental and captivating mysteries that initiates the entire game’s narrative. The answer, unequivocally, is Oscar of Astora. This knight, appearing seemingly out of nowhere within the Undead Asylum, is responsible for setting the player character on their path towards either linking the flame or ushering in the age of dark. But the simplicity of this answer belies a deeper, more complex web of motivations and circumstances that make Oscar’s actions so compelling.
Oscar of Astora: The Unsung Catalyst
Oscar’s presence in the Undead Asylum is both pivotal and enigmatic. He appears early in the game, locked in a cell not far from the player’s own. It’s Oscar who ultimately engineers the player’s escape. He achieves this by dropping a corpse containing the Dungeon Cell Key into the player’s cell. This seemingly simple act is the first domino in a chain reaction that leads to the events of Dark Souls. It’s important to note that this is not a random act of kindness but one steeped in potential purpose.
A Knight Driven by Prophecy
Why does Oscar do this? The game provides clues hinting at his motives. Though it’s never explicitly stated, it is heavily implied that Oscar was deliberately freeing undead from the asylum, hoping that at least one among them would be strong enough to fulfill the prophecy of ringing the Bells of Awakening. He saw the potential in the player, and in this desperate act, he places his hope, and the weight of the world, onto their shoulders.
A Brief But Powerful Encounter
The encounter with Oscar doesn’t end with the player’s escape. Later on, the player finds Oscar, fatally wounded, slumped against a wall. In his final moments, Oscar imparts a crucial piece of information and a task: to “carry on his will” to fulfill his objective. He asks you to listen to his tale, essentially passing the torch to the Chosen Undead. This brief conversation underscores the significance of Oscar’s role – he’s not just a helpful NPC, but a character whose motivations and actions directly shape the player’s journey.
Is the Chosen Undead Truly Chosen?
The term “Chosen Undead” implies a predetermined path, but the game’s narrative reveals a more nuanced truth. The player isn’t selected by some divine power but rather succeeds where others have failed. The Chosen Undead is not inherently special beyond being resilient enough to not succumb to the madness and hopelessness that turn other undead into Hollows. The title is more of a descriptor, rather than a decree of destiny. This is further emphasized by the fact that other characters, such as Solaire of Astora, are arguably just as capable of completing the same tasks, suggesting that ‘Chosen Undead’ is merely a title applied after the fact, not a preordained destiny.
The Enigmatic Nature of Oscar and the Undead Curse
The reasons behind Oscar’s own imprisonment, and ultimately his demise, remain shrouded in mystery, adding to his poignant character. It’s clear he’s aware of the prophecy and understands the significance of finding someone capable of challenging the status quo. The fact that he’s willing to risk everything, even his own life, demonstrates the urgency of his mission. This sacrifice is fundamental to understanding the desperate nature of the world of Dark Souls.
Oscar, therefore, isn’t just the character who saves the Chosen Undead; he is a symbol of hope and sacrifice within a world teetering on the brink of collapse. His actions initiate the player’s journey and his brief but impactful role as a catalyst highlights the themes of duty, prophecy, and the desperate search for purpose that define Dark Souls.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why are the Undead Locked Away in the Asylum?
The Undead Asylum serves as a prison for those afflicted by the Undead Curse. This curse prevents true death, turning individuals into undead beings who gradually lose their sanity and become Hollow. They are locked away to prevent the spread of the curse and keep them away from the rest of the world, to avoid the loss of sanity from the world that’s already starting to crumble.
2. What is the Undead Curse?
The Undead Curse is a phenomenon that afflicts humans in the world of Dark Souls. It causes individuals to resurrect upon death, losing fragments of their humanity each time. Eventually, without a goal or sense of purpose, they will become Hollow, losing all reason and free will.
3. Why doesn’t the Chosen Undead go Hollow?
The Chosen Undead resists hollowing due to “plot armor.” More thematically, it is because they maintain a purpose and the will to achieve the task placed in front of them. The game implies that Hollowing occurs when an undead loses their purpose and hope.
4. Did the Chosen Undead Link the First Flame?
While not explicitly confirmed, the most likely scenario, given the narrative implications, is that the Chosen Undead did link the First Flame in order to end the Age of Dark, a temporary measure at best. The game’s ending sequence is ambiguous, allowing for multiple interpretations, but it is widely believed the Chosen Undead did rekindle the flame.
5. Is the Chosen Undead Immortal?
The Chosen Undead is immortal in the sense that they resurrect after death due to the Undead Curse, not necessarily in the traditional meaning of the word. This ability is shared by all undead beings afflicted by the curse. This immortality is more of a curse, causing them to lose hope and humanity each time they die.
6. Is the Chosen Undead stronger than the Ashen One?
The Ashen One, from Dark Souls 3, is generally considered the stronger protagonist. They defeat a wider array of powerful foes, including Lords of Cinder, and their quest involves absorbing the power of those who have previously linked the flame.
7. What is the difference between the Chosen Undead and the Ashen One?
The Chosen Undead is an undead who succeeds in linking the flame in Dark Souls 1, or initiating the Age of Dark. The Ashen One is an undead who previously attempted to link the flame in Dark Souls 3 but failed and was reduced to ash. They are revived to prevent the flame from fading completely.
8. What is the canon name for the Chosen Undead?
The canon name for the Chosen Undead is ‘Frank Deadlinger.’ This is the default name assigned to the character if the player does not enter their own name during character creation.
9. Is Oscar of Astora the Chosen Undead?
Oscar of Astora is not the Chosen Undead. He is a knight who is also undead and is attempting to fulfill the prophecy by helping other undead reach their full potential. He, ultimately, serves as the catalyst for the Chosen Undead’s journey.
10. What is the Age of the Undead?
The “Age of the Undead” is not a canonical term or event within the Dark Souls lore itself, but rather a book within the broader gaming universe. The term is often used by fans to refer to what is believed by some to be the end of the Age of Fire and the beginning of the Age of Dark.
11. Who is the strongest Dark Souls protagonist?
The Ashen One from Dark Souls 3 is typically considered the strongest protagonist due to the scale and intensity of the challenges they overcome and the power of the enemies that they face.
12. Why did the Ashen One wake up?
The Ashen One was resurrected due to the toll of the bell, signifying that the First Flame was in danger of fading and that the link of the fire was threatened. They were once an undead that had tried to link the flame in the past, but were found to be unsuitable and reduced to ash.
13. Who is the most powerful character in Dark Souls?
There are many contenders for the most powerful character in Dark Souls. Gwyn, the Lord of Cinder, is a prime contender due to his immense strength and historical significance. Manus, Father of the Abyss, is also considered immensely powerful. As a result, these characters are usually considered the two strongest characters in the Dark Souls franchise
14. Can the Ashen One go Hollow?
The Ashen One can become Hollow by acquiring dark sigils from the people of Londor, although it will not happen automatically by dying. This is one of the various choices the player can make in Dark Souls 3 that affects the game’s ending.
15. What is the “good” ending in Dark Souls?
The “good” ending is generally perceived as the one where the Chosen Undead sacrifices themselves to link the First Flame. It perpetuates the Age of Fire, although this is recognized as a temporary solution. The game does not explicitly confirm whether this is a good ending or a bad one, however.