Among the miracles available to us in our journey through Drangleic, none is quite so unique as Soul Appease. This tale of the gods manifests the power to tremendously damage Hollows while dealing absolutely no damage to non-Hollows. This is captured in the spell’s name, chinkon referring to the “repose of the soul” (鎮魂) when […]
Fundamental to any discussion of a sequel is its relation to its predecessor. In the case of Dark Souls II, it is clearly not a direct sequel to the original Dark Souls. (DS1) Embarking on a new adventure with a new Undead protagonist, we explore the seemingly new land of Drangleic in the hopes of […]
Wearing a dark mask in the shape of a skull with long dreadlocks and equally ominous armor, the mysterious warriors bear a striking contrast to most knights. Even more curious is the question whether they are knights at all. They do belong to a foreign country, their armor’s description insinuating one of the varying that […]
Preface As the last DLC before the Scholar of the First Sin edition, Crown of the Ivory King had to juggle its own story with the remaining loose threads the original Dark Souls II had left for it tie up. In contrast to its predecessors, this was met with mostly success. It is the only […]
Standing on two legs, sporting brown hair and green skin, the Lion Clan don’t resemble your typical wild cats. Nonetheless, this “lion tribe” or “race” (獅子族) do seem to be authentically feline, their armored sets humorously mitigating fall damage just like the Silvercat Ring. They also seem to be aware of their unconventional look. The […]
In the back of Drangleic Castle, at the end of the King’s Passage, lies the impressive “brave warrior’s chamber” (勇士の間) for the castle’s mightiest. This hall of heroes is a trial ground, where their valor is tested against the Looking Glass Knight. Fashioned with silvery metal, the boss’ weapons and armor incorporate crowns of thorns, […]
Preface If Dark Souls III is truly the end of the series, then I am glad that its final swan song was introducing the Ringed City. True, previous games had already set up all the key points for the origins of man and undeath, so the final DLC doesn’t tread much new ground in that […]
Preface If I had to choose one word to describe the School of Mensis, it would be macabre. There is a delightful villainy to the whole faction absent from so much of Bloodborne. They certainly lend themselves to the game’s most iconic imagery, skirting the line between sterile and viscerally grotesque. But more than any […]
Preface Although perhaps the most simplistic larger setting since Demon’s Souls, the wider world in Elden Ring is nonetheless coherent. In some respects, its generic quality helps contrast with the more fantastical experience of the Lands Between. And what sets it apart from our familiar earth is the seminal Long March led by Godfrey. Director […]
Preface I make no secret that I am a huge fan of the Banished Knights. Since the moment I first explored Stormveil, their shining armor battered by incessant winds and dark retinue wrapped in faded reds fascinated me. As I delved deeper into their story, their past absolutely enchanted me. They are the underdogs of […]
Lokey Lore 