Looking Glass Knight

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, […]

Ringed City

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 […]

Zullie

As we approach Irithyll Dungeon, we are invaded by a familiar face, or rather name: Alva. Although never seen in person during the events of Dark Souls II, (DS2) there is no mistaking his iconic set of armor. Both protective and lightweight, it was perfect equipment for the man whom bards still extol as the […]

Catarina

Catarina is the same as it has always been. It is a country characterized by its jolly disposition, the yang to Carim’s yin. The people’s big, wide-eyed smiles are matched by a hearty laugh cheering as they down a tankard of alcohol. They are straightforward and honest, never hiding their anger. After all, the honorable […]

Alva

The tale of Alva is a true romance in every sense. Wearing lightweight yet highly protective armor, the knight was suited to wandering the lands. As to which country he hailed from, however, it may be one of the many that rose and fell on Drangleic during the land’s long history. Maughlin adds Alva’s armor […]

Solaire

Exploring the Undead Settlement, we might come across a locked room, forcing us to drop through a hole in the ceiling to enter. Inside, we will find ourselves in a quaint little residence — at least what amounts to one in this shanty town. On the stove for us to eat sits a warm pot […]

Undead Matches

Beneath Priscilla’s old tower in Ariandel is a grave with a warrior’s sword, tended to by a gravekeeper. And from the Champion’s Bones acquired after the Gravetender is dead, this tombstone belongs to an Undead who began fighting as part of a competition of strength with other Undead. The gravekeeper was previously the champion’s page, […]

Shulva

Preface A common sentiment is that the DLC is the best part of Dark Souls II, and I am inclined to agree. That might be a low bar compared to Dark Souls (DS1) and Dark Souls III, (DS3) but it shows what the developers at FromSoftware could do with the added time to polish the […]

Majula

Saulden struggles to call Majula, original name Madula, (マデューラ) a settlement in its current state, but there is no denying that these ruins once belonged to a thriving village on the western corner of Drangleic. According to the description for the House Key, Majula was around when every “abominable” thing imaginable was being dumped down […]

Raime

Despite how closely Velstadt shadowed King Vendrick, he wasn’t the only knight to stand so near. That honor was shared with Raime, the other of the king’s “Twin Arms” (双腕) as his greatshield calls them both in its description. Aside from the obvious reference to King Allant’s Twin Fangs in Demon’s Souls, this title reveals […]