Trot up to Cardinal Tower at the heart of the fortress in the Forest of Fallen Giants, and we come upon a striking statue enshrined within. The figure appears to be a holy woman — her dress and pose resembling depictions of the Virgin Mary — and exudes warmth, seeming inviting and motherly. Who is […]
Much like the Darkwraiths before them, the Brotherhood of Blood are a covenant dedicated to invasions, using the Cracked Red Eye Orbs they have collected to safely slaughter others as dark spirits. Unlike the Darkwraiths, however, they do it as “blood warriors” (血の戦士) in service to their God of Blood, Nahr Alma. As depicted in […]
Although described as short in stature in their helm’s Japanese description, the Gyrm’s size is exaggerated at best. The ones we encounter all stand roughly equal to us, either slightly shorter or even a little taller. Even accounting for their enormously thick armor, they are more bulky than physically modest. Indeed, these proportions make them […]
Among the children of Dark, Nashandra, originally Dunashandra, (デュナシャンドラ) is the most uncomplicated. As the apostle of “craving”, (渇望) she embodies everything that makes these spawns of Dark what they are. She forever thirsts for one thing: power. According to Vendrick, the monster’s diminutive size as a fragment of Manus’ Abyss was the very reason […]
Magic Kingdom The Lost Bastille is home to a number of prisoners, but none are more chatty than Straid, a sorcerer from the ruined nation of Olaphis. Although now a “forgotten prison”, (忘却の牢) this facility was once a castle, apparently the seat of government for this land. Based on Straid’s dialogue, this government was the […]
Preface Despite my public criticism of Dark Souls II in total, I can still recognize that Aldia is one of the best characters introduced into the franchise as a whole. He may not have as creative an appearance or backstory as Seath in the original Dark Souls, (DS1) but he nonetheless stands out among the […]
Based on how he is named in-game, Royal Sorcerer Navlaan, originally Navarran, (ナヴァーラン) is a court sorcerer for Drangleic. “Royal” refers specifically to a royal court, (宮廷) and his presence in Aldia’s manor suggests that court to be at Drangleic Castle. The man sells various items related to sorcery and dragons at the mansion and […]
Flogging Faith When the survivors of the Drakeblood Knights left Shulva to its ruin, they brought the kingdom’s wisdom with them. And where did they go with that pillaged culture if not back home to their country of origin? The name of this country has now been lost, but this is be probably because it […]
Lanafir, or Lal Canal, (ラル・カナル) is a country at the far southern end of the known world in Dark Souls II. That we learn so little about this far-off land can largely be attributed to its policy of isolationism. Unlike most nations, Lanafir has cut off any political and economic relations with foreign states, leaving […]
Deus Vult Forossa, original name Forozza, (フォローザ) was a remote country far to the east of Drangleic, mainly known for constantly warring with its neighbors to the point that — based on Vengarl’s dialogue — the nation seems to have been perpetually at war. And to their credit, Forossans were well equipped for the task, […]
Lokey Lore 