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Re: Dark Souls

Post by Lord Timster »

VICTORY ACHIEVED

NG+6 complete! :o

And to think I only started NG+ to snag a couple of Xbox Achievements, and then just kept going... Tellingly, I have never had any interest at all in doing NG+ for DS2. Whether all this is down to the more open nature of the DS1 map or finding the lore to be just more compelling - or both - I don't know.

Having said that, now I have found out just how epic sorcery is I'm keen to start a new DS2 character sometime. For now, though, I think I will just go have a lie down.
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Re: Dark Souls

Post by BetaB17 »

Having said that, now I have found out just how epic sorcery
Are you referring to Sorceries in DS1 or DS2? I know in the former, it was fairly lack luster, all things considered

I mean, aside from some utility and the viability of ranged attacks, the only true stand-alone is the dark magic spells from the dlc. High damage output, still deals physical damage. I mean, lets forget about Persurers and how OP that is.. And just look at Dark Beads. [&@%!] magic shotgun. Big boss? You cant miss. Invader decked out in Havel? Boomstick to the face

But ya, magic in DS2 is a whole other story. By far the best starter class is the mage, easily able to contend with enemies far stronger than you should(like those ogres) Easily able to abuse enemy AI and range spamming..

But ya, if alot of the Sorceries are great, some being potential boss killers(I.e Soul barrage).. Then you should look at Hexes(are you seeing a pattern yet?) Even with a small investment into Faith, just the staff Hexes alone ae way worth it. Dark Orb? Slow, strong, and can easily get multiple stacks in reserves. Resonant Soul? Outclasses the typical soul arrow, very strong, costs a lil bit souls... Worth it. Great Resonant Soul? Well [&@%!], who needs Soul spear?

Fact alone, magic in DS2 is stupid powerful. And I mean, stupid, powerful. It's too easy to stack up spells in attunement slots, and just as easy to get multiples of the same spells. There's even a hood that increases the total spell castings in deserve. And if you got a really powerful boss to kill(I.e Ancient Dragon, Ivory King, Fume Knight) it's not too hard to eat some spice and recover all those castings mid-fight
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Re: Dark Souls

Post by MARS »

BetaB17 wrote:
Having said that, now I have found out just how epic sorcery
Are you referring to Sorceries in DS1 or DS2? I know in the former, it was fairly lack luster, all things considered
You kidding? DS1 sorceries are EZ mode.
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Re: Dark Souls

Post by BetaB17 »

Compared to DS sorceries? And even to pyromancy within the same game? I'm sorry, but your mistaken
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Re: Dark Souls

Post by MARS »

I don't see the point in comparing them...the fact of the matter is that you can beat all of DS1 easily by standing around and casting sorcery.
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Re: Dark Souls

Post by BetaB17 »

>_> not in the first run, you can't. Even if you have enough attunement slots, you'll run out of casts. Eventually, you'll need to use some sort of melee >_>
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Re: Dark Souls

Post by MARS »

Tempted to record a fresh Sorcery run just for you. It was legit the easiest playthrough I've had. Knight is easy too, but the lack of mobility personally confuses me more than it helps me. I'm not a tank by instinct.
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Re: Dark Souls

Post by Kerr »

I haven't used sorcery (just pyromancy) but it seems like it would be a lot easier with bosses than just long bouts between bonfires. Because with bosses you don't have to worry about conserving your spells.

Now that I have all four lord souls I'll check out the DLC. But if I hadn't looked up how to start the DLC, I wouldn't have figured it out.
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Re: Dark Souls

Post by Lord Timster »

BetaB17 wrote:Are you referring to Sorceries in DS1 or DS2? I know in the former, it was fairly lack luster, all things considered
No way, man. Those DS1 Crystal spells are monsters, especially when you deck yourself out in Sorcery++ stuff and have a stack of them to spam.

I fought the 4 Kings earlier today and just steamrollered them. They stood zero chance. On NG+3 they were giving me so much grief I was considering abandoning my DS playthrough - and then Sorcery came on-line and blam, they are not even a speed-bump anymore.

Pyromancy powers up pretty fast and I used it a lot early game. But by NG+3 even the Great Fireball couldn't one-shot those skele-dog-things and Sorcery began to take over from then on. I used Black Flame against Nito this NG cycle and a bit of Toxic Mist, but that was about it.
BetaB17 wrote:By far the best starter class is the mage
Starter classes?!? No no no no. Start Deprived, then head into the nearest bar, swipe someone's leather jacket and motorbike and you are good to go.

But yeah I will check out Hexes in DS2 then, thanks.
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Re: Dark Souls

Post by MARS »

Deprived is bad for skill specs tho.

git gud etc
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Re: Dark Souls

Post by BetaB17 »

The reason I say mage as starter is because you get the staff and soul arrows right off the bat. You can go ahead and head on over to Tower of flame and cheese it like it's nothing. Seriously, mage pretty much is the defacto easy mode for DS2

Per DS1, I'm not disputing it's strength, especially in the NG+ when you get to stack the best sorceries.. It's just that on a fresh game, with the staffs that you unlock over time.. Their just not as much the clutch through most of the game.. Especially when you need to keep resting at bonfires or saving those finite spells for the boss

Later and end game, especially with NG+, ya, sorceries seriously can overshadow Pyromancy >_> high tier staffs and scaling will do that for ya. Pyromancy really doesn't scale the same way
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Re: Dark Souls

Post by MARS »

But...you're actually wrong? You can get all the necessary equipment and sorceries to easily curb-stomp Gwynn on NG. The only things that'll give you trouble are enemies and bosses in Oolacile, and that's only until you get black sorceries. Pyromancies are powerful, but far harder to use effectively, and unaffected by stats. All those souls you're putting into the Flame could be going into Magic, to both power your sorceries, and your magic upgraded weapon.
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Re: Dark Souls

Post by Lord Timster »

MARS wrote:Deprived is bad for skill specs tho.
Sorry, I'm not following you.
Unless you're talking about points in stats you'll never use being non-optimal?
Please elucidate my fate. :D

@BetaB17: Well to a certain extent I think we are talking at cross-purposes re DS1 Sorcery then.
Re: Starter Classes & stuff - tbh I found the few I tried to be too OP, I remember one of the DS2 classes gave you stuff you could finish the game with. I don't see the point in that. I find that starting with nothing gives a better appreciation for where all the loot is on the early levels and this whole epic journey from 'scrambling to survive' to 'kick-ass hero' is something I quite like about these games. YMMV and all that though. Ta :D
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Re: Dark Souls

Post by BetaB17 »

You can get all the necessary equipment and sorceries to easily curb-stomp Gwynn on NG
Ya and you can also parry chain Gwynn with a broken sword and kill him

I'm referring more from zone to zone in the first game. Will you have enough spells to get through Anor Londor? Through all of the end game? You only really unlock the crystal spells after the Library.. And up till then your only offensive spells pertain to the soul arrows and a few casts of soul spear. It's just not sustainable, and there is a big gap in scaling with the staves before the top tier really pull through

I'm not saying that sorceries aren't strong by their own right. Their very good if you cherry pick enemies at range or use them to punish bosses from afar.. Their just not sustainable enough like, say, a sword. If they had more castings and more spells per vendor, then ya, you could certainly solve that problem.
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Re: Dark Souls

Post by MARS »

Yeah, okay, I'll give you that, it does take some skill there, but so does every other possible build. You can't dispatch the Giant Statues any easier with Pyromancies than you would with Sorcery. They'll block them all the same.

With a Magic build, you never ever rely solely on spells, anyway. That's both a waste and impractical. This is why you upgrade to the Magic path, so that your weapon deals damage that scales with your Magic attribute. It takes care of most common enemies pretty effectively, especially if you go for something like a 100% block shield and a rapier. It's the easiest thing in the world. You turtle through the are, you save your strong spells for the boss, you dodge and cast spells, and boom, you win. Most bosses are either weak or not very resistant to magic, and even those who are take massive damage even from just the regular Soul Spear.

The Crystal Sorceries are fun and flashy, but save for Homing Crystal Missile they're ultimately less cost-effective than your standard Soul Sorceries. Once you get the Crown of Dusk and Dusk Crown Ring you're effectively unstoppable, and casting is absolutely not a problem if you can dodge.

edit: I guess I'm coming across like I'm naysaying for the hell of it, but this is just my personal experience with it. I guess it also depends on the player and how their mind works in relation to the game. All I'm saying is, Sorcery can make the game very easy all the way through from the beginning, since it did for me.

Also, two fun facts: 1) I've never managed to beat Gwynn by parrying. 2) I play with keyboard + mouse.
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MARS wrote:Deprived is bad for skill specs tho.
Sorry, I'm not following you.
Unless you're talking about points in stats you'll never use being non-optimal?
Please elucidate my fate. :D

@BetaB17: Well to a certain extent I think we are talking at cross-purposes re DS1 Sorcery then.
Re: Starter Classes & stuff - tbh I found the few I tried to be too OP, I remember one of the DS2 classes gave you stuff you could finish the game with. I don't see the point in that. I find that starting with nothing gives a better appreciation for where all the loot is on the early levels and this whole epic journey from 'scrambling to survive' to 'kick-ass hero' is something I quite like about these games. YMMV and all that though. Ta :D
Yes, that. 11 points in every stat is quite a bit, and every point in a stat you won't make use of is an incredible waste, at least if you want to keep your Soul Level at something reasonable.

It's a lesser problem, but it also just means higher soul expenses on everything. It can be fun for a directionless PVE run, granted. I'm at a point where I don't really consider anything but highly specialized builds, because now most of the fun in the game besides the combat is playing around with all the possible stat and equipment setups. For example, my fast rolling, no-shield Strength character was a lot of fun. Quite the experience flipping and dashing around while pancaking stuff with the Demon Hammer. Impractical? Yes. Fun? You betcha. The only stats I put any points into were Endurance and Strength. As a side-note, I only used the Demon Hammer because of the absurd stat requirements, there are better weapons around to use in that kind of build. Greataxe, ooooh baby.
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Re: Dark Souls

Post by Lord Timster »

^ Cool.
Well you are talking to someone who put 22 level-ups into Faith and then decided that Sorcery would be more useful...! tbh I only PvE anyway so it doesn't bother me that much.
No worries, adventuring is my life etc

Fun fact: I don't know how to parry in DS1... :o
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Re: Dark Souls

Post by BetaB17 »

Ya, that's typically what most pure mage builds do, because why use a sword if your Dex and Str are [&@%!] when you can infuse it to scale from that massive Int instead. Smart move, no pun intended

Btw, speaking of DS2 and starting out. Is it not funny how I practically went thru the whole game primarily with the Longsword? Well, baring spells of course. I mean, it scales well enough, and you get a free Fire Longsword early on >_> hell, I liked the weapon and moveset so much, I even got a 2nd one.. Dark infused instead. Both Dark/Hexes and Fire/Pyro scale off of a mix of Int & Faith.

Man did I love that moveset, especially for PVP. 2handing it seriously throws people off because it's not all too popular in the meta. But I mean, who expects a backstep dodge to immediately turn into a punishing thrust.. Followed my a heavy stab.. Then another stab, one more, then a swipe to catch you in your roll

I miss PVPing on that game.. Folk were nicer, and there were less cheap builds n ganking in my opinion. I seriously had some if my funniest duels on that game.
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Re: Dark Souls

Post by Kerr »

I just finished Dark Souls (I did what Solaire would want me to do) and yeah, the game was fantastic. Going to play Bloodborne before I do Dark Souls 2, 3 or Demon's Souls. In part because it's the one I own. I mean I'm not going to start it now but yeah, eventually.

Should be interesting whenever I come back for New Game+ or just roll an entirely new character.
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Re: Dark Souls

Post by Lord Timster »

I like Solaire.

In a way I think it's a shame there isn't a third ending where he gets to link the fire and become "grossly incandescent" himself. Would have had more... 'emotional resonance' for me than just going through the motions to finish the main quest.
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Re: Dark Souls

Post by BetaB17 »

Well, actually
Spoiler:
If you saved Solaire down in Izalith, you can find his summoning sign in the Kiln of the First Flame, right before Gwyn. This means, in his timeline, he had to of gone and went thru with linking the fire >_> and I say that, as opposed to abandoning it, BC really he had nothing left to live for.. And sacrificing yourself for a greater cause seems like the good thing to do

Mind ya tho, unlike what many of us presumed early on, Solaire is NOT the son of Gwyn and the missing Firstborn god of War. That title will have to go to DS3's hidden boss The Nameless King. Tho in truth, the Sunlight warriors are very much his disciples, if not originally so.. So there is that
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Re: Dark Souls

Post by The SheoDovah »

According to TVtropes, Word of God is that if Soliare is with you when you beat Gywn, he goes on to do the fire ending. I do feel very sorry for Queelag's sister. Probably the only innocent NPC in the game that does nothing but try to help people and suffers for it. Killing Queelag adds to that and whilst she was a spider woman hellbent on consuming your humanity, Queelag was just looking out for her. Though, the Furysword is one sweeet sword.

Tarkus is the best summon imo. A very unneccessary one as Iron Golem is easy unless you don't pay attention but i think, the theme adds to that and it's less Iron golem and more Tarkus is gonna to mess you up. Shame he didn't become an invader. He would a welcome challenge. Easy to beat if you have magic though and pyromancy. Easy to use speed over him.Come to think of it, the biggest threat he would pose is his sheer damage.

I intend to get Scholar of the First sin when I get me grubs on a PS4. Probably do a Dark Souls:PTD after Demon Souls then 2 and 3 run.

There's no real change in new game plus, Kerr. Just some outfits you can purchase and pretty much being able to curbstomp everything without an issue until, say, the depths/blight town. Ok, the bosses can't be curbstomped but the battles will be quick. I swear, I one hit killed Taurus with a simple plunging attack. Capra is something that may catch you out but the dogs will be easy to kill.

I do hope that they do a sequel to Bloodbourne. I intend to get it and do expect to ignore the rule of Dark Souls where defense is the best defense and be very aggressive. I also expect to have a ton of deaths.

Apparently, Dark Souls started it's own genre.

Both endings are kinda ambigous. The dark may not bad and may be good for humanity whilst fire is prolonging the god's rule over humanity.

Bed of Chaos can [&@%!] off though. Worst. Boss. Ever. In fact, I rather face several Capras and Taurus as a boss. There is a challenge! Instead of "Lol,firestorm!" "Lolz, sweeps!"
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Re: Dark Souls

Post by Kerr »

Lord Timster wrote:I like Solaire.

In a way I think it's a shame there isn't a third ending where he gets to link the fire and become "grossly incandescent" himself. Would have had more... 'emotional resonance' for me than just going through the motions to finish the main quest.
Maybe the real sun was the friend he made along the way.

I summoned him for the last fight, it is unfortunate that he doesn't have any dialogue at the Kiln of the First Flame. Because the last time you speak to him in the Demon Ruins he's at his lowest point and seems to have all but given up hope. But yeah, immolating himself to save the world is a really strong ending of Solaire, he became the light he was looking for and an example to others.

You get so much help from other people, overcome adversity and help other people, with messages in the game, summonings or even just giving advice on a forum or writing on a wiki. For all the gloominess, I came away from Dark Souls feeling it was pretty uplifting with how people help one another. Solaire rubbed off on me.
Both endings are kinda ambigous. The dark may not bad and may be good for humanity whilst fire is prolonging the god's rule over humanity.
Have you been to Oolacile? Because the dark seems to be pretty bad for humanity.

"Oolacile has brought the Abyss upon itself. Fooled by that toothy serpent, they upturned the grave of primeval man, and incited his ornery wrath. What could they have been thinking?" - Marvelous Chester.

I think that's a pretty cool thing about the game. If you never poke around, you'll just assume it's a hero goes and lights the fire to save the world because Gwynevere and Frampt said so. Later you may find out that's an illusion and another serpent will tell you that actually ending the age of fire would be a good thing for humanity. But this was a serpent in New Lando, a city which was destroyed to halt the spread of the abyss. And he played a hand in making another city fall to the abyss. Is Dark Lord a better ending for the chosen undead personally? Sure, you aren't set on fire. But I don't see how it could lead to good for everyone else seeing as both cities we know embraced the dark had residents turn into monsters and were destroyed. Although the world as is isn't very good either, so you could very well make the argument that the age of fire isn't worth prolonging and it would be better if it just ended now instead of going on a for a couple hundred years longer, if that, and everything just continuing to be horrible for that length of time.

At least that's what I think at the moment, there's probably stuff in 2 & 3 which expands on it and might make me change my mind.
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Re: Dark Souls

Post by The SheoDovah »

I recall that Manus was a tortured person who's humanity went out of control thus starting the spread of it. Dark Lord is a better ending for the chosen undead and it may be possible that they are strong enough to force it back. I mean, everything Arnor Londo threw at them was defeated. I think, 3 is partially linked to 1 in some areas. 2 is more or less a seperate sequel, i think, due to another team handling it. Oh and you will love the "If you die, reduced health!" function of 2.

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Re: Dark Souls

Post by Lord Timster »

Solaire / NPC ending stuff:
Spoiler:
This whole overlapping / interweaving realities thing DS1 attempts is quite interesting. I find myself wondering just what happened to some of these peeps. Like Beatrice, Lautrec, Kirk and that guy with the big yellow light-bulb hat. And presumably that was Ciaran behind Arto's gravestone (although without an armour drop, annoyingly).

But yes, the fact that happy-ending-Solaire's corpse never turns up does imply that he must have linked the fire in his own "reality" - I just think in terms of a satisfying story-ending I'd have preferred he did it in my "reality".

And given that Mildred's corpse (afaik) never turns up I guess that means she is now the Dark Lady in her own reality? Yikes.
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lol "Sorry about your sister. Now I'm off to the Giant Blacksmith for -uh- completely unrelated reasons... Here, have some Humanity."
Kerr wrote:
Both endings are kinda ambigous. The dark may not bad and may be good for humanity whilst fire is prolonging the god's rule over humanity.
Have you been to Oolacile? Because the dark seems to be pretty bad for humanity.
Yeah I don't think there's enough information in the game to be totally sure about what's going on, but then sometimes that is part of the mystique of stories like this.

Supposedly Humanity has a "Dark Soul" so is somehow intimately connected to The Dark...
Is it the Age of Fire that is turning everyone Hollow?
Was New Londo destroyed 'because Dark' or because its rulers misused the powers The Dark gave them?
Was Oolacile destroyed 'because Dark' or because they desecrated the resting place of a primeval human?
Was the 'toothy serpent' a malicious agent of destruction or just a really poor judge of character - giving people knowledge and powers they couldn't handle?
"They failed me, every last one of them.
They were strong, but saw not the truth."


I don't know...

...and now I need to get an XB1 to play DS3... :/
Apathy is on the rise, but no-one cares.
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BetaB17
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Re: Dark Souls

Post by BetaB17 »

Okay.. Sorry for the length. But here. Also, minor spoilers where due
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Did you complete all the other side quests? Like Seigmeyer's? Or finish the bucket list of things to do? Like killing all bosses and unlocking all Covenants?

I mean, all in all, alot of that stuff is just best to do before beating the game and starting NG+ immediately upon completion. I know alot of the stuff is hard to follow thru with during a beginner's play through.. Some of the critical events or sidequests are progression dependant and even a few rely on summoning for certain bosses.. But at least most of the stuff on the bucket list or end-game side quests can be completed last minute. And since spoilers are no longer a problem, guides are that much more valued

Anyways, per NG+ and starting over with your character >_> Aside from starting off a lil above the difficulty curve, NG+ really doesn't have much to offer, especially for PVE.

Ya, you may be able to stack up on rare spells/gear or get to use the boss souls for other forged weapons.. But aside from that, DS1 really doesn't add anything. Unlike say DS2, where new gear or hidden enemy encounters are added, and NG+ very much adds some depth into the game. DS1 just, sort of goes meh. Maybe on the higher NG+ playthroughs it may be worth it, but you'll have to slog through the game so many times just for, well, that next level of challenge you want

My advice is to just start fresh. You already have the skills and knowledge to help push you through much of the difficulty curve, not to mention you'll have a better idea on how your build will progress

Personally, nothing is more enjoyable than low/mid tier game playthrough and being a veteran at the game.

Btw, if you really want to know a bit more about the lore and events from, most notably the first game, check out VaatiVidya's Prepare to Cry series. While some of the speculation or theories may be a bit more dated what with the sequels, they still very much paint a good and fair story
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I'm just going to say this here. While it may seem like a very important and essential fate in the first game.. The sequel readily explains that both choices are essentially worthless and the same result will occur

No matter what, the Fire will fade and Darkness will come.. Then the Cycle repeats and Fire returns from the ashes. This will happen again, and again, and again, and again. Perpetually extending this unnatural cycle even when the world itself seems to be crumbling on the brink of timeless ruin.. To the point where this decaying order becomes a necessity to continue

Linking the fires and inducing the Undead curse is not a good thing. In fact, it only ever served to make things worse, or everyone. Hence what Gwyn did, defying the natural order, is thought to have been the First Sin

If you choose to link the Flame, one of two things will occur. Either your soul is strong enough to fuel the fire and by doing so you successfully link the Fire, and at best becoming the next Lord of Cinder(I.e a burnt up, empty husk). If your soul is not strong enough or you somehow fail, you'll be burnt to ash and someone new will need to further act as fuel to perpetuate the linking of the fires

If you choose to walk away, to become the Dark Lord or to actively prevent the next Linking.. Then someone else will eventually come and take their right to Link the Flame.. Thus continuing the endless dilemma all over again

You, as the Chosen Undead, must know that your choice means nothing, you cannot change the inevitable. This is no more highlighted than in the main ending of the second game. You are not given choice between light and dark.. You merely submit to what will be done

Less you can walk away from the dark, beyond the reach of light.. Your fate and the world's is predetermined.

Remember, all ages must come to an end. The Age of Ancients ended when the first flame brought forth life and death.. The Age of Fire must come to an end when it fades.. The Age of Dark, and of what follows.. We do not know what persists beyond the entropy

When you get to it, DS3s endings are probably the most peculiar.. What with the world and the Flame itself at their weakest state that it has ever been. The fact alone that for once.. Your actions actually can have unprecedented consequences is a big deal. I wont go spoiling any of the nee elements that DS3 introduced upon this already complex scene
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There is no denying it, the Age of Dark is not at all a pleasant thing nor is the Abyss. It is like poison to the Gods.. And a chaotic influence upon the mortals. Humanity is a fickle thing.. To lose it is to go hollow and return to the grey existence from which we came. To abide by it's true nature, is to endure a hell like no other

The Abyss is not beneficial to mortals, it is to be feared and dreaded. Humanity is bound to gather.. And bring with it darkness. They cover the flame, yet it brings with it a stability that is much welcomed. The only people that seem to benefit from the Age of Dark is without a doubt those uninfluenced.. Like the Serpents to whom may prey upon the weak and reign like their ancestors prior >_> Or the few surviving Dragons, like Kalameet, who found sanctuary from the gods in the one place they will not tread upon. Tho nowhere near the glamour of their long lost Age or the endless grey...

And I cannot go by without mentioning this, in that not all Gods or beings fear the Dark. Fact alone, in that as the Fire fades and entropy seems to take hold.. As the powers of the Gods of Gwyn diminish.. And those beneath their reign.. And yet, what of Nito? He seems more than content to let the Fire fade, I mean, death will still persist in darkness and from the state of the world.. It seems to be doing even better than say during prosperity in light. Had it not been the Chosen Undead needing his Lord Soul and intruding upon his domain.. He would of kept minding his business and never lift a finger. Funny, how he still became a victim to the fading flame.

And lastly, upon the subject of Manus >_> and to an extent Oolicile. For starters, you must understand a few things. One on how such a cataclysm occurred and to whom the source is. As stated in that quote, Kaarth(presumably) is the one that tempted and beckoned the settlement to unearth and disturb the grave of a notable primordial human. Clearly, someone wanted to be left in peace.. Others however wished otherwise, and foolishly sought power from a source they could not control.

Thus Manus came to be, the primordial unleashed a darkness so chaotic, the Abyss spread like a disease upon the population and eventually twisted their very beings amongst the Abyss

But how, and why is Manus so special? Recall what humanity is, and how it behaves. Try as you might.. It is drawn to itself and gathers in mass. It is a fragment shared upon many, the final and hidden fourth soul that was found within the First Flame, the very embodiment of Dark. The Pygmy brought upon man, and bestowed his lord soul to many.. To hide it from those that would fear it and let it grow strong..

I do not need to tell you the uncanny similarities between the Pygmy, the owner of the Fourth Lordsoul and predecessor to humanity as a whole.. And that of the primordial human named Manus.

Hell, fact alone, just look at him! Look at the cavern full of humanity sprites. Now tell me, can the Four Kings bring about a darkness like that? Were they as feared and destructive as Manus? You really cannot underestimate the threat he posed.. And had it not been for the Chosen undead, a true and proper Lord of Dark would of taken throne.. Instead, he was slain.. And almost symbolic, his very being and soul fragmented into a multitude of pieces. From those fragments, they slowly amassed to form new beings.. Daughters of Manus that still kept some piece of him alive thru all the coming centuries and cycles.. Only play an interesting and influential role in the sequel to the series

Manus, is more than just some guy or annoying boss.. He's darkness incarnate
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Like Beatrice, Lautrec, Kirk and that guy with the big yellow light-bulb hat. And presumably that was Ciaran
I can actually answer alot of this. Granted, with time so convoluted and twisted.. You must understand that consequences from one person can very much affect another's. People may still help you, long after they have already passed, or maybe it was their encounter with your events that caused their death. Time is a fickle concept

Beatrice is one of the few npc summons with an interesting fate. Not only does she help you with the Moonlight butterfly and even, for reasons unknown, the Four Kings. Her corpse can be found in the Valley of Drakes, not too far from the gate door to New Londo.. And just nearby the elevator where the master key works

Tarkus likewise fought and made it thru Sen's fortress, offering to help those do just the same. And yet, not too long after, you can find his corpse in Anor Londor, down by the painting where he presumably fell to is death

The yellow invader within the Painted world? Clearly a resident, maybe of his own choosing. Either way, he died not too far from probably the kindest heart in that bleak place

Kirk? An invader who relentlessly attacks you as you travel deeper into the earth. An armor of thorns, cruel he is, yes? You can find his corpse in the dead end hallway not too far from the Pale Lady. Odd? Surely he was a darkwraith that preyed upon the weak for their humanity.. Or maybe he tricked and stole from Kaarth, to give to one that surely needed it most. And yet, through a kind and noble quest, he died after time and time failing till he could persist no longer

Even some of the residents at firelink shrine can find themselves in similar fates. One searches into the swamp below Blighttown, hollowing before he could find the daughter of chaos. Another, hollows in Sen's Fortress after trying to follow in his master's footsteps. A young priestess, either slain in cold blood or taken away to the Library.. Neither fates are pleasant. The Crestfallen? After both bells ringed.. He thought it right to finally do something.. Before promptly losing it all down below in the ruins of New Londo.

Seriously, the NPCs and how their own journeys end can be some of the more interesting and personal experiences.. Even Oscar, the knight that saved you from the Asylum was once planned to have a larger part in the story..
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