The Ringed City DLC delves deep into the lore of Dark Souls III, offering glimpses into the tragic backstories of its inhabitants and the world's dying embers. The titular Ringed City itself was a place of exile, built by Gwyn, Lord of Cinder, to contain the Pygmy Lords and their cursed race. These beings, descendants of the original Dark Soul holder, were tasked with guarding the Dark Soul, a burden that ultimately led to their isolation and the city's decay. The characters you encounter, such as the Slave Knight Gael, are deeply intertwined with this history. Gael, a loyal knight who once served the old gods, has become a hollowed shell, driven by an insatiable hunger for the Dark Soul. His quest for the pigment of the Dark Soul is a desperate attempt to find a new beginning for a world that has long since faded. The lore suggests that the Ringed City was a prison, a place where the remnants of humanity and the power of the Dark Soul were kept separate from the fading Age of Fire. The various hollowed knights and monstrous creatures found within the DLC are often the tragic results of this prolonged isolation and the corrupting influence of the Dark Soul. Understanding these backstories enriches the player's experience, providing context for the desolate environments and the desperate struggles faced by the remaining beings in this final age.
- Pygmy Lords: Descendants of the first Dark Soul holder, tasked with guarding its power.
- Slave Knight Gael: A loyal knight consumed by his quest for the Dark Soul's pigment.
- The Ringed City: A city built as an exile for the Pygmy Lords and their cursed lineage.