Embark on a perilous journey in Dark Souls 3, a world teetering on the brink of collapse. As an Unkindled, you must rise to face the encroaching darkness, seeking out the Lords of Cinder to rekindle the fading flame and prevent the end of an age.
The World of Lothric
Dark Souls 3 is set in the kingdom of Lothric, a land where the cycle of fire and dark is faltering. The First Flame, the source of all life and power, is dying, and with it, the age of fire draws to a close. The Lords of Cinder, powerful beings who once linked the flame, have abandoned their thrones, leaving the world to decay.
Your Role as the Unkindled
You play as an Unkindled, an undead being who has failed to become a true Lord of Cinder and has instead been resurrected as ash. Your purpose is to hunt down the errant Lords of Cinder and return them to their rightful places at Firelink Shrine. This act is crucial to rekindling the First Flame and preserving the current age, or perhaps ushering in a new one.
The Lords of Cinder
Your quest will lead you to confront five formidable Lords of Cinder, each with their own tragic past and immense power:
- Ludleth of Courland: The smallest of the Lords, yet a powerful sorcerer who willingly returned to his throne.
- Aldrich, Saint of the Deep: A monstrous entity who devoured gods and men, now a grotesque aberration.
- Farron’s Undead Legion (Abyss Watchers): A legion of warriors bound by a sacred oath, now consumed by the very abyss they fought against.
- Yhorm the Giant: A tyrannical ruler who brought prosperity through his strength, but now sits upon a throne of despair.
- Holy King Lothric: The final Lord, a prince who refused to link the fire, seeking an age of hollows and darkness.
The Cycle of Fire
The narrative of Dark Souls 3 revolves around the eternal cycle of linking the fire. Throughout the series, linking the fire has been a means to prolong the Age of Fire, but it comes at the cost of burning away souls and perpetuating the suffering of the undead. The choices you make and the Lords you gather will ultimately determine the fate of this cycle and the world itself.
Key Themes
- Decay and Entropy: The world is visibly decaying, reflecting the fading of the First Flame.
- Duty and Sacrifice: The Lords of Cinder, and by extension the player, grapple with their perceived duties and the sacrifices required.
- The Nature of Humanity: The game explores themes of ambition, despair, and the struggle against one's own nature.