[Spoiler] About the sculptors "condition"

[Chrysalis]

When he catches dragonrot, he says that he won't die from it, because he is not "normal".

What exactly does he mean with "not normal"?
Has it something to do with him nearly becoming consumed by shura some time ago?
Or does he mean, that he is gradualy losing his humanity and getting consumed by the flames of hatred and thats why he can't die of dragonrot and will eventually transform into the demon of hatred?

I hope some of you have theories, ideas or facts about the sculptors "condition" and what caused it.

[EllyBeeShaped]

Your suspicion about his ultimate fate is correct.

[HoneyDrake]

Sorry, but as you don't own Sekiro on your account I am not able to judge if you are going to get spoilered, or whatever.

General speaking, there is less of an theory and more of "facts" spread around everywhere in conversations across the game.

[Chrysalis]

Originally posted by Honey Drake:

Sorry, but as you don't own Sekiro on your account I am not able to judge if you are going to get spoilered, or whatever.

General speaking, there is less of an theory and more of "facts" spread around everywhere in conversations across the game.

Thanks for being so considerate, but I own the game on PS4 and finished it 2 times (Shura and return ending), so don't worry about spoilers.
I know that he will become the demon of hatred and why, but my question is more about what he meant with being "not normal". I'm not sure if this is based on him becoming the demon of hatred or something else.

When I first played this game I thought he meant that he is undying, like Hanbei, but now after finishing the game I'm pretty sure that this is not the case.
My theory is, that the sculptor failed to become a full Shura, because Isshin cut of his arm. So I think, him being a failed Shura is what he meant with not being "normal". As a failed Shura he seems to have become a kind of host to all the hate and anger of war and that's why he couldn't die by dragonrot. When the central army attacked and brought the flames of war to Ashina, all the hate, fear and anger of battle where consumed by the sculptor an so he transformed in the demon of hatred.

Do you think my theory could be true, or did I make a mistake and overlook something important?

[EllyBeeShaped]

Like I said, you are correct about what he eventually becomes.

It's made fairly explicit in some comments various characters make at the end, especially when you make your way up to the Demon of Hatred.

[HoneyDrake]

Imagine "Shura" being an demon being which forces it's way into someones body through their corrupted mind.

The sculptor was in that situation, and Shura slipped through his mind and got control of his arm.

Before Shura was able to overtake him, the arm (which got possessed) got cut down.

It was never said what exactly happens, if Shura is just waiting for the moment the sculpture loses his focus, if the sculpture is still in some kind of transformation, if there are still seeds of Shura in his Body, etc.


Imho: the most important fact is that the Sculptor is actually still fighting against his transformation/corruption of his mind, seen as he crafts and sculpting one Buddha statue after another, his mind fixed on not getting cured but actually being close to madness.


I am not sure if he actually did become the host of hatred and whatever, or if it's actually just him losing his mind (as carving Buddha statues would reflect him cleaning his mind), thanks to Shura still having an lasting effect on his body and mind. In that case it would mean that, once the Ashina Castle started to burn, his memories awakened from when Ishin cut off his arm.

Instead of being reasonable, his mind becomes twisted and instead of seeing Ishin as his savior, actually sees him as the reason why he became what he is, with the flames fueling his feelings (patriotism when he serverd turned into hate, as... instead of getting rewards for giving his best his arm got cut off.... and while he understands it's unreasonable... his mind is too twisted to distinguish anything from reality).



And lastly: the reason why he transforms into some demon is most likely because of Shura and some kind of seed reacting to his strong feelings of hatred.


edit: so yes, you are correct, while it's unclear if it's his own thought process or if he becomes some vessel for the hatred of others.

[Chrysalis]

Thanks for all the answers, they really helped me understand what happened to the sculptor.