Kingdoms during the Era of the Chosen Undead.

I wanted to add my own contributions to the research and study of Dark Soul's lore. I decided to start with listing kingdoms whose inhabitants you encounter within the course of the game and their affinities.

Introduction

The lore of Dark Souls is told through what you see, rarely by what you read. A game of show and not tell, it can be hard to organize everything in your mind as you fight off the various threats of the land on your adventure.

I wanted to add my own understanding of the game's world, of the lands beyond Lordran, via the characters and enemies you encounter.

I will be updating this more as I figure out more, also for spelling/grammer corrections. Im a terrible speller when Im tired.

Astora

While you only meet a few members from this land, all have some level of nobility, notability, or other importance. Of the warriors you encounter from this land are: Oscar, Prince Richard, Solaire, Artorias, the two Forest Hunter Knights, several corpses found throughout the Lordran (a lower knight near the Hydra, an Elite knight on the way to the Moonlight Butterfly, a group of knights killed in the valley of the drakes that have the Dragon Crest shield and Astora's Straight Sword.). A possible Astora warrior is a Knight Chosen Undead (the Knight set being a similar style to the Elite Knight set associated with Astora).

*speculation: The Crystal Undead Soldiers maybe what happened to Astora's army. Crystal Undead wield/drop Crystal Straight Swords. Straight Swords are strongly associated with Astora. They drop Caduceus Kite Shields, which are similar in design to the Tower Kite Shield (which is associated with the Knight Chosen Undead) and are sold by Andre of Astora. Again, this is a weak link but it was interesting enough for me to point out.

Weapons and armor from this land tend to be more ornate and of higher quality than most (with the exception of Solaire, tho, being the religious type, his maybe simplier out of piety). Knights from Astora have a balance of offense, defense, and mobility, prefering sword/shield combos and armor that is light but still protective. (Oscar uses Straight sword/Crest shield combo. Solaire uses Straight sword/Round shield combo. Prince Richard uses Rapier/Buckler combo. The two Forest Hunter Knights use Claymore/Knight shield combos. Even Artorias, tho he uses just a greatsword when you face him, before going insane used a greatsword/greatshield combo).

The inhabitants of this land also maybe a strong connection to the First Flame and the Undead prophecy. Oscar assisted the Chosen Undead escape the Asylum, Anastacia the Fire Keeper of Firelink shrine (one of the most important bonfires in the land), Artorias was one of the Four Knights of Gwyn, and Solaire (depending on the Chosen Undead's actions) eventually defeats Gwyn in his world and relinks the flame.

A Chosen Undead Knight maybe from this land, as Astora Noble is a face choice, and the Knight armor is in the style most similar to Astora. Its variance noted as the Chosen Undead being a lower classed knight than Oscar or Prince Richard.

My thoughts on Astora:

This is a small, but very wealthy nation. Probably very close, if not a next door neighbor to Lordran. Most probably it focused more on the arts, studies, and politics. Its promixity to Lordran, the land of the gods, making it an unappeasing target for conquest. Also it has a strong religious aspect, due to its closeness to the Lordran, the Knight Chosen Undead starting as a member of the Way of the White, Solaire being such a devotee of Gwyn and the Sunlight covenant, and Oscar's deep knowledge and connection of the Undead Prophecy.

Balder

A large nation (its knights are one of the most common enemies you face early on). Its people are larger in stature than most. A warrior race, even its king having the title of "Knight King" and personally leading the campaign into Lordran to end the Undead curse.

Its large size and warrior culture leading its weapons and armor to be less ornate than Astora or Catarina. While still somewhat stylized, its knights prefer function over form. Prefering speed over protection, its knights wear armor that has many exposed areas along the limbs and center to allow for easier movement at the cost of larger weapon points.

Notable is that this nation was among the first to try and end the curse, as all Balder knights encountered are hollowed have armor that is rusted, damaged, and tattered, indicating much age. Its knights' skill can be noted that one Balder knight managed to reach Anor Londo, joining the Darkmoon Blades.

Berenike

While little is known or seen of this land, Berenike can be implied to have been very powerful. Its inhabitants tower over others in size, though some were closer to "normal" human size. Despite thier large and lumbering size, they were also had a markedly higher intelligence than most seen, as they made it to the top of Sen's tower, making it past the various foes and traps within. Even one Berenike knight has managed to hold off hollowing via keeping his mind busy thinking, despite seeing so many die and being isolated from any sane person for an unknown amount of time. At least 1 maybe 2 Berenike knights made it past Sen's Fortress to Anor Londo (One of the Darkmoon Blade NPCs is a Berenike Knight, the second is possibly Black Iron Tarkus)

Berenike knights prefered defense over all and valued speed the least. All knights found are clad in heavy Steel Armor, wielding great swords, and carrying their signature Towershields. An exception is Black Iron Tarkus (if he is indeed a Berenike knight) who wears heavier but more protective black iron armor and greatshield, instead of the usual Berenike steel.

My thoughts on Berenike:

I imagine that Berenike is a mountainious region, as thier focus on defense and lack of speed would mean that open fields would put them at a disadvantage in combat.

Culturally, they have a focus on military organizations and scholarly pursuits. They value diversity, thier population is a variety of races, as they have both giants and normal men within their ranks.

Catarina

Possibly the smallest kingdom in the land, or one nearly wiped out by the curse of the undead. Only 2 knights from this land are encountered, Seigmeyer and Sieglinde. Its knights have a deep seated sense of honor and heroism, seeking lives of adventure and assisting those in need.

Knights from this land prefer offsense over all, with a secondary but solid defense as indicated by thier bulky armor, spiked shields, and two-handed swords.

My thoughts on Catarina:

Im half-joking, but half-serious in that I think Catarina has alot of farm land. This is a play on Caratina armor looking obese and with an onion for a head. The somewhat ornate style of armor hints that they have some form of funds, probably from produce sales.

Carim

This land can be summed up as "seedy" or "sinister". All characters met from this land have a dark and untrustworthy feel. Knight Lautrec is found in a prison cell, murders a helpless Fire Keeper, then sets up a trap in Anor Londo to harvest humanity from Darkmoon Blades. Arstor, the Earl of Carim, commissioned the creation of several rings to boost defense, but these were made under sinister circumstances. This possibly hints that he used live subjects to test the ring's effects. Arstor also created the Shotel, preferred weapon of Lautrec. Oswald the Pardoner, despite not being hostile, still is a shady character; as he offers to absolve people of thier sins, allowing characters to murder as many they feel like as long as they pay Oswald to absolve them later. Marvelous Chester is assumed to be from Carim, due to his weapon being the sniper crossbow (another weapon associated with Carim), and uses an invasion spirit to try and murder the Chosen Undead for unknown reasons (tho once defeated, will continue to sell the Chosen Undead items. Acting only annoyed that thier defeat). Overall, those met from Carim are dark, sinister, and mysterious.

People from this land, size wise, are either normal size (like Oswald) or closer to the size of Balder knights (Marvelous Chester).

Thier combat style is varies, but emphesises offense. Carim knights are noted to never use shields, Lautrec using either two Shotels or a Shotel/Parry Dagger combo. Commonly seen amonst those from Carim is that they do not fight fair or honorably. Lautrec kills a defenseless Fire Keeper before trying to kill Darkmoon Blades by outnumbering them 3 - 1. Chester ambushes the Chosen Undead on a narrow stairwell, rapid firing his crossbow and flinging bleed inflicting knives, tripping his opponent when they close the distance.

My thoughts on Carim:

Again, this is a dark land. The gods they worship seem to be darker or adverse to Gwyn and his family. Lautrec's murder of the Fire Keeper and trapping Darkmoon Blades is done in the name of Fina. Oswald (as well as a dead pardoner found in Ariamis (the painted world)) wields Velka's Rapier, which has an Occult modifier (Occult being seen as the inverse of Divine). While Velka's is called the god of forgiveness and Oswald can absolve your since through his devotion of Velka, why does his associated weapon have occult power. I think Velkas is still a "dark" god in that he allows much sin to happen, as long as the sinner can afford to pay (a relatively low sum) for forgiveness to his pardoners. As such Carim is a place of crime and debauchery. Were you can do even some of the most horrible of things, find your local pardoner, pay him his fee, and you are off scott free.

They also seem to be heavily capitalist, due to the mentioned sin/pardon system, plus Chester's high markup of all wares he sells, and Lautrec helping the Chosen Undead once for freeing him, but only once. After repaying the Chosen Undead, he becomes antagonistic again, his debt being paid.

Thorolund

First and formost, this is a religious land. All characters from Thorolund encountered are clerics and members of the Way of the White. Reah, Petrus, Vince, and Nico are all high ranking clerics.

Petrus, Vince, and Nico are all heavily armed with maces and an axe. Their armor appears to be a mix of combat armor and monk's robes, further indicating thier "warrior monk" status. Even still, Reah is unarmed and unarmored, so thier church is not purely focused on combat. Nico and Vince both abandon Reah when the danger becomes too great, indicating that they do not have a focus on loyality or warrior culture.

My thoughts on Thoroland:

Despite the deep religiousness, the lack of true warriors and associated culture lead all warrior monks encountered to forgoe thier oaths and betray their covenant. Reah, the only non-warrior, to remain the only loyal one. So thiers is most likely a peaceful land. Thier spirituality leading to a strong stability in the region. They are also likely close to Lordran.

*speculation: despite still saying that anyone wearing the Knight armor set is from Astora, it should be noted that Petrus wields the Knight shield, while Vince and Nico have Caduceus shields (which are similar to the Tower Kit Shield). The Knight Chosen Undead gets a Tower Kit shield early on, while the Forest Hunter Knight(s) wields a Knight shield.

I figure that Thorolund and Astora are close to one another, with lower ranking knights shown coming from closer to the Astora/Thorolund border, hence their Astora armor and weapons, but Thorolund style shields.

Vinheim

This is a land of strong sorcery. Every character met from here is a sorcerer. Big Hat Logan, Griggs, and a Sorcerer Chosen Undead, even Rickert (who can craft magic weapons). Focusing entirely on the mystic arts. Taking after the creator of sorcery, the dragon called "Seath the Scaleless", it is the home of the Dragon School, where all forms of sorcery are studied. Its mentioned that agents using concealing magic, and warriors that used sorcery to enhance thier weapons come from Vinheim and its school, but these are never encountered (though you can learn these abilities yourself within the game).

There isn't much to think or speculate on Vinheim, its pretty straight forward. All materials relating to it just enhance its affinity for sorcery. Its government maybe a meritocracy, Big Hat Logan was mentioned to have been a "royal" member of the school and is a legend in his mystical abilities. Its possible those who are strongest in sorcery are chosen as the leaders of the Dragon School, if not Vinheim entirely.

Zena

This is by far the most mysterious land. Very little is known and only one (possibly 2 if Classic Zena is the Chosen Undead's race). Its only mentioned to be ancient, glorious, and values wisdom. Domhnall, the sole Zena NPC found is a strange traveling merchant. He can somehow sell the armors of bosses that the Chosen Undead has slain. How he managed to retrieve this armors is unknown. The fact that Domhnall manages to retrieves these armors and just survive the horros of Lordran, on his own, without going insane, indicates his power and possibly the power of those from Zena (strengthened if the Chosen Undead is from Zena as well).

Oolacile

One of the few lands we visit outside of Lordran, a land lost to time. In the time of the main game, the land has long vanished, but time in Lordran is no longer a straightline, where ghosts of the past, present, and future can all meet one another. Thus, if the conditions are right, the Chosen Undead can visit this lost land. Since we get to visit it, its easy to see that its right next to Anor Londo, across a canyon from the Darkroot Garden (known as the Royal Woods in the past). Even tho we visit in a past before it totally vanished, Oolacile is still nothing but a crumbling ruin, inhabitated only by corrupted, mutated, insane former residents; those pulled to it through time by the Abyss, Elzabeth the mushroom, and Princess Dusk.

From what we learn from Elzabeth and Princess Dusk, in its hayday, the land was known for being more attune to sorcery than even Vinheim. Its quest to further the study of sorcery lead it to make a deal with Darkstalker Kaathe and open itself to the abyss. While this did lead to learning of several powerful Abyss sorceries, it eventaully lead to the town being corrupted by the abyss. Its inhabitants were mutated into monsters and driven insane, attacking all those who entered. Only Princess Dusk remained. Knight Artorias of Astora, along with his companion the Grey Wolf Sif, was sent to rescue Princess Dusk. On the way to the heart of the abyss, Artorias and Sif were overwhelmed and surrounded by monsters of the abyss, the force of thier assult breaking Artoria's sword arm. Using his shield's magic. Artorias erected a barrier to protect Sif, but without his shield's magic, Artorias quickly fell and was reduced to a howling, wild, bezerk shadows or his former self. Eventually the Chosen Undead was pulled through the ebb and flow of time to the land, defeated the fallen knight, and managed to rescue Dusk himself.

What happened to the city after this I do not currently know, except that the spread of the abyss from the area was halted and the land vanished almost completely, with few relics remaining by the main era.

Ariamis

A land within a painting. While it may not be considered a "true" land due to being a small dimension within a magic painting, I still consider its own land due to being in a seperate location. Housed within a painting in one of Anor Londo's great halls, this mystical land is a place the gods put anything they deemed to dangerous to keep within their own world.

The world itself manifests as being on a snowy mountain, mostly ruins of some ancient towers. Many graves are littered around, with almost all inhabitants having gone hollow. Note, there is a Berenike Knight here, possibly being a 3rd Berenike knight to have to have made it to Anor Londo, only to get trapped in the painting and hollow there. There is also a Velka pardoner's corpse within the land, as well as an Undead Dragon (makes sense, since being undead would make it impossible to kill, the gods had no option but to seal it in the painting). Lastly, there is one person still within the painting who still has thier mind: Priscilla the Crossbreed. She is one of the few people the Chosen Undead meets who does not wish them harm, she actually helps by showing the way out. Why she does not leave herself is unknown.

*speculation: since you first find her doll, which is needed to enter, in the Aslyum, that hints she was housed there first. I figure that they captured her and kept her there, possibly as a ransom of sorts. I also figure her father was a dragon, the undead one that guards the bridge to her tower. My theory was that, once the gods realized he couldnt be slain due to being undead, they sealed Priscilla in the painting as a way to lure her father and trap him there too. Also, her completely unreal idea of her world is due to A. having a childlike mind due to growing up in captivity or being relatively young by dragon standards (thus she really is just a child) and B. her undead father killing/hollowing all who attempt to enter in an attempt to protect his daughter from harm.

[放屁史诗卷FORTNITE BEST ASSES轴时刻]

Honest to god I've been needing something like this for a while.You're an absolute legend homie :)

[Geo]

@Tek

Due to my current life situation i havent been able to play either one of those yet :(
If things will ever clear up. I will be able to get back to doing analysis.

[Big Sneeze]

Good read, do one for DaS 2 and 3!

[FakeKraid]

I mean, there's certainly nothing better to call it for short, unless you just want to say "The Painted World", I just meant that it doesn't seem to be implied to be a kingdom or province in the normal sense of the term.

[Geo]

FakeKid, arent lands often named after the men to "discovered" them? I know its the "Painted World of Ariamis", but I just called it Ariamis.

[FakeKraid]

Hey, this is really nice work! Well-arranged and enjoyable to read. One quick note, though - Ariamis is, as implied by some of Priscilla's dialogue if (I think) she kills you, the name of the painter who painted the world in which Priscilla is, depending on one's interpretation, hiding or imprisoned. The kingdom presumably either has no name (if it is a dimensional construct) or is unnamed in-game (if the painting is a portal to somewhere else).

[Leravi The Hyena:33]

Good job and i like the ideas you bring up

[wledig]

nice

[MetOshi]

http://soulslore.wikidot.com/data:crossbreed-priscilla

[Geo]

Metriarc. Evidence?