Fate of the Undead:
Northern Undead Asylum:
Many years after Gwyn's noble sacrifice, the First Flame faded yet again, and the immortal Undead plagued the land once more. The Curse spread with no relent, and so, in fear of the Undead, they were corralled and led to the North, where they were locked away to await the end of the world. Man looked to the Gods of Lordran for answers, but the golden city lay silent atop its great mountain; for the Lords had abandoned mankind long ago. Great warriors from across the land journeyed to Lordran in search of their Gods, but none returned. Many feared for the worse, but a prophecy arose: that one day, an Undead will leave the Asylum in pilgrimage to the Land of Ancient Lords.
Far off in the snow covered mountains, lay the Northern Undead Asylum, where a famed knight traveled in search for the Chosen Undead. Oscar, Knight of Astora, sought to fulfil the prophecy himself, but lacked the strength to go alone. He snuck around the old Asylum, releasing the hollowed Undead from their cells, but amidst the prison break the poor knight was crushed by the Asylum Demon that watched from above.
One of the lesser Chaos Demons, stationed in the Asylum as its merciless warden. The Demons were Soul starved by nature, and served well as wardens in the forsaken outskirts of the world. Armed with a massive hammer carved from the ancient arch trees, the Asylum Demon shattered any Undead's hope of escape.
Oscar fell through the rooftop into one of the murky cells. His body and spirit crushed by the Demon. The knight could only await his end, but as fate would have it, one of the Undead with his sanity intact, stumbled upon the dying knight. With his last breath, Oscar entrusted his mission to this lowly Undead.
"Thou who art Undead, art chosen… In thine exodus from the Undead Asylum, maketh pilgrimage to the land of Ancient Lords… When thou ringeth the Bell of Awakening the fate of the Undead thou shalt know…"
The Chosen Undead defeated the grotesque Demon and broke free from the Asylum. The Chosen Undead stood atop the cliff's peak, overlooking the mountains, when he was snagged by a great raven and flown to the Land of Ancient Lords, Lordran.
Firelink Shrine:
In the heart of the vast land of Lordran lay the small, peaceful, Firelink Shrine. Once created to worship the Flame, now a refuge for the wandering Undead in pursuit of the Bells of Awakening. For there are actually two Bells of Awakening, one up above in the Undead church, and the other far below, in the ruins at the base of Blighttown. And so countless Chosen Undead have travelled this cursed land in search of the two Bells.
One such man gave up on his quest, detoured by the sheer insanity of fighting against this land's abominations. Instead, he preferred to sit aside the bonfire, assuming the title of crestfallen, and watching others pursue their hopeless dreams. One by one, they all went Hollow, and the Crestfallen Soldier sat there, laughing at their failures. He tried to warn them, but the fools never listened. Yet this man, trapped at the shrine, in fear of the outside world, heard tales of the wonders of Lordran and some may have sparked his interest. Even still, he preferred the safety of the flames.
Locked below the bonfire in a small chamber, was a maiden shrouded in soot. A Firekeeper. Her clothes were blackened by the ash, her skirt stained in her own blood, and her tongue cut from her head. Not all Firekeepers took to the title willingly, those such as Anastacia of Astora, rebelled against their fate, but to no avail. She was maimed to prevent her from escaping and forced into her position. Perhaps those in favor of the Flame are not always in favor of humanity.
In the Firelink ruins, a plump man awaits his company. He goes by the name of Petrus of Thorolund, and claims to be a devout member of the Way of White, on a mission to retrieve the lost Rite of Kindling. Petrus, still human, prefers to keep his distance from the Undead, perhaps out of disgust or still clinging to the days of Lloyd's Hunts. He tries his hardest to stay reclusive, but with enough pestering the man will appease the Chosen Undead's demands.
Undead Burg:
Up the cliff side and through the aqueduct is the Undead Burg, once home to the citizens of Lordran, now overrun by their hollowed corpses. The soldiers of Lordran, reduced to Hollows, wielded nothing more than broken swords. For Hollows are mindless, and only hunger for more Souls, they did not care if their armor wasted away; yet one, on the verge of hollowing, scratches out a living scavenging the desolate city.
When the Undead Curse swept through Lordran, no one cared for a simple shiny coin, but Souls, the source of Life, became the new currency. This Undead merchant trades for Souls, the only thing keeping him sane. With everyone else Hollowed, there was no competition; anything he found was his to sell. Although, there was one rare find he did not dare to let go. A katana forged in the eastern lands. The merchant named it Yulia, his only companion in this lonely town of Hollows. He wouldn't trade it for the world, but the merchant recommends his reinforced club, wrapped in chain and splintered with nails. It was his own invention that he is quite proud of.
Those passing through the Burg, be wary of the wandering knight. A relic from the Great Lord's army, wielding one of their iconic demon slaying swords. The Black Knights remained loyal to Gwyn even after their bodies were scorched to ash. They're spirits wander the land slaughtering any threats in search of the Chaos Demons.
Atop the great wall of the Burg, slumbers one such Demon. Built like a bull, wielding one of its fellow demon's bones as an axe, the Taurus Demon prowls the Burg feasting on the Souls of the Hollowed citizens. The Chaos Demons overflowed their home of Izalith, and now run lose upon the land. Surely they will pose as an intimidating wall to any Chosen Undead.
Undead Parish:
The Undead Parish lies at the other end of a great bridge that stretches across the Valley of the Drakes. With the Lords disappearance, the drakes have gone unchecked and now have grown to monstrous sizes. This bridge has long since been the hunting grounds of a tremendous drake called the Hellkite. This fire-breathing drake now scorches any who trespass upon its domain.
Beneath the Hellkite's roost lies a shattered statue of the forgotten God of War, yet his covenant remains strong under the sigil of the Sun-gazing knight, Solaire of Astora. This proud knight leads the Warriors of Sunlight, a group devoted to helping others in jolly cooperation. Solaire, inspired by the radiance of Lord Gwyn's Sun, journeyed to this land in search of his very own Sun. An odd quest indeed, and even he knew, but Solaire remained determined to become grossly incandescent.
Beyond the great bridge lies Undead Parish, home to the first Bell of Awakening, but before one can reach it, they must pass through a great beast that guards the main road to the church. One of Seath's twisted experiments, an abnormally large boar covered in a dense suit of armor. When the Lords left Anor Londo, Seath was free to release his abominations upon the land. This one roams the Parish and the ill-tempered beast will not hesitate to mow down any in its path.
Past the boar lies the church of the Undead Parish, filled with the Hollow soldiers that have failed before the Chosen Undead. Long ago, the famous Knight King Rendal led his Balder knights to Lordran in search of the Gods. However, the journey was long and arduous, and those who did possess the strength and determination of their king, fell to the Curse before they reached their goal. Now the Hollowed Balder Knights mindlessly guard the Parish, alongside a knight from the Berenike Order.
Hulking soldiers in a thick steel armor, the Berenike Order consisted of the strongest of knights. Led by the Black Iron Tarkus, they dared to challenge this land of the Gods. Only one stands guard at the church altar, suggesting that they made it further than their Balder brethren.
A six-eyed mage watches over the church, scouting out for worthy specimens. The Channelers, nicknamed the Snatchers, were feared by most. For they would drag their victims to the Duke's Archives for experimentation. The Channelers have simply went mad under Seath's guidance, and this can be seen in their ritual dances. A strange magic is embedded into their tridents, one that invigorates their allies sending them into a maddening frenzy.
This Undead church is enshrined to Fina, Goddess of Love, who was said to possess fateful beauty. One man, dressed in a gold suit of armor, sits imprisoned in the church. Laurtrec the Embraced, an assassin from the land of Carim, and a loyal follower of the Goddess. He came to this land in search of his Goddess, whom he believes loves him and him alone. The man would do anything to win her favor, and the sacrificial Firekeeper upon the altar may not be a coincidence.
To the side of the Undead church lies a narrow bridge that leads to the old abandoned church. At the base of the tower lies the divine blacksmith, Andrea of Astora. A diligent smith that knows his trade well, no one would be able to make their way through this land without implementing his services. He is a master of the basic art of reinforcing and ascension, however, one must bring him embers to make a weapon truly powerful. Reinforcing is simple, by using the rare ore known as Titanite, one can reinforce a weapon with more strength. Ascention is a much more refined art, it takes a special kind of Titanite and it alters the weapons properties. In Astora, smiths were taught how to ascend weapons with holy embers of the White Flame. These divine weapons were used by Astora knights to hunt servants of the Dark. A useful tool for anyone's journey, but you must find the divine embers first.
In the abandoned church lies an odd Chaos Demon, brought to life when the twisted Flame touched Titanite. This strange creature was formed, the faceless prowling Titanite Demon. Their skin was of pure demonic Titanite, and their heads, if one managed to slay the great beast, could reinforce a weapon with immense power. Long ago, the Blacksmith of the Gods was able to cultivate these Demons and create legendary weapons, however, the Gods have vanished and now these Demons prowl the land once more.
At the roof of the Undead church lies the tower to the Bell of Awakening, but an ancient vanguard watches over it. Made of stone and given life by a Soul, the Gargoyles that watch over the Parish will spring to life whenever someone trespasses upon the church. Their bronze armor and weaponry has rusted in wait for the Chosen Undead, yet it still remains strong in the hands of the stone gargoyles. Defeat the twin gargoyles to earn the right to ring the first Bell of Awakening.
In the Bell tower, a strange man waits with his arms opened wide, one of the black pardoners of Velka, Oswald of Carim. A rare sight to see a pardoner, most of Velka's servants were trapped within the Painted World, however, the tales of the occult Goddess live on. Oswald has given up everything, as a Pardoner of Velka owns nothing, only the ceremonial black attire and the occult rapier of Velka. Ironically, the land of Carim was built upon sin. Arstor, the Earl of Carim came to power through deceit and murder, impaling his enemies upon the pike, earning him the title of Arstor, the Impaler. Being a land of assassins, he feared for his life and created the Bite Rings through human sacrifices. These rings will protect one from posion, bleed, and especially curses. Despite his efforts the Earl met his deserved fate. Repent for your sins while you have the chance or you may be hunted down by the Blades of the Darkmoon.
Lower Undead Burg:
With the first Bell rung, the Chosen Undead must descend the city into the plague infested swamps of Blighttown. At the base of the city is the Lower Undead Burg, where Hollow thieves ambush unwary Undead. Thieves and bandits alike prefer weapons with a curved edge to cut deep into the flesh and induce bleeding. When one lacks the strength to overpower their target, bleed and poison are a useful tool to turn the odds in ones favor.
When the Curse struck Lordran, and the ill fortuned resorted to pillaging their neighbors, many began to board up their homes. Stashed away behind a locked door is a sorcerer from the Dragon Schools, Griggs of Vinheim. He wears the black attire of a secret sect of the Dragon School, who practiced in the manipulation of sound. The elders of Vinheim choose only the most trusted to ensure the secret studies of Vinheim remained a secret. Those who donned the Black Sorcerer robes were hidden from society, slinking in the shadows of Vinheim. Griggs has snuck out of the Dragon School, in search for the grand Master Logan, the idol of all aspiring sorcerers. While Griggs is not the most talented of sorcerers, he is willing to help any who help him in his quest to find the legendary Big Hat Logan.
Stray hounds prowl the streets under the command of yet another Chaos Demon. A beastly skull head with twisted horns sprouting from the sides, dual wielding two massive slabs of crudely crafted iron. The Capra Demon, one of the lesser Chaos Demons, is about a head taller than the average man, but do not be fooled, it crushes and tears its prey apart with its two hooked blades. What it lacks in size it makes up for in numbers, the goat demon has made its way into a pack of Undead hounds, it seems that its demonic nature resonates with such beasts.
The Depths:
Below the Burg is the sewer system known as the Depths. When the first of the Undead were born in Lordran, they were exiled to these rat infested sewers. Cut off from the world, these exiles developed an abhorred practice. Large hulking figures, known as the Butchers, used their massive cleavers for chopping up unwary visitors, and feeding them to the denizens of the Depths. One man, a traveler from the Great Swamp, is stashed away in the Butchers' pantry.
Laurentius, a pyromancer from the Great Swamp, was exiled from his homeland when he was afflicted with the Curse. But he used this opportunity to attune himself with nature, and rediscover the primal pyromancies of master Salaman. His quest was to find the last survivor of the demon scourge, one of the seven daughters of Chaos. Rumor had it, she roams the swamps of Blighttown, but before he could reach her, he was abducted by the Butchers. Surely he would be grateful to anyone who saved him from becoming the Butcher's next meal, and reward his savior with his knowledge of pyromancy.
The sewers make a perfect home for all sorts of vermin. Rats have bloated on the feast of plentiful rotting corpses and have grown to unnatural sizes. While skittish, rats have been known to carry all sorts of diseases. When the blood is filled with too much foreign substances, one risks becoming poisoned, or even worse, toxic. These pestilence will drain ones vigor at a steady pace. If you're wise you may wish to scavenge some moss before visiting the Depths.
Up above in the aqueduct, an old Undead woman on verge of Hollowing, has scraped out a living off selling these various mosses. The red colored moss will cause your blood to clot, preventing bleed, and the purple moss cleanses the blood of poison, but it takes a special moss to cleanse toxin. Only under specific conditions will the purple moss go into bloom. The cleansing properties of the moss is concentrated in its white flowers, so much so that a blooming purple moss will purge the body of toxins. But not all ailments can be so easily treated.
Deep in the sewers a curious creature thrives, known as the Basilisk. A black lizard with two bulbous eyes, but do not be fooled by its humorous disguise. The eyes are a mere prop to scare off predators, even so, they strike fear into the hearts of most Undead. Within the eyes brews a potent curse that the creature breaths out in a dense fog. Stand in the smog too long, and one will turn to stone. Curse lingers upon ones person at all times leaching off ones health, not even death will break the curse. Many have taken interest in these creatures, and some cultivate their Eyes of Death for unusual rituals.
A peculiar character sits at the gate to Blighttown. His attire is quite odd, a mix of colors and golden chains, and a golden helm of a man's face with curling horns like a ram. This could only be one of the extravagant traveling merchants, Domhnall of Zena. The man searches and trades rare armors, but knows a few helpful tips if you prove to be a profitable trading partner.
Not all Undead look out for each other in this forsaken land. Shrouded in the crimson aura of the Red Eye Orb is the infamous Knight of Thorns. The Darkwraiths still roam this land searching for Humanity to satiate their soul-starved hunger. None more notorious than the murderous Kirk. His attire and weaponry are covered in a dense cluster of metal spikes, so that the mere act of rolling tears his targets to shreds, yet this wraith serves not himself, nor the Dark, but someone else entirely.
In the Depths, it's a dog eat dog world, but on the top of the food chain, is the gluttonous King of Dragons. When the Lords declared war upon the Dragons, a few of the beasts escaped beneath the earth. Trapped in the underground, the great Dragons starved, until they began to devour one another, until only this colossal beast remained, the Gapping Dragon. Driven by its hunger, the old Dragon King thinks only of its stomach. The creatures entire abdomen split open into one gaping mouth to devour everything in its path. Unfortunately for the Chosen Undead, the Key to Blighttown lies within the beasts gut.
Blighttown:
An old withering wooden structure descends down the cliff side to the plague infested swamps, home to the second Bell of Awakening. It was once a town founded by the Undead exiles of Izalith, but one day, a plague known as the Blight, swept through the valley. The citizens were warped by this disease, their minds lost and bodies malformed. The wretched place ever since was known as Blighttown, the populous going completely mad with their minds taken over by the disease.
Beware of the cannibal prowling the town. Mildred is a savage, dressed in nothing but a few dingy rags, and wielding a massive Butcher Knife, rightfully earning the title of Man-Eater. She has grown immune to the pestilence of the swamp, and takes pleasure in hunting down trespassers for her next meal. But like any simple minded savage, they all submit to the alpha.
The crazed Blight infested ghouls now roam the wooden structure, devouring anything that mistakenly stumbles into this rotten heap. Parasites thrive amidst the decay, the Blight even warping the old flame sorcerers into vile crag-spiders. With their pyromancy flame at their core the crag-spiders, still manipulate the flames. One grew so large, that it could barely move, stuck on the cliff side leeching off the sludge that drains into the swamp, the Parasitic Wall-Hugger. It guards a long lost pyromancy that was forbidden by its own creator. Carmina famed student of Master Salaman, created new forms of pyromancy that internalized ones flame, but the pyromancy Power Within was destructive to ones being. The internalized flame would enhance ones physical prowess, but in turn, eat away at ones life-force.
Wandering the swamp is a survivor from the Demon scourge, Quelaana of Izalith. One of the seven daughters of Chaos, and Master to the Great Fireball, Salaman. She is elusive and can only be seen by those who have a dedication toward pyromancy. While her mother, the Witch of Izalith, is revered as the Godmother of Pyromancy, Quelaana is the one who shared this fire art to the world. Yet she is hesitant to take new students, in fear of them falling down the same path as her mother and sisters. The Witch of Izalith tried to play the role of a god and claimed the flame as her own, but she was burned by the vary flame she created. Quelaana lost everything that day and forsakes her own latent flame.
Quelaag's Domain:
A great burrow shrouded in spider silk overlooks the Blight infested swamp, blocking entrance to the ruins of Izalith. It is home to yet another daughter of Chaos, Quelaag, but this one, unlike Quelaana, was warped by the twisted flame of Chaos. Her top half remains uncorrupted, but from below she takes the form of a molten spider. She preys upon the Undead who wander into her web, drawn to the second Bell of Awakening. But Quelaag is not just another mindless Demon like the rest, she hunts not for herself, but for her younger dying sister, Quelaan.
When the Chaos Flame erupted, Quelaan took on a similar form to Quelaag, and the two looked after each other in their ruined home. However, when the Blight struck, Quelaan felt pity for the infected of the swamp. And despite her elder sisters warning, Quelaan tried to save the citizens of the swamp by absorbing the Blight puss. She grew terribly ill, unable to move, with her skin festering with growths. The few people she saved, dedicated their lives to serve her, willingly infecting themselves with parasites to share her pain, but unable to truly comfort her. One such servant was the Great Swamp exile, Eingyi. Another was the notorious wraith, Kirk. Within every demon lies an internal Chaos Flame that feeds off the Souls of their victims. Quelaan doused her Flame with the Blight, and now these servants search for humanity to keep their fair lady alive.
Nevertheless, the Chosen Undead must defeat Quelaag to reach the second Bell of Awakening and learn the Fate of the Undead.
The Great Hollow:
To the far end of the Blighttown swamp is an ancient place, hidden in the twisted roots sprouting from the cliff side. The Great Hollow, a massive shell of an Archtree, descends down to the furthest known depths of the world. The tangled mess of roots will help one descend the great tree, but beware of the critters that inhabit those roots. The tree is a perfect nesting ground for Basilisks and Crystal Lizards, and home to a strange tribe of mushrooms, given life through an ancient golden magic.
Ash Lake:
At the base of the Archtree is the remnants of the Age of Ancients, untouched by the Lords' hand, Ash Lake. Thousands of Archtrees span across the dark waters further than eye can see, supporting the known world. It is a tranquil place of grey stagnation, however, the Pale Dragon, Seath, knows of his brethren's secret, and his experiments run wild across the ashen beach. Man-eating clams patrol the sands, while a Hydra surfs the waters. Seath researched the immortality of his brethren and tried to recreate the Dragons, what came of it were akin, but not true Dragons. The Hydra is one such failed experiment.
Yet one, a young Archdragon, remains hidden in the twisted roots of the Archtrees. One of the last true decedents of the Dragons. Very few have ever discovered the Dragon's roost, yet rumors spread, and those who seek the Dragon, pursue the Path of the Dragon. Foresworn is the way of all material possession, a dragon cares not of weaponry, nor armor. The apostles of the Dragon seek only to preserve what remains of the Ancient Dragon's culture, searching to reclaim the remnants of the fallen Dragons, in hopes becoming a Dragon themselves.
Sen's Fortress:
The Chosen Undead had rung the two bells as the prophecy foretold. Now the Firelink Chamber opens, awakening the serpent of the gods, Kingseeker Frampt. The Kingseeker foretells the Fate of the Undead, to succeed the Great Lord Gwyn, link the fire, cast away the Dark, and undo the Curse of the Undead. To this end, one must travel to Anor Londo and inherit the Lordvessel.
The path to Anor Londo is blocked by the fortified death trap that is Sen's Fortress. Swinging pendulums sweep across thin walkways, pressure plates and large boulders, demon filled pits and spiked elevators. Many have tried, but none have succeeded, this place marks the graves of countless heroes. The Knight King Rendal led his Balder Knights on a quest to find the gods, but perished at this vary fortress. He was legendary for single handedly slashing up a great drake. It is said that Rendal had a layer of steel beneath his skin that the talons of the drake couldn't even scratch. The Steel Ring remains his only legacy. This fortress has long been the bane of countless legendary heroes; but one man, a Knight of Catarina, does not dwell upon the failures of his predecessors.
Siegmeyer of Catarina, dawns an unmistakable suit of armor, often patronized for its onion-like appearance, yet the words of outsiders never killed his cheerful spirit. Seigmeyer is a well-trained tactician, thinking before he acts, but in his old age, he often drifts away in thought. Seigmeyer ran away from Catarina when he became Undead, to pursue his dream as an adventurer, but left his family behind. He may need some assistance through the fortress traps.
Seath's man-serpents patrol the fortress; any intruders they catch are thrown into dangling cages and left to rot. Behind a crumbling wall, locked up in one of these cages is the legendary sorcerer, Big Hat Logan. He was a well-known prodigy who developed advanced sorceries such as Soul Spear and Homing Soulmass. However, Logan despised the fame, he dawned his iconic big hat to shade him from the gaze of others. When Logan turned Undead, he gladly left Vinheim to pursue greater magic at the Duke's Archives, birth place of sorcery. Yet his progress like so many others was stunted at this fortress.
The Berenike Knights led a mission under the command of the legendary Black Iron Tarkus. His knights have gone Hollow or crestfallen, but some say that Iron Tarkus persevered. He is the strongest of his men, earning himself the Black Iron armor that repels flames. Surely he could defeat the vanguard of Anor Londo alone.
At the peak of Sen's Fortress standing guard on the bridge to Anor Londo is the Iron Golem. This goliath living suit of armor has crushed countless heroes in search of the city of the Lords. Its iron armor is thick and sturdy, and it can swing its great axe with such speed that it cuts the air. The Iron Golem is an intimidating adversary, a weapon Sen designed for slaughter, but every weapon has its flaws, and the top heavy golem may lose its balance on the narrow bridge.
Anor Londo:
Embrace the divine circlet to call upon the demonic carriers. The Bat-wing Demons differ from their demon brethren. These demons still hold a semblance of self and remain loyal to the Lords. They will guide the Chosen Undead over the wall to the golden city of gods, Anor Londo.
The sun shines bright over the city of gods, however, the gods are nowhere in sight. The sentinels and silver knights remain loyal to their posts, and do not hesitate to expunge intruders, but for the pinnacle of cities, Anor Londo seemed eerily lifeless.
In a small chamber lies a bonfire and its keeper. She was cursed to become a firekeeper and took a hideous form, hidden beneath her brass armor. She sought to cure her illness by pleading to the gods, but instead discovered the truth of Anor Londo. One of the Lords granted her new purpose, to hunt those who scorn the gods as a Blade of the Darkmoon. She now remains a firekeeper, as well as the guardian of Anor Londo.
In the grand cathedral awaits the Dragonslayer and the Executioner. Smough wields a massive hammer that pulverizes his prey. He may be slow, but a single swing of his hammer will shatter bones to dust. Ornstein wields the fabled cross spear with adept speed and dexterity. The cross spears were famous for piercing the stone scales of Dragons, common armor will be no pose little resistance. These two remain the last trial before the Lordvessel, only the strongest of the Undead can persevere against the champions of Anor Londo.
In the King's Chamber lies Lord Gwyn's daughter, Gwynevere. She holds the Lordvessel, and will pass it down to any worthy Undead. However, the Princess of Sunlight is nothing but a lie, an illusion placed over Anor Londo, devised by the God of the Darkmoon.
Gwyndolin remains the last deity of Anor Londo, for the other Lords have fled long ago. The God of the Darkmoon was entrusted with protecting the city. The young Lord remains hidden in Gwyn's ceremonial tomb, mourning the loss of his father, while he controls Anor Londo through an illusions. Gwyndolin will not permit humans to enter the tomb, but if one pledges their allegiance, they may become one of the Blades of the Darkmoon. Those who proclaim faith in the Darkmoon are blessed with a unique magic that reflects violet moonlight upon their weapon. Gwyndolin had a talent for sorcery, but his unique magic scales with one's faith. But betray his faith and one will invoke the wrath of the Blades. The illusions of Anor Londo will dissipate, and the city shall be shrouded in darkness, abandoned by the gods.
Whatever the choice, the Chosen Undead must continue his quest. With the Lordvessel in hand, one must collect powerful Souls. Scarce few possess such worthy Souls: Gravelord Nito, the Witch of Izalith, the Four Kings of New Londo, and Lord Gwyn's former confidant, Seath the Scaleless. Together, their Souls shall satiate the Lordvessel and open the gates to the Kiln of the First Flame.
Painted World of Ariamis:
In the grand hall of Anor Londo there is a painting guarded by the white robed assassins. Long ago, the painting was created by Ariamis to imprison those akin to Dark and the half-bred abomination. Now, the painting has long been forgotten by the Lords, but the Painting Guardians remain loyal to their posts, even in their Lords' absence.
The child's doll is the key for entering the painting. The doll was left back at the Northern Asylum when the child was relocated, and it yearns to return to its owner. It will help one cross through the dimensional barrier of the frigid painting.
The cold dark mountain side of the painting is home to the worshipers of the occult who once rebelled against the gods, but now most of them have peacefully hollowed away. However, the Xanthous King remains, still wandering the ruins, hunting down those who threaten his self-proclaimed rule. His exiled army is swollen with the Blight, dispatching them without getting infected can be rather troublesome.
Perched above the ruined Annex are the worshipers of Velka. Warped by their dedication to their Goddess, they took the form of a crow. These crow servants now watch over the daughter, protecting her from any with ill intentions. Hidden in the Annex is the Occult ember, the vary one used long ago to forge god-slaying weapons. Only an accomplished divine smith will be able to manipulate its power. Below the Annex is the lever to open the gate to the distant tower, the escape to this painted prison.
Across the bridge, to the lonely tower, resides the crossbreed daughter, the Goddess of Lifehunt, Priscilla. Half Lord and half Dragon, the Great Lord Gwyn could not stomach such an abomination. She was tossed away into the Painted World with rest of her mother's followers, but Priscilla is no monster. She does not wish to fight those who intrude, only pleads for them to leave peacefully. This place, her prison, became her new home. In the outside world, she is scorned for her mere existence, but here, the worshipers of the occult treat her with admiration. Plunge from the plank and hurry home, lest thou fall to the blade of Lifehunt.
Darkroot Basin:
With the Lordvessel in hand, the Chosen Undead must now hunt down the few who carry the ancient Lord Souls.
Long ago, Gwyn bestowed a shard of his Soul to the four noble men of New Londo, but the Kings drowned in the Abyss, blinded by their hunger for power. The Abyss devoured them and it will devour any who set foot in its darkness, but legend has it, a great hero by the name of Artorias, conquered the Abyss and stood upon the black void. Rumors say, the Abysswalker resides in the twisted wood of the Darkroot Garden, but those who seek him, never return.
Past the Astoran smith and through the abandoned church is the overgrown remains of the ancient city, Oolacile. Strange plant like puppets roam the woods alongside hulking stone knights both animated by the old magic of the golden sorcerers.
The sorcerers of Oolacile despised aggressive sorcery, but instead manipulated light in golden hues to help them with daily activity. However, through the manipulation of light they discovered how to warp time and space. A forbidden secret they kept for ages.
After Oolacile was swallowed by the Abyss, Seath, the Scaleless, scavenged the land, trying to gather the secrets of their unique sorcery. The Paledrake's creations are designed of pure magic, hardened by his innovation of crystallization. The Moonlight Butterfly hovers over the ruins, repelling any unwanted competition, while Seath's crystal golems seek out the lost treasures of Oolacile.
Deep in the flooded cavern of the Darkroot Basin, a single golem shimmers with a golden luster. From the crystal rubble emerges the lost princess, Dusk of Oolacile. She thanks her savior, but fades in and out of existence as her past catches up with her. In her place, appears a swirling black void. The curious Chosen Undead is lured forward, and from the void, a great hand snares him, and drags him to the past.
Royal Wood:
Dragged into the past by a shadowy limb right before the downfall of Oolacile, but before one can proceed, they must prove themselves to the Sanctuary Guardian. An odd beast, resembling a demon with the body of a lion, the wings of a hawk, the horns of a ram, and the tail of a scorpion. However, the beast is not akin to Chaos nor the Abyss. Ancient creatures once roamed this land long before the advent of Fire, but when the Archtrees were burnt down, the woodlands of Oolacile became their new home. The Guardian fears the spread of the Abyss and will not let anything in or out of the corrupted city.
Past the Guardian is the old Oolacile Sanctuary, lost and forgotten, but untouched by the Dark. Princess Dusk's caretaker, Elizabeth, watches over the sanctuary. The talking mushroom pleads for the Chosen Undead's help to rescue the princess from the Dark beast that rampages beneath the city. Knight Artorias has come to stop the Abyss, but has yet to return.
To get to the Oolacile Township one must pass through the Royal Wood. The woods has been pruned by the living scarecrows and golems for ages, but despite their efforts, the Abyss stains the land with streaks azure and black. A Dark void below the earth devours the vary ground, creating gapping chasms sprouting with abysmal crystals. Soon there will be nothing left, for as long as the Dark fiend lives, the Abyss shall spread.
One man resting along the cliff side, shared a similar fate to that of Chosen Undead's, but snagged from a time long after. He is formally dressed not in armor, but an overcoat and top hat. The man goes by the name of Chester, the name of a famous Carim sniper, feared by the dubious grin of the mask he wears. Chester is willing to share his goods, but watch your back, for the man wears two faces.
In the Oolacile colosseum prowls the fallen knight Artorias, still hunting down the deformed creatures of the Abyss even in his corrupted state; yet he is unable to control the rage and madness of the Dark and knows not friend from foe. The Legends were lies, for the Abysswalker did not conquer the Abyss, but was consumed by it. The once proud knight acts now like a frenzied beast, and only by the Chosen Undead's hand can Artorias be freed from the shackles of the Abyss.
Oolacile Township:
Without Artorias, the Four Knights of Gwyn disbanded. Hawkeye Gough rests within the watchtower, crafting his signature wood carvings. Gough had retired from his dragon hunts, for the eyeholes of his helm had been packed with resin by those who dismissed him as a brutish giant. However, Gough prideful of the armor Lord Gwyn bestowed upon him, did not remove his helm. Gough accepted their judgement, and continued his profession, blind. The resin did little to hinder his mastery of archery, yet the old Dragon hunter has naught but one dragon left to hunt, and Gough hesitates to end the last of the Dragons' kin.
Any kingdom that has seen its silhouette has burned to ash in the black flames. Any man who has looked into its eye has been haunted by true despair. Not even Anor Londo dare provoke the ire of the Black Dragon, Kalameet. The Black Dragon became known as a symbol of calamity, and his curse besets those who peer into his single eye. He now resides over Oolacile watching as the Abyss devours the once peaceful city from the inside out.
The citizens of Oolacile have been tainted by the Abyss, their heads have swollen, sprouting hundreds of red eyes. The old sorcerers driven mad by the Dark, devised a new form of sorcery, akin to the powers of the Dark Lord. Hexes are the manifestation of Humanity's emotions. Manus was once human like any other, but driven mad by those who awoke his slumber, he devolved into a raging beast. The Dark Soul he found so long ago, is an augur of uncontrollable emotion and without his precious pendant, he was overcome by the Dark Soul; and it was these emotions that embody the Abyss.
Chasm of the Abyss:
In the Chasm of the Abyss, Humanity runs wild as spirits, corroding everything it touches. Hidden deep within the cavern, Alvina watches over Artorias' companion, Sif. When Artorias fell to the Abyss, he sacrificed what was left of him to protect Sif. His shield acts as a blessed barrier forcing back the corruptive nature of the Humanity spirits. Alvina can guide thee, but only you can rescue Sif from the Dark.
The Chosen Undead, alongside the Great Grey Wolf Sif, defeated the Father of the Abyss and avenged Knight Artorias. Dusk had been saved and the Chosen Undead had been sent back to his era. Elizabeth wished to keep the truth secret, and so told the Legend of how Artorias stopped the spread of the Abyss. Although the Abysswalker failed in his mission, his fellow knights will never forget him.
Lord's Blade Ciaran had deep feelings for Artorias. Those who remember the brave knight who fell to the Abyss honor him in death. The Abysswalker was buried in the Oolacile Sanctuary where Ciaran and Sif watched over him, guarding his grave, till the end. Alvina had watched the struggles of Artorias and Sif, and created the Forest Hunters to guard his resting place from grave robbers.
With the Crest of Artorias in hand, the Chosen Undead makes his way through the Darkroot Garden in search of the Covenant of Artorias, right of the Abysswalker. Even after so many years since events of Oolacile, the Great Grey Wolf remains guarding his master's grave. Sif remembers the one who had rescued him and freed his friend from the Abyss, yet he cannot let the Chosen Undead fall to the same corruption that took Artorias. And it is the Chosen Undead who must transverse the Abyss to claim the Lord Soul of the Four Kings. Two friends stand at different ends, but in the end, only one may stand.
New Londo Ruins:
Deep below Firelink Shrine, lies the flooded New Londo Ruins, home to the Four Kings and their Bequeathed Lord Soul. Long ago, the Four Kings were consumed by the Dark, so three crimson Sealers flooded the city to contain the Kings. Out of the three Sealers, only Ingward remains, awaiting the one who bares the Lordvessel.
The ruins of New Londo are overrun by the ghosts of those sacrificed to contain the wraiths. Vengeful spirits are difficult to kill; in order to slay a cursed Soul, one must curse themselves, or at least imitate a curse. By cutting off the hands of the cursed dead, one can imitate a curse allowing a short engagement with ghosts. However, if one is fool enough to truly curse oneself, then the old crimson Sealer is sure to be of some help.
Atop the crumbling structure, is the last of the Sealers, Ingward. Before the three became Sealers, they were a trio of healers. Yulva specialized in remedies for pestilence and bleed; McLoyf specialized in medicine and the occasional drink; and of course, Ingward specialized in the removal of Curses, however, to do such is to demand a sacrifice. A curse is not so easily removed, it requires a surrogate to transfer the curse to another, but for the Undead who collect humanity it isn't hard to find a willing substitute.
With the Lordvessel in hand, Ingward will trust the Chosen Undead with the Key to the Seal. The flood gates open wide, releasing a torrent of water into the bottomless Valley of Drakes. The city breathes after its long slumber, and the wraiths walk again. The ancient Darkwraiths of New Londo are said to be so old that their skeletal armor has fused with their flesh. They were once proud knights under the Four Kings, but when their masters were seduced by the Art of Lifedrain, the knights swiftly fell alongside them. The Art of Lifedrain is the power to steal another's humanity emboldening thine own. The Kings and their wraiths became so infatuated with this power that it drove them further into the Abyss, and below New Londo rests that very same black void.
The Abyss:
The Four Kings reside in the Abyss, where they are warped by their hunger for Humanity. A Dark Sigil upon their chest grows slowly consuming their bodies. Anything that touches the Dark of the Abyss would become distorted like them, but with the Covenant of Artorias, the Chosen Undead can walk upon the Dark and slay the Kings to claim the first of the Lord Souls.
As the Kings were devoured by the Abyss, a serpent rose from below, Darkstalker Kaathe. He explains how the gods have lied and how the traitor, Frampt, is manipulating the Undead into service of the Gods. It was humanities ancestor who discovered the fourth Soul, the Dark Soul, and it was his wish that his children would one day inherit the world, in the age of man, in the Age of Dark. The true fate of the Chosen Undead is not to link the Flame, but to extinguish it, and usher in the Age of Dark as the Dark Lord.
The Duke's Archives:
Atop the high mountain, overlooking Anor Londo, is the forbidden Archives of Seath the Scaleless, holder of yet another Bequeathed Lord Soul. Long ago, Seath searched for the secret to his brothers' immortality, but never found it, instead discovered something greater. A treasure pillaged from the ancient war, the Primordial Crystal, and it was this discovery that drove the Pale Drake into madness.
As the Duke conducted his research on the Crystals, the archives were placed under the watchful eyes of the Channelers. The six-eyed mages were to compensate for their masters blindness. They scoured the land capturing and experimenting on Hollows, infusing them with Crystals. The raw power of the blue Crystals emboldened their flesh and strengthened their attack. The Crystals were an alluring weapon, and many tried to sneak their way into the archives to steal them.
Eidas, a weapons craftsman from Zena, was one such man. He reveled in making elaborate designs like his beloved Avelyn. Eidas snuck into the archives to dabble with the Crystals of the Pale Drake, fashioning them into new weapons. The markets of Zena were competitive, and surely these exotic weapons would score him a fortune, but like the Pale Drake, the crystals eventually took over his mind. Now he wanders the crystalline halls of the Duke's Archives.
Hidden behind the bookshelves lies a secret prison, where Seath conducts his experiments. Those caught snooping around the archives are thrown into these cells to await their horrid fate. Any who escape are hunted down by the Serpent-men and their swarm of Pisaca. The poor girls abducted by Seath were transformed into these abominations, and the mind bending sound of the siren drives them into a frenzy, but a few may still retain their humanity.
At the bottom of the prison tower, rests the old sorcerer, Big Hat Logan. His lifelong dream was to visit these Archives and learn of the ancient arts, undiscovered by Vinheim. Indeed, Logan learned much about Seath, the Primordial Crystal, and the power of Sorcery. By solidifying the Soul, one can produce a crystal sorcery that pierces through its targets. But surely, like those before him, the Crystals drove him mad. Logan tirelessly pursued Seath's studies, and eventually went as far as to try and become the Scaleless Drake, by removing all his clothes. In this madness he discovered the White Dragon's Breath.
Crystal Caves:
In the archives garden, lies the Crystal Caves, lair of the Pale Drake. The Crystal Golems gather here to show their master what they have found. A golden Golem contains a plump silhouette, the unmistakable armor of Catarina. From the crystal rubble springs out the daughter of Siegmeyer, Sieglinde. She has chased after her father to pass on her mother's last words, but Siegmeyer being the adventurer that he is never stays put. She continues her search, through the perilous land, even though she is not yet Undead.
Deep within the Crystal Cave, along the nearly invisible crystal paths, and through Seath's experiments, lies the Primordial Crystal, source of Seath's immortality; but the Pale Drake will not let you destroy it so easily. Seath is not a normal dragon by any means, he does not breathe fire like his brothers, but instead a beam of crystal. The crystals are so potent that they crystalize the Souls around them evoking curse. Stand too long in the maelstrom of crystals and risk being cursed, but without the Primordial Crystal, Seath is defenseless. And it is the Chosen Undead who will slay the White Dragon and claim his Soul to satiate the Lord Vessel.
The Catacombs:
In the depths of the Firelink lies the Catacombs, and further below, rests the Tomb of the Giants, home to the Lord Soul of Death. Long ago, during the Way of Whites first explorations, the Rite of Kindling was lost in the darkness of the Catacombs. To this day countless clerics have made the Undead pilgrimage to retrieve it, but none have returned. In Firelink Shrine, a caravan of holy clerics escort a daughter of the head family of Thorolund under the guidance of Petrus. Nico and Vince are holy knights, close friends to the maiden, Rhea. The three of them are young and ignorant, and may not fully understand the dire task in front of them. If they were to find the Rite, then it is Rhea who must become a new Firekeeper shackled to the bonfire for the rest of her life.
The Catacombs is a burial ground for the Dead, but a few upturn the graves, dabbling with the stolen power of Necromancy. Necromancers will revive their skeleton servants, but for any cleric, a divine weapon makes short work of the dark powers of Necromancy. Necromancers should be the least of their worries, but a thief, who goes by the name of Trusty Patches, preys upon the foolish with a strong distaste for holy apostles. In his eyes humanity is tainted by greed, and clerics are the most corrupt of them all. He will try all manner of tricks to bring others to ruin, but if one can outwit his deceit, you may find his stolen treasures useful.
Further into the tombs is an old smith who has worked his hands to the bone. Vamos is a quiet smith who prefers the solace of the Catacombs. While the Smith refuses to talk, he harbors a great many of secrets. His race was outcast by human society, but due to their expertise with a hammer, Vamos was one of the lucky few to make a living as a flame smith. He is in possession of royal helm of his lineage, but the smith remains silent for such pointless tales will only spoil his focus.
At the base of the Catacombs lies the first Necromancer who stole the power of the Gravelord and holds the Rite of Kindling. The Pinwheel has gathered all manner of artifacts to unravel the secrets of Necromancy in an attempt to restore his family, but alas, the family is no more, and all that remains is this creature, clinging to lost hopes.
Tomb of the Giants:
Past the Pinwheel lies the Tomb of Giants, a perilous cavern devoid of light, filled with the ancient skeletons of giants and beasts. It is here that the thief, Patches, meets with the holy caravan and tricks them into a pit. Petrus abandoned them, while the two cleric knights went Hollow trying to escape, leaving Rhea alone in the dark. However, if the Chosen Undead falls for the same ploy, then perhaps Rhea may be saved, but back in Firelink, a wolf in sheep's clothing awaits her. Given the chance, Petrus would end her life to retrieve the sacred relics she carries. Petrus remains human, disgusted by the Undead, his duty is not to help them, but to dispose of them, as an assassin of the church should. Perhaps Patches was right about clerics…
Deeper in the depths of the Tombs, an old Paladin still searches for the Rite of Kindling. Leeroy was the first of the Undead of Thorolund, given the relics Sanctus and Grant, both forged in the White Flame, he was given a single task to retrieve the Rite of Kindling and he has finally found it, in the hands of the Chosen Undead. He will act as the vanguard to Nito's lair and only by slaying him may you confront the Lord of Death.
Nito's lair is a gathering place of humanity, for Nito has forsaken the Light in favor of the Dark. It has always been, that Death was more akin to the Dark, than to the Light, and with Nito's amassed humanity, he will remain even as the Flame fades. Gravelord Nito rises from his grave to grant death to the undying, but it is the Chosen Undead's fate to conquer those who hold the Lord Souls to satiate the Lord Vessel.
Demon Ruins:
Deep down into Blighttown, past Quelaag's Domain, is the Demon Ruins once the great City of Izalith, home to the Lord Soul of Life. Long ago, the Witch of Izalith attempted to create a new Flame with her Soul, but the Flame she created was a twisted Flame of Life, the Chaos Flame. She, her daughters, and the citizens of Izalith were corrupted by the Chaos and transformed into beastly Demons. The Witch herself and her Lord Soul rests at the heart of Lost Izalith within the twisted Bed of Chaos.
A river of magma blocks entry to the ruins, the product of a molten giant known as the Ceaseless Discharge. He was once the only son to the Witch of Izalith, but due to his frailty to the flames, was never accepted as such. A single sister took pity on him and raised him as her own. She gave him a ring, forged from the Chaos, that protected him from the flames, but the fool touched the ring to the magma and released the chaotic power held within. The brother was horribly disfigured into the Ceaseless Discharge, and from the ring sprouted the Centipede Demon. His sister was killed in the event, and now Ceaseless Discharge watches over her corpse, mourning her death. To stop the magma flow, the Chosen Undead must put the Ceaseless Discharge out of his misery.
Countless Demons populate the ruins, but neither Taurus nor Capra compare to the ancient Demon, known as the Demon Firesage. Every Demon holds an eternal Chaos Flame that emboldens its strength. Overtime, this flame will consume the Demon with immense power before fading off, leaving the Demon as an ashen husk. The Firesage is in his prime and can manipulate the old flame arts with a catalyst formed of obsidian, but he's nothing but another stepping stone in the Chosen Undead's quest.
Deep in the ruins lurks the Centipede Demon, born from the folly of the son of Quela. The multi-headed beast is formed from his hand, and upon one of its heads contains the Charred Orange Ring. The terrain is overflowing with magma, if one wishes to slay beast, they must first cut off one of the heads in hopes of discovering the chaotic ring. With this ring one can walk upon the molten rock unscathed.
Lost Izalith:
Past the Demon, and through the lake of magma, lies the heart of Lost Izalith. Demonic statues patrol the ruin alongside the hideous Chaos Eaters, these warped creatures feed off the radiation of Chaos and any who fall into their lair. Trapped in the sewers, surrounded by the Chaos Eaters, is the wandering onion knight, Siegmeyer. His adventures have led him here, but with his back against the wall, he has drifted asleep trying to think up a plan of escape. Throughout his journey, the Chosen Undead has helped him through many perils, but to be saved by another is a shame upon one's knightly honor. This time Seigmeyer wishes to be the savior, to repay his debts to the Chosen Undead, and distract the Chaos Eaters, so that the Chosen Undead may slip away in the confusion. Whether the Chosen Undead flees or fights, the result is the same, this is his final battle before the Curse takes him.
In a large corridor, across an outstretched bridge, lies an infestation of mind sapping parasites, and the crestfallen Warrior of Sunlight. Solaire, of Astora, has journeyed far across all of Lordran in search of his very own Sun. Surely he heard the doubts of those around him, but Solaire remained determined, until there was nowhere left to look. Crestfallen from the inevitability of his goal he had stumbled upon these creatures that mimic the Sun. He was entranced by the ball of Light they created and placed it upon his head. Sadly, the sun must set for this Warrior of Sunlight as he slowly loses his mind to the parasite.
In the old chamber guarded by the eldest daughter of Chaos, is the towering tangled roots of the Bed of Chaos. The fiend is immune to all attacks, but at its core lies its vulnerable heart. However, the path is sealed by chaotic incantations. The Chosen Undead must break both staves at each side of the beast to proceed. Once inside the shell, all that remains is to slay the tiny bug that acts as its heart. With the last Lord Souls the Chosen Undead may finally satiate the Lord Vessel and fulfill his Fate.
Kiln of the First Flame:
Place the Lordvessel upon the altar and offer the four Lord Souls as tribute. The great stone doors open with a blinding light as the spirits of the faithful Black Knights still march through the white void of time. The Kiln that once housed the magnificent First Flame is now a valley of ash, and at its center, awaits the fading Lord Gwyn.
Gwyn, in fear of the Dark, sacrificed himself to link the Flame, and extended his Age of Fire. What is left of the Lord of Light is nothing, but a Hollowed husk of his former glory, yet still he radiates with immense power.
The Chosen Undead's journey is coming to a close, to put the old Lord to rest, and inherit the Flame, if that be his calling. For the Flame is at the mercy of the Chosen Undead, will he sacrifice himself to extend the Age of Light, or will he let the Flame fade to usher in the Age of Dark and become the Dark Lord.