Interesting detail i found about the gauntlets of his set, "their gold bracelets symbolize a vanquisher" I heard the item name somewhere else and they are the ones of the Nameless King, of all the things, afterall he is a vanguisher, a God of War, and Dormhall knows a lot about Ancient dragons and the people that seek to become one About Dragons the travelling merchant from DS2 is incredibly has all kinds of tiny similarities with Dormhall, and he is interested about one seemingly useless but very rare treasure, a petrified egg, then you can join the way of the dragon covenant that lets you become a dragon
The concept of the bottomless box as some sort of Lovecraftian malevolent entity that consumes the "collection" and sanity of the person who fills it. Then becomes a mimic hungry for more after consuming their host is an amazing idea.
I always thought Mimics were items exposed to white stones that harm the gods or the dark. Given the Occult club being in a mimic- ether the club turned it mimic or it was a way to get rid of people. Seath’s place, and a few others- and the DLC felt that they were naturally made. Think the forest with living trees but if the wood remained alive- like the Dragon scales and moved or possessed the chest
dont we know that mimics are cursed remnants of a forgotten race that was cursed because they were too greedy? they might have "invented"/discovered the bottomless box and because they all started filling them due to their greed the box started consuming them, turning them into mimics?
It's very similar to one of the creation myths of "lindormen" (the Linden Snake/linnorm). If one covets wealth, you can kill an adder and place its body in a bowl of fresh milk, and bury it under the roots of the ward-tree of your farmstead (often a linden tree). This spell will bring great wealth to you, but at a price. Since your gold has come to you through unnatural means, it is paramount that the wealth is shared (important even with rightly gotten gains), for every coin that you hoard makes the snake grow larger. Should you forget your debt, and keep it all for yourself, the snake will grow monstrous; one day it will burst out of the ground to lay waste to your farm, eat you, and steal your treasure back. This is one of the reasons a dragon might be guarding a treasure, since the dragons of Norse myth are just monstrous snakes.
I had never thought about it, but halfway through the video I realized that Domhnall may just be trying his best not to go hollow. We've seen Laurentius, Griggs, Crestfallen and many others go hollow after losing their way. Andre tells us his purpose is being a smith, as such, with so many "chosen undeads" he will remain there, for his job as a blacksmith has yet to be completed. As for how this relates to Domhnall, well, his purpose is being a collector. By getting to different locations in Lordran and sharing information with us *after* we have proved to have the ability to be useful on his quest to collect "trinkets and oddities", he's ensuring that his collection will grow bigger and as such, that he won't go hollow.
The biggest proof of that is Patches. He will never go hollow because the purpose he chose is to troll people, and fools will never go extinct, that let him live through whole series up until the literal end of the world in ds3
After going through the hell that is The Depths, meeting Domhnall and hearing his uplifting salute kinda made me happy, even if he just wanted my souls.
@@theblancmange1265Domnhall knows we can at least die twice judging from his Dialogue I think he's trying to figure just how many times your willing to deal with after the third death.
During the talk about mimics midway I realized something about Domhnall's helm, when the mimic grabs you it pulls you in head first, perhaps the horns on the top of the helm are more about protecting from this then any blade.
This guy, for me, was such an uplifting feeling meeting him. His voice, the colors he wore, the choice of styling. I felt so safe near him lol But at the same time, I always thought he was patches.
He is a collector. This is the obsession that keeps him sane. I don't see him as cold but as a man with a self made mission which keeps him from going hollow. He is an example of how someone who has lived as an undead long enough can become a little odd. He holds no ill towards anyone who holds no ill towards him. But why should he help those who will not help him? That may seem rather selfish. But such selfishness is how one survives. The idealistic and noble may break and die before the nihilism of the void but the selfish can continue on because they have something that gives their lives meaning.
@@mr.kittysavestheworld695 well patches is pure, but in a shitty way. whatever Domnhall is doing in the background he is at least aiding the player character.
I also wondered about Domhnall, got as far as asking a friend why his helmet seems familiar and he said Henry VIII had a similar one. But Hawkshaw wasn't satisfied and kept questioning, and that's why we love you!
Yeah this guy always threw my through a loop. He's too mysterious. It always seemed odd that he's just sitting there, selling things. He must clearly have ties with Seeth.
A world filled with death and misery brought on by an obsession with a fire and you hyperfocus on a typical shopkeeper? So what if you only cares about what you can give to him? At least he's being honest. Domhnall lives in a world where it's either kill or be killed. be useful or be used. be a trickster or get tricked. In a world where you're only as good as the weapons and armor you have you might find it very useful to deceive the ones around you just so you can live a few seconds longer. He's not a pyromaniac who gives you a piece of his own soul just because you talk to him or a magician who tells you you're too stupid to learn any sort of spells. He's a businessman.
"Henry VIII had a similar one". I didn't know that so looked it up... and it's absolutely true.. it even has spectacles on it! And, as we all know, Henry VIII was a Tudor, which was a Welsh family dynasty. So, all this is obviously not coincidental. Fantastic. 👍
I think I have an interesting bit to add to this now that you've done most of the hard work lol You always find him in places that are hard to get to. And under the aqueduct he mentions that he didn't expect to meet anyone there and gives you that throw away line of "great minds" in a rather nervous manner. I do believe everything you've revealed about his personality is spot on although I'm beginning to think that the whole peddler story and role he is playing is a means of appeasing you because he thinks you might be a threat to him. You keep finding him in places he expects to be alone. Not a winning behavior for a peddler of any sort, being alone and hard to reach. And his tips while potentially helpful, do have a through-line of sending you to dangerous places. The cover story along with the tips give the impression that he would be happy to use you or be rid of you, but he wisely assesses you as a force he would rather redirect than confront head on.
This is an amazing theory, I think you're really on to something here! It definitely fits with his kleptomaniacal/hoarding tendencies that he would be in dangerous or secluded places. Maybe his directing you to dangerous locations is so that he might collect your treasures once you're killed
We save Laurentius, Logan, etc. they are indebted to us. Domhnall is a merchant who is replete with souls and has a knack for peddling expensive equipment. A character who has the souls to purchase crystal weapons and repeatedly repair them would do so for the damage associated (we know he isn't doing much fighting anyways). He already gave you some equipment for your souls, and doesn't owe us anything more. Don't you slander my boy like this!
Aye, ye. DS1 also constantly makes it clear that we're not automatically the center of the universe and that these characters have their own lives that would continue without us. Domhall barely knows us and therefore doesn't really owe us anything. Also the pyromancies and sorceries we learn from Laurentius and Logan still cost souls. Their knowledge isn't strictly free either.
Yeah, he's treating us as a customer, which we are, and nothing else. Perfectly charming, polite, but he doesn't owe us anything, seeing as we didn't save him from anything, or provide anything but souls, how else should he treat us.
@@platoscatboy9772The other classic soulsborne player: one that doesnt understand even the slightest bit of subtext. The theory doesn't have to be true, but you're ignoring that Miyazaki was deliberately cagey about details on him in interviews.. come on now
I think Laurentius may deserve a video too. He may have clearer objectives and stronger resolve than appears, he just doesn't really talk about it. You find him in The Depths, but he never explains what he was doing there. He holds a cracked round shield, implying it has been used in battle. This is evidence that he fought his way into the Depths, and why would he venture there if not for an important objective? But what could that objective be, for what purpose did he risk his life and enter the Depths? Well, there is not much of interest in the Depths, at least not to Laurentius. As far as we know, he isn't interested in dragons or, um, sludge. So to him, the Depths must be a bridge, a stepping stone in his quest. And the Depths only has one exit: Blighttown. Laurentius was clearly trying to get to Blighttown, but what he sought there isn't as clear as his intentions of reaching the area. There are a few options: 1. Laurentius' master was Carmina, who pioneered three self-buff type pyromancies. These were Iron Flesh, Flash Sweat and Power Within. Of these, Laurentius only has 2, and Power Within is located in Blighttown (remarkably close to the Depths, by the way). Laurentius was trying to retrieve a powerful pyromancy for his master. 2. We know that Laurentius is from the Great Swamp (which is, for a million reasons I won't get into here, not Blighttown), but we don't know why he's roaming Lordran. Perhaps he was exiled. Laurentius himself says that "he never really got along with anybody." He also says that, because he didn't get along with people, turning undead didn't make a difference for him. But what difference could it have made to someone who did get along with people? Maybe undead were exiled from the Great Swamp, and since Laurentius didn't interact much with his community there either, it didn't really matter to him. But why is this relevant? Well, as an exile, he might be trying to find someone he can relate to. Someone else who was exiled from the Great Swamp. Eingyi. 3. Laurentius is interested in pyromancy, and he wants to find Lost Izalith to learn more about it. This third hypothesis is really simple. What do you think? What is the most likely out of these three in your opinion? Or do you think there might be something else entirely? Feel free to reply and kindle this lore discussion. EDIT: I'm speculating about his original goal and motivation for going on dangerous adventures. I already know the ending of Laurentius' quest line.
If I recall correctly, the conclusion you seek is already a part of the game: If you talk to him while you have Pyromancies from the last daughter of chaos untransformed, who themselves is in the blighttown swamp, Laurentius asks you where you got it. If you tell him, he goes to seek it out, and by whatever means, he ends up completely hollow in that same blighttown swamp. Notably, you cannot find her, unless you have a grown pyromancy flame of at least +10 and up to its max of +15, and she offers the ability to Ascend it, much like Andre does for smithing. No one else offers this ability to ascend pyromancy flames past the +15 level cap, so it's safe to say that it is likely related to her status as a daughter of chaos, and possibly one of the last Flame Sorcerers, a practice which was either forgotten, or warped, when chaos consumed them. I presume that much like Laurentius himself tells us, and can be observed in game with how there is a different item description from the flame you can start with as a pyromancer, and the description of the one that he himself can give you: A pyromancers flame is a part of them, and it grows with them. Therefore, it could be a reflection of their own personal growth. We've already not only witnessed, but saved Laurentius from his own failure. If Laurentius hasn't achieved a high enough level of growth for himself and his flame, to reach +10 or higher, it may be impossible to see Quelana, or she may just choose not to reveal herself to those lacking "the fundamental framework", as I believe Logan says right? Thus, he goes hollow searching endlessly for her, trusting completely in what you tell him, that she is there, in one of the most treacherous and dangerous locations in Lordran, day after day. After all, he trusts us enough because we saved him to have given us a piece of himself, of his own flame. Someone less trusting likely would have refused to even attempt to go to such a dangerous place, let alone search it for such a mysteriously located...well, celebrity I suppose you could call her. The last human daughter of chaos, or perhaps at the very least the last sane one, since there is one just outside the Bed of Chaos. Why would anyone else but him take our word for it that such a famous and powerful force that shaped their very world, would be in the squalid disgusting depths of blightown? We could have gotten her pyromancies anywhere else. He could have left, and searched elsewhere. Instead, he eventually goes hollow there. Or worse...perhaps he DID find her, only for her to turn him away, because he was unworthy or incapable. Perhaps that was the final blow, that shook his will enough to make him hollow.
My theory is that you're supposed to free him, and that the person who captured him, and which tracks you in Blighttown, is Maneater Mildred. Not gonna mention how he mentions "she" trapping him, if I remember well.
@@VERGILGASM That's an interesting thought, but Laurentius doesn't say anything about being trapped. I believe the quote you're thinkning about is "I would've been her supper without you!" And here, "her" probably refers to the giant rat, as the butchers are dropping meat down the pit that leads to it/her. Still, it's an interesting connection to havve a butcher so close to Laurentius, even in Blighttown.
Yeah but that also puts a hole in his last piece of circumstantial evidence, which is that the drop is a clue as to how to get Avelyn, and thus a clue to his true nature. It's a fun video, well put together and definitely makes him a more interesting character, but it's in no way a definitive answer.
@@LoDart210 It's still a risky drop to make lol. I don't see how it pokes a hole in the theory at all. Though of course things in this game are rarely definitive.
From what I’m seeing Domhnall is just like a regular shopkeeper, they’re kind and usually only talks to you about business (if you are a customer), and shopping more at their shop, the more familiar they get with the customer, and become more friendly with them as they know them more
This is pure gravy. PLEASE keep it coming. After work the world is a jumbled mess that we try to make sense of. Your videos help making sense not just of the world of souls but the world we live in. Just like Miyazaki intended. GOD BLESS.
Thinking about it, just because the avelyn was originally inteded for Domhnall to weild doesn't mean that it wasn't connected to Eidas, especially if you consider how the character design of the latter is tied with it, perhaps originally they intended it to be one of the trinkets Seath would reward Domhnall with for contributing with the downfall of the plot against the gods. What more cruel way to break someone's will than to give the last link to their family to a person who only seea the material value in what they consider to be a mere good? Edit: for some reason i thought that commenting a few minutes before the end of the video was a good idea. 😑🔫
Wow, from the very wording of the items in the game, to the items themselves, the analysis, and the addition of new lore to the timeline of the game; this is why I love this franchise. Fine work, Hawkshaw, and thank you for your awesome content.
I agree Dark Souls should've been a standalone! Miyazaki shouldn't compromise and instead should focus on solidifying this brand loyalty where every new IP will get the hype that a DS sequel would. I hope they stop working with sequels if Elden Ring is a success.
This lore video is insanely well put together, and I'm convinced! Goes to show how great these games are that a decade later people are still able to discern things like this.
I remember when you did the ash lake video and said it would be the final lore episode and that really sucked but at the same time I understood that people have to move on and continue new projects & goals like making a video game ;) your final video left a burning desire for more lore it’s so awesome to see these new uploads.
Hey guys - we are looking for someone to work with that can help get us Elden Ring footage come release. This would allow us to streamline the lore hunting and ease the crunch period! If you would like to help please do reach out (discord works!) or let someone know who might want to help. Praise the Lore!
you really need to stage a play through of dark souls, yet add all your lore theories as the story which unfolds, like a anime but done in the game, if that makes sense? it would be amazing if you could find a way to do this.
I happen to have alot of time, a ps5, a capture card, and a preorder for elden ring. I love your lore videos for how in depth and detailed they are. They have shaped my way of thinking about this game. If i can help i would be more than happy.
Out of scraps of nothing, a vivid and essential part of the whole story. Amazing. The secret room in Anor Londo has an avarice chest in it. Does this have any lore significance? Do the others throughout the game? If anyone can find any significance, it’s gonna be this channel!
The secret room in Anor Londo is where you find Havel's gear. The mimic holds the occult club, a weapon which is used against the gods, so it is believed that this implies that Havel was secretly plotting against the deities, and was using the mimic as a way to safeguard his secret. I believe you also find a spell associated with Havel down in Ash Lake which further hints he was working with the Dragons. There is probably other evidence out there hinting at Havel's plot, but I am not sure.
A bit late, but the Grasp of Avarice always drops from the final Mimic in the playthrough cycle that you've found and killed. Whether or not this is anything that goes beyond gameplay functionality, I have no ideas on the item itself.
Oh wow, mind blowing stuff as usual. This game is just on a whole another level, a true marvel of human ingenuity. And we haven't even delved into the rest of the game's cast yet! Marvelous Chester, Alvina of the Darkroot Wood and the people around her, Kalameet, Griggs of Vinheim, the Darkmoon Knightess, that plug monster thing you encounter on the way to fighting Manus, just so many characters, so many details we're ignorant of.
The plug monster you are refering, do you mean that guy with chains holding his body against a sharp-tipped piece of a column? As if he was a battle ram? I believe I saw a video with information on the guy. I think it was from the channel Zullie the Witch? I don't remember clearly though.
One design note: It's likely they let you buy the armour to ensure players didn't try to kill him for it, since he's the only way to get boss armour and you don't learn that until much later.
Another weird thing... his collection, his collectables... what is he actually interested in collecting? Because the armours of the Lords are not interesting enough to _stay_ in his collection. He's willing to sell them.
I like to think his obsession has grown so great that even the armor of legends like Artorias and Gwyn are not enough; he recognises their value, and perhaps keeps them for a while, but eventually loses all interest in them in the hopes of finding something greater. Like a spoilt child who gets much of what they want, Domnhall plunders loot and it keeps him content for a while, before tiring over it's rarity and looking for the next relic for his collection. Domnhall may be so deluded at this point that his fixation is now more on the duration between his next prize and less about the prize itself. Domnhall may even get to a point where discovering something like the entire Dark Soul would be a fleeting euphoria, given enough time
@@stingerjohnny9951 Yeah something like that. His collection was what he coveted most, but that constant coveting drew him towards simply wanting more for his collection, getting rarer and rarer prizes. Each new thing he added was disregarded when another new thing was added to his collection
Hey, an undead has got to make a living. And I bet Domnell knows all too well his treasures will make their way back to him eventually. Because to stay sane as an undead takes an obsession. Something that lights a fire in your heart so you can weather the affects of the curse and the ravages of time. So why not lend out his treasures for a price since all too likely you will not be able to go for the long haul.
@@jacobfreeman5444 The only problem is Domnhall’s obsession resulted in the deaths of however many were involved in the plot against the Gods. That being said, he isn’t an evil character, he’s more or less a selfish and uncaring undead. He doesn’t give a rats who you are or what you’re doing, if you’ve got souls you’re a friend to make a trade with. He is chaotic neutral in all matters: a trickster
I liked to theorize that he discovered the secret of item dupling with his bottomless box. His collection is everything for him. So why would he sell his rare posessions? He also sells crystal weapons which brake so customers will have to buy them again. If you can duplicate these you're actually printing money. Maybe he's even from another world and can travel freely between time and space. That's why he seems to know everything and got his hands on the super rare stuff and why his set seems so out of place. These were my thoughts when i found out he's called the trickster. Of course your lore makes way more sense though and you kinda ruined it for me :D
This dudes word ain't no better than yours just cause he does UA-cam videos bro actually what you said makes alot of sense. This dude just talks about anything he wasn't part of fromsoftwares development on any of these games. He makes his own lore up sometimes and yall believe him over your own thoughts smh. He knows no more than you
@@ramrodbldm9876 ofc I might be. But I'm a lazy fuck and didn't read Reddit for hours. I got nothing to back it up. I just wanted to share my take because it puts a smile on my face and I was pretty sure it would do the same to some of you fellow dark souls enthusiasts.
Holy shit, I can't believe I read lore theory involving an item duping bug and didn't immediately think "what in the world is this guy on about". Only in Dark Souls.
@Ramrod bLDM yeah he is always stretching and milking the tits out of the (un)dead cow that is Dark Souls lore. I get that it's a mysterious game, but it's not like a Homeric epic is hiding in every NPCs three lines of dialogue as this youtuber makes it. It's the typical Soulsbourne obsessive fan in this channel that gets me, too many loonies going hollow over every fecking item description, it's stupid, I like depth but I can see the bullshit in here.
I always thought Domhnall had more to him that what meets the eye but I never thought it went this deep, this video was great and you can tell how much effort it took, thank u
What a wonderful dissection of one of my favorite character designs whose personality I have totally overlooked. This was such a great watch - thank you.
Noticed some inconsistencies. Laurentius indeed act nicer but it is due the fact that we have rescued him from Butcher of depths basically saving him from being undead porkchop meat, Logan would be held in inaccsible area in Sens fortress, Reah would have been forever trapped in tomb of giant. Other thing is that Domhnall name "world ruler" can be connected to fact that he also sells Gwyns set in new game + meaning he knows how to use convoluted time to obtain it. He doesn't care for us since we actually not did anything to him, we freed Lautrec hence he gives medal and help, we rescued Reah, Griggs, Logan, Laurentius, Dusk, we are potential candidate to help Ingvar, notice that Andre and other smiths also are not doing for free. He acts normally ... like any merchant would, he is glad to trade more but he doesn't care about customer private life + he doesn't know we rang two bells of awakening or anything, for him we are just undead who isn't yet hollow.
I don't think Seath tempted Domhnall, I think Domhnall set everything up in order to get Seath's special stash! "Aye siwmae! Sorry I caused the death of hundreds and got you locked in a tower forever, Havel, but I wanted a new shiney sword, uwu."
I'm kinda with you. Seath is a conniving villainous dragon but even those are often no match for a character that fulfills the archetype of the Trickster - those that have manipulated even gods and physical manifestations of elements and other wild things.
6:00 The way he says "Idiot..." sounds like he's frustrated that you're not buying his act like everyone else. It's like him being a man of peace is so well known that you'd be an idiot to doubt him. It feels somewhat like he's going 'mask off' for just a moment
Hoooooly this is amazing! Even more pieces of info about the plot against the gods, an already unknown thing in the game, learned from a character overlooked
I always saw him as a scavenger, in order to get new things (and sell what he didn't want). His position in the depths would allow corpses to flow by him. Add the fact that he gets boss armor, and he is always 'slightly' off the path, with a good vantage point to watch around him. Didn't realise the other connections though.
Anansi, Hermes, Loki, Prometheus (by technicality), Pan (by nature), Son Wukong, Maui- the old tales were far more nuanced than the more modern perception...at least in portrayal.
This only shows how deep Dark Souls lore can be, even a greedy "meaningless peddler" has some deep lore and atention to detail that leads to interesting theorys Amazing video by the way keep up the good work
I think it is invalid to compare Domhall with Laurentius and Logan, one is a simple salesman and the other 2 you practically saved their lives, obviously they will speak to you differently, That's why I don't see anything wrong with his cold behavior, apart from being his client, what are we for him? a simple stranger, there is no real reason for him to care about us xd
Domhnall comes across as transactional in a coldly pragmatic fashion. He's happy to treat you well if you're a "valued customer", but he's certainly a merchant fixated on his collection of wares and the trading of them for souls. Very material outlook on life, I don't know if theres anything sinister about his interactions, other than the apathy of capitalist minded, transactional people. He just understood that being coarse, threatening, suspicious or rude just "makes for bad business". He would choose his collection over a human for certain. But he didn't have the same malice as someone like Lautrec or Patches. Even Vamos was crusty but didn't come across as necessarily a threat when he browbeats you away from his forge. His armor pieces, oddly enough I noticed, had an above average curse protection stats when I was playing the game. Maybe the curse danger in the depths warranted it, but....Id suspected he was in league as a scout for the 6 eyed channellers and their habit of abducting of maidens for rituals changing them into the squid women.🤔
the idea of him being an expert traveler and his signature or "fingerprint" being difficult to reach areas really clicked. now i know who put all those items on those INSANE platforming stunts from ds, and in my own head cannon, also ds2
Its funny how this morning I was playing Dark Souls and saw this guy in the depths for the first time. I dont ever remember seeing him in my other playthroughs but wow great timing!
Eeeehhh you're looking too far into nothing nothing stares back at you. He's just a shrewd businessman. Taking every opportunity and exchanging info for his own gain
Thank you so much for your work guys, these videos are the best thing ever. I normally have a lot of trouble falling asleep but your videos help immensely, I was listening to this yesterday and fell asleep quickly and easily. Don't ever stop ❤️
The amount of obscure lore you drop in this video is baffling. I didn't know the crystal knight in the Grand Archives was a crystal blacksmith. I didn't know Siegmeir's wife was involved in the plot against the gods. I love these games.
Oh my God the final revelation regarding Domhnall's true identity was for me akin to that moment in the Usual Suspects where you finally realize that the sweet harmless cripple was Keyser Soze all along.. 😱
This is an jnsane breakdown and analysis. You very well could be right on his plave in the plot. Also from his voice they way he calls you "idiot" is so viceral and full of distain. Shows you how he might think of anybody else thats not himself.
Domnhall is one of the characters that always stuck out to me playing through Dark Souls. So glad to have this exploration of his character. Great work!
I really appreciate your thoughts on things, you have a very delicate and specific way with words and I feel like you are a good source of info, keep up the good work man I would watch content you put out on anything even if it wasn't souls. I liked how you took the time to explain the difference between jokers and tricksters as mythology and common language get easily tangled and words lose meaning if we forget them.
Siwmae! I always wondered why a merchant would be in the sewers of all places. Maybe he was trapped? But you do mention how calm he is. That is so weird While I can only speak for myself, I'm pretty sure most people trapped in sewer system filled with monsters of varying danger would let out... an "oh no" or two, right? I don't trust you, Dom! I don't trust you as far as I can kick you off that ledge
ohh boy, getting into the deep waters now I just love the conclusions you draw of the correlation with Seath and bringing forth the evidence like the price Frampt is willing to pay for Seaths treasures put´s an insane amount of depth and plausibility into all these theories
@@KanonMulticraft Update: Turns out there's no lava in the pic, but the captions mention Greece/Rome (Classical civilisation, like "Classic Zena") and Angkor Wat (Izalith's architectural influence). I feel like it would have shown humans alongside Demons - the only hints of this idea in game are the blighttown inhabitants (i.e. cragspiders and egg-burdened).
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Hawkshaw
Elden ring reference?!?!
Interesting detail i found about the gauntlets of his set, "their gold bracelets symbolize a vanquisher"
I heard the item name somewhere else and they are the ones of the Nameless King, of all the things, afterall he is a vanguisher, a God of War, and Dormhall knows a lot about Ancient dragons and the people that seek to become one
About Dragons the travelling merchant from DS2 is incredibly has all kinds of tiny similarities with Dormhall, and he is interested about one seemingly useless but very rare treasure, a petrified egg, then you can join the way of the dragon covenant that lets you become a dragon
You are my favourite lore channel. Much love and keep on keeping on. X
Wait, do these things turn into Mimics, the bottomless ???????
I have questions on top of questions
The concept of the bottomless box as some sort of Lovecraftian malevolent entity that consumes the "collection" and sanity of the person who fills it. Then becomes a mimic hungry for more after consuming their host is an amazing idea.
Definitely a mind = blown moment for me
Oh yeah that’s a goodie! 🤣
I always thought Mimics were items exposed to white stones that harm the gods or the dark.
Given the Occult club being in a mimic- ether the club turned it mimic or it was a way to get rid of people.
Seath’s place, and a few others- and the DLC felt that they were naturally made.
Think the forest with living trees but if the wood remained alive- like the Dragon scales and moved or possessed the chest
dont we know that mimics are cursed remnants of a forgotten race that was cursed because they were too greedy? they might have "invented"/discovered the bottomless box and because they all started filling them due to their greed the box started consuming them, turning them into mimics?
It's very similar to one of the creation myths of "lindormen" (the Linden Snake/linnorm).
If one covets wealth, you can kill an adder and place its body in a bowl of fresh milk, and bury it under the roots of the ward-tree of your farmstead (often a linden tree). This spell will bring great wealth to you, but at a price. Since your gold has come to you through unnatural means, it is paramount that the wealth is shared (important even with rightly gotten gains), for every coin that you hoard makes the snake grow larger. Should you forget your debt, and keep it all for yourself, the snake will grow monstrous; one day it will burst out of the ground to lay waste to your farm, eat you, and steal your treasure back.
This is one of the reasons a dragon might be guarding a treasure, since the dragons of Norse myth are just monstrous snakes.
I had never thought about it, but halfway through the video I realized that Domhnall may just be trying his best not to go hollow.
We've seen Laurentius, Griggs, Crestfallen and many others go hollow after losing their way.
Andre tells us his purpose is being a smith, as such, with so many "chosen undeads" he will remain there, for his job as a blacksmith has yet to be completed.
As for how this relates to Domhnall, well, his purpose is being a collector. By getting to different locations in Lordran and sharing information with us *after* we have proved to have the ability to be useful on his quest to collect "trinkets and oddities", he's ensuring that his collection will grow bigger and as such, that he won't go hollow.
So… just like any game collector
Or never ends
But ir gives us legacy and a fun hobby even if it’s very expensive
I do love how Andre has no conflict in his story, simple “I like smithing so I’m gonna do it.”
What an excellent observation.
As it goes, a collector ...
Never stops collecting.
The biggest proof of that is Patches. He will never go hollow because the purpose he chose is to troll people, and fools will never go extinct, that let him live through whole series up until the literal end of the world in ds3
@@scratch472No surprise, since he might be inspired by Goddo from Berserk. They are much alike
After going through the hell that is The Depths, meeting Domhnall and hearing his uplifting salute kinda made me happy, even if he just wanted my souls.
On my first playthrough I got poisoned and ran out of heals in the Depths.
When I found Domhnall, I panic bought stuff before I died.
@@theblancmange1265Domnhall knows we can at least die twice judging from his Dialogue I think he's trying to figure just how many times your willing to deal with after the third death.
During the talk about mimics midway I realized something about Domhnall's helm, when the mimic grabs you it pulls you in head first, perhaps the horns on the top of the helm are more about protecting from this then any blade.
Super dope idea
This guy, for me, was such an uplifting feeling meeting him. His voice, the colors he wore, the choice of styling. I felt so safe near him lol But at the same time, I always thought he was patches.
Same but it couldn’t be as they can both be spotted at firelink
Patches would have hated him with every drop of his blood
Yeah and the sewers were such an anxiety inducing nightmare the first times I played this game. He made it something surreal and hopeful.
@@loganross1861you people either never go outside or love hyperbole.
@@angelolagussa1312 "if you experience emotions in games then you don't go outside" it's not that deep
He is a collector. This is the obsession that keeps him sane. I don't see him as cold but as a man with a self made mission which keeps him from going hollow. He is an example of how someone who has lived as an undead long enough can become a little odd. He holds no ill towards anyone who holds no ill towards him. But why should he help those who will not help him? That may seem rather selfish. But such selfishness is how one survives. The idealistic and noble may break and die before the nihilism of the void but the selfish can continue on because they have something that gives their lives meaning.
Lol not giving a crap let's you live longer look at Patches lol
That is by definition, cold.
@@johnsmith-xw7hv ahh Patches, you are truly unbreakable.
altruism *is* a thing, you know
Edgy.
You dropping off the bridge onto the ledge to where domnhall was blew my mind. I always jump to it from below.
So basically Domhnall is the embodiment of “Every age is tainted by the greed of men”
Damn...
I got it bro! i really did! ;)
his greed is virtuous compared to the motivations of most of the other characters in darksouls.
@@auto1nfanticid3 I wouldn't say "virtuous," necessarily, "pure" is probably a better word.
@@mr.kittysavestheworld695 well patches is pure, but in a shitty way. whatever Domnhall is doing in the background he is at least aiding the player character.
I always thought Domnalls armour was chucked together piecemeal from stolen armour picked off dead bodies and left abandoned
Domnall rolls need whenever the best loot drops.
The helmet alone suggests a plundered museum or royal heirloom of a king.
Same actually
He sells the armor of bosses we defeat, wouldn't really be surprised
Same
A video about Domhnall of Zena just reaffirmed my love for Laurentius, but good video all around!
Could it be that Laurentius is actual best boi?
@@tevenbenn3175 was that ever even a question?
@@stingerjohnny9951 Only to those blinded by a sun.
do you still play dota?
i miss your Only Way to Play guides. those were the days when dota was actually fun
I also wondered about Domhnall, got as far as asking a friend why his helmet seems familiar and he said Henry VIII had a similar one. But Hawkshaw wasn't satisfied and kept questioning, and that's why we love you!
Yeah this guy always threw my through a loop. He's too mysterious. It always seemed odd that he's just sitting there, selling things. He must clearly have ties with Seeth.
BACK AGAIN FROM THE DEAD I SEE?!
A world filled with death and misery brought on by an obsession with a fire and you hyperfocus on a typical shopkeeper? So what if you only cares about what you can give to him? At least he's being honest. Domhnall lives in a world where it's either kill or be killed. be useful or be used. be a trickster or get tricked. In a world where you're only as good as the weapons and armor you have you might find it very useful to deceive the ones around you just so you can live a few seconds longer. He's not a pyromaniac who gives you a piece of his own soul just because you talk to him or a magician who tells you you're too stupid to learn any sort of spells. He's a businessman.
"Henry VIII had a similar one". I didn't know that so looked it up... and it's absolutely true.. it even has spectacles on it! And, as we all know, Henry VIII was a Tudor, which was a Welsh family dynasty. So, all this is obviously not coincidental. Fantastic. 👍
This character might be a reflection of the player. Showing us all the things that Patches may see in us that arrouses his disgust.
Ooh that's good. I like that idea.
Ooh that's good. I like that idea.
Ooh that's good. I like that idea.
Ooh that's good. I like that idea.
Ooh that’s good. I like that idea.
I think I have an interesting bit to add to this now that you've done most of the hard work lol You always find him in places that are hard to get to. And under the aqueduct he mentions that he didn't expect to meet anyone there and gives you that throw away line of "great minds" in a rather nervous manner. I do believe everything you've revealed about his personality is spot on although I'm beginning to think that the whole peddler story and role he is playing is a means of appeasing you because he thinks you might be a threat to him. You keep finding him in places he expects to be alone. Not a winning behavior for a peddler of any sort, being alone and hard to reach. And his tips while potentially helpful, do have a through-line of sending you to dangerous places. The cover story along with the tips give the impression that he would be happy to use you or be rid of you, but he wisely assesses you as a force he would rather redirect than confront head on.
This is an amazing theory, I think you're really on to something here! It definitely fits with his kleptomaniacal/hoarding tendencies that he would be in dangerous or secluded places. Maybe his directing you to dangerous locations is so that he might collect your treasures once you're killed
There should be a secret dialogue that only works if you approach him with Avelyn
Is the Avelyn in DS1?
@@AdelizaNera You didn't watch the video huh
@@greenhowie didn't get to the part where he mentioned it
@@AdelizaNera weak
@@AdelizaNera don’t worry about them, it’s fine to gloss over a detail
This is why I love this channel, deep dives into lesser known characters is my jam
Yeesssss
Deep dives into any dark souls character then. ha ha.
You have to learn about Everything to understand Anything.
Quick reminder: they prob have solved ds1 lore BASED ON A GODDAMN (pun intended hihi) RING
@@MatthewTheUntitled What do you mean by this?
We save Laurentius, Logan, etc. they are indebted to us. Domhnall is a merchant who is replete with souls and has a knack for peddling expensive equipment. A character who has the souls to purchase crystal weapons and repeatedly repair them would do so for the damage associated (we know he isn't doing much fighting anyways).
He already gave you some equipment for your souls, and doesn't owe us anything more. Don't you slander my boy like this!
Aye, ye. DS1 also constantly makes it clear that we're not automatically the center of the universe and that these characters have their own lives that would continue without us. Domhall barely knows us and therefore doesn't really owe us anything.
Also the pyromancies and sorceries we learn from Laurentius and Logan still cost souls. Their knowledge isn't strictly free either.
Yeah, he's treating us as a customer, which we are, and nothing else. Perfectly charming, polite, but he doesn't owe us anything, seeing as we didn't save him from anything, or provide anything but souls, how else should he treat us.
*NPC doesn't kiss the floor the player walks on*.
"IS THIS NPC ACTUALLY A HORRIBLE PERSON? THEORY!"
Classic Soulsborne players lmao
Yeah, I still think he has something weird going on, but his attitude is perfectly fine
@@platoscatboy9772The other classic soulsborne player: one that doesnt understand even the slightest bit of subtext. The theory doesn't have to be true, but you're ignoring that Miyazaki was deliberately cagey about details on him in interviews.. come on now
Yes! He's one of the characters I've always wanted to know more about, but there's so little lore on him.
Give them a ring and they will tell you THE ds lore, madmans
@@MatthewTheUntitled is it the only way? Also is he really an undead?
I always wanted to know more about the land of Zena. I also wish this armor set appeared in more games; it's my favorite in the series
I actually planned for my elden ring character to be a merchant from zena!
@@leahcarson1822 that's cool
i always thaught Domnhall is not from Zena and he stole his identity to keep his secret
@@kintaro6037
Excellent point.
People have impersonated Havel, so why not others?
If he were truly from Xena then he would use a chakram as a weapon.
Also, take a moment to appreciate the great work done with the subtitles.
that connection between bottomless box and mimics *chef kiss*
I think Laurentius may deserve a video too. He may have clearer objectives and stronger resolve than appears, he just doesn't really talk about it. You find him in The Depths, but he never explains what he was doing there. He holds a cracked round shield, implying it has been used in battle. This is evidence that he fought his way into the Depths, and why would he venture there if not for an important objective?
But what could that objective be, for what purpose did he risk his life and enter the Depths? Well, there is not much of interest in the Depths, at least not to Laurentius. As far as we know, he isn't interested in dragons or, um, sludge. So to him, the Depths must be a bridge, a stepping stone in his quest. And the Depths only has one exit: Blighttown.
Laurentius was clearly trying to get to Blighttown, but what he sought there isn't as clear as his intentions of reaching the area. There are a few options:
1. Laurentius' master was Carmina, who pioneered three self-buff type pyromancies. These were Iron Flesh, Flash Sweat and Power Within. Of these, Laurentius only has 2, and Power Within is located in Blighttown (remarkably close to the Depths, by the way). Laurentius was trying to retrieve a powerful pyromancy for his master.
2. We know that Laurentius is from the Great Swamp (which is, for a million reasons I won't get into here, not Blighttown), but we don't know why he's roaming Lordran. Perhaps he was exiled. Laurentius himself says that "he never really got along with anybody." He also says that, because he didn't get along with people, turning undead didn't make a difference for him. But what difference could it have made to someone who did get along with people? Maybe undead were exiled from the Great Swamp, and since Laurentius didn't interact much with his community there either, it didn't really matter to him. But why is this relevant? Well, as an exile, he might be trying to find someone he can relate to. Someone else who was exiled from the Great Swamp. Eingyi.
3. Laurentius is interested in pyromancy, and he wants to find Lost Izalith to learn more about it. This third hypothesis is really simple.
What do you think? What is the most likely out of these three in your opinion? Or do you think there might be something else entirely? Feel free to reply and kindle this lore discussion.
EDIT: I'm speculating about his original goal and motivation for going on dangerous adventures. I already know the ending of Laurentius' quest line.
If I recall correctly, the conclusion you seek is already a part of the game: If you talk to him while you have Pyromancies from the last daughter of chaos untransformed, who themselves is in the blighttown swamp, Laurentius asks you where you got it.
If you tell him, he goes to seek it out, and by whatever means, he ends up completely hollow in that same blighttown swamp. Notably, you cannot find her, unless you have a grown pyromancy flame of at least +10 and up to its max of +15, and she offers the ability to Ascend it, much like Andre does for smithing. No one else offers this ability to ascend pyromancy flames past the +15 level cap, so it's safe to say that it is likely related to her status as a daughter of chaos, and possibly one of the last Flame Sorcerers, a practice which was either forgotten, or warped, when chaos consumed them.
I presume that much like Laurentius himself tells us, and can be observed in game with how there is a different item description from the flame you can start with as a pyromancer, and the description of the one that he himself can give you: A pyromancers flame is a part of them, and it grows with them. Therefore, it could be a reflection of their own personal growth. We've already not only witnessed, but saved Laurentius from his own failure. If Laurentius hasn't achieved a high enough level of growth for himself and his flame, to reach +10 or higher, it may be impossible to see Quelana, or she may just choose not to reveal herself to those lacking "the fundamental framework", as I believe Logan says right?
Thus, he goes hollow searching endlessly for her, trusting completely in what you tell him, that she is there, in one of the most treacherous and dangerous locations in Lordran, day after day. After all, he trusts us enough because we saved him to have given us a piece of himself, of his own flame. Someone less trusting likely would have refused to even attempt to go to such a dangerous place, let alone search it for such a mysteriously located...well, celebrity I suppose you could call her. The last human daughter of chaos, or perhaps at the very least the last sane one, since there is one just outside the Bed of Chaos. Why would anyone else but him take our word for it that such a famous and powerful force that shaped their very world, would be in the squalid disgusting depths of blightown? We could have gotten her pyromancies anywhere else. He could have left, and searched elsewhere. Instead, he eventually goes hollow there.
Or worse...perhaps he DID find her, only for her to turn him away, because he was unworthy or incapable. Perhaps that was the final blow, that shook his will enough to make him hollow.
@@Zetro_Hermit That was my conclusion, He was going to Quelana and got Hollowed after she refused to teach him due to his lack of skill
@@Zetro_Hermit Yes, I know the end of his quest line. I'm only wondering about his original objective, which he never mentioned but clearly had.
My theory is that you're supposed to free him, and that the person who captured him, and which tracks you in Blighttown, is Maneater Mildred. Not gonna mention how he mentions "she" trapping him, if I remember well.
@@VERGILGASM That's an interesting thought, but Laurentius doesn't say anything about being trapped. I believe the quote you're thinkning about is "I would've been her supper without you!" And here, "her" probably refers to the giant rat, as the butchers are dropping meat down the pit that leads to it/her. Still, it's an interesting connection to havve a butcher so close to Laurentius, even in Blighttown.
I can't get over that you just casually show you can get to his position near firelink without doing the jump lol
Yeah but that also puts a hole in his last piece of circumstantial evidence, which is that the drop is a clue as to how to get Avelyn, and thus a clue to his true nature.
It's a fun video, well put together and definitely makes him a more interesting character, but it's in no way a definitive answer.
@@LoDart210 It's still a risky drop to make lol. I don't see how it pokes a hole in the theory at all. Though of course things in this game are rarely definitive.
From what I’m seeing Domhnall is just like a regular shopkeeper, they’re kind and usually only talks to you about business (if you are a customer), and shopping more at their shop, the more familiar they get with the customer, and become more friendly with them as they know them more
High quality celeste music choice man, I love hearing that soundtrack anywhere anytime
This is pure gravy. PLEASE keep it coming. After work the world is a jumbled mess that we try to make sense of. Your videos help making sense not just of the world of souls but the world we live in. Just like Miyazaki intended. GOD BLESS.
so amazing how many stories are hidden in this game.
And they’re usually interconnected
Tbh its insane just how much lore you can find in DS1 that just hasnt been uncovered. Amazing videos
Thinking about it, just because the avelyn was originally inteded for Domhnall to weild doesn't mean that it wasn't connected to Eidas, especially if you consider how the character design of the latter is tied with it, perhaps originally they intended it to be one of the trinkets Seath would reward Domhnall with for contributing with the downfall of the plot against the gods.
What more cruel way to break someone's will than to give the last link to their family to a person who only seea the material value in what they consider to be a mere good?
Edit: for some reason i thought that commenting a few minutes before the end of the video was a good idea. 😑🔫
Wow, from the very wording of the items in the game, to the items themselves, the analysis, and the addition of new lore to the timeline of the game; this is why I love this franchise. Fine work, Hawkshaw, and thank you for your awesome content.
Honestly, only DS 1 is so much intangled in itself. The other games of the Series are just crude Gameplay in comparison
@@skknireeker9073 Agreed. DS3 is a great game but DS1 is just in a league of its own.
I agree Dark Souls should've been a standalone! Miyazaki shouldn't compromise and instead should focus on solidifying this brand loyalty where every new IP will get the hype that a DS sequel would. I hope they stop working with sequels if Elden Ring is a success.
How could this be just as cathartic a showcase as the initial timeline? How?!
I came here for Domhnall lore and got a broad daylight revelation about mimics…
This lore video is insanely well put together, and I'm convinced!
Goes to show how great these games are that a decade later people are still able to discern things like this.
You saved big hat Logan from a couple of cages tho. He has a reason to like you.
I remember when you did the ash lake video and said it would be the final lore episode and that really sucked but at the same time I understood that people have to move on and continue new projects & goals like making a video game ;) your final video left a burning desire for more lore it’s so awesome to see these new uploads.
Been waiting for this forever, saw it, got excited... then realized it doesn't premiere for 37 more hours.
It is time
Great video, I love the Berserk music in the background
Took ten minutes of content and streeeeeeeeched into into 35.
@00:20 After all these years I never knew you could get to that ledge by dropping down. I always jumped the gap.
Hey guys - we are looking for someone to work with that can help get us Elden Ring footage come release.
This would allow us to streamline the lore hunting and ease the crunch period!
If you would like to help please do reach out (discord works!) or let someone know who might want to help.
Praise the Lore!
you really need to stage a play through of dark souls, yet add all your lore theories as the story which unfolds, like a anime but done in the game, if that makes sense? it would be amazing if you could find a way to do this.
I would like to help, but I work a lot, hope you can find someone
I happen to have alot of time, a ps5, a capture card, and a preorder for elden ring. I love your lore videos for how in depth and detailed they are. They have shaped my way of thinking about this game. If i can help i would be more than happy.
I know you talked about King Jeremiah, so here's hoping Kirk is next.
I plan on streaming it when I play it maybe I could make clips
Oh duuude!!! This just blew the plot against the gods wide open man!!! Now imma have to go back a rewatch everything!!
I love the music you use, my ears immediately perked up at the Stardew Valley music
The berserk music in the background is amazing
Loved the stardew valley autumn song in the background!
Berserk music into hollow knight music... instant masterpiece of a video
Out of scraps of nothing, a vivid and essential part of the whole story. Amazing.
The secret room in Anor Londo has an avarice chest in it. Does this have any lore significance? Do the others throughout the game? If anyone can find any significance, it’s gonna be this channel!
The secret room in Anor Londo is where you find Havel's gear. The mimic holds the occult club, a weapon which is used against the gods, so it is believed that this implies that Havel was secretly plotting against the deities, and was using the mimic as a way to safeguard his secret. I believe you also find a spell associated with Havel down in Ash Lake which further hints he was working with the Dragons. There is probably other evidence out there hinting at Havel's plot, but I am not sure.
Watch the Ash lake episode
A bit late, but the Grasp of Avarice always drops from the final Mimic in the playthrough cycle that you've found and killed. Whether or not this is anything that goes beyond gameplay functionality, I have no ideas on the item itself.
Like wtf hawkshaw? Why are you being so good to us with these weekly drops? We don't deserve you
Oh wow, mind blowing stuff as usual. This game is just on a whole another level, a true marvel of human ingenuity. And we haven't even delved into the rest of the game's cast yet! Marvelous Chester, Alvina of the Darkroot Wood and the people around her, Kalameet, Griggs of Vinheim, the Darkmoon Knightess, that plug monster thing you encounter on the way to fighting Manus, just so many characters, so many details we're ignorant of.
The plug monster you are refering, do you mean that guy with chains holding his body against a sharp-tipped piece of a column? As if he was a battle ram? I believe I saw a video with information on the guy. I think it was from the channel Zullie the Witch? I don't remember clearly though.
@@hellxapo5740Yes he means that guy just before a bonfire.
8:00 “He shares this for free” yeah, because we saved him from being eaten. Maybe that’s why.
One design note:
It's likely they let you buy the armour to ensure players didn't try to kill him for it, since he's the only way to get boss armour and you don't learn that until much later.
11 years after release and still such new insight into the game. I love it
Another weird thing... his collection, his collectables... what is he actually interested in collecting? Because the armours of the Lords are not interesting enough to _stay_ in his collection. He's willing to sell them.
I like to think his obsession has grown so great that even the armor of legends like Artorias and Gwyn are not enough; he recognises their value, and perhaps keeps them for a while, but eventually loses all interest in them in the hopes of finding something greater. Like a spoilt child who gets much of what they want, Domnhall plunders loot and it keeps him content for a while, before tiring over it's rarity and looking for the next relic for his collection. Domnhall may be so deluded at this point that his fixation is now more on the duration between his next prize and less about the prize itself. Domnhall may even get to a point where discovering something like the entire Dark Soul would be a fleeting euphoria, given enough time
@@knieen So what you’re saying is he’s not addicted to his collection, but rather he’s addicted to the action of collecting?
@@stingerjohnny9951 Yeah something like that. His collection was what he coveted most, but that constant coveting drew him towards simply wanting more for his collection, getting rarer and rarer prizes. Each new thing he added was disregarded when another new thing was added to his collection
Hey, an undead has got to make a living. And I bet Domnell knows all too well his treasures will make their way back to him eventually. Because to stay sane as an undead takes an obsession. Something that lights a fire in your heart so you can weather the affects of the curse and the ravages of time. So why not lend out his treasures for a price since all too likely you will not be able to go for the long haul.
@@jacobfreeman5444 The only problem is Domnhall’s obsession resulted in the deaths of however many were involved in the plot against the Gods. That being said, he isn’t an evil character, he’s more or less a selfish and uncaring undead. He doesn’t give a rats who you are or what you’re doing, if you’ve got souls you’re a friend to make a trade with. He is chaotic neutral in all matters: a trickster
I liked to theorize that he discovered the secret of item dupling with his bottomless box. His collection is everything for him. So why would he sell his rare posessions? He also sells crystal weapons which brake so customers will have to buy them again. If you can duplicate these you're actually printing money. Maybe he's even from another world and can travel freely between time and space. That's why he seems to know everything and got his hands on the super rare stuff and why his set seems so out of place. These were my thoughts when i found out he's called the trickster.
Of course your lore makes way more sense though and you kinda ruined it for me :D
U could b rite
This dudes word ain't no better than yours just cause he does UA-cam videos bro actually what you said makes alot of sense. This dude just talks about anything he wasn't part of fromsoftwares development on any of these games. He makes his own lore up sometimes and yall believe him over your own thoughts smh. He knows no more than you
@@ramrodbldm9876 ofc I might be. But I'm a lazy fuck and didn't read Reddit for hours. I got nothing to back it up.
I just wanted to share my take because it puts a smile on my face and I was pretty sure it would do the same to some of you fellow dark souls enthusiasts.
Holy shit, I can't believe I read lore theory involving an item duping bug and didn't immediately think "what in the world is this guy on about". Only in Dark Souls.
@Ramrod bLDM yeah he is always stretching and milking the tits out of the (un)dead cow that is Dark Souls lore. I get that it's a mysterious game, but it's not like a Homeric epic is hiding in every NPCs three lines of dialogue as this youtuber makes it.
It's the typical Soulsbourne obsessive fan in this channel that gets me, too many loonies going hollow over every fecking item description, it's stupid, I like depth but I can see the bullshit in here.
I'm always amazed how much info you guys can gleam from tiny little tidbits of information. Awesome work!
Only half way through and this has made my night at work so much better enjoying this on breaks. 10/10 video
I always thought Domhnall had more to him that what meets the eye but I never thought it went this deep, this video was great and you can tell how much effort it took, thank u
What a wonderful dissection of one of my favorite character designs whose personality I have totally overlooked. This was such a great watch - thank you.
Noticed some inconsistencies. Laurentius indeed act nicer but it is due the fact that we have rescued him from Butcher of depths basically saving him from being undead porkchop meat, Logan would be held in inaccsible area in Sens fortress, Reah would have been forever trapped in tomb of giant. Other thing is that Domhnall name "world ruler" can be connected to fact that he also sells Gwyns set in new game + meaning he knows how to use convoluted time to obtain it. He doesn't care for us since we actually not did anything to him, we freed Lautrec hence he gives medal and help, we rescued Reah, Griggs, Logan, Laurentius, Dusk, we are potential candidate to help Ingvar, notice that Andre and other smiths also are not doing for free. He acts normally ... like any merchant would, he is glad to trade more but he doesn't care about customer private life + he doesn't know we rang two bells of awakening or anything, for him we are just undead who isn't yet hollow.
Got home from work and finished the video. 11/10 now!
best souls lore channel. Thank you for all your time and effort put in these videos.
IMMEDIATE FEELS when I hear the background music
Of course, he doesn't fawn over the player like Big Hat Logan or Laurentius; the player doesn't rescue him from some perilous situation.
gotta love the Stardew Valley music in the background
I don't think Seath tempted Domhnall, I think Domhnall set everything up in order to get Seath's special stash! "Aye siwmae! Sorry I caused the death of hundreds and got you locked in a tower forever, Havel, but I wanted a new shiney sword, uwu."
I'm kinda with you. Seath is a conniving villainous dragon but even those are often no match for a character that fulfills the archetype of the Trickster - those that have manipulated even gods and physical manifestations of elements and other wild things.
@@justpassingbyyWell maybe Seath the Scaleless offered his tail that houses the Moonlight Greatsword to him after he fulfilled his deal.
@@justpassingbyyWell maybe Seath the Scaleless offered his tail that houses the Moonlight Greatsword to him after he fulfilled his deal.
6:00
The way he says "Idiot..." sounds like he's frustrated that you're not buying his act like everyone else. It's like him being a man of peace is so well known that you'd be an idiot to doubt him. It feels somewhat like he's going 'mask off' for just a moment
Words cant describe how grateful I am that the mystery has been, more than likely, solved. This is masterful!
Hoooooly this is amazing! Even more pieces of info about the plot against the gods, an already unknown thing in the game, learned from a character overlooked
I always saw him as a scavenger, in order to get new things (and sell what he didn't want). His position in the depths would allow corpses to flow by him. Add the fact that he gets boss armor, and he is always 'slightly' off the path, with a good vantage point to watch around him.
Didn't realise the other connections though.
I'm honestly impressed of how one makes a 30 minute video of nothing but filler . You would make a great writet
When I think “trickster”, I think of Anansi the Spider. He’s hero and villain in those stories if I remember right
African myth is less popular/well known, but yeah good catch! Most people think characters like Loki, but there are definitely more out there.
Yes, same! The Trickster archetype can fulfill both hero and villain roles for the reason they do things may be known only to themselves
Anansi, Hermes, Loki, Prometheus (by technicality), Pan (by nature), Son Wukong, Maui- the old tales were far more nuanced than the more modern perception...at least in portrayal.
There is also the Trickster raven in native American mythology, who is depicted qs greedy, but still have their heart in the right spot.
This only shows how deep Dark Souls lore can be, even a greedy "meaningless peddler" has some deep lore and atention to detail that leads to interesting theorys
Amazing video by the way keep up the good work
Domhnall's gauntlets description rang me a bell. "The golden rings symbolize a vanisher". What does Highlord Wolnir, conqueror of kingdoms, wear?
Vanquish, not vanish.
Something about star dew music playing in the background of a dark souls video has me chuckling
I think it is invalid to compare Domhall with Laurentius and Logan, one is a simple salesman and the other 2 you practically saved their lives, obviously they will speak to you differently, That's why I don't see anything wrong with his cold behavior, apart from being his client, what are we for him? a simple stranger, there is no real reason for him to care about us xd
Domhnall comes across as transactional in a coldly pragmatic fashion. He's happy to treat you well if you're a "valued customer", but he's certainly a merchant fixated on his collection of wares and the trading of them for souls. Very material outlook on life, I don't know if theres anything sinister about his interactions, other than the apathy of capitalist minded, transactional people.
He just understood that being coarse, threatening, suspicious or rude just "makes for bad business".
He would choose his collection over a human for certain.
But he didn't have the same malice as someone like Lautrec or Patches.
Even Vamos was crusty but didn't come across as necessarily a threat when he browbeats you away from his forge.
His armor pieces, oddly enough I noticed, had an above average curse protection stats when I was playing the game. Maybe the curse danger in the depths warranted it, but....Id suspected he was in league as a scout for the 6 eyed channellers and their habit of abducting of maidens for rituals changing them into the squid women.🤔
You take your time but now you're making us happy with so many content
Wow, 15 minutes into the video I thought "wow this was such an interesting story" only to realise its only half way done, nice job.
What a very interesting take. You have me convinced
the idea of him being an expert traveler and his signature or "fingerprint" being difficult to reach areas really clicked. now i know who put all those items on those INSANE platforming stunts from ds, and in my own head cannon, also ds2
Its funny how this morning I was playing Dark Souls and saw this guy in the depths for the first time. I dont ever remember seeing him in my other playthroughs but wow great timing!
Wao
an over half hour long video about a unimportant side character that exists only to sell boss armour is the most dark souls thing I've ever seen.
Eeeehhh you're looking too far into nothing nothing stares back at you. He's just a shrewd businessman. Taking every opportunity and exchanging info for his own gain
"We decided to look a little closer at Domhnall"
No, that's a pillar, you need to pan back to the right
Thank you so much for your work guys, these videos are the best thing ever. I normally have a lot of trouble falling asleep but your videos help immensely, I was listening to this yesterday and fell asleep quickly and easily. Don't ever stop ❤️
Your taste in game soundtracks is impeccable. I heard ico in there and got very happy
Alright time for a domhnall cosplay character.
The amount of obscure lore you drop in this video is baffling. I didn't know the crystal knight in the Grand Archives was a crystal blacksmith. I didn't know Siegmeir's wife was involved in the plot against the gods. I love these games.
Oh my God the final revelation regarding Domhnall's true identity was for me akin to that moment in the Usual Suspects where you finally realize that the sweet harmless cripple was Keyser Soze all along.. 😱
This is an jnsane breakdown and analysis. You very well could be right on his plave in the plot.
Also from his voice they way he calls you "idiot" is so viceral and full of distain. Shows you how he might think of anybody else thats not himself.
I should have known that even the Bottomles Box has lore.
He's just merchant soul. He doesn't give anything without receiving something first. That's not the same as malice I'd argue.
Domnhall is one of the characters that always stuck out to me playing through Dark Souls. So glad to have this exploration of his character. Great work!
I really appreciate your thoughts on things, you have a very delicate and specific way with words and I feel like you are a good source of info, keep up the good work man I would watch content you put out on anything even if it wasn't souls. I liked how you took the time to explain the difference between jokers and tricksters as mythology and common language get easily tangled and words lose meaning if we forget them.
Glad to see more lore videos. Also is it me or does the markings on the bellies of the Basilisks look like the marks on Eidas' armor
I mean you save Laurentius's life, he does not give the pyromancy flame for free, he is is indebted to you ..
Siwmae!
I always wondered why a merchant would be in the sewers of all places. Maybe he was trapped? But you do mention how calm he is. That is so weird
While I can only speak for myself, I'm pretty sure most people trapped in sewer system filled with monsters of varying danger would let out... an "oh no" or two, right?
I don't trust you, Dom! I don't trust you as far as I can kick you off that ledge
Thank you so much for making content. You are the best souls lore UA-camr I have ever seen
Incredible, I love that I can count on you to breathe more life into my favorite game.
ohh boy, getting into the deep waters now
I just love the conclusions you draw of the correlation with Seath and bringing forth the evidence like the price Frampt is willing to pay for Seaths treasures
put´s an insane amount of depth and plausibility into all these theories
I think Zena is the place in the artbook with the gondolas. The caption makes it sound like a place associated with Izalith that got cut.
That may explain the horns on his helmet
The place with the gondolas is New Londo pre-disaster.
@@KanonMulticraft Update: Turns out there's no lava in the pic, but the captions mention Greece/Rome (Classical civilisation, like "Classic Zena") and Angkor Wat (Izalith's architectural influence).
I feel like it would have shown humans alongside Demons - the only hints of this idea in game are the blighttown inhabitants (i.e. cragspiders and egg-burdened).
What page is that in?
@@srmelancia3523 1st page of unused materials, toward the back of the book