Summary
TheDark Soulsgames are as hard as they are tragic, and misery seems to fall upon these lands like an addiction. Within theDark Soulstrilogy, players will come across many faces, some friendly, some less so. Yet, between all these faces, friend or foe, there is a tragedy, and players will be able to seek out some truly dark side quests inDark Souls, no matter what game they are playing.
Going hollow is a tragedy, and every character has a place in theDark Soulsworld. These quests are filled with heartbreak, betrayal, andother dark themesthat make it hard to encounter the people within them again, especially once players discover their ghastly fates, even if they themselves are responsible for it.
Freeing Lautrec inDark Soulscould be an unwise decision, as he isn’t exactly the most trustworthy of characters. There’s something suspicious about him, and the way he lingers around the Fire Keeper back at Firelink Shrine is odd. Suspicions are confirmed when the Fire Keeper is killed, and Lautrec is nowhere to be seen. It turns out that Lautrec murdered her, and can later be found in Anor Londo to take her soul back to her body.
Lautrec worshiped the goddess Fina and forsook everything but the love of Fina. Lautrec’s delusions had him kill the Fire Keeper for his mission, although it’s unclear as to why. Lautrec’s dark mission descends into his insanity and obsession, and his murder of a Fire Keeper showcases how mistrust can alter the world itself.
Losing one’s identity through memories is a horrifying reality that many face, and when discovering Amnesiac Lapp, players will see the tragedy in familiarity. Lapp may be recognizable to some, for the way he sits, and the voice, confirming early on that this reliable fellow is in fact Patches, the man who often places others into traps tosteal their armorand loot. Yet, Lapp is different, a fresh start.
Lapp actually discovers who he is, remembering his identity as Patches. It’s somewhat of a shame to see this once friend becomes hostile, pushing players down a familiar hole to try and kill them. Lapp was a good friend who just wanted his memories, but the darkness lies in the fact that when discovering who he is, it’s actually for the worse.
Entering Aldia’s Keep, there’s a weird amount of messages on the floor trying to warn players not to pull the lever that unlocks the room which traps Royal Sorcerer Navlaan. If players do open the door, then Navlaan will be free, and he willoccasionally invade the playersand try and murder them. Alternatively, if players do not free him, and speak to him in his cell whilst hollow, he will request a few series of murders, assassinating famousDark Souls2NPCs.
Navlaan suffers from a split personality, and speaking to him whilst human will allow players to purchase items. Yet, his quest involves hollows, and he will want players to murder NPCs for reward. It’s bizarre to fulfill his wishes, and pretty dark to see a serial killer in this world who demands his bidding be done whilst imprisoned in thisdarkly atmosphericcell.
3Lucatiel Of Mirrah
Location: No-Man’s Wharf
Darkness plagues the lands ofDark Souls2perhaps more than any other. Despite initial controversies behind the second entry in the series,Dark Souls2has a cult following, and for good reasons. The game holds some of the best side missions, and that can be found when discovering Lucatiel of Mirrah, a warrior from faraway lands, and a woman born in underprivileged comings.
Lucatiel is undead, and her quest will take her to dangerous lands to try and remove the curse that befell her and to not go hollow. She develops a friendship with the player, and her fears eventually consume her, as she goes hollow, losing her mind and her memories. Players will have to hold onto her memory and remember her name, for it was her last request before she became hollow.
2Solaire Of Astora
AllDark Soulsplayers should befamiliar with Solaire, the optimistic warrior who teaches jolly cooperation and the splendor of the sun. Solaire wants to be the sun, and his worship of it is seen from his very first appearance, where he stares directly at it. With such a jolly fellow, how can it come to pass that Soliare harbors one of the saddest and darkestDark Soulsquests?
Solaire continues through his quest on the same path as the player, except, plagued by failure, an inability to find what he is searching for, a misfortune when he is unable to complete his quest without aid. Players will come across Solaire, taken over by the Sunlight Maggot and driven to madness. It’s a sad tale for such a jolly friend.
1Usurpation Of Fire
Location: Speak to Yoel of Londor, Near the Foot of the High Wall
There could be no darker side quest than that of the commitment of Yoel of Londor, a pilgrim who does not die with his kind, and instead, returns to Firelink Shrine, brimming with newfound purpose. Yoel will allow players to draw out true strength, manipulating them to become hollow and follow down a dark path that involves stealing fire and becoming the lord of hollows.
Yoel’s quest ends when the Abyss Watchers die, but Yuria of Londor takes over, guiding players through the quest, and with other pilgrims, leading the player to marriage with Anri, who has lost her only friend and has now been manipulated into death. Players will plunge a sword into Anri’s skull in a disturbing and dark ceremony. Upon completion of these vast steps, players cancomplete the game as a conquerer, bringing forth a new age.
