Amidst all the games I have played, the Dark Souls series had the most unusual and interesting way of story telling. Many games of the same genre overwhelmed me with unskippable cutscenes and dialogues, which became more than annoying in the long run. The story of Dark Souls however, is told through world design, and of course, narrators…unreliable narrators as well as music.
When Music and Lore Converge: A Dark Souls 3 Music Analysis
An unreliable narrator is one that gives false information, intentionally or not. When you watch through the opening cinematic of the first game, you are told of Gwyn’s bravery and victory over Dragons. While true, about ninety percent of the events are shifted or forgotten. History is written by the victors indeed.
Yet, there is one more way that Dark Souls tells us its story, it is through the very music of the game. The music in Dark Souls acts as a storyteller of it’s very own, it explores the backstory of some of the bosses pretty swiftly, but you may not pick up on this on your first listen. When you listen to the music more carefully, you will notice hints that tell you their origins, intentions and even connections in Dark Souls lore.
Gwyn’s Theme and the Soul of Cinder
The first ones I’m going to analyze, is the obvious Gwyn’s theme, and the second phase of the Soul of Cinder. Gwyn’s soul is preserved by the flame when he linked to theFirst Flame. Soul of Cinder is a physical manifestation of all the Lords that have been linked with the fire before. An entity that defends the First Flame from the Ashen Ones, to ensure only the strong can relink the fire, and to keep the potential usurpers away.
In the second phase of the fight between the Ashen One and the Soul of Cinder, Gwyn assumes the control of theSoul of Cinder. After all, his soul was the strongest of all the souls that were enkindled within the fire, even after shards of it were split and given away. The end of the second phase is, however, extremely similar to the Secret Betrayal theme. After all, the one with the ashes may choose to usurp the flame.
Gwyn’s Theme
Theme of Soul of Cinder, 2:16
Old Demon King and The Bed of Chaos
The second one I’m going to analyze is theOld Demon Kingand the Bed of Chaos. Yes indeed! We all know that the source of demons is the Bed of Chaos, the transformed Witch of Izalith, when she tried to create a second First Flame (play on words) using her Lord Soul.
The ending of the second phase of Demon King’s theme depicts exactly that. It plays a more melancholic version of the ending of Bed of Chaos' theme. Yet, the beginning of Demon King’s second phase feels not too different from the third part of Nameless Song, the song played during the ending credits of the first Dark Souls. A farewell from the king of demons.
Bed of Chaos, 1:51
Old Demon King, 3:51, 1:32
Nameless Song, 3:12
Sister Friede’s Theme and The Secret Betrayal
The third is going to be Elfriede’s theme, and the Secret Betrayal. Not so distant from her first phase theme, the piano and the vocals play exactly the first few seconds of the Secret Betrayal. After studying her deeds, I realized that Elfriede also betrayed the flame! Not theFirst Flame, but the flame that burns the rotting painted world away to be replaced by the new one. She secretly betrayed all the kind inhabitants of this world. A betrayal none other than her own self, the painting woman, andSlave Knight Gaelknew of. The painter was imprisoned, and Gael searched for an Ashen One to resolve the problem.
Sister Friede’s theme, 0:55
The Secret Betrayal
Aldrich, the Devourer of Gods and Darksun Gwyndolin
Aldrichdevoured the Darksun ofAnor Londo, Gwyndolin. Aldrich’s theme is the convergence of Gwyndolin’s theme and that of the Deacons of the Deep. Yes indeed, the eerie violin is strung in Aldrich’s theme, which can be heard distantly in the background, shrouded by Gwyndolin’s theme. By the time I learned that, I knew Aldrich was a saint of the deep, but still, it was a satisfying finding this out and making that connection.
Aldrich, The Devourer
Dark Sun Gwyndolin
Seath, the Scaleless, and theNameless King. The beginning of both themes have the same type of stringing of violin (read: Staccato). What Seath and the Nameless King have in common? They both betrayed their own kind. Seath betrayed the Dragons, and the Nameless King, his father. But is Nameless King, Gwyn’s first born?
Nameless King’s theme
Theme of Seath the Scaleless
Nameless King and Gwyn
If lore has not already answered whether the Nameless King is Gwyn’s first born, here’s another clue that points to yes. If you compare Gwyn’s theme and the second phase of the Nameless King’s, it plays the three notes (dun-dun-duun). This however is distorted, on an instrument I feel is more fit for a child (not in a disrespectful way), which ties them together.
Nameless King’s theme, 2:17
Dark Souls III - Epilogue
And the very last song of the game, the credits song of the third Dark Souls (The Ringed City version) and the Firelink Shrine theme of the first game show one last reference to the distorted world of Dark Souls III.
End Credits Dark Souls III (The Ringed City version)
Dark Souls - Firelink Shrine
I do hope you enjoyed reading this article that delves into the clues of the different tracks, as well as re-listening to them. Do let us know if you found more clues in the music.
If you’re making your way through Dark Souls III and need some help be sure to drop by ourDark Souls III wiki. You can also use our Dark Souls IIIguidessection for further aid.
