The Dark Souls trilogy is filled with tragic stories, as players strive to break the Undead curse that drives souls to madness and emptiness, but their efforts are in vain. The dialogue within the Dark Souls universe is filled with despair and suffering, leaving a lasting impression on those who experience it.
Players are encouraged to resist their emotions and ponder upon these poignant and heart-wrenching quotes from the Dark Souls trilogy, always remembering the steadfast reminder, "Never succumb to despair."
11 “To Be Alive, To Walk This Earth, That’s The Real Curse Right There” - Saulden, Dark Souls 2
NPC Crestfallen Saulden in Dark Souls 2 offers players information and engages in despondent conversation. While he dissuades players from believing in the possibility of reversing the curse, Saulden is well-liked for his gloomy perspective, reminiscent of the cynical Crestfallen Warrior in Dark Souls.
Interactions with Saulden are short, and his background remains a mystery. However, he asserts that inhabiting this world is "the true curse." Naturally, devoted players of the Dark Souls series may struggle to oppose his viewpoint.
10 “Be Safe, Friend. Don’t You Dare Go Hollow.” - Laurentius, Dark Souls
Laurentius shows his gratitude to the players by gifting them a Pyromancy Flame, as it prevented him from losing his humanity. He states, "I have shared a part of myself with you through this flame. Please take good care of it." It is difficult not to develop a sense of attachment towards Laurentius after this heartfelt interaction.
In his final conversation, Laurentius utters a poignant line that holds tragic irony, as he is later found in Blighttown, having succumbed to the state of Hollow. Laurentius' cautionary words about fighting against this deterioration serve as a profound metaphor for players battling their own feelings of despair. It comes as no surprise that this quote remains deeply ingrained in the memories of many players.
9 “I Beg Of You, Remember My Name. For I May Not Myself” - Lucatiel, Dark Souls 2
Lucatiel, a cursed and Hollowing knight, embarks on a quest to find her missing brother, Aslatiel. Disguised behind her mask, one of her eyes decays relentlessly. Her darkest terror resides in the thought of losing her memory and she becomes willing to do anything, even murder, in the hopes of finding a cure.
Little does Lucatiel know, her lost brother now dwells within the player, having been vanquished as a dark spirit. Revealing this truth to Lucatiel would only result in her forgetting it again. With each encounter, her recollection deteriorates, until she can no longer even recall her own name.
8 "This Is A Land Of Monstrosities. And I Am No Exception." - Karla, Dark Souls 3
Karla, the merchant, possesses an endearing mix of sarcasm and profundity in a desolate world where humor is a rare commodity. Hidden beneath her witch's hat, her true identity remains a subject of speculation. She adamantly claims to be an irredeemably "guilty" and "wretched child of the Abyss," harboring a lack of trust in humanity. Asserting that humans are inherently part of the darkness, she dismisses those who refuse to embrace the teachings of dark pyromancy and sorcery, reiterating this self-deprecating statement that epitomizes the pervasive melancholy found within the Dark Souls games.
7 "If He Goes Hollow I'll Just Have To Kill Him Again" - Sieglinde, Dark Souls
While bravely searching for her father, Siegmeyer of Catarina, Sieglinde confesses a shocking truth - she has killed him before to make him Undead, although her motives remain unknown. Siegmeyer, a faithful friend who relies on adventurous endeavors, embarks on a perilous mission to aid players in escaping Chaos Eaters in the treacherous realm of Lost Izalith. As a result, Sieglinde discovers Siegmeyer in Ash Lake, where he has suffered significant injuries and succumbed to Hollowing. Despite her deep love for her father, she reluctantly fulfills her promise, leaving players heartbroken by witnessing this tragic turn of events.
6 “Horace...Don't Leave Me, Not You... Not Like The Others.” - Anri, Dark Souls 3
Anri, who managed to escape the clutches of an evil man-eating creature named Aldrich during their childhood, is now an adult known as an Unkindled. It is their solemn duty to vanquish Aldrich when it is discovered that his coffin is empty. However, the idea of facing their childhood nightmare alone fills Anri with dread, and they rely heavily on the assistance of a valiant and kind-hearted knight named Horace. Sadly, Horace eventually disappears and becomes Hollow, his lifeless body discovered in the Smouldering Lake. Should players choose to kill Horace in front of Anri, they will be devastated and refuse to fulfill their duty.
Alternatively, players are presented with two options. The first option is to allow Anri to be assassinated, to wed their lifeless corpse, and to selfishly forsake their own humanity as they assume the role of Lord of Hollows in a sinister ending. The second option is to aid Anri in their quest to defeat Aldrich. However, upon accomplishing this feat, Anri will eventually succumb to a Hollow existence at the very place where Horace's remains lay. Despite their fear and the circumstances they find themselves in, Anri's fate is to either die alone, be betrayed, or be abandoned.
5 “Yhorm, Old Friend. I, Siegward Of The Knights Of Catarina, Have Come To Uphold My Promise!” - Siegward, Dark Souls 3
In Dark Souls 3, Giants suffer through torture, experimentation, enslavement, and murder. Yhorm, who is a descendant of a conqueror, reluctantly becomes the King over those who have enslaved him. Even though he defends his kingdom, Yhorm's subjects continue to hold prejudices and remain distrustful. In order to prove his loyalty, Yhorm equips his kingdom and his kindhearted friend, Siegward (who is a descendant of Siegmeyer), with Storm Ruler swords specifically designed to kill giants. In return, Siegward swears to kill Yhorm if he ever fails his people.
During his rule, Yhorm decides to Link the Flame in order to safeguard his people, but this results in his kingdom being consumed by fire. Yhorm is resurrected and is now condemned to sit on his throne, surrounded by the charred remains of his subjects, eagerly awaiting Siegward to fulfill his promise of executing him. With the player's assistance, Siegward gathers his courage and shouts this quote before taking action to kill his beloved friend.
4 "I Wonder When Uncle Gael Intends His Return." - Painter, Dark Souls 3: Ashes of Ariandel
The Painter girl is cared for by Slave Knight Gael, whom she affectionately refers to as Uncle, despite there being mysteries surrounding her heritage and even her name. Gael was compelled to wage battles for kingdoms without any form of reward until he managed to escape enslavement. He firmly believes that the Painter has the ability to create a new world to replace the one that is deteriorating, as long as she utilizes the blood of the dark soul as her paint.
In his relentless pursuit of dark souls throughout the world, Gael loses his sanity and consumes numerous dark souls by the time players eventually confront him. Once Gael is defeated, players retrieve his blood and bring it to the Painter in the burning Ariandel Chapel. Completely oblivious to the fact that Gael was killed by the players, the Painter contemplates these painfully naive words, unknowingly using Gael's blood to paint a world in which Gael will never exist.
3 “Heavens, She Was Already Dead” - Greirat, Dark Souls 3
When players stumble upon his cell in the High Wall, they discover Famous Greirat the Thief, a mere shell of his former self due to enslavement. He urgently implores them to deliver his Blue Tearstone Ring, a ring that protects against impending death, to a woman named "Loretta." However, the unfortunate revelation awaits players as they find Loretta's lifeless body hanging mysteriously upside down, leading Greirat to mournfully exclaim, "Oh my, she had already passed away."
In an effort to assist players, Greirat willingly embarks on perilous missions to acquire valuable items. If players refuse to trust the despised traitor, Patches, to rescue him, Greirat meets his demise in the treacherous environment of Irithyll Dungeon. If, by some stroke of luck, he manages to survive, Greirat ultimately perishes within the unforgiving walls of Lothric Castle. Truly, his selfless deeds serve as a beacon of redemption for this tragic non-playable character, despite his life as a lowly rat.
2 “My Brother...Rise If You Would. For That, Is Our Curse.” - Lothric, Dark Souls 3
In the Dark Souls universe, there are numerous characters who are bound by duty and destined for a grim future. And who can blame the Twin Princes for attempting to escape this fate? Their father, King Oceiros, committed terrible acts in order to produce a powerful heir who could Link the Flame. This curse was placed upon Prince Lothric from birth, condemning him to burning and confinement since childhood.
Prince Lorian, Lothric's twin, valiantly defended their kingdom and even defeated a Demon Prince. In a selfless act, he joined his soul with Lothric's in an attempt to Link the Fire together. Unfortunately, Lothric's curse caused severe physical deformities in Lorian, rendering him unable to speak. Disillusioned and plagued by suffering, Lorian and Lothric carried out "The Grand Betrayal," refusing to fulfill their duty of Linking the Flame and instead embracing the Age of the Dark.
When players defeat Lorian, the frail Lothric resurrects him with a poignant quote, offering strength to his beloved brother, just as Lorian had done for him. Together, in a haunting display, Lothric clings onto his twin's shoulders as they meet their demise in battle. It is a melancholic conclusion for brothers who were born into a twisted and hopeless world, but made the rightful decision to abandon it.
1 “Please Sister, Do Not Cry. I Am Happy…I Have You, Don’t I?” - Quelaag’s Sister, Dark Souls
Mutated by the chaotic Flame, the bodies of Quelaag and her sister are cruelly fused onto Demon Spiders. Despite their terrifying appearance, the sisters have managed to retain their sanity and unwavering devotion to one another. When her sister, known as the Fair Lady, loses her sight while protecting servants from a parasitic disease, Quelaag vows to protect her in return. As a formidable boss, Quelaag attempts to siphon the humanity of players to nourish her weakened sister.
Upon defeating Quelaag and obtaining the Old Witch's Ring, players stumble upon Quelaag's Sister in a hidden chamber. Blinded and mistaking the player for Quelaag due to the presence of her soul, the Fair Lady speaks the haunting words mentioned earlier. Players can choose to selflessly offer their humanity to alleviate the Fair Lady's suffering. Alternatively, they can choose to kill Quelaag's Sister, who tragically believes she is being betrayed by her sibling, and acquire her Fire Keeper's Soul. These two individuals add to the countless victims of immense torment in this unforgiving world.