Abyss Greatsword
A greatsword that once belonged to Knight Artorias.
A grey greatsword tainted with blue and black splotches - presumably corruption from the Abyss. It can be seen wielded by Knight Artorias the Abysswalker in his boss fight. If Artorias is defeated, the player obtains his soul, which can then be used to craft the Abyss Greatsword. When the player wields the Abyss Greatsword, its strength increases as the player's Humanity statistic increases. <br /><br />Artorias, the original owner of this greatsword, was once a great knight that served the ruler of the land, Lord Gwyn. However, when a threat known as the Abyss began to encroach, Artorias went into it in an attempt to stop it. When the player encounters Artorias, he cannot be pacified or reasoned with. The once great knight lost his sanity trying to stop the Abyss. This is analogous to <em>Dark Souls</em>' concept of going hallow. Judging by references from in-game dialogue, to go hallow is to lose one's humanity, similar to Artorias' fate. <br /><br />The connection between humanity and Artorias' fate is made literal by the gameplay mechanics of his sword. The Abyss Greatsword growing stronger as the player's Humanity increases seem to imply this would be the case for Artorias. However, it is clear that he failed in his fight against the Abyss, and he ultimately ended up a weaker shell of his former self. He lost his humanity and his drive to continue, which is what resulted in his failure and descent into madness. By maintaining their humanity, the player can maintain their strength and determination, using the Abyss Greatsword to fend off the dangers of <em>Dark Souls</em>.
Hidetaka Miyazaki
Dark Souls
FromSoftware Inc.
Damian Kortus
Video Game
Fantasy
Alanna of Trebond and Olau's Sword Lightning
Lightning is doubled edged like a broadsword, but is said to be much lighter. The hilt is studded with gems and topped with a crystal. Said to be a relic of the Old Ones, Lightning also has mysterious magical properties. These magical properties are first shown when the sword saves Alanna from death.
Alanna: The First Adventure (First Appearance)
Tamora Pierce
Alysia Derry-Chavez
Image Source URL: http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/518W7A1ZWDL.jpg
Novel
Bonfire
An object and location of significant mechanical and symbolic importance in <em>Dark Souls</em>.
A small, lit bonfire with a rusted sword protruding from it. At the base of the fire is what appears to be ash and bones. The Bonfire acts as both a checkpoint and rest area for the player. If the player dies, they will respawn at the last bonfire they rested at. While resting at a bonfire, the player's health, spells, and Estus will be restored, and they are safe from all harm. While resting at a Bonfire, the player can take several actions that are often crucial for progressing through the game. One action of note is Kindling, which the player can do by offering Humanity to the bonfire. By doing so, the player will get more Estus when resting at the kindled Bonfire. The player, normally a Hollow, can also become human by offering Humanity to the Bonfire. A Bonfire can only be Kindled if the player is human. <br /><br />Fire is one of the most important symbols in <em>Dark Souls</em>, and much of this is expressed by the importance of the Bonfire. The Bonfire's significant mechanical importance makes it an object players will always seek out, mirroring the way humanity is naturally drawn to light and warmth. This is reinforced by the nature of the world of <em>Dark Souls</em>. The player will find the world around them to be dark and unforgiving. Death is common and punishing, so players will be further motivated to seek these places of refuge and save their progress. Also important is the fact that the player can restore their humanity at Bonfires. Many consider the making of fire to be the very beginning of human civilization, and the importance of fire to civilization is integral to the backstory and themes of <em>Dark Souls</em>. <br /><br />This explains why Bonfires are so important to the gameplay, but also highlights the tragedy of these Bonfires being almost the sole source of fire in this world. The player will occasionally find enemies wielding fire and come across areas filled with deadly lava, but aside from that, the only fire left in the world is found in these little Bonfires. This makes these places all the more valuable and comforting to the player, just as a warm fire is valuable and comforting to the mankind we know. The primary function of the Bonfire from a gameplay perspective is to provide a checkpoint for the player so they can eventually make forward progress through the game and get room to breathe. This function serves the additional narrative function of the Bonfire, which is to provide hope to the player. When the player reaches a Bonfire, they know they can get a break from the hardships of the game and continue forward without risk of losing all their progress. Even before reaching one, the player will naturally push through challenges to reach these places of refuge. Hope is fostered by the Bonfires. Just as the light of a fire will contrast darkness, this hope contrasts against the dour and unforgiving world of <em>Dark Souls</em>.
Hidetaka Miyazaki
Dark Souls
FromSoftware Inc.
Damian Kortus
Video Game
Fantasy
Carnwennan, the dagger of King Arthur
Weaponry
Carnwennan, or Carnwenhau, meaning "white hilt" was the dagger belonging to the great King Arthur. It is attributed with the magical power to shroud its user in shadow. This dagger, it is said, was one of three sacred weapons given to King Arthur by God.
Arthur names it as one of the few things in the world which he would not give to his cousin Culhwch.
King Arthur used this very dagger it to slay the witch Orddu ,daughter of Orwen. by slicing her in half. It is also possible that this is the dagger he once used to kill a giant.
God (presumably)
Arthurian Legend
Ashley Rieger
Myth
Crisis Engine
Utensils & Tools
After conducting research on how to restore flight to a wingless garuda through the use of crisis energy, Isaac Dan der Grimnebulin completed his design for a Crisis Engine. The engine, through advanced thaumaturgy and precise scientific mathematical equations, is able to channel crisis energy in the form of torque and become an unlimited fuel source. During the Summer of Nightmares in New Crobuzon, Grimnebulin constructed the first Crisis Engine in an attempt to defeat the Slake Moths he inadvertantly released while researching crisis energy.<br /><br /><em>"The Crisis Engine is only limited by the thaumaturgy, science, and materials used in its creation. With the right equipment and scientist, the Crisis Engine could reach an unlimited potential." </em>
Isaac Dan der Grimnebulin
<em>Perdido Street Station</em> by China Mieville
Unknown
Dillon Dwyer
Justinoaksford. "The Crisis Engine." Drawing. <em>Deviant Art.</em> Deviant Art, 2011. Web. 1 Dec. 2014.
Drizzt's Sword Icingdeath
Drizzt Do’Urden found this scimitar after defeating the white wyrm, Ingeloakastimizilian. The blade is made of silver with a diamond edge. It has the ability to absorb heat and consume fire, one of the reasons for its name.
Icewind Dale Trilogy
R.A. Salvatore
Drew Zirbel
Image Source URL: http://images.entertainmentearth.com//AUTOIMAGES/UC500514lg.jpg
Novel
Eragon's Sword Brisingr
Brisingr, meaning fire in the Ancient language, was created by Rhunön and is a hand-and-a-half (or bastard) sword. Brisingr had a leaf-shaped steel cap on the end of a dark blue scabbard and it had a lighter iridescent blue blade. There was also a large blue sapphire in the pommel of the blade. Whenever Eragon said the blade’s name the sword would burst into blue flame.
Brisingr (First Appearance)
Christopher Paolini
Alysia Derry-Chavez
Image Source URL: http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/024/9/4/items_of_alagaesia_by_corellastudios-d37xg3x.jpg
Novel
Estus Flask
A usable item in <em>Dark Souls</em>.
A container filled with a glowing orange substance called Estus. The Estus Flask acts as a usable item in <em>Dark Souls</em> that is gained when a player rests at a Bonfire. When used, the player appears to drink the Estus in the Flask, restoring their health. The Estus Flask is one of the most important items in <em>Dark Souls</em>, as it is the only reliable source of healing in a game that will deal lots of damage to most players. The management of these limited flasks between Bonfires or during boss fights is one of the cores of <em>Dark Souls'</em> gameplay, and in a way, a player may get attached to these items. This would make sense considering what Estus may be. The nature of this substance is never explained, but judging by the fact that Estus is restored at Bonfires and gives an orange glow to the otherwise dull green containers, Estus is likely liquid fire. <br /><br />Given this interpretation, the Estus Flasks take on more symbolic meaning. The importance of fire to humanity and this world is exemplified by the Bonfires, but by making fire a crucial resource the player carries with them, this importance is reinforced. Fire is not just something to rest by or strive for, but something that is crucial for pushing through the struggles of <em>Dark Souls</em>. Making Estus a resource the player learns to preserve and appreciate makes fire a resource to be treated the same way. There is also the fact that Estus serves its function by directly restoring the health of the player. Fire, or perhaps its warmth, has healing properties in this world just as warmth is associated with comfort and healing in the real world.
Hidetaka Miyazaki
Dark Souls
FromSoftware Inc.
Damian Kortus
Video Game
Fantasy
Grindylow Statue (Magnus Fin)
Weapon
A statue endowed with Grindylow thaumaturgy. Powered internally by a Magnus Fin, the statue gives it user partial invisibility, increased strength and speed, and desolidification. Users must tongue kiss the statue and let it draw some of their blood. Usinage of the statue will result in an addiction to it properties. With continued use of the statue, the user's body will start to mutate into a more aquatic form.<br /><br /><em>"Silas Fennec was the first human to have contact with the Grindylow Statue. He was said to have stolen it during his time in the wilds of the Gangris."</em>
Grindylow Magnus
<em>The Scar</em> by China Mieville
Unknown
Dillon Dwyer
Chalker, Jason. "Grindylow Idol." Painting. <em>Flickr.</em> Flickr, 29 July. 2010. Web. 1 Dec. 2014.
Humanity
A usable item and resource in <em>Dark Souls</em>.
An item vaguely resembling the silhouette of a human with a white outline around them. In game, the item is described as a "sprite." When used, this item floats in the player's hand. The player then crushes it in their hand, greatly restoring the their health and adding to the Humanity statistic. There are many ways to obtain Humanity, but most notably, the item is often found on corpses or dropped by slain enemies. This implies that these tangible items are a representation for the abstract concept of humanity. However, the game reveals little about the nature of this item. <br /><br />The idea of one's humanity is another that is important to <em>Dark Souls'</em> themes. Purveying the whole game is the threat of "going hollow." It is often theorized that one goes hollow in this world when they have fully given up. To connect this to a theme, the player by default is considered "Hollow." However, by offering the Humanity item to a Bonfire, they can become human. This would imply that giving up and going hollow is the antithesis to humanity. This is to say that the essence of humanity as a concept is the drive to continue fighting. One only loses their humanity when they have given up. This connection is further enforced by the gameplay elements of the Humanity item. <br /><br />Upon using a Humanity, the most noticeable effect is the player being healed. By consuming Humanity, the player is able to take more damage and thus fight longer. One could consider this to be the player's hope being restored through their humanity, fending off the threat of dying and going hollow. The other effect the Humanity item has is increasing the player's Humanity statistic. This statistic, when increased with more Humanity, likewise increases other attributes of the player. Most notably, the player's resistance to particular status conditions increases. This reinforces the connection between humanity and the ability to persevere. By acquiring more Humanity, the player can push through otherwise debilitating conditions to continue their journey. One's ability to persevere is determined by their level of humanity, and vice versa.
Hidetaka Miyazaki
Dark Souls
FromSoftware Inc.
Damian Kortus
Video Game
Fantasy