Farron Keep
1 media/FarronKeep_thumb.PNG 2023-03-14T18:10:52-07:00 Vincent Michael Griffo 4f13320fd67b16f793d62e643199f6961d7e7ebd 42556 2 Image of Farron Keep, a toxic swamp that the player character must perservere through. Here is where the player encounters the abyss watchers - a husk of lords. Image is taken within Dark Souls III plain 2023-03-15T08:34:51-07:00 Vincent Michael Griffo 4f13320fd67b16f793d62e643199f6961d7e7ebdThis page is referenced by:
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2023-03-14T17:54:50-07:00
The End of the World: Dark Souls Climate Change Analysis Part II
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Similar to the first Dark Souls and building upon it, Dark Souls III portrays a world that is in the grips of an ongoing environmental crisis. What makes this game more profound in its message, however, is the fact that it takes place many centuries after the first game. Due to this reason, the effects of a dying world are shown in more detail. Even the characters don't know why they're living, with Greirat, a theif, exclaiming...
"These people are losing their minds. They have been weakened, they do not stand a chance. And yet they fight, clinging to life in a world that shows no mercy. I suppose it is admirable, in its own way."
- Greirat of the Undead SettlementTake the Irithyll of the Boreal Valley for instance. The city is covered in snow and ice - filled undead creatures and disregard for the enviornment. These creatures are a reflection of the neglect that has taken place for the world. The city is not only plagued by the undead but also by the presence of a massive Sulyvahn's Beast, which is a manifestation of the curse of Pontiff Sulyvahn, a tyrant with no regard or respect for the environment or others. This beast is physically rotting, with its flesh and bones exposed to the elements. The city itself is a testament to the destructive power of humanity, with its once-grand buildings and streets now reduced to ruins.
Another example of ecohorror in Dark Souls III can be found in the area known as Farron Keep. Here, one must navigate a swamp filled with poisonous waters and toxic fumes, which are metaphors for the effects of pollution and environmental degradation on the planet. The area is also populated by twisted, corrupted creatures that are a reflection of the damage caused by human actions on the environment. These beasts (known as Ghrus) are tithed animals of what seem to have once been goats. Their rot is visualized through the moss and fungi that are quite literally growing on them. The overall atmosphere of the area is one of decay and death, with the once-thriving ecosystem now in ruins.
"The deep accursed are the spawn of the abyssal swamp, yet speaketh theyalike to those of Farron. This is the calling of the kindred, thou shalt heed the call, or rot in the swamp for all eternity."
- Yellowfinger Heysel
In addition to these specific areas, Dark Souls III also contains many other examples of ecohorror and climate change. For example, the constant presence of undead creatures and environmental hazards throughout the game can be seen as a metaphor for the ongoing environmental crisis facing our own world. It represents the world as a husk of what it once was, suggesting that we are bound on a similar path. The game also touches upon themes of resource depletion and overconsumption, with characters often struggling to find food and other essential resources in a world that is in the grips of an ecological collapse. The quote below encompasses this, with the character suggesting that one of the worst sins is greed."The curse of life is the curse of want. But one day, you will stand before its decrepit gate, without really knowing why."
- Ludleth of CourlandFinally, the Kiln of the First Flame (as discussed previously) is where the ashen one must link the fire and prolong the Age of Fire, or allow the fire to fade and usher in the Age of Dark. This choice has significant environmental consequences, as it determines whether the world will continue to suffer from environmental decay and degradation (Age of Fire) or whether it will be allowed to possibly regenerate and recover (Age of Dark).
Overall, Dark Souls III presents a powerful portrait of a world that is in the grips of an ongoing environmental crisis. Whether it be by specific leaders, the cycle of the flame continuing, or the negligence of the environment, its haunting imagery and powerful storytelling serve as a warning about the dangers of climate change. It shows the urgent need for action to address the ecological challenges facing our planet today.
