Unlike most games, the lore ofFromSoftwaregames is rich but pretty vague at the best of times. Most of the lore is up to player interpretation, and the devs aren’t shy about non-answers or misdirects for some of the most important questions in the games. That’s why gamers love them.
Yet, players still want answers to some key questions, like what the Age of Dark might look like in theDark Soulsgames, or what lies West of Ashina. One day, they may find out, but for now, there are plenty of questions to consider and mull over. This list is ranked by how big and important the unanswered question is.
8What Was Londor Like?
A Paradise Of Dark
InDark Souls, Darkstalker Kaathe, one of the primordial serpents, wants to bring about the Age of Dark, a time dedicated to human supremacy, but otherDark Soulsgames indicate that, in canon, that didn’t happen, and the Primordial Serpents were never seen again.
However, inDark Souls 3, there is a far-off place called Londor that seems to be ruled by the Primordial Serpents and is dedicated to ushering in the Age of Dark. Fans have long wondered what this place ruined by dark and humanity, is like, and how it generated incredible characters likeYuria, the most visible denizen of Londor.
7What Lies To The West Of Ashina?
The Lands Beyond Sekiro’s Journey Are Unseen
It’s self-evident that Ashina, the setting ofSekiro: Shadows Die Twice, is a rough facsimile of Sengoku era Japan, and no one expected the games to hint of any other locations, butone ofSekiro’s best secret endingsinvolves taking a journey West to the supposed birth place of the Divine Dragon.
Fans have long speculated about what this might mean. Is it talking about a FromSoftware version of China, Korea, or maybe even India or beyond? It remains unanswered, and many hope that if a sequel arrives one day, players will finally learn what lies West of Ashina.
6Who or What Is The Gloam-Eyed Queen?
The Mystery Woman in a World of Gods
There are many Gods, Demi-Gods, and Outer Gods inElden Ring,to the point where it becomes actively difficult to keep track of them. Yet, none has captured the imagination of the fanbasemore than the Gloam-Eyed Queen, a figure of death and destruction who seemed to have an instrumental role in the Night of the Black Knives.
These days, most theorists believe that the Gloam-Eyed Queen may be Melina, the helpful finger-maiden who accompanies the player on their travels, but there’s not a lot of certainty involved, and if it’s true, it brings up a whole slate of new questions about what her motivations could be.
5What Is Humanity And The Furtive Pygmy?
The Nature Of Darkness and its Birth
Dark Soulsis a franchise that deals in metaphysical concepts just as much as tangible monsters in boss rooms. From the very first opening cutscene ofDark Souls, the Furtive Pygmy and Humanity are two of the most enigmatic concepts in the whole franchise that are crucial to the lore, yet almost entirely unexplored.
It seems that the Pygmy is some precursor of humanity, but also an influencer on the undead curse and the relationship between humanity and the Abyss. It’s a knotted, difficult issue, and one of the most vexing parts ofDark Soulscosmology that keeps theorists busy to this day.
4What Is The Moon Presence’s Goal?
Incomprehensible Horror for an Endless Dream
Bloodborneis a pretty confusing game at the best of times, considering that it explicitly deals in multiple levels of reality with dreams, reality, and their interface becoming a key part of the story. Yet, behind it all, it seems that the Moon Presence, the true final boss, is the Lovecraftian manipulator behind the hunt, the pale moon, and the curse of the blood.
How exactly? Well, most players aren’t certain. Considering Lovecraftian gods don’t tend to be forthcoming about their motivations, the game offers few clues, but that hasn’t stopped theorists and fans from trying to figure out just what the Moon Presence was and wanted, and what happened to it after the player seems to take their place as a new Great One.
3What Does The Age Of Dark Look Like?
A Brave New World Without Fire
Dark Soulsis a game that is inextricably tied to Eastern philosophy, particularly Buddhism, and the idea that clinging to life is a corruptive act that can have massive consequences.Dark Soulsis a world that has been constantly rebooted, each time weaker and more decrepit than before. ByDark Souls 3, the very seams of reality are tearing apart as humanity struggles on to try and rekindle the flame of existence.
Yet, one of the more radical solutions involves finally ending the Age of Fire, a rebooted reality that’s full of suffering, and embracing the Age of Dark, a time dominated by humanity and darkness. Yet, the game questions whether that’s truly a bad thing, and many wonder what this fundamental shift inDark Soulscosmology looks like inone of the game’s most intriguing endings.
2Who is Gwyn’s Firstborn?
A Prodigal Son, Now Nameless
Long before George R. R. Martin arrived in the FromSoftware world and contributed to the story ofElden Ring, familial drama was already present and prominent, particularly in theDark Soulsgames that deal with royal families and blood destinies.
No mystery is more tantalizing than Gwyn’s first-born son, also known as the God of War, whose identity is unknown and barely referred to. Many gamers think that it could be The Nameless King, with others saying Solaire instead. The answer could have profound effects on the overarching story ofDark Soulsas a whole, so fans are unlikely to stop speculating any time soon.
1What Are The Outer Gods?
The Power Players
The world ofElden Ringwas dominated by The Greater Will, a God that brought about the Divine Order, the glorious golden Erdtree, and the godhood of Marika. However, when the Elden Ring was shattered, that hold on reality became loose, and other Outer Gods like The Formless Mother and the God of Rot actively intrude to make a play for dominance.
Yet, what exactly these Outer Gods are is unclear. Are they really Gods? Are they aliens?How much influence do they have? Why do they care so much about holding sway in The Lands Between? Why do they need champions? What are the limits of their power? The questions are endless and define the outer remit ofElden Ring’s entire cosmology.
