Rise of the Four Lords
Four lords claim the flame's light, forging an age of order from primordial chaos.
The Rise of the Four Lords marks the pivotal era following the natural appearance of the First Flame, where the world of Lordran transitioned from a chaotic void into an age of order and civilization. As the Everlasting Dragons waned in power, four distinct beings emerged to harness the flame's light, each claiming dominion over a specific aspect of existence: Nito claimed Death, the Witch of Izalith claimed Life (Chaos), Gwyn claimed Light, and the Furtive Pygmy claimed Dark.
- Preceding Event
- The natural appearance of the First Flame during the Age of Ancients
Lore & Background
These four lords did not merely rule; they defined the laws of the new world. They banished the Everlasting Dragons from their thrones, driving them to the corners of existence or forcing them into servitude. Their reign established the Age of Fire, a time where humanity was born from the Dark Soul but kept in the shadows by the overwhelming radiance of the Lords' power. This era set the stage for all future conflict, as the light they wielded eventually began to fade, threatening to return the world to the darkness from which it emerged.
In Their Own Story
The sky above Anor Londo was not yet gold but a bruised purple, heavy with the smoke of war. Gwyn stood upon the precipice, his golden armor gleaming against the gloom as he raised his sword toward the retreating serpents. Beside him, Nito's skeletal form loomed, silent and ancient, watching the shadows flee before the light. In the distance, the unnatural glow of Seath's experiments pulsed from the depths of Oolacile, while the chaotic fire of Izalith raged in the south. The four lords looked upon their domain, unaware that the very flame they had tamed was already beginning to dim.
Reader's Guide
The era begins immediately after the First Flame is discovered and humanity is born from it. Four distinct figures rise to power: Gwyn claims sunlight, Nito claims death, the Witch of Izalith (and her daughters) claim fire, and Seath claims magic through forbidden means. Together, they wage a great war against the Primordial Serpents, who had previously ruled the world in darkness. The serpents are defeated and driven away from their thrones. The Four Lords establish the Age of Fire, creating a structured society where humanity exists but is overshadowed by the power of the gods. This period ends as the First Flame begins to fade centuries later, leading to the eventual fall of Izalith and the beginning of the Dark Souls cycle.
Did You Know?
- Seath was a dragon who served Gwyn, but he was not one of the four Lords who claimed the Lord Souls.
- The four Lords are Gwyn, the Witch of Izalith, Nito, and the Furtive Pygmy.
- The Lord Souls were discovered in the First Flame, granting the Lords their immense power.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Rise of the Four Lords?
This pivotal era occurred after the First Flame naturally appeared, marking the transition from the chaotic Age of Ancients to an age of order. It is defined by four powerful beings emerging to claim dominion over specific aspects of existence as the dragons' influence waned.
Who are the Four Lords and what did they rule?
The four rulers were Nito, who claimed Death; the Witch of Izalith, who mastered Life through Chaos; Gwyn, who seized Light; and the Furtive Pygmy, who took hold of Dark. Together, their claims forged a structured world from primordial chaos.
How did this era change Lordran?
Before this time, the world was ruled by Everlasting Dragons in a state of stagnation, but the Flame's arrival allowed these four beings to establish civilization and order. Their rise ended the dragons' dominance and set the stage for all future history in Lordran.
Why is the Furtive Pygmy significant in this story?
While Gwyn, Nito, and Izalith are well-known, the Furtive Pygmy's claim to Dark represents the hidden foundation of humanity itself. This act established that every human carries a spark of dark within them, a concept central to the game's lore.
What ended the Rise of the Four Lords?
The era effectively concluded when Gwyn decided to link the First Flame himself to delay the coming age of Dark, sacrificing his own life in the process. This act shifted power dynamics and eventually led to the decay that defines the current state of Lordran.
More in Story & Timeline
Elsewhere in the Dark Souls universe
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