The juxtaposition of societal disposition with the corrupting nature of power: A short Dark Souls 3 study

It's a recurring theme in a lot of art forms about power corrupting the greedy, the wealthy, and the sadistic people. There is no coincidence that this theme keeps repeating itself, it keeps repeating because it's true. Power indeed consumes, power indeed corrupts, so is the nature of power. 

But, the interesting thing to me about this is that these thematic events usually happen to the greedy, the privileged, and more often than not the wealthy people. Usually, it's a captivating plot, but Dark Souls 3 did something different and it's very riveting.

To talk further about this, let me give some context. Dark Souls games usually revolve around a very basic plot, with the exposition being something like this:

In the beginning, there was the age of darkness, where gigantic creatures like dragons ruled over the world. Eventually, a flame appeared which started engulfing the darkness with its bright light. The first finders of the flame also found inordinate power in it, and hence eventually became Lords, became higher beings who helped establish this 'Age of Fire'. Nature being cyclical, the fire eventually started to fade away, implying the inevitable arrival of the Age of Darkness, and naturally this implying that the power of the lords will dwindle. To avoid this natural cycle of events, the Lords kept artificially "linking" the fire; keeping the flame alive past its natural age by sacrifices, with each linking taking a tremendous toll on the world. Each linking further prolonging and intensifying the despair of all inhabitants. All this, just to keep their power intact. But, despite their best efforts, yet again the fire starts to fade away. Yet again, the "looming" dark age seems to be near. 

And, that's about the gist of the plot, and then the player does stuff to aid that goal, but that's not relevant here.

With this world in mind, I want to put some light on three characters from the third game of the series: Pontiff Sulyvahn; Lorian, the Elder Prince; Lothric, the Younger Prince.

Let us talk about Sulyvahn first:

Sulyvahn was a young sorcerer, who was born and raised in Ariandel. Ariandel is a city far from the reach of the normal world. Ariandel is calm, serene, full of snow, and provides a home to all the disconsolate beings that would wish to stay there. It's an escape for every being who otherwise leads a miserable life in the outside world. Sulyvahn was born and raised in this place, far away from the enchanting echoes of halls in castles. Far away from the creatures from legends and stories. He, at last, decides to leave the comforting place behind, and explore the real world. He decides to leave this comforting life behind. He decides to find a greater purpose in life.

Let us now take a look at the two princes, Lorian and Lothric:

Both of these princes were born into a royal family, they were descendants of great lords. Contrasting Sulyvahn's barebones upbringing, these princes had an army of people to support them. They had scholars to teach them alone, they had followers even before they were born. The followers of their kingdom, the kings, the queens, all were celebrating the birth of these princes before their birth, so we can assume their upbringing was so much more pleasant. 

At this point, if any good story had to have a protagonist, it would be Sulyvahn, because very obviously he fits the general protagonist image. He has grown up with lesser means, he knows what's it like to be without power. He knows the struggle.

Sulyvahn eventually travels the world, travels lands way beyond where he was brought up. In this traveling, he eventually stumbles upon Anor Londo, a place where the great old Gods reside, a place that through multiple linking of fire/multiple generations has survived. Anor Londo was protected by Gwyndolin, son of great Lord Gwyn, and his faithful knights. Sulyvahn took quite some interest in this kingdom. He saw Gwyndolin, and how under his excellent leadership, he had an army of faithful subordinates. He saw Deacons, a holy group of people dedicated to serving their Lord. And, he decided to sabotage all of it. He poisoned Gwyndolin until he was unable to lead the knights, and subsequently, assumed charge of the knights. He corrupted the holy Deacons by adding dark sorcery to their texts, turning them against their purpose. He made the whole city fall to ruins, with the old Gods having to evacuate their ancient home. Sulyvahn turned the inhabitants into hollow soldiers, who like fodder he can keep recycling. While other unfortunate people were turned into repulsive beasts. The majority of the royal family escaped but Sulyvahn captured the royal daughter of the family; the daughter of Gwynevere. He captured her and kept her captive. Initially, forcing her to be a dancer in hopes of maybe shaming her and the royal family. And then after having shamed her enough, he eventually asked her to be a knight for him. A point of defense for him if someone would dare try to challenge him. He gave her a ring infused with dark sorcery, that he knew would make her reliable. She indeed became reliable but also transformed into an abhorrent beast who brought death upon everyone, her armor fusing with her skin and bones.

Sulyvahn would usurp great power in the kingdom, becoming a tyrant.

Lothric even though born into a royal family, was born full of disease with a shriveled body. He was supposed to be the heir, the one who once again gives his body to the flame, sacrificing himself by linking the fire and prolonging their age. Despite the high expectations, he was unable to even wield the family sword, one which was his birthright. Lothric was born with a curse. Lorian, on the other hand, was a champion. He had already slain a lot of demons and had exceptional leadership skills. But because Lothric was the proclaimed heir, Lorian supported him unconditionally. He supported him to an extent of agreeing to fuse his soul with his brother at the suggestion of the family, which tragically left Lorian mute and crippled. And yet, after all these sacrifices they made, in the end, they decided to not do their "duty". They decided to not link the fire. They decided to not prolong the inevitable, and with it, not prolong people's suffering. They took home in their chambers, which marks their grave. They remain cursed and yet try to prevent any further despair. They decided to "betray" their family.

Now that we have spent a long time trying to familiarize ourselves with their stories, what point do I intend to draw from it?

The point I am trying to make with all this is simple and an obvious one.

Power corrupts those who allow the corruption of their heart.

Our real-world is full of people who come from different walks of life, different backgrounds, different societies, different cultures. And, everyone assumes some position of power sooner or later in their life.

In the end, your usage of that power is reflexive to your individuality. Your individuality may be shaped by these external factors in a myriad of ways, but you remain you, people remain people, corrupted will be corrupted.

Or maybe there is no point and I just wanted an excuse to talk about dark souls lore :p

Here's a cute cat asking you to join their covenant for having read through all that: