History TearJerker / DarkSouls

* Another phantom you owe a lot to is Iron Tarkus. In his timeline, he was the first and only man to make it past the Iron Golem, and after doing so, he left behind his summon signature so he could help anyone who came after him in their world. Later on in Anor Londo, when you're trying to access the cathedral, you find that once again, Tarkus has been there before you and broken a window, allowing you to reach the bridge controls and make progress. Many players would have been excited to meet the man who helped them get so far at this point; sadly, it was not to be. Most likely no one gave the painting room much thought when they enter it, fighting painting guardians on some narrow rafters. It's only when you reach the floor that you find a corpse wearing Tarkus' armour. It's not difficult to figure out what happened, a man encumbered by heavy armour, wielding a greatshield and greatsword. For all his strength and courage Tarkus, the man who did so much for you just met a challenge he wasn't suited for.

* If you happened to own the official art book and paid attention to Gwyndolin, he's [[http://41.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mbm4xnDrQ41rixdjuo1_500.png mourning for his father Gwyn]] at the tomb, with a flower laid on the coffin alone. Instead of telling the truth to everyone, he chose to endure the pain on his own and shroud Anor Londo with his illusion. The seemly JerkassGod who manipulated you all the time ''[[JerkassWoobie might not be as Jerkass as one might think]]''!

** [[UnfortunateNames Ceaseless Discharge]] seems like a one-off, gruesome monster that plays no point but to guard Lost Izalith and a decent armor set, set? Well, according to some hints in game and also outright stated in an interview with one of the creators, there is actually a brother of the Sisters of Chaos, who was born covered in sores that constantly poured out lava. The Witch of Izalith and her daughters made the Orange Charred Ring to help him with the pain, but he dropped it and the ring grew into the Centipede Demon. In the interview, the director stated that now he's become a sad, twisted giant whose only form of solace is watching over his sister's grave and ignoring the pain from his the lava ceaselessly discharging from his warped body. Bet you feel bad for chuckling at his name now, huh?

** It gets worse when you realize Lautrec is responsible for her death, and [[NiceJobBreakingItHero YOU are responsible for Lautrec being there.]] It's bad enough that many players, on their next playthrough (or their first, if they know it's coming), [[KickTheSonOfABitch boot Lautrec off a cliff the first time they see him]] for reasons ''other'' than getting the Ring of Favor and Protection early...

** Speaking of which — do you want to know the true history of Pinwheel? The boss who is regarded as a joke to many players? Well, the lore and interviews paint a picture of a man who lost his son and wife and became desperate to get them back. He turned to necromancy and eventually managed to steal a part of Gravelord Nito's power. After many desperate attempts, he manged to bring them back...only it all went wrong. You ever wondered why he has three masks and six 'arms'? Well, it's because the bodies of his wife and son are [[http://i.imgur.com/fJ0nMF8.jpg FUSED]] [[http://i.imgur.com/kSg3YSC.png to]] the body of the father at the waist, therefore making him literally carry the weight of his mistake. From Software just loves to make even the weakest bosses sad, huh?

--> Farewell... my rescuer...

--> Quelaag... But, why...?

--> [[ThoroughlyMistakenIdentity Quelaag]]? Please, sister, [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone do not cry]]. I'm happy, truly. I have you, don't I?

--> It's over... my sun is setting. It's dark. So dark.

-->'''Artorias:''' "All of you, forgive me...for I...have availed you...''nothing''..."

** At first when you meet Alvina, she sounds like a jerk, insisting that the legend of Artorias is "naught but a fabrication" and that his amazing feats were just fairy tales. But they were true, so why would she lie? To protect Sif.

** At first when you meet Alvina, she sounds like a jerk, insisting that the legend of Artorias is "naught but a fabrication" and that his amazing feats were just fairy tales. But they were true, so why would she lie? [[spoiler:To protect Sif.]]

** And of course, Quelaag's sister herself takes the proverbial cake. ''[[ObliviousGuiltSlinging Every single line]]'' spoken by the Daughter of Chaos is absolutely heart-rending, made worse by the fact that the Old Witch's Ring makes you sound like Quelaag. So you're kinda exploiting the Daughter of Chaos and giving her false hope.

*** What more, the Fair Lady tells who she thinks is Quelaag to not cry. Since she's talking to the Chosen Undead, even the most evil of chosen undead is canonically crying over what they have done.

** ->'''Artorias:''' "All of you, forgive me...for I...have availed you...''nothing''..."

** -->'''Artorias:''' "All of you, forgive me...for I...have availed you...''nothing''..."

*** But Laurentius can easily upgrade Pyromancy Flames all the way up to +15. It requires no stat investment at all, just souls. So really, he failed in his life's ambition because he was ''too cheap''.

* Long story short, ''any'' time [[VideoGameCrueltyPotential you kill a non-hostile NPC]] [[WhatTheHellPlayer will probably be this]]. From Software ''really'' likes making those kinds of players feel horrible.

** One Website/YouTube comment described it as less an epic boss battle and more an execution of a frightened and lonely old man afraid of change.
** The theme that plays while you fight Gwyn is also heartwrenching. The music sheet, which [[FridgeBrilliance only focuses on the white keys]], gives even more meaning to his character: an old man afraid of the Dark.

** It gets worse when you realize Lautrec is responsible for her death, and [[NiceJobBreakingItHero YOU are responsible for Lautrec being there.]] It's bad enough that many players, on their next playthrough (or their first, if they know it's coming), [[KickTheSonOfABitch boot Lautrec off a cliff the first time they see him]].

** [[UnfortunateNames Ceaseless Discharge]] seems like a one-off, gruesome monster that plays no point but to guard Lost Izalith and a decent armor set, set? Well, according to some hints in game and also outright stated in an interview with one of the creators, there is actually a brother of the Sisters of Chaos, who was born covered in sores that constantly poured out lava. The Witch of Izalith and her daughters made the Orange Charred Ring to help him with the pain, but he dropped it and the ring grew into the Centipede Demon. In the interview, the director stated that now he's become a sad, twisted giant whose only form of solace is watching over his sisters grave and ignoring the pain from his the lava ceaselessly discharging from his warped body. Bet you feel bad for chuckling at his name now, huh?

** If you're feeling [[KickTheDog excessively cruel]], ''[[VideoGameCrueltyPotential you can even wear Artorias' gear to the fight]]'', making it look like ''Artorias is putting down ode of his most loyal companions!'' YouBastard

** It gets worse when you realize Lautrec is responsible for her death, and [[NiceJobBreakingItHero YOU are responsible for Lautrec being there.]]