What's up guys, I’m Dave Klein. In order to better understand the world of Dark Souls
2, and Drangleic, I thought it would be a good idea to talk about Drangleic’s surrounding
lands. The Berenike’s and Balder’s of Drangleic, so to speak. This ended up being
so long, I decided to split the kingdoms into two parts. I won’t be exploring kingdoms
that were previously part of Drangleic, like Olaphis, but rather focusing on the lands
outside of Drangleic. In this part, I’ll be focusing on Mirrah, Lindelt, and Melfia.
So, with that, let’s go ahead and begin.
We start with Mirrah, an Eastern Land in which many of the Dark Souls 2 NPCs hail from.
“Our Land of Mirrah is surrounded by enemies, and constantly at war.
There is only one way up in Mirrah. Join the order and prove yourself in battle.”
Lucatiel and her brother, Aslatiel, both come from Mirrah, a land where the harsh conditions
have forced them both into a life of soldiering. It was known as a “land of knights” and
“those who distinguished themselves on the battlefield were admitted into the elite ranks
of Mirrah’s official order of knights”, an order in which Lucatiel belonged. These
knights were “expected to fight honorably, with reliance only upon swordsmanship. They
only resort to magic the only time they truly need to: to face the magic of an enemy.”
As such, there are very few spells from Mirrah, and of the few that did exist, most were used
by the Shadow Knights, assassins whose sorceries were utilized to “carry out assassinations
in the cover of darkness.” These spells, Fall Control and Hush, were non-lethal spells,
but useful for those who wish to remain unheard.
“Those who fled even the order of shadow knights had rejected all forms of honor, and
resorted to unseemly mercenary work.”
Mercenary work was looked down upon in Mirrah, but it seems Creighton, also from Mirrah,
may have taken part in this, and is known as a cold-blooded killer to his fellow Mirran,
Cale.
“I am Creighton, of Mirrah. I travel from land to land to hone my blade.
I’ve heard this land was full of danger. I thought it would suit me perfectly.”
“I was born in the land of Mirrah. Mirrah was also the home of an infamous killer,
A knight in name alone. He was locked in the dungeon for multiple
murders. But shortly before his execution, he managed
to escape.
Creighton and Pate traveled together from Mirrah to Drangleic, until Creighton was trapped.
Mirrah was also known for Geisteel, an alloy used to craft advanced weaponry. “Geisteel
was a precious alloy created in the eastern land of Mirrah, its composition long kept
secret from foreign lands. That is, until Chancellor Wellager was ordered by King Vendrick
to grant the gifted blacksmith Llewellyn a lifetime contract, whatever the cost, in order
to introduce the rare alloy to Drangleic.” Chancellor Wellager was successful in bringing
over Llewellyn, who crafted him the Espada Ropera and Llewellyn Armor Set as a gift upon
his arrival. He went on to become the “castle’s resident master smith” after his transfer
to Drangleic, bringing his master craftsmanship and Geisteel along with him.
Lindelt:
Lindelt was home to archdrakes, priests, miracles, and the House Osteria. The majority of the
games chimes, catalysts for Miracles and Hexes, can be traced back to Lindelt. And, while
clerics and miracles were common-place in the land, “sorcery [was] believed to be
a profane practice.” Which, is actually the opposite of Drangleic, where “King Vendrick
had a lukewarm opinion of [cleric’s] powers, and kept them only as attendants to ceremony.
In this sense, Drangleic was not the place for a cleric with any ambition.” Perhaps
this is what sparked war between Drangleic and Lindelt, for according to the Archdrake
Set, while “little is known about the Archdrake sect and its ancient rituals, it is said that
their well-honed miracles and unwavering faith in the face of death made them worthy rivals
to Drangleic’s forces in their day.”
Lindelt is a land “governed by stringent laws, and those who dare defy them are punished
without mercy.” According to Unveil, a “miracle that senses traitors”, “those who serve
the Lindelt Monastery willfully adhere to the strict commandments. This miracle was
created to castigate those who ignore the righteous teachings.” Perhaps this is why
the shifty Licia of Lindelt has left Lindelt for Drangleic. For “Lindelt ascetics are
sent to distant lands for proselytizing and self-training, but many of them decide not
to return,” for “More than a few of these trainees liberate themselves from Lindelt’s
teachings in the process.”
And, while Licia is an example of an impure character form Lindelt, Ivory Rohnes, Sage
of Lindelt, would be the opposite. Ivory Rhones created the ring of soul protection, and her
students the ring of life protection, showing the lands emphasis on healing.
Cleric Forsalle also comes from Lindelt, who “was a master of miracles who fought battles
across the lands. His allies called him a holy knight, but his enemies feared him for
his demonic powers.” Chimes act as a catalyst for both miracles and hexes, so it is likely
many of the upper echelon of Lindelt utilized both, hence his enemies thinking of him as
having demonic powers.
There are a few interesting connections to Dark Souls 1 within Lindelt. The Painting
Protector dark spirit, looking similar to a Painting Guardian from Dark Souls 1 will
attack in NG+. Their gear is described as the Monastery set, “A traditional sacred
armor crafted at the Lindelt Monastery. The ceremonial design suggests that they revered
whatever it was they watched over.” The Monastery Scimitar tells us it was “crafted
at the Lindelt Monastery to replicate an ancient, sacred scimitar.” Additionally, the miracles
Bountiful Sunlight and Soothing Sunlight, were both “[miracles] once kept by the Lindelt
Monastery [that were both] stolen and never recovered”. We know from Dark Souls 1 these
were miracles of Gwynevere, granted to her maidens. Between these two connections – perhaps,
and this is just speculation, Lindelt was where Gwynevere left to with Flame God Flann,
and hence why we can find so many connections.
Another Lindelt mystery lies within the Archdrake sect. “The secrets of Lindelt rituals are
protected by the Archdrake sect, and only a select few are given access to their canon
of knowledge, which includes the truthful origins of the Archdrake sect itself.”
“Miracles began as tales told by gods. We preserve their will with lore,
Pray to their greatness, and are blessed in return.”
“Miracles have been passed down through us since the First Flame.
Isn’t it extraordinary to think They’ve existed since the very origins of
the world? And now, you can have this power for yourself.
Don’t miss out on the road to enlightenment.” “What is the First Flame?
Well, it’s… Hmm, you’re not ready to comprehend it,
I’m afraid!”
Perhaps the Archdrakes are based out of the Way of White, and learn about the First Flame
and Gwyn. While Licia doesn’t actually understand what the first flame is, it’s possible the
Archdrakes do have further knowledge of this. Though, both Archdrake shields, the Slumbering
Dragon Shield and Archdrake Shield, depict images of Dragons, so perhaps this deals with
an understanding of the beginning of the world.
Melfia:
While Lindelt was focused on Priests and Miracles, the southern land of Melfia was focused on
sorcery and pyromancy. (Witching Urn item description)
Melfia was home to the Melfian Magic Academy, and the academy where both Pyromancer Glocken
and Carhillion of the Fold taught at, and was home to the Astrologists whose “ideas
led to the creation of new and very useful magical devices.”
“Sorcery and Pyromancy thrive in Melfia. I’ve spent much time there, trying to perfect
my art. But staying was a mistake.
The fools there had no interest in truth. Their ambitions were paltry, and their smiles
cloying. I was sick to the back teeth of their petty
squabbles. There was nothing for me in that forsaken
land.”
“I have my very own teacher. His name is Carhillion of the Fold,
A famed sorcerer in Melfia, our home town.”
Rosabeth also comes from Melfia, following her teacher Carhillion.
“Master Carhillion and I are from Melfia, to the south.
A land lush with sorcery and pyromancy. Master Carhillion polished his art at
One of our renowned magic academies. But he argued that the academies
Were terrible places to learn magic… This quite angered Master Glocken, my previous
teacher.”
And, while Pryomancer Glocken was angered at Carhillion, Glocken was a controversial
figure himself at the academies, as he crafted replicas of the various quartz rings, Spell,
Flame, Thunder, and Dark. He “crafted so many of these replicas that they became widespread,
such that his fellow magicians harshly scolded him for undermining lessons gained from harsh
training.” He was “criticized for crafting these replicas, but it is well known they
have saved the life of many a traveler.” It’s also said that he may have “made
a hefty profit selling these replicas”. Once again, though, this showed the various
“squabbles” Carhillion referred to.
The other notable figure from Melfia was Olenford, who was “revered as the father of sorcery
in Melfia”, but left Melfia to venture into the Undead Crypt in Drangleic.
Felkin the Outcast too left his Sourthern homeland of Melfia for Drangleic.
“I w-went…I went…I went to a great school… in the south.
“But neither sorcery nor pyromancy appealed. I-I learned nothing… nothing at all.”
Perhaps, like Felkin, Olenford was drawn to the dark.
- Alright guys, that wraps up this part of my
Dark Souls 2 Location Guide. In the next part, we’ll focus on Forossa, Volgen, Lanafir,
and the desert land of Jugo. Let me know what you guys think, and I’ll see you next time!
Peace.