Dark Sun Gwyndolin

Dark Sun Gwyndolin (Japanese: 陰の太陽グウィンドリン, Hepburn: In no Taiyō Guu~indorin, lit. 'Gwyndolin, the Sun in the Dark') is the leader of the Blades of the Darkmoon and an optional boss in Dark Souls.
He is voiced by Harry Lister Smith, who also voiced Prince Lothric in Dark Souls III.

Location

Dark Sun Gwyndolin guards the honorary tomb of Gwyn, Lord of Sunlight in Anor Londo. The tomb can be found by using the spiraling staircase on the rotating bridge while the bridge is in its lowest position and descending to the second accessible bonfire. If the player wears the Darkmoon Seance Ring in this location, Gwyn's statue will vanish and Gwyndolin's fog door will be revealed. The player can then either pledge allegiance to him and his Blades of the Darkmoon or dare to trespass the fog door behind which he dwells, thus commencing the boss battle.

If the player does not yet have the Darkmoon Seance Ring, they can kill Gwynevere instead, which at that moment will be revealed to be just an illusion set up by Gwyndolin himself. The entrance to Gwyndolin's boss room will be accessible at the same aforementioned location.

Plot

Gwyndolin initiates players into the Blade of the Darkmoon covenant. He accepts Souvenirs of Reprisal in exchange for increasing the player's rank in the covenant.

Lore

Dark Souls

Gwyndolin is the lastborn child of Gwyn, Lord of Sunlight^[1][2] and one of the deities who resided in Anor Londo during the Age of Fire^[3], although his legitimacy as such only came from being a child of his father^[2]. He was worshiped as the "God of the Darkmoon" and held the tile of "God the Dark Sun"^[1][4].

Despite being the son of Gwyn, Gwyndolin was born with a strong moon power^[5][6][2] and a weak and repulsive appearance"^[7], particularly due to the snakes coiled around his lower half^[8]. Because of his dark moon power and his strong affinity for moon magic, as well as his lineage, Gwyndolin was raised as a female so that he could not officially become the king's heir^[6][9][4]. While still young, Gwyn made him to wear women's clothing and gave him a magic ring which would allow Gwyndolin to move and act in a feminine way, leading him to behave like a dark and fleeting goddess^[6][9].

Despite his severe upbringing, and having integrated into his identity the way other deities saw him as fragile and repulsive^[7], Gwyndolin would grow up with a deep admiration for his father and an aspiration to become like him, wearing a crown with the design of the sun that was imbued with his dark moon magic^[10]. He accepted his place and role to the point of supporting his father's will even after his death and he took part in the workings of his kingdom^[11]. Although he was a deity of Anor Londo, Gwyndolin still grew into a powerful sorcerer^[2][12], using a golden bow, infused with strong magic and employing arrows of moonlight^[5], and even a catalyst for sorcery that employed faith and not intelligence of the user^[2]. At some point Gwyndolin also became a figure of particular importance in Oolacile, where the deity was depicted in multiple statues displayed throughout the city^[13][14]. He was represented with his moonlight robes and the catalyst of the country^[15], implying that he had studied Oolacile sorcery and learned to use their catalysts. At some point, an immense arena was erected in Oolacile in which a ritual combat called the "Battle of Stoicism" took place. The victorious warriors were welcomed to Anor Londo^[16]. Curiously, the structure where the fighting took place was covered in those same Gwyndolin statues.^[17][18]

After his father Gwyn linked the First Flame^[19], his throne passed to his firstborn son who, however, chose to "ally" with the dragons, the ancient enemies of the gods, and was therefore dethroned, exiled and his name eradicated from history^[20]. Following these events, his sister Gwynevere, Princess of Sunlight would abandon Anor Londo together with nearly all of the other deities^[3] leaving Gwyndolin as the last remaining deity in the city^[1]. Despite being the last son of the royal family of the gods, Gwyndolin was aware of his fragile and repulsive appearance and was therefore psychologically unfit to become the next ruler, still playing the feminine role imposed on him by his father Gwyn^[11][9], even leaving Lloyd to take advantage of the situation and proclaiming himself king of the gods, thanks to the fact that he was Gwyn's uncle, and become the main god of the Way of White ^[21].

He would instead create an illusion of his sister Gwynevere, to govern through her cherished figure and covering for her escape^[7][22], taking upon himself to lead what remained of his father's kingdom and Silver Knights^[22] through this illusion but he didn't attempt to claim the throne for himself. Gwyndolin would also collaborate with Kingseeker Frampt to maintain the system and religion created by his father to keep the First Flame and the Age of Fire alive, using the illusion of his sister Gwynevere as a key component in the system that sough a worthy champion to link the Flame again to guide and manipule potential Chosen Undead giving those who passed the challenges of Sen's Fortress and defeated Dragon Slayer Ornstein and Executioner Smough the Lordvessel needed to access the Kiln of the First Flame, while also maintaining some semblance of divinity and control over the ancient city^[23].

Gwyndolin, however, did not remain passive and instead founded the Blade of the Darkmoon covenant, welcoming knights into his service^[1]. Those adherent to the darkmoon deity were few but their task were of vital importance^[1] as these knights had the duty of hunting and punishing those who committed sins against the gods to inspire fear and respect for them between the humans^[24] and for this they were granted the Blue Eye Orbs so that they could invade the time and place of the sinner and mete out the vengeance of the gods^[25]. For this eternal mandate, Gwyndolin would collaborate with Velka, Goddess of Sin, who determined the sin and marked the sinners on her Book of the Guilty so that one day they would face the wrath of the blades of the darkmoon^[26]. Gwyndolin's followers would cut off an ear from the corpse of the sinners they vanquished, bringing them to their god as proof of their task accomplished^[24], receiving Gwyndolin's ring and talisman in return, and even learning of his miracle, creating a sword with the rays of the darkmoon to manifest the vengance of their god^[27].

Gwyndolin thus continued to remain hidden in his father's empty mausoleum, administering Anor Londo and continuing to carry out his father's will to continue the Age of Fire, punishing sinners and leading the Undead without even revealing himself openly^[28].

Dark Souls II

Although one day a Chosen Undead managed to link the First Flame, ensuring that the Age of Fire and the rule of the gods continued, at some point remnants of the late inhabitants of Anor Londo would leave Lordran and move to Drangleic, founding the civilization of Heide^[29]. In fact, Heide's Knights still possessed the Cracked Blue Eye Orbs^[30], the worn remains of the Blue Eye Orbs that were granted to the Blades of the Darkmoom that served Gwyndolin to mete out the vengeance of the gods at the times of Anor Londo^[31], thus implying that the original founders of Heide were once servants of Gwyndolin and part of his covenant.

In Heide would also have originated the Way of Blue^[32], which was not a developed religion but a humble prayer that spread naturally among those seeking help^[33], but which eventually grew to the point that a huge Cathedral of Blue was built in the heart of the city. In a similar way to the role played by the Blades of the Darkmoon, the Blue Sentinels would be formed, a group of knights tasked with defending the apostles of Blue from evil spirits^[34] by traveling between space and time thanks to the Cracked Blue Eye Orbs^[35]. Although this order continued to follow the ideals of their ancestors and protect the apostles of the Way of Blue even after the fall of Heide^[36], knowledge of Anor Londo's deities and even their names was lost and their faith evolved towards seeking a higher plane through good deeds^[37].

Dark Souls III

At a certain point Gwyndolin would decide to leave Gwyn's mausoleum, together with even the ring that made him take on feminine features, symbolizing a decisive change of mentality and the will to take action^[38]. Having regained his identity as Gwyn's son and therefore his legitimate heir, Gwyndolin would thus declare himself "Main God" as his right, taking the title away from the impostor that was Lloyd^[39]. Now at the command of the gods, Gwyndolin decided to restore prosperity to what remained of his kingdom, tracing the descendants of the gods thanks to their peculiar features and returning them to their ancestral home^[40]. In fact, Irithyll of the Boreal Valley was built on the ruins of Anor Londo^[41]: a new society made up of noble descendants of the gods that worshipped the moon^[42].

Gwyndolin would in fact become the main figure of authority and worship in the new Anor Londo^[43] and a large cathedral would thus be built to venerate the new king of the gods in the center of the city, with statues depicting him with his serpentine features and face covered^[44][45] and with the rose window depicting the symbol of his crown^[46]. Yet despite his important role, Gwyndolin would remain humble, preferring to live in a manor among the other similar homes in Irithyll^[47][48]. The building would be protected by the remaining Silver Knights who had served him for ages and the god would have accumulated in his home several artifacts from the history of Lordran and Drangleic^[49] and preserved paintings that told their story^[50]. Gwyndolin would also have created a cold climate around the region^[51], ensuring that the moon always shone above Irithyll^[52], thanks to a magic so powerful that it even infused the blue moon bugs native to the Boreal valley^[53] and leading to the evolution of local vegetation^[54].

During all this time Gwyndolin continued to manage his covenant of the Blades of the Darkmoon which continued to exist from the age of the ancient royal gods of Anor Londo^[55]. The followers of this order would have been raised as elite knights who acted shrouded in shadow^[56] and continued to protect the interests of the gods and hunt down their foes^[57]. These knights were therefore no longer just Undead who followed the divinity of the moon but a real order with a specific structure, formation and training, in fact adopting a standard armor treated with silver with a feminine silhouette similar to that of Gwyndolin and capable of offering protection from magic and darkness^[58] while their talismans scaled with intelligence and were compatible with Dark, as they were educated in this arts as an initial warning of the enemies that would have to face and the power they would have to fear^[59]. Gwyndolin's followers would continue the tradition of cutting off an ear from the corps of the sinners they vanquished, bringing them to their god as proof of their task accomplished^[60], receiving Gwyndolin's ring and learning of his miracle ^[61].

At some point Gwyndolin and his Darkmoon Knights would come into contact with the faith of the Way of Blue that had originated in Drangleic^[62] and was now rooted in Lothric in particular^[63]. Having recognized their common origin^[64], an accord would have been formed: the Way of Blue would have recognized Gwyndolin as their ancient divinity, exposing the symbol of the moon as representative of their covenant^[65][66][67] and in exchange the Darkmoon Knights would have protected the members threatened by dark spirits^[68]. However, the Way of Blue was already tied to an agreement with the Blue Sentinels, the original Darkmoon Knights^[69], from the time of Drangleic in which they were in charge of their protection. Much later^[70][71][72], Gwyndolin and his Darkmoon Knights would thus form a second, separate accord with the Blue Sentinels^[73]. They would have remained an independent organization but strongly linked to that of the Blades of the Darkmoon to the point of being almost identical. The Blue Sentinels would continue to perform the same task as the Blades of the Darkmoon and protect the members of the Way of Blue^[74] but they would also gain the same symbol as the Darkmoon Knights, i.e. the sword and the moon^[75][76][77], and the same tradition of cutting off an ear from the corps of the sinners^[78][79] they vanquished and even received the same rewards as the knights serving Gwyndolin^[80], thus implying how their organization was kept separate only to allow the god to have a wider margin of action and more soldiers.

One day even his sister Gwynevere returned to her ancient home^[81][82]. In fact, in Irithyll the goddess was venerated with multiple statues displayed throughout the city^[83] and became the mother of several heavenly children such as Rosaria, Mother of Rebirth^[84] and the Dancer of the Boreal Valley^[85]. The goddess would return to her location in the old cathedral of Anor Londo^[86], protected by the remaining Silver Knights who had once protected her illusion^[87][88]. At some point, Gwyndolin would welcome a young crossbreed girl without a name and knowledge of the world^[89] inside Irithyll, recognizing her as his sister from the same mother^[90] and forming a relationship of strong affection with her, as the god would give her a sacred chime and even the name of "Yorshka"^[91]. Eventually even a church was built in her name inside Irithyll, exactly where the Painted World of Ariamis was once kept^[92], in which she was venerated as a goddess by the humans who worked in the city^[93]. At some point Gwyndolin would also take an interest in the affairs of the Ringed City, potentially building the cathedral in which his sister Filianore rests asleep, as the structure's gates are decorated with representations of the new king of the gods^[94], and imposing by decree that none disturb her sleep^[95], leaving an order of Judicator Giants led by Judicator Argo to watch over her sister's slumber.

One day Sulyvahn, a young sorcerer, would also arrive in Irithyll from the Painted World^[96] and would be welcomed among the inhabitants despite not being a descendant of the gods, earning Gwyndolin's favor thanks to a crude replica of his magical catalyst presented to his Darkmoon Knights^[97][98], demonstrating however the young man's talent. Eventually Sulyvahn would find the Profaned Capital deep within the region and the Profaned Flame contained therein^[99], an unfading flame that would become the fuel and instrument of his ambitions^[99]. Armed with this new power, the young sorcerer would thus climb the ranks of Irithyll's clergy, corrupting the holy knights with the everlasting flame^[100] and transforming the knights into his spies and assassins^[101], effectively enforcing his way through their highest ranks.

At some point Gwyndolin would be "stricken by illness" and forced to retreat to the old cathedral of Anor Londo^[102], entrusting his sister Yorshka with command of the covenant of the Blades of the Darkmoon and the leading of its knights against the enemies of the gods and to watch over those who linked the First Flame^[102], accepting the proofs of their accomplished duty and rewarding them with the miracles of Gwyndolin, even without knowledge of their meaning^[103]. However, Sulyvahn would take advantage of the situation, declaring himself Pontiff and becoming the tyrant of Irihtyll^[102], leveraging the influence he already had among the clergy and knights of the city^[100][101]. The man would thus imprison Yorshka on the tower of her own church, isolating her from the whole world and holding her hostage^[102][104], without hearing a thing from her brother^[102]. In fact, immediately afterwards Sulyvahn would hold Gwyndolin himself hostage, locking him up in all respects in the old cathedral and using his position as pontiff, and therefore as "voice of god" to reign through his figure while also preventing unwanted foreign interventions^[105].

As the First Flame began to fade and Prince Lothric refused to link it, the Lords of Cinder of the past were exhumed from their graves to once again be used as fuel^[106]. Among them was Aldrich, once a cleric of Irithyll but transformed into an abysmal monstrosity due to his immeasurable hunger for humans that had made him "worthy" of linking the Flame^[107]. However, Aldrich had no intention of sacrificing himself again as his reflections on the state of the world had led him to understand that an Age of the Deep would soon arrive, motivating him to try to devour the gods themselves to erode their hold on the Flame and accelerate the coming of his vision^[108] Gathering an army of deacons from the Cathedral of the Deep^[109], Aldrich would thus move towards Irithyll to devour the king of the gods himself. However, he would find his way blocked by Sulyvahn and his knights, as the pontiff had no intention of relinquishing the source of his control over the city and the Way of White so easily^[110]. Despite the battle, Aldrich emerged victorious, slaughtering Sulyvahn's troops^[111] and forcing him to clear the way for the ruined cathedral of Anor Londo^[105]. Having finally reached his prey, Aldrich would have begun to slowly devour Gwyndolin, who was most likely powerless to fight back, consuming his soul^[5] and gaining access to his memories of Priscilla through his dreams^[112].

However, once an Unkindled came to Irithyll to see another Lord of Cinder in their quest they would find Aldritch still through the consumption of Gwyndolin, forcing him had to take control of the body and powers of the dying god in order to defend himself. Once the Unkindled finally slew Aldritch, Gwyndolin would be released from his gruesome fate ending the his torment and finally allowing him to die^[113].

Theories

• It is possible to theorize that Gwyndolin is the result of the union of Gwyn and Priscilla for several reasons:
  • Gwyndolin is the last child of Gwyn^[114] but Yorshka, an half-dragon, is his younger sister^[115], confirming that they share a mother. Since the two siblings both possess draconic traits their common mother should have possessed draconic traits herself for them to inherit them partially^{[116][117][118]}.
  • Gwyndolin, despite being another children of Gwyn, did not inherit the power of Sunlight like the rest of his father's lineage^[119]. Instead he inherited the magic of the moon that made him a powerful moon sorcerer^[120], a power that was unique of the white dragon Seath^[121], father of Priscilla^[122].
  • Gwyndolin's final thoughts of a "white girl", as he was devoured by Aldritch, allow the creation of a miracle that replicates the Lifehunt Scythe of Priscilla^[123], and, as miracles are tales of the gods, it would mean that Gwyndolin had a special relationship with Priscilla and remembered her before his death.
  • Gwyndolin's legitimacy as a deity came only from the fact that he was the son of King Gwyn^[124], thus implying that his mother alone would not have granted him the right to be part of the deities, as she was not one.
  • The fact that Gwyndolin was Priscilla's son, as she was hated and feared by the gods^[125], would explain why Gwyn would dress, educate and raise him to be a female^[126], as the king of the gods would never have wanted him to be able to ascend the throne with his dangerous lineage.

• It is possible to theorize that the ritual combat of the "Battle of Stoicism" was created in Oolacile by Gwyndolin as a prototype of the more complicated Firelinking system that would later include the Bells of Awakening and Sen's Fortress. In fact, the victorious warriors were welcomed to Anor Londo, presumably to be tested again before obtaining the Lordvessel^{[127][128][129]}. It is good to remember that Gwyn had entrusted her sons to continue the path of Firelink and guide the humans to maintain the Age of Fire^[130].

• It is possible to theorize that, although Gwyn's Firstborn had been disinherited, stripped of his deific stature and eradicated from history^[131], Gwyndolin, as the new king of the gods, tried to get closer to his brother by recalling him to the new city created for the descendants of the gods. In fact, an altar without a statue in the center of the city of Irithyll contains the Ring of the Sun's First Born^[132] that he himself had left in front of his father's Mausoleum when he left Anor Londo^[133], implying that Gwyndolin had prepared a place to welcome his older brother back into the pantheon of gods and allow again his worship if he ever returned.

Artifacts

• Soul of Gwyndolin
• Reversal Ring
• Moonlight Set
• Crown of the Dark Sun
• Tin Darkmoon Catalyst
• Darkmoon Bow
• Darkmoon Longbow
• Moonlight Arrow
• Darkmoon Seance Ring
• Darkmoon Blade Covenant Ring
• Darkmoon Talisman
• Sunless Talisman
• Darkmoon Blade
• Darkmoon Blade (Dark Souls III)
• Lifehunt Scythe (Dark Souls III)

Strategies

Gwyndolin's boss battle takes place in a seemingly never-ending corridor.

He is not a very difficult boss if the player has decent dodging skills. Of his three attacks, two can be avoided by hiding behind pillars, while the last one is more powerful and fast (he will tend to use the Sphere Shot after Orb Spread if the player is hiding behind pillars). The main issue in this fight is reaching him, as he will teleport away when the player approaches (equipping the Ring of Fog may increase the time available to attack before he teleports), meaning that the best time to run up to him is when he is just finishing off his Arrow Spread, as he takes a few moments to recover. Gwyndolin can still be damaged while he is in his teleporting animation and for a split second after actually moving, so it is possible to deal considerable damage at that moment.

Both the Orb and Arrow Spread attacks are avoidable by hiding behind one of the pillars on either side of the corridor. The Sphere Shot, on the other hand, will go through walls, inflicting full damage if not blocked or avoided. The Orb Spread and Sphere Shot are Magic-based, though, so a shield that can block 100% physical damage and has good Magic resistance, like the Crest Shield, is recommended for this fight.

While devastating, both the Sphere Shot and Arrow Spread attacks have no tracking whatsoever and are easily avoided simply by running diagonally. If a player does not want to risk it too much, a good strategy to catch up to him is by moving from pillar to pillar until they are about two pillars away from Gwyndolin and then wait until he shoots his Arrow Spread. This attack can consist of two-to-four arrow barrages. Wait until he finishes the second one and go for him, if he shoots any subsequent arrows, dodge them by running diagonally.

Alternatively, once Gwyndolin teleports the first time upon entering the tomb, it is possible to move closer to him to a point just outside his aggro range; then, by equipping the Hawk Ring and using the Dragonslayer Greatbow, the player can easily defeat him from range without him retaliating.

Boss information

Attacks

Arrow Spread

				Attack Type	Parryable	Tracking	Speed
266[note 1]	0	0	0	Thrust	No	Both	Fast

Gwyndolin will slightly raise up and shoot multiple arrows at the Player. Blockable as they do not use much stamina. Alternatively, the Player can stand behind the pillars so that the arrows hit the pillar instead. From New Game+++, if all the arrows hit a non-blocking player, death is certain.

Orb Spread

				Attack Type	Parryable	Tracking	Speed
0	405[note 2]	0	0	Magic	No	Both	Slow

Gwyndolin will charge up his catalyst and shoot a cluster of homing blue orbs at the Player. Deals heavy damage if they connect. Recommended action is to hide behind the pillars as the orbs cannot go through them, or roll under it.

Sphere Shot

				Attack Type	Parryable	Tracking	Speed
0	459	0	0	Magic	No	Both	Fast

Gwyndolin will charge up his catalyst and shoot out a huge magic sphere which travels at great speed. Possible to dodge by rolling to the sides or directly under it or blocking with a good magic shield. The sphere can pass through the pillars, so hiding behind them is not recommended.

Defenses

Physical Defenses				Elemental Defenses			Resistances
???	???	???	???	???	???	???	???	???	???

These stats are sourced from FuturePress's Official Dark Souls Strategy Guide.

Drops

Item	Soul of Gwyndolin
Drop Rate	Guaranteed

Dialogue

Notes

• Gwyndolin's corridor is not infinite and has a certain length. If he is forced to the end of the corridor, he won't be able to teleport anymore and will be at the player's mercy. He will attack relentlessly, trying to defend himself, but as his attacks are mostly designed for long range battle, just circling him will make most of them miss.
• Defeating Gwyndolin grants Domhnall the ability to sell the Moonlight Set; most notably his helmet, which increases the power of all magic.
• The Darkmoon Knightess will become hostile if Gwyndolin has been challenged, regardless of whether he was defeated or not.
  • Likewise, if Gwynevere was slain, the Darkmoon Knightess will become hostile as well, as such an act will be considered an offense against Gwyndolin.

Trivia

• Gwyndolin's title uses the kanji "陰の太陽" that can be literally translated as "Sun in the Dark", "Sun in the Shadow" or "Hidden Sun".
• Dark Sun Gwyndolin's boss fight has the same soundtrack as the Moonlight Butterfly.
• Gwyndolin has breasts visible on his cloak, however, in Aldrich's boss fight, Gwyndolin's bare upper chest is visible, and lack breasts.
• If Gwyndolin is fought before defeating Ornstein and Smough, Knight Solaire can be summoned from his usual spot. While he will not enter the arena to aid the player in the battle, a Sunlight Medal can be acquired at the end of the fight.
• If the player uses the Darkmoon Seance Ring to enter Gwyndolin's chamber and kills him without destroying the illusion of Gwynevere, both Gwynevere and the illusion of sunlight in Anor Londo will persist after his death.
• Cut content from Dark Souls III reveals that it was possible to obtain a consumed finger of Gwyndolin, presumably after defeating Aldrich, and give it to Yorshka for her to keep as a memento.

Achievements/Trophies

Gallery

Gywndolin close up

Death

Casting teleportation

Concept art

Concept art 2

Gwyndolin's room

Scan from the official art book.

Gwyndolin being controlled by Alrich.

Face comparison without crown.

Gwyndolin symbol on the carpet in front of the Darkmoon Tomb.

A statue of Gwyndolin in the main cathedral of Irithyll.

A statue of Gwyndolin in the main cathedral of the Ringed City.

3D Model

Videos

Gwyndolin Intro

The boss intro for Dark Sun Gwyndolin

Dark Sun Gwyndolin - Dark Souls Boss Fight

Music

Footnotes

References