Unraveling the Mystery of a Name: What is the Canon Protagonist Name in Dark Souls?
As a passionate gamer and Dark Souls expert, one of the most common questions I see debated among fans is: what is the actual canon name of the player character across the Dark Souls series?
It‘s an interesting mystery, as FromSoftware has never definitively stated the true name within the game lore and narratives. While some claim fame as "The Chosen Undead", others bear titles like The Bearer of the Curse or The Ashen One.
So today, I want to analyze this topic in depth for you. We‘ll explore fan theories, evolving identities, and why having no firm protagonist name allows amazing player projection and fuels exciting speculation within the community.
Let‘s discover the (maybe!) truth together skelebros!
No Definitive Canon Name, But A Standard Exists
While there are many cool fan-generated names like Frank Deadlinger, I have found no hard evidence that these are considered official canon by FromSoftware or most fans.
Instead, the standard reference used for the Dark Souls protagonist is "The Chosen Undead."
As the hero destined to escape the Undead Asylum and link the First Flame to extend the Age of Fire, this descriptively encapsulates their canonical role and destiny.
So while it may lack a personalized name, The Chosen Undead serves as the de facto canon name used universally across the Dark Souls community.
Destiny & Lore of The Chosen Undead
Having established The Chosen Undead as standard name, it begs deeper exploration: who exactly IS our cursed protagonist?
We first meet them wasting away in a decrepit cell, our very humanity and sanity slipping away. This bleak starting point mirrors the depressing state of the Dark Souls world.
Lord Gwyn‘s linking of the First Flame eons ago ushered prosperity at a price – the inevitability that one day, the fire will fade. Becoming "undead" and losing one‘s humanity is now a shared fate across the land.
It is into this desperate backdrop The Chosen Undead emerges, guided by prophecy to face the given trial and re-link the First Flame. While success promises renewed prosperity, it only forestalls an Age of Darkness.
This cyclical quest forms the core of our story.
Alternate Names – Fan Theories & Speculation
Believe it or not, dedicated fans have crafted various names and backstories to explain our cursed hero!
Popular examples include:
- Frank Deadlinger – A knight of elite Astora heritage
- Klein Hendrick – A forgotten child of Gwyn
- Cross the Cleric – An exiled heretic
These make for fun speculation, but with no support from Director Hidetaka Miyazaki or official game lore, are not considered canon names.
Still, it‘s fun to imagine possible identities! One theory suggests The Chosen Undead is but one incarnation across looping timelines. Perhaps ALL these names were true at some point!
The Evolution of Identity Across the Series
| Game | Player Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Dark Souls | The Chosen Undead | Destiny is to link the fire |
| Dark Souls 2 | Bearer of the Curse | Seeking a cure to undeath |
| Dark Souls 3 | The Ashen One | Failed lord resurrected to link fire |
Another interesting wrinkle is how our protagonist takes on subtly different titles and backstories across the Dark Souls trilogy.
For example, in Dark Souls 2 they become The Bearer of the Curse – an afflicted traveler journeying towards a mythical cure for undeath itself.
Then in 3, they transform into The Ashen One – an unkindled failed lord revived to re-link the First Flame once again.
This evolving identity and backstory help keep each game surprising and fresh. The core destiny however remains linking the First Flame and forestalling an Age of Dark.
Player Projection & Lore Speculation
Unlike narrowly defined gaming heroes like Mario or Master Chief, The seemingly nameless Chosen Undead becomes a vessel for player projection and speculation.
With no clear canon details, we develop our own ideas about who this hero was before destiny called. Were they a courageous knight like Solaire? Or a ruthless rogue hunting the dark?
FromSoftware intentionally invokes this intrigue and mystery around the player character lore – it heightens immersion and emotional attachment when we control a "blank slate".
It also perfectly suits Dark Souls gloomy mood and cryptic storytelling style. This restrained canonical focus on destiny over details fuels excitement and debates.
So while we may never know a true name, our shared unknown fate as The Chosen Undead binds us skelebros through the twisting paths of Lordran!
In Conclusion: The Chosen Undead Shall Suffice!
Despite intense speculation across wiki forums and subreddits every year, there remains no definitive canon protagonist name acknowledged widely by FromSoftware or the player community.
"The Chosen Undead" serves reliably as our standard given title and descriptor for the player character of Dark Souls across the entire trilogy.
While fan-made names create fun theories, without explicit Director Hidetaka Miyazaki support they remain non-canon possibilities.
And perhaps that ambiguity is for the best – allowing stronger player immersion and projection while shrouded in cryptic lore. Our shared fate shall force The Chosen Undead to rise beyond solitary names and embrace the roaring flame once more!
What do you think about the evolving identity and unnamed fate binding our Dark Souls journey together skelebros? Let‘s uncover more secrets and welcome the next era FromSoftware ushers in!
