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Fire Keepers; Maidens of the Flame

Warning: This post contains spoilers for the entire Dark Souls series!

Throughout the Dark Souls series, Fire Keepers are the proprietors of specific undead's journeys. However, they are complex in character and serve an important part of the lore of Dark Souls' world.

What are Fire Keepers?

In Dark Souls, Fire Keepers are women that do their namesake as they tend to Bonfires around the world. Their soul's presence keeps them alive. However, it seems not every Bonfire needs a Fire Keeper and can be kindled by themselves but it seems every Fire Keeper is bound to a Bonfire at least in the times of DS1 as in later entries, this idea seems to have been abandoned or it has been changed in the world.

Fire Keepers have unique souls and usually, they all have disabilities of some kind. Their souls comprise of infinite humanity that continuously gnaw at the original soul. These aspects also give these women the ability to strengthen Estus. (Source: Fire Keeper Souls (DS1) )

Their entire purpose is unknown besides tend to flames and herald champions. The reason they tend to flame is not clear as the flame that keeps the world is not controlled them, but rather by Gwyn in the first game and the Soul of Cinder in the third. Bonfires as well, do not seem to be a majorly important thing, as the only time a character vocalizes them or even recognizes them is Sister Friede in DS3. Therefore, why there needs to be Fire Keepers is not clear, they simply seem to be aesthetics at least in the first game.

Fire Keepers by game:

Dark Souls I

Anastacia of Astora:

Anastacia is the first Fire Keeper we see in the series, being a mute woman from Astora who has come to Lordran for an unknown reason. She is kept in a prison in Firelink Shrine additionally for an unknown reason. Her tongue was stolen presumably as punishment and her lone purpose is to reinforce Estus for the Chosen Undead.

At one point, Lautrec will kill her and take her soul to Anor Londo. Ultimately, he will fail and once given back to Anastacia, she will revive and her tongue will be restored for an unknown reason. However, she refers to her tongue as impure and presumably her ability of speech in general but it's unknown why.

Quelaag's Sister(Fair Lady)

The Fair Lady is one of the Witch of Izalith's children and the sister of Quelaag. She is implied to be incredibly sick presumably due to the lack of humanity in her soul. As when giving her enough humanity, she moves more naturally.

She seems to be incredibly close to her sister. A possible plot unexplained is that the Fair Lady and Quelaag implanted humanity inside of eggs of either sister so that they could hatch. This didn't really lead anywhere though as stated by the Fair Lady herself.

Darkmoon Knightess

The Knightess is a golden armored woman in Anor Londo. She serves as the gatekeeper for the Bonfire in the beginning of the city. She's a devout follower of Gwyn and his religion and keeping the illusion of the city.

She is a unique person in the entire world as she is said to be composted of an incredible amount of humanity that swarms her form. The armor is to help hide this grotesque form.

Dark Souls II

Kind Old Dears

These old women are the only Fire Keepers in Dark Souls II*

They are three old ladies wearing red robes, they seem to be wise but due to their feeble form and age. They are resorted to sitting in a cottage within a limbo with their servant, Milibeth. There is talk of there being a fourth dear who does exist presumably in the future as she is the one that tasks the undead to save Drangleic.

It is told by Milibeth that Fire Keepers used to be more common but now that the fire has started to fade, they rarely exist.

** The Emerald Herald is not a Fire Keeper. She just is able to level up the character. **

Dark Souls III

Fire Keeper

The main Fire Keeper of the game. She is one of many Fire Keepers that have existed in the current shrine. It's proven by the tower beside the shrine itself the fire has been relight many, many times.

By the time of Dark Souls III, the sole purpose of a Fire Keeper has become a maiden companion for a champion that will keep the flame alight. Each Fire Keeper is eyeless, donning a mask swirled in darkness that will show the world without fire. DS3 Fire Keepers are able to heal darkness and in turn, hollowing.

Additionally, the tale of a Fire Keeper and her Champion are such a told tale it's become a favored tale to the masses. (Source: Estus Ring)

Final Thoughts

Fire Keepers are an ever changing aspect of Dark Souls. As at first they seem to be simple keepers of bonfires and have become a world important maiden that must aid their champion.

I believe it's a quite interesting aspect of the universe and a quite good way of showing how things naturally evolve overtime.

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If you read, thanks and I hope you keep up with my upcoming posts!

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