The Dark Souls 2 Iceberg Explained

Summary

The video explores a Dark Souls II iceberg: a mix of familiar lore questions, obscure theories, and traces of the game’s troubled development. The host combines iceberg charts by Mira Paladin and Gehenna Katansky, giving each theory a subjective likelihood rating. There are no step-by-step gameplay tips; gameplay examples are used to discuss lore.

Surface-Level Mysteries

• The Mannequin Mask: Its design differs between an early trailer and the released game. A rumor attributes the change to similarities with Naruto’s ANBU masks and possible copyright concerns, but the host considers it more likely that the design was changed to better fit Dark Souls II.
• Multiple Pursuers: One theory suggests the Pursuer could be the Chosen Undead, now hunting those who might link the fire. However, two Pursuers can appear in one New Game Plus encounter, suggesting that “Pursuer” may refer to a role or type rather than one individual.
• The giants’ faces and origins: Giants in Drangleic often lack faces, while one found in a memory has visible facial features. The video considers whether the giants are golems animated by giant souls or ordinary giants who hollow and eventually turn into trees. The evidence remains open to interpretation.
• Invisible hollows: These passive enemies may be hollows who have faded away over time or failed experiments by Aldia. Their concentration in the Undead Crypt—and the rare loot they drop—adds to the mystery.
• Licia as the Nameless Usurper: The video argues that Licia is likely the invading phantom. The strongest evidence is that killing Licia prevents the Nameless Usurper invasion. Licia is also portrayed as a possible con artist who steals miracles.
• The Emerald Herald’s younger self: A child voice actor is credited, prompting theories that a younger Shanalotte appears in the Dragon Aerie or that the narrator from the opening is an older version of her. Differences in her voice across locations support speculation but do not settle the question.

Deeper Theories

• The Emerald Herald as a child of Dark: One theory proposes that Shanalotte is another shard of Manus—and perhaps a hidden fifth queen—guiding the player while secretly gathering power. The video notes that the game establishes four queens, making the theory intriguing but speculative.
• The broken Lordvessel: Pieces resembling the Lordvessel lie in the Majula mansion, with a complete vessel model apparently left behind a wall. This may simply be a development oversight. The video also discusses the idea that Drangleic is a dream or afterlife, but considers a literal dream unlikely given the links between the games.
• The Old Dragonslayer and Ornstein: Their appearance and fighting style invite comparisons, but the Old Dragonslayer uses dark attacks rather than Ornstein’s lightning. The video considers both a direct identity and an imitator—possibly the missing dragonslayer Lothian—without reaching a firm conclusion.
• The fourth Fire Keeper: Suggestions include Anastacia, the Lost Sinner, the opening narrator, or the Emerald Herald. The narrator is presented as a strong possibility because of her appearance and the other Fire Keepers’ references to her, though the identity remains uncertain.
• Heide, the Iron Keep, and Anor Londo: Heide’s cathedral and dragon-slayer imagery recall Anor Londo. A separate theory links the Iron Keep to Anor Londo through its architecture, enemy sounds, and the Old King’s Soul. The video treats these as possible echoes or successors rather than proven one-to-one connections.

The Deepest Theories and Cut Story

• Giants, trees, and the Arch Trees: One theory connects the giants’ transformation into trees with the Arch Trees and the ancient cycle of life. Another proposes that Aldia used ancient dragon souls to create giants; the Ancient Dragon’s soul drop and the giants in Aldia’s Keep are cited as clues. A broader alternative is that hollowing turns many beings—not just giants—back toward tree-like forms.
• The obelisk’s message: A Portuguese version reportedly says the giants crossed the sea to return home, while other versions say the writing is unreadable. The video notes that the obelisk’s text may have been used to hint at DLC locations and that the translation may be an error.
• The original “pendulum of time” plot: Recovered test-version dialogue describes assembling a pendulum to open a path through time. The cut story also included a child Shanalotte as a companion, with the protagonist giving her a feather. Other discarded ideas connected the forest, demons, and a primordial entity to Demon’s Souls. The video suggests that major rewrites and leftover elements may help explain some of Dark Souls II’s unresolved lore.

Featured Creators and Sources

• natiscool — Video creator and narrator.
• Mira Paladin and Gehenna Katansky — Creators of the iceberg charts discussed.
• Hawkshaw — Recommended for a video on Dark Souls II’s original cut story; also referenced regarding the Iron Keep prototype.
• Sanadsk — Recommended for investigations of cut content in the Souls games.
• Illusory Wall — Cited for analysis of the obelisk’s changing text.
• Other theory contributors named in the subtitles include Waylander 893, Ashen Shroom, Renauth, Theo 1386, Actual Wasp, Holding Knight, Savepoint, Arafarion, D-Boy 9, Thralk, Pond Water, Prince Nyon, Sweet Xiaokua, Abhishe Richia, Royal Source Naylan, Dusk P, Eld Guston, Paulo XGS, and Death Scytsky.