Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-10324940-20130602034026/@comment-1852943-20130614183010

1. It's likely that the opinion of undead varies in each realm, and may have evolved since their first appearance. Lloyd's Talisman description reads, " In the outside world, the Undead are accursed creatures, and Lloyd's cleric knights are widely praised for their Undead hunts. " However, Paladin Armor description reads, " Long ago, the Way of the White produced its first Undead, a paladin in golden armor. With the legendary treasures Grant and Sanctus, Leeroy set out for Lordran, Land of the Gods, in the first Undead mission of the Way of White, " and Rhea is referred to as "Your Highness," and "the youngest daughter of the good house of Thorolund." There has been some discussion in this thread. As far as how one is revealed to be undead, I agree most probably rise from their deathbeds or simply do not die after sustaining mortal wounds. I'm reminded of a scene from Highlander when Connor McCleoud is scorned and cast out from his village. It is apparently possible to choose to become undead, as at one point Solaire of Astora says, "I became Undead to pursue this!"

2. It stands to reason the majority of the human realm does not become undead. If that were the case, and the undead outnumbered regular humans, it would be highly unlikely for the undead to remain persecuted to the extent implied. Most of the characters encountered in the game are undead, because most of the game takes place in the Land of the Ancient Lords, Lordran, as opposed to Astora or Catarina etc. From lore and dialogue, the undead come to Lordran on some sort of pilgrimage or other. For example, the Crestfallen Warrior is familiar with the Undead Prophesy and the Bells of Awakening, and he states "Fate of the Undead, right? Well, you're not the first." Additionally, both Paladin Leeroy and Rhea of Thorolund were sent on pilgrimage by the Way of White to find the Rite of Kindling.

3. The near-total lack of mortal humans in Lordran is evidence enough that travel betwen to and from the other realms is rare. It's human nature to expand, conquer, and settle to all corners of the world, so I doubt very much that mortal men travel to Lordran and return to speak of it. Sieglinde of Catarina must be a resourceful individual to have made the journey and expect to return home. And yes, I agree she is surely still alive. Or was, until I killed her. :)

4. Again, I have to agree it's Humanity that prevents undead from going hollow, and that Souls also play an important role. The Alluring Skull description reads, " Souls are a concentration of life, and the life-starved Hollows are lured by its power. " The theory that souls offer a temporary respite to the nature of hollow is the best I've heard about this mechanic.

5. Looking back to the Lloyd's Talisman description, we know that Allfather Lloyd sends his cleric knights to hunt undead, and that association with the church lends credence to the idea that Thorolund may approve, or encourage, these types of hunts, although I haven't seen any evidence which directly connects Lloyd with Thorolund. Afterall, if there are multiple nations there may be multiple churchs and orders of clerics. Following that line of thinking, the Way of White may support undead while Lloyd's clerics persecute them. If that were the case, then Lloyd's cleric knights would be the ones who corral the undead in the north and lock them away, while the Way of White sends them hope such as in the form of Oscar, Knight of Astora.

The demons roaming the Northern Undead Asylum are a little harder to explain, and so is the Black Knight who moves into your vacant cell, but I'll try. The demons are obviously guards, and if Lloyd's cleric knights are trying to prevent the Undead Prophesy from coming to fruition, it's not a far leap to conclude they subdued a couple of demons. How to make them obey is beyond my knowledge, although they closely resemble the Demon Firesage who at one point was a student of Izalith's fire sorcery, so it's possible that breed of demon is willing to cooperate with the humans, or at least the Lords. The Black Knight hanging out in your vacant cell seems too much of a coincidence, and I speculate he is there to track you down and kill you before you can kill Gwyn and the other Lords.