Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-1852943-20130424155230/@comment-1852943-20130712125757

Based on the following pieces of in-game content, I can see a link between Pinwheel, the Rite of Kindling, and advanced necromancy. The Darksign reads, "Those branded with it are reborn after death ... Death triggers the Darksign, which returns its bearer to the last bonfire rested at ... " The Rite of Kindling reads, " This secret rite allows bonfires to be bolstered further with Kindling ... " Petrus's dialogue states, "Kindling is the art of feeding bonfires with humanity. Through Kindling, we shall one day be granted magnificent powers ..." And finally, the three masks which read, "Pinwheel, the necromancer who stole the power of the Gravelord and reigns over the Catacombs ..."

So, the in-game content tells us Pinwheel stole power from Nito, Pinwheel possessed the ability to bolster bonfires by feeding them humanity, and the bonfires are involved in the process of reanimating the dead. Sure, there is no bonfire in Pinwheel's boss arena, but considering he reigns over the Catacombs, he has access to two bonfires within his domain, and his Pinwheel Servants have spread deep into the TotG so he essentially has access to two more bonfires in that area. It's only logical that a scholar and necromancer might have the common sense to keep large fires away from their libraries and laboratories.

Still, this information sheds no light on poor Pinwheel's past, but I agree that Vaatividya's theory sounds as good as any, and better than some I've heard.