Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-108.12.16.39-20150102093043

In Dark Souls 1 there is a lot of item descriptions talking about the failed Occult rebellion. Although we're never told what happened, we do know that there was a failed rebellion against the gods. We can also assume that pygmys (humans) made up a majority of the rebel forces.

I'm probably going into fanmade lore terittory but I believe all the locations in the game have specific roles in Lordrans past, specifically the Depths for this theory. What purpose does the Depths offer? Is it a sewer system? Is it some sort of underground city? I'd like to believe that the Depths was the headquarters for the Occult rebels. Why would this be there headquarters? Think about it, it provides a place where the eyes of the gods, even Nito, can't reach. A bit of a stretch but the Occult may have also choosen this location because they have  been harboring the Gaping Dragon to eventually use against Anor Londo, Izalith, or the Tomb of the Giants (probably Izalith since it's closest).

Take this into consideration before harsh criticizm. In Dark Souls 2 Shulva was built around a dragon, Sinh, so why couldn't the Occult build their lair around a dragon too?

Why would there be an Occult rebellion? Greed, power, revolution? I think that since humans are closer to the dark then gods they could tell where the world would end up if the gods stayed in power when the age of fire ends. This rebellion was ment to save to world from the gods themselves. However this doesn't mean their were some doing this for their own goals. As we all know, everyone failed in the end.

Who were some of the members? It's never said but I think we've met many of the top leaders in the game. Havel the Rock, Xanthous King Jeremiah, Oswald of Carim, Darkwraith Kirk and Pinwheel.

How are they  part of the Occult? All these people had motives to stopping the gods. Havel has an eternal hatred towards Seath, Jeremiah is a king that wants more, Oswald wants to do his master bidding (Velka), Kirk is a darkwraith, a member of Karths covenant that is part of the abyss and Pinwheel wants knowledge, or perhaps his family.

Havels role in the rebellion is pretty obvious but I'll say it anyway. He wants Seath dead for what ever reason. I assume someone important was taken from him and turned into a priscilla, or he doesn't trust him due to Seaths role in the war.

"A mysterious item(s) once worn by the Xanthous King Jeremiah, the legendary exile." All Xanthous armor

The key thing to take away is "the legendary exile". I believe his role in the rebellion turned him into an exile, whether it was because he lost the rebellion or because he was part of it and his citizens disproved his methods and goals. Jeremiah was probably the leader due to his high status and combat skill. (Whether he was better then Havel, I'll leave that argument to you guys). He probably lead troops into battle to try and take Sen's Fortress before attempting to attack Anor Londo. Jeremiahs notched wipe, which is perfect for non-armored enemies and combined with his pyromancy this would make short work of the snake soliders (I also believe their may be a connection between Sen's Fortress and Seath but that's for another day). Along with Havel they would've taken the Iron Golem down easy. Now the Occult is in Anor Londo, Havel would take his men to the Duke's Archive to confront Seath while Jeremiah and Kirk would attempt to kill the gods.

"Two-handed thrust relies on cross and buries spear deep within a dragon's hide, and sends human foes flying." Dragonslayer Spear

Dragonslayer Ornstein was one of Gwyn's four knights and as the name implies, Ornstein was famous for killing dragons. I believe the "sends human foes flying" part was added to his reputation during the Occult rebellion. Their's no way of knowing but Ornstein may have fought against Jeremiah and tore his clothing that's in the armor set description. The notched whip would provid no support in the fight, so pyromancy would be Jeremiahs best and only way to fight. Ultimately Jeremiah loses and is forced into exile in the Painted World of Ariamous, which coincidently enough is in Anor Londo.

Kirk probably wasn't a leader or commander in the rebel alliance, but instead was more of a mercenary type of support. At this point in time the Chaos from the Witch of Izalith isn't running wild, so Kirk hasn't met the Fair Lady and is still loyal to the Darkwraiths. Kirk probably figures that he could rise through the Darkwraiths, or at the very least become more powerful by absorbing the "humanity" of the gods with lifedrain (yes I know gods don't have humanity). Kirks actions might also be the reason why Gwyndolin started the Blades of the Darkmoon convenant, to hunt do Kirk and other Darkwraiths. Kirk assaulted a god/goddess and caused an uproar in Anor Londo. Artorios or Ciarin probably confronted him and put him on the brink of death. Somehow he escaped (probably through a homeward bone to Sen's Fortress or the bonfire above the blacksmith if he didn't appear as a red phantom) and went back to hunting down unsuspecting undead.

"Good tidings, thou art welcome. Laudable is thy dedication to sin." Greeting from Oswald if you have killed Gwyndolin

Oswald was most likely a counselor to the Occult leaders. Oswald was a follow to Velka, Goddes of Sin, and is very loyal based on his in game interactions. It has been speculated that Velka was one of, if not the only god to have issues with the others. Velka probably ordered Oswald to help the Occult prepare for their assult against the gods. I believe that Velka wants to punish the other gods for their part in sending the world into chaos after they found their lord souls.

"One of the three masks of the Pinwheel, the necromancer who stole the power of the Gravelord, and reigns over the Catacombs." Mask of the Mother, Father and Child

"In an ill-fated plot to destroy the very gods, the followers of the occult once attempted to steal the power of Gravelord Nito, the first of the dead." Effigy Shield

Pinwheel is a very mysterious boss int Dark Souls. Easily the weakest boss, he plays a very important role in the rebellion. Havel, Jeremiah and Kirk attacked the city above, while Pinwheel made his way into the Gravelord Servant covenant. Another half of the Occult army attacked the Tomb of the Giants and the Catacombs to steal Nitos power. Pinwheel may have acted as a double agent. Before the attack Pinwheel went into the Catacombs and the tombs so he'd be in a prime location to attack the Occults members when Nito was watching. This would gain the Gravelords trust and put him in the Gravelords Servant covenant. Rising through the ranks Pinwheel gained knowledge and power from Nito (This may also explain who was in the coffin next to Nitos). Somehow Pinwheel would steal the Rite of Kindling and us it for his experiments. What Pinwheel worked on when we first encounter him is up for debate. Perhaps he was trying to bring back his dead family, or make a new Occult weapon/solider, or perhaps he just wanted to learn.

Their's probably a lot more I need to add to this theory, but you guys can discuss in the comments. 