Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-108.129.75.244-20130528195600/@comment-16047389-20140326220109

The Lost Sinner is the Witch of Izalith. That's not speculation. It is confirmed in the strategy guide that she is the Witch of Izalith AND she drops, in NG+, what is called the "Old Witch Soul", which can be turned into a Pyromancy or into Chaos Blade. It is also heavily implied, not confirmed like the Witch but still heavily implied, that while the Old Iron King was in fact a previous king, he also had Gwyn's soul. Also, in NG+, he drops the Old King Soul, which can be turned into the Blinding Bolt Miracle.

Also in NG+, The Rotten will drop the Old Dead One Soul which turns into Crypt Blacksword, and Freja drops Old Paledrake Soul (which I don't even understand how that is supposed to work) which can be turned into Crystal Soul Spear.

Most of the architecture in the "older" areas of Drangleic heavily resemble structures in Lordran as well. Don't get me wrong, I believe (and PRAY) that Drangleic isn't Lordran. But there is a lot of evidence to suggest otherwise.