Executioner Smough

This article is about the character. For the boss, see Dragon Slayer Ornstein and Executioner Smough.

Executioner Smough is a character and boss in Dark Souls.

Lore

Smough relished his title as executioner, so much so that he ground the bones of his victims into his feed.^[1] He desired to be a part of Gwyn's Knights, but was rejected due to his apparent gleeful love of his work as an executioner as well as his cannibalistic behavior.^[1]

Smough was one of the few living beings left who seemed present in Anor Londo, stationed there alongside Dragon Slayer Ornstein to guard Gwynevere, Princess of Sunlight.

When Ornstein left in search of the Nameless King,^[2] Smough remained guarding the ruined cathedral,^[3]^[4] and was ironically, despite his unholy position as executioner, the last knight of any kind of status to do so. How this happens in relation to the events of Dark Souls is unknown.

Trivia

In the code for the Japanese version of the game, Smough's name is displayed as '処刑者スモウ', which translates to read as 'Executioner Smō'.
Concept art of Smough's armor depicts a rather muscular man wearing it. Whether this depiction is of Smough himself, or a male Chosen Undead wearing his armor, is unknown.
- The armor is described as being able to be worn by humans "but not without great difficulty". This may imply that some aspects of the armor are adapted to Smough's body.
When worn by the player, the visor in Smough's helm is shown located at the neck of the helm, and a small wooden construction holds the upper part of the helm in place.
- Whether Smough also wears the helm like this or not is unknown.
During the boss fight, if the player defeats Ornstein first, Ornstein's hand moves briefly before Smough crushes him with his hammer, implying that he was still alive. Additionally, Smough can be heard laughing after crushing Ornstein.
After defeating Aldrich, Devourer of Gods in Dark Souls III, players gain access to Smough's Set. This correlation could imply that Aldrich might have consumed Smough, who was the protector of this very cathedral in Dark Souls,^[5] as well.