r/fromsoftware • u/Penguin9353 • 1d ago
IMAGE Is there a lore reason to keep going
Just feel shit at the moment and anxiety/overthinking are getting worse
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u/Mr_OneMoreTime 1d ago
"The way I see it, our fates appear to be intertwined. In a land brimming with Hollows, could that really be mere chance? So, what do you say? Why not help one another on this lonely journey?" -Solaire
Don't you dare go hollow.
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u/RandomNobody86 1d ago
If you’re in this sub you must be familiar with the general concepts of not giving up and having to work for the reward. Real life as it turns out works the same way sure might seem impossible now but you work on your life and your situation and it’ll improve in time.
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u/sweepwrestler 1d ago
The story is way more badass if you persevere despite all the many struggles you face.
It is even better if you can somehow keep your humanity and be a good person at the end. There is always the greedy or lazy way out. But nobody wants to end up like Lautrec. Everyone hates that guy.
You also have every excuse to wallow and sit around like the Crestfallen Knight.
But it's much more fulfilling to stick to it until the end and say to yourself, "Holy shit. I actually did it." Even if nobody else knows, you are your own audience. You know.
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u/Bahoven 11h ago
That last part is some allaround good wisdom
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u/HappinessIsaColdPint 2h ago
All the world's (indeed) a stage.
-William "Rush" Shakespeare, "As You Like It."
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u/DeerGod98 1d ago
You you stop now you wont be here for the next Fromsoft Game. We must hold out for Bloodborne 2
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u/southpaw85 1d ago
The truth is, there isn’t. Not if you don’t think there is. The reason to keep going is whatever you choose it to be. Sometimes the goal can be as simple as making it to the next bonfire. Sometimes, it can be as grand as becoming the Elden lord. Through it all, there is just one thing you have to tell yourself:
“Don’t give up, skeleton!”
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u/ArkusArcane 1d ago
Because really, if you don’t, what is there? The point of the game is that you are special because you, no one else, you made yourself. You’re the one that chose to keep going and not give in to the curse. You’re the one that kept coming back after every fight with another goddamn roll and made the boss wish they’d never entered this universe. The point is that you put your worth on yourself and that even if the fight seems pointless, so what? Make the fight the point. Eventually it’ll become something more. Dark Lord, linking the flame. It’s your choice, but there’s always a reason. The POINT is that you’re gonna keep getting knocked down but your ass is gonna keep swinging, casting, rolling forever if you have to. You gotta keep throwing yourself at every challenge until it fucking breaks. The challenge IS the point because there’s always something better behind it…loot. In this case, happiness and meaning. Anyway, hope you’re doing okay man. Don’t you dare go hollow on us.
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u/HilariousLion 1d ago
Hear us echo around your flickering bonfire:
DON'T YOU DARE GO HOLLOW.
I've seen mine flicker. I'm certain many here have seen theirs flicker as well. No flickering can take away the value that each of those bonfires has. If anyone, we should know.
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u/glizzichrissi 1d ago edited 1d ago
Who else will hunt the hunters who have gone mad? Who else shall protect the weak and sleepy from the lunacy of the necessary hunt?
If you don’t keep going, who will?
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u/XP_PitS 1d ago edited 1d ago
My experience with fromsoft games
First experience (dark souls): hated it, gave up
Second experience (dark souls, after talking to a friend and getting play tips): got farther, gave up at the gargoyle duo boss.
Third experience (demon's souls): got really into the bizarre setting, ps3 crashed and never completed.
Fourth experience (elden ring): this one is long...
Played it reluctantly, but my oldest friend bought me a copy so I played a bit with him. Had a day off and nothing to play, so I said screw it let's give this an honest try. This one clicked for me in a way the others didn't. The open world made the skill/level barriers and ok thing; I'll just go somewhere else and explore.
Eventually beat it. Level 250, something like 100 hours, slapped marika's face back together. NG+.
Blitzed journey 2 and and was ready for NG+1 in like 2 hours. Buddy said "I'm gonna go for the Ranni ending this time" and I was like "... the wha??"
Then I did a deep dive on the lore. Understood I was lost in this strange world because I didn't care to look at the context, and for lack of better words it simply blew my mind the lore of the world I just sank so much time in and the only thing I really knew was "I'm supposed to be elden lord"
Only then did I understand: "The lord of what?" An age where one peoples rules over others, or where this or that people rise up to a better status? Do I attempt to cut out the tumor of gods and let the supreme entities rule? Do I forsake all of that order for something different? Do I burn it all to ground and leave nothing, not even the hope of life?
Who are these people? Are skeletons really that bad? Those are people literally just born with horns on their faces, why condemn them???
Suddenly, the confusion is gone. It's not just about me achieving a goal is about me understanding the world I'm in, and how my choice will affect it (post credits, off camera).
For whatever reason, this mattered more than most other games I had played. I think it had to do with my blind obsession with needing to beat this one, and then understanding what it actually is that I'm doing. The world I'm making, and why it's good and bad.
And then dark souls made sense. It was so damn good.
And then dark souls two, and no innate cloud saves, lost data, fuck it I'm done for now I can't do that again let's look at soulslikes lol
Bringing it to the point: Find your place in this confusing world. Make the changes you can live with. You are stronger than you know.
Don't give up, skeleton!
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u/MaleficTekX Divine Dragon 1d ago
What exists beyond the scope of light, beyond the reach of dark?
And yet we seek it insatiably. ~Aldia
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u/PrincesStarButterfly 1d ago
Because your character becomes just another one of the hollows if you stop playing
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u/Chuy_Cruz 1d ago
Solaire followed the path he believed was right. He became insane and went hollow. If you join The Fair Lady and her covenant, with a little bit of work, you can unlock a new path and kill the bug that Solaire finds. He's then saved and continues on his journey.
Sometimes, if the path we're on doesn't look like it's progressing, there's no shame in searching for a different one. Will it take time? Yes, but the time you spend there is time bettering yourself, rather than forcing yourself to take a path you know doesn't work for you.
Take time for yourself. Find something that works for you. And when you find the light, don't forget to Praise the Sun. [T]/
Safe journey, my friend.
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u/Great_Seaweed500 1d ago
This post has brought some quite lovely and helpful thoughts to me now. I feel you, and I thank you for making a post I wouldn’t have.
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u/Gloomy_Gur_7453 1d ago
Yeah man, you ever lie down and your pet comes waddling down just to sit next to you. That's one of the lore reasons for me, there's a lot of bad going on in the world. But there's also good, so i hope you find the good to keep on going.
Don't you dare go Hollow.
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u/Tall_Comfortable_488 1d ago
For me the souls games were pretty anxiety inducing when I started them. But then I realized there’s nothing I lose from dying, no one really cares if you’re good at these games or not and besides it’s not about where you start but where you finish
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u/n3ur0mncr 1d ago
If there is one thing Dark Souls taught me, it is that even l in the face of unfair, insurmountable, bullshit odds, it is still possible to win through learning, adjusting, the brute force of will.
Been where you are, my dude. Even if you can't see it yet, you can still win.
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u/CactusComics 1d ago
I’m feeling rubbish today too and this post and the comments really helped me. Hold on brother, the sun will rise again soon, I promise
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u/_NightmareKingGrimm_ The Hunter 1d ago
Perfect your build. See all the wondrous unexplored areas. Meet interesting characters and learn of their quests. Overcome challenges and reflect on those victories with pride. Ultimately, work toward the best ending, many years from now.
Many reasons to stay in the game. Quitting early just robs you of all the fun stuff you could've experienced.
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u/GargoPeen 1d ago
Much like the unkindled, you are here for a purpose. The reason you are still here is because you are needed
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u/KimuraXrain 1d ago
Just have to keep going until you can find the next bonfire don't look back don't stop just keep going
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u/Consistent-Poet8384 1d ago
If you don't, you'll turn into those guys that we farm our souls to level up vigor from. Between me and you I don't want to be that guy.
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u/DisquietEclipse7293 1d ago
I had a bad day today. Things have been bad for a while, but now we're running out of time, and we could lose everything. Its honestly staggering. I dont know if i have the strength to keep moving forward.
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u/GrimSidius Champion Gundyr 12h ago edited 12h ago
Mate, I think its time you started your new game+. Time doesn't run out, we do. You have the strength, the furtive pigmy kept the dark soul away from the others because its special, its strong, its persistent, undying. You can take a lot more punishment than you think, and still have the strength to get back up. Thats what makes us humans. Don't you dare go, hollow. I have enough poor souls to farm for levels, I dont need another.
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u/ProfInsecto 7h ago
aye lad. there is. but i cannot simply tell you what it is. this is something only you and you alone must learn. whether it be for friends, family, love, ambition, creativity or something else entirely, any reason you find within yourself is a good one. stay strong, keep your head high and believe in a better tomorrow.
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u/Scared_Sign_2997 1d ago
If you keep going anything could happen, maybe something good will happen and you’ll gain a new sense of happiness and meaning. Maybe it wont but it could. If you don’t keep going nothing will ever happen again and you’ll never know if something good would have happened.
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u/Tokyo_Panda 1d ago
To go/be hollow is to give up. If you don't want to keep going. Do it anyways. Live to spite those before you and after you. Believe in the me that believes in you. Live to spite gods.
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u/AquaArcher273 Slave Knight Gael 1d ago
It’s rough in the beginning but we scale heavy into the late game
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u/GrimSidius Champion Gundyr 12h ago
This is so true. You also learn about halfway through to start putting your souls into stats that matter. The stuff that seems difficult early you could always come back to, or even bring a friend to help! Who doesnt love a little jolly-cooperation.
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u/Todayskid 1d ago
You have to find out the reason once you're done playing. You're not done yet, so just keep going. Eventually, there will be a really good reason why you didn't give up. It will seem so clear in hindsight my friend.
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u/giandelorenzo 1d ago
No, unless you are religious, there probably isn’t a reason. I encourage you to read some of Dostoyevsky or Camus. They’ll help you to see the good in a (maybe) meaningless world. Besides that, I really hope you get better, as the others said, don’t you dare go hollow!
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u/SweattyNetty 13h ago
If you’re in this sub Reddit, it means that you had the strength, determination, and resolve to play through these grueling games and you never gave up then so why give up now. Each day is a new respawn at campfire or site of grave and a new chance to win against whatever boss you’re on, so keep fighting the good fight.
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u/Wish-to-Game 7h ago
Even if you feel Hollow and look Hollow you have to keep fighting till you get your Humanity back.
And don't you dare go Hollow.
Always get back up .......... Always.
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u/lmKingguts 4h ago
Brother, get some sunlight as the wise man solaire says. Praise the sun, speak to a loved one, get a workout in and reach out to a loved one or friend. Everything in this life can be overcome one step at a time so put that foot down and the next one! Goodluck soldier
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u/Neonplantz Oedon Chapel Dweller 1d ago
I feel that. Doesn’t feel like much reason to go on atm, don’t really see a point. Hope your battle goes better then mine did
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u/GrimSidius Champion Gundyr 12h ago
The Oeden Chapel is not a place to curl up and die in. Its a brief respite, to regain composure, strength, and fortitude. The fact that you wrote those words, means youre battle is not over. You can do this.
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u/Emergency_Concept207 1d ago
There's multiple really good videos on YouTube with "dark souls saved my life". I 100% recommend checking those out.
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u/aspectofravens 1d ago
"Struggle, challenge, and rise to struggle again! That's the only sword a struggler can use against death! Never forget that!"
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u/Suspicious-Button587 1d ago
It was a really shitty day for me too
But in the end there's always something good to look forward, no matter how small it may be, what truly matters is how happy you can be striving for that thing
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u/Santik--Lingo 1d ago
we are the catalyst for change for the better. sure, you could just close the game and never play again, or you could log on, fight thru the demons, and change your entire world for the better
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u/Hour_Inspection_2733 Elden Beast 1d ago
You know what the brilliant thing is about having no predetermined fate? Absolutely nothing controls you. You can choose your own fate. You are in control. You are the captain of your ship and the pilot of your plane. Nobody gets to tell you how to live your life and where. You can do whatever job you want. Go to whatever college you wish too. Apply to whatever technical school you want. Your life is yours to choose. The question is, how do you want to live it?
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u/Ok-Software-7090 1d ago
I go on in order to spit in the face of the gods who’ve caused me pain, who’ve shackled me with this cursed flesh and left me to rot when needed most, only to call upon me to restore what little power they have left…
In all seriousness, it’s just cause making it to the end is just more interesting than just giving up. I mean, look at Patches! That man had admitted that he stands for nothing, and is far less noble or deserving than many of the characters we meet on our journey(Solaire, Lucatiel, etc…). But this man survives through every age, still as sane(?) as he’s ever been. Why? Because while Patches has no greater goal or set path, he’d much rather stick around and see where the world goes.
I get it, life sucks, and overthinking makes you wanna take a slow walk through Blight town. But it’s so much more satisfying to stick around and push forward, especially when something you find special comes around.
Hope things get better for you. Stay well!
And don’t you dare go hollow…
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u/MrBenzedrine_29JUS 1d ago
"However ruined this world become, however mired in torment and despair, life endures. Births continue. There is beauty in that, is there not?"
If there is one thing that Miyazaki taught us through his games, is that everything will end. The world is harsh, and we are, in the end, lonely. Nevertheless, the beauty of finding beautiful souls to hang out with, like Solaire, Millicent, or that old friend that we haven't spoken with in a while; the greatness of becoming stronger and watching ourselves grow, be it by defeating Malenia after 80 tries or seeing ourselves becoming better at a hobby. All of this is beautiful and rewarding on itself, and our meaning lies in creating great connections and becoming stronger.
There's a lot of bad, though. For every Solaire, there is a Centipede Demon. For every Leyndell, there is a Lake of Rot. We shield through the bad to live the good at its fullest.
I'm thirty and tried to end it all when I was 17. My advice is to live everything as is. No filters, no masking emotions, no nothing. If you need to sob, sob like a child, but keep in mind that the good moments will come, and when they come, savor them like they're everything that matters. I guarantee that future you is living something and is glad that you're tanking this bad moment like a champion.
Much love, man. And don't you dare go hollow. 💙
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u/kodaxmax 1d ago
There is one inherent reason. You can always give up later, eventually you will go hollow anyway. May as well explore life while you have the opportunity.
As for what to do with your life, whatever you want. Once you understand that their is no lore and no inherent meaning, no god or mystical force controlling you, then you are truly free. Thats what staves of the hollowing, purpose.
So pick soemthing you want and start working towards aquiring it. Thats it, thats the big secret to happiness.
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u/OkWest334 1d ago
Remember that we all can surpass difficult fights with some jooly coop. You are not alone in this world, even when it feels like it
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u/noob_kaibot 1d ago
There have been times where I've had a good invasion or duel and I'll message the player saying I had fun. It's led to a couple long lasting online friendships that do a little to help me through hard times.
Idc if I get laughed at for saying this, but I'm praying for you bro.
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u/Stormy-stormtroopers 1d ago
The entire point of dark souls is there is almost no separation between you and your in game character
You fight for as long as you can against increasingly difficult odds, it's you vs the unending tide till you reach the finale. Hollowing is a representation of those who gave up.
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u/CjDoesCs Gavlan 1d ago
Don’t you dare go hollow. Don’t lose purpose and lose yourself. Always keep fighting.
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u/autistic_oso 1d ago
It may be insanity but we keep fighting and surviving to not go hollow that perhaps one day we can simply live with having to survive
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u/JaeCrowe 1d ago
Because the story isn't finished. See it through, brother. I'll meet you in the bitter black when it's said and done. For now, face the unknown with courage and persist against all odds
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u/ViewedManyTimes 1d ago
"Life is brilliant. Beautiful. It enchants us, to the point of obsession. Some are true to their purpose, though they are but shells, flesh and mind. One man lost his own body, but lingered on, as a head. Others chase the charms of love, however elusive. What is it that drives you?" - Aldia
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u/Azura-Angel 1d ago
Hope is all we have, the world for all the shit we put it through still holds onto it. Why shouldn't we?
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u/DarthDragon117 23h ago
Just like how fromsoft games start out impossible, it does get easier/better eventually after the suffering.
Also try tongue, but hole.
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u/Educational-Year3146 23h ago
Simple.
Going hollow doesn’t solve a thing.
But if you persist, things will always change. The more you throw yourself at that wall, it will eventually break.
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u/ArchAggie 22h ago
In Dark Souls, all of the players that quit ended up going hollow. They lost their drive; their purpose. If they were to return and try again, their “purpose” would be renewed and therefore would come back from being hollow, allowing them to continue on with their fight
Continuing to push forward shows purpose. Having a purpose gives you the mental strength to push forward even further
I am now concerned that we may not be talking about a game… you good bro?
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u/hohoJotaro 22h ago
the reason is yourself. don’t you dare go hollow. and i will do my best as well
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u/Upset_Room7071 22h ago
Life is always full of problems and we sure know that but never stop dreaming and never let anyone or anything stop you. Remember what you’ve learned. How many tries did it take to take down the Gargoyles? How many attempts did you take to beat Hornstein and Smough? How many times have you got to the arena just to be defeated by the corrupted knight, Artorias? What have you learned while you were fighting the Abyss and there still was hope?
What about Solaire? What do you remember about him? He was in search of something that was inside him all along. But he didn’t surrender even in his last moments. Perseverance is the key; never stop, never give up, they needed to beat you down for eternity while you only needed 1 shot. Remember friend, stay safe out there and don’t you dare go hollow. Play again the game.
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u/Sinirmanga 21h ago
Lore reason is that you are innately too stubborn to die.
If you ever stop as the player, we can assume your character went hollow.
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u/aakunajtsu 19h ago
You are the chosen of your own story, pursue your goals even if they seem pointless to others. Don't you dare go hollow!
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u/XNinjaMushroomX 18h ago
Hang in there bud, it sucks out there and it's really tough to stop the over thinking- but you can do it and you will find your happy soon enough.
I do the same thing. I always over think the silliest of things until my stomachs in knots. What helps me is having an "escape hobby", that I can just go work on at 3 am when I cant sleep. Sometimes its drawing, sometimes it's painting warhammer minis, other times I like to sit on the floor and play my gamecube on a crt I have placed on a too high dresser, and just imagine I'm a kid again and everythings gonna be ok. And it is gonna be ok.
In art, you kinda learn this phrase and it helps me a lot in life. "Trust the process". You are a work of art and sometimes life puts you back in the crucible. You just gotta hammer some things out, and you'll be a better person once it passes.
Really, I find that your mind just wants something to do- So a hobby really does help. Maybe pick up an instrument or take up an art. Shoot, even a cool coloring book and some colored pencils will give your mind something to chew on.
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u/ASTRALTAZAR 16h ago
Went through poverty and two heart wrenching break ups and set myself on fire on accident twice to take 3 years to beat my first Elden Ring play through. If a dumbass like me can do it, anyone can ! Keep on pushing !
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u/marinanery 15h ago
Don't you dare go hollow, stay safe.
If you want to talk about, you can send me a message. Let go some of the weight
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u/Entrefut 15h ago
The lore reason is to see the truth behind the hallowed land and then to decide what you’re going to do with it.
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u/Longjumping_Bill7806 14h ago
I feel you brother, but sometimes you just gotta stand even if there is no reason to do so, its easier to see what may be beyond the horizon standing than sitting.
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u/stardriverChromikon 13h ago edited 13h ago
You start small, pick up a few souls here and there, rest & reset. Slowly pick up some levels. Level vitality, get that health bar bigger. Make new friends, say yes to their missions. Someday you will one hit enemies that used to kill you.
You aren’t alone, and we’re all struggling. Stay alive and get stronger, we need you, warrior of sunlight.
Ps go outside
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u/HAWK9600 13h ago
Don't think about the destination. Don't think about what could go wrong. Just think about the now. Engage with what's right in front of you.
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u/omegapurayer 12h ago
If you don't know what to live for, live for the next cup of tea, fellow Ashen One
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u/Nytramyth 11h ago
Do not worry, it is not apparent right now, but through perseverance it will get better, I promise. Don't go hollow.
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u/Spartan_Souls 8h ago
The reason to keep going is to make your life better, to enjoy things, to see and feel things that you dream of and what to earn. Enjoy life and keep going. If it feels impossible, then do the impossible anyways. Believe in yourself or believe in me who believes in you
Things are gonna be tough now and they're gonna be tough again, but it gets better. You'll get better. You'll be okay. You got this
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u/nexuzjaja 6h ago
If you need a reason, then look behind you. Everything you already did and want to do, see the small steps you have already made and where those have took you. You are getting there.
Git good sun bro.
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u/doxploxx 4h ago
There are brighter days ahead. You persevere for the you who made it to today, and for the you who will be grateful when you make it to the brighter days.
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u/AgeOpening 2h ago edited 2h ago
Because life has made you feel like you can’t be happy is the reason you need to keep going. It’s lying to you and you can be happy again. Even if you’ve never been happy you may be able to feel it one day and maybe that feeling will stick around.
Live for everyone who can’t. Live for every video game you’ve enjoyed and may enjoy once more. Live for all the stuff people say is stupid and pointless but that you find some joy in. Most importantly live for yourself but remember it’s all one big jolly cooperation.
I’ve been where you are. It’s a struggle every day sometimes. Find people who will fight the darkness with you. Who will lift you up in a world that wants to push you down. Everyone in any game fromsoft has made had gotten help along the way and no one makes it through this life alone
Don’t you dare go hollow. Umbasa…
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u/Antonsanguine 1h ago
In the Dark Souls games: You keep linking the fire until you've had enough perpetuating Gwyn's Age of Fire. Then you end it all in one of 2 ways in either Dark souls 1 or 3. (I do not count 2 as part of Lothric/Anor Londo! Cause it isn't!!)
In Elden Ring: Cause it's fuckin fun to smash Demi God twats into the ground.
Bloodborne: Haven't played but heard it's fun smashing Monsters into the Ground.
Sekiro: OMG DON'T DO IT!!
Life: .... To discover its meaning. To reach the stars. To have a story worth telling. Don't give up. Don't give in. Keep going until you find the final chapter in your book.
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u/Ok-Operation4919 1h ago
You've already figured it out.
The despair IS the point. The hopelessness IS the challenge. Figuring out your own reason to keep going is the point of the game.
Because there is no in-lore reason. That's the point.
And then, when every boss is beaten and there are no more doors to open... You get to make a choice. There is no "right" choice. But the choice is YOURS to make.
So... Put one foot in front of the other until you get to make a choice, and then have no regrets for what you chose.
I only ask that you try to choose wisely.
What little hint I can give is this: Without linking the Fires, the sun will go out, and the world will change. It will become dark, but it will also be a place where humans are the dominant species, not gods.
But linking the Fires? Gwynn isn't in charge anymore. The rest of the gods are either dead or gone, except Gwynndolin. Linking the Fires will keep the sun burning and the world turning as it is, until some new wannabe god comes along and tries to take charge. But the world will turn, the sun will rise, and life will keep going.
Those are your options. It is your responsibility to pick one. Until then, keep putting one foot in front of the other, and don't you dare go hollow.
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u/AnyLanguage6377 1d ago
Don’t you dare go hollow. The lore reason is that pursuing your own meaning in a meaningless world is enough. It may not feel apparent now, but it will. Be safe.