Bonfire Chronicles: A Soulsborne Fan Blog

Welcome, Ashen One. This blog is dedicated to FromSoftware’s brutal, beautiful worlds—from Lordran to the Lands Between. Whether you're a newcomer or a veteran, Bonfire Chronicles explores the lore, difficulty, and artistry of the Soulsborne genre.

🎮 The Games at a Glance

Demon’s Souls (2009 / 2020 Remake)

The game that started it all. Set in the kingdom of Boletaria, it introduced soul collecting, harsh death penalties, and dark medieval design. The 2020 remake on PS5 brought stunning new visuals without changing the fundamental challenge and atmosphere of the original.

Dark Souls Trilogy (2011–2016)

Bloodborne (2015)

Gothic horror meets cosmic dread. Set in Yharnam, where a blood-borne plague and eldritch terrors run wild. Combat is fast, aggressive, and rewards risk over defense.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (2019)

A shinobi’s journey through Sengoku-era Japan. Master parries, posture, stealth, and deadly swordplay in a story focused on loyalty and resurrection.

Elden Ring (2022)

A vast open world co-created with George R.R. Martin. Journey across The Lands Between with total freedom, hundreds of bosses, and deep RPG customization. The evolution of the Souls formula.

🎨 Featured Artwork

Dark Souls Cover Art

The iconic cover art from Dark Souls Remastered, both where it all began and restarted.

🔥 Why We Keep Coming Back to Dark Souls

There’s something hauntingly irresistible about the Souls series. Despite its punishing difficulty and often opaque design, players return to these worlds again and again. Why?

1. The Challenge is Honest

The Souls games don’t cheat—they demand your attention, patience, and learning. When you fail, it’s rarely the game’s fault. You know why you died. That makes every victory feel earned.

2. Immersive World-Building

FromSoftware builds worlds where the environment is the story. Lore is hidden in item descriptions, NPCs, and architecture. You’re not just playing—you’re uncovering forgotten truths.

3. A Unique Community

Multiplayer elements like co-op, invasions, and messages make it feel like you’re never truly alone. Veterans guide newcomers, and every player shares in the mythos.

4. Emotional Growth Through Adversity

These games challenge you mentally and emotionally. When you finally defeat a boss after countless failures, it's not just a game moment—it’s personal triumph.

👹 Top 5 Boss Fights in Soulsborne Games

The Soulsborne series is known for its boss fights—epic encounters that test your skill and tell rich, wordless stories.

1. Artorias the Abysswalker (Dark Souls)

Artorias was a noble knight who fell into the Abyss. His fight is wild and relentless, filled with pain and regret. He's no longer in control, but something of his honor still lingers.

2. Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower (Bloodborne)

A graceful, tragic protector of the secrets of the Healing Church. Her fight flows like a dance and ends in an explosion of blood magic. A fan-favorite for both story and spectacle.

3. Isshin, the Sword Saint (Sekiro)

The final boss of Sekiro, Isshin is a multi-phase masterclass in sword combat. Fast, brutal, and poetic—a true test of everything you've learned.

4. Starscourge Radahn (Elden Ring)

A demigod general who learned gravity magic to stay on his horse. His boss fight is a chaotic festival of battle, with dozens of NPCs aiding you. He crashes to Earth like a meteor mid-fight. It’s unforgettable.

5. Ornstein & Smough (Dark Souls)

Possibly the most infamous duo in Souls history. One swift and deadly, the other slow and crushing. Taking them down is a rite of passage for any Souls player.

💬 Lore Dive: The Tragedy of Gwyn

In the world of Dark Souls, few figures are as central or as tragic as Gwyn, Lord of Sunlight.

The Rise of the Flame

Gwyn found the First Flame and used its power to defeat the dragons, ushering in the Age of Fire. With his children and allies, he built Anor Londo and shaped the world with divine power.

The Fear of the Dark

But the flame began to fade. Gwyn feared the Age of Dark—the age of humanity. Rather than let it come naturally, he sacrificed his soul to link the flame, causing a cycle of rebirth and decay.

A Fractured Legacy

Gwyn’s sacrifice doomed the world to cycles of fire and dark. His kingdom fell, his children scattered or disappeared, and his body was left a smoldering husk, guarding a flame that no longer truly burns.

The player’s final decision—to link the flame again or let it die—is a meditation on his legacy. Do you repeat Gwyn’s mistake, or let the world choose its own fate?

🔗 Helpful Link

Fextralife Souls Wikis – Lore, builds, walkthroughs for all Soulsborne games.

by Andrew O'Connor