Darkstalker Kaathe

A primordial serpent who urges the player to let the First Flame fade and usher in the Age of Dark.

Darkstalker Kaathe is a non-player character encountered by the player in Dark Souls. He appears as a serpent-like being who offers an alternative to linking the First Flame. The player may encounter Darkstalker Kaathe after meeting certain conditions, and he urges them to let the flame die out and bring about the Age of Dark. His guidance stands in contrast to that of Kingseeker Frampt, who instructs the player to rekindle the flame.

Quick Facts

Affiliation: The Dark
Key item: Lordvessel (Dark Path)

Lore & Background

Darkstalker Kaathe is one of the primordial serpents encountered in Dark Souls. The player character may encounter Darkstalker Kaathe, who urges them to let the flame die out and bring about the Age of Dark. This is presented as an alternative to the path offered by Kingseeker Frampt, who instructs the player to reach Anor Londo, obtain the Lordvessel, and collect the Lord Souls needed to rekindle the First Flame. Kaathe's role is defined entirely by this opposition: he advocates for the Age of Dark rather than the preservation of the Age of Fire. His existence is tied to the player's choice of ending, as after defeating Gwyn, the player can either link the flame, preserving the Age of Fire, or leave it to fade, beginning the Age of Dark—the outcome Kaathe promotes.

Reader's Guide

Darkstalker Kaathe is encountered by the player character during the course of Dark Souls. This encounter is presented as an alternative to the guidance of Kingseeker Frampt. The player's interaction with Kaathe ultimately influences the game's ending: after collecting the Lord Souls and defeating Gwyn in the Kiln of the First Flame, the player can choose to either link the flame (preserving the Age of Fire) or leave it to fade (beginning the Age of Dark). Kaathe's urging corresponds to the latter choice.