"Don't You Dare Go Hollow" (Dark Souls) (SFW) - Exclusive Audio

For a very long time, I have always wanted to make some form of roleplay between the listener and someone who resides in the both loved and hated world of Dark Souls. Even if it is brief. Unfortunately, many times I've forgotten or knew that I was too busy.

Of course, many would probably know of the game, at least heard it in passing throughout the years. And those who know more about it are well aware of its unforgiving nature, difficulty, and even story.

For those who may not know, allow me this very brief summary so I don't take too much of your time:
(You're an undead cursed with immortality like many other adventures and your goal is to fulfill a prophecy of the 'gods' to keep a flame known as "The First Flame" lit by becoming a 'Lord of Cinder.' And to keep The First Flame lit, the sun shines just as bright. If the fire dies, so does the sun.)

The series has always been a favorite and when I was a young(er) adult, I played so much of it to pass the time. It's a depressing game. 'Melancholy' is the term used the most for it. Things decay, things are bleak, people you meet, players and game characters alike can be cruel.

But it made me happy.

The game spoke so much to me. I had a lot of.. bad thoughts my first few years as an adult. Like many people nowadays, I was severely depressed, and a lot of people would wonder why someone could play a depressing game that had made countless people rage, cry, become depressed themselves, and quit when they are already in a poor mindset.

Because I wanted to come out on top. And I did. Multiple times.

And while everything can be cruel in the world, there are still people you can run into that were so kind and give you words of encouragement. Endearing words. And though they are just lines of code, animated models in a game that were voiced and written by people needing to get paid, it was enough.

"Don't you dare go hollow," is a quote that many, maybe too many, people care so much about from a kind fellow in the game. If you go hollow, you lose yourself. You died too many times and you're a shell of who you used to be. That or.. you gave up. You chose to quit and now the process is rapid from your lack of ambition.

And to be hollow.. without a doubt, I see that as a direct parallel to depression. You need to push through it and see to it that you finish what you start. That you keep going forward no matter how many times it hurts and how hard things are, you. Keep. Going. If you quit.. well, we know what happens when people want to 'quit' in life.

My point is.. it helped. A lot. As well as it did for hundreds of thousands of others. I wanted to contribute to that in some way and be a character with a peaceful and overall positive outlook that could make others feel warm or safe. Though I am well aware that throwing you into a potentially unknown world and role may not give that feeling. lol

Anyway, I typed enough. All of you better have a good day.

[Edit: God damn it. As soon as I type all of this, a video was recommended to me (Probably because of searching for Dark Souls sound effects) that was a video essay on how hollowing is an allegory for depression. Son of a bitch. lol]


'Stay Safe' file is by: "VIRTKA" on YouTube.