TheBrilliantAndAmazingGamer i put up my shield, and it took almost all my stamina, i killed the dogs with the remaining then strafed left, avoiding another attack, i would say i was luky. Or just plain overpowered.
This was brilliant! I loved your interpretation and you backed it up really well. I hope everyone recognises that this theory is just as valid as mine, and that this is what makes Dark Souls Lore so great :)
Vaati, your theory isn't valid lol. It hasn't any connection with Dark Souls lore, and even Dark Souls context. You based all your theories on just a concept design.
In the tombs of giants right after you exit from pinwheels area is a bonfire that cannot be lit. Seems to support the theory of him trying and even succeeding in destroying the bonfires.
Where exactly is it though? Like you climb the ladder out of Pinwheel's room/massive coffin and which way do you go? Cause I'd really like to see it! (not that I don't believe you haha)
Johnny Sparks its right in the middle of the main space, just before you walk down the path with the giant skeleton. look on the ground for a pile of charred bones and ash, its exactly the same as other bonfires... but I think the sword is gone?
It actually looks like a cleric camp site of sorts. There appears to be two of those piles (for camp fires instead), plus some rope and a cup and bowl. It's cool nonetheless, I've been playing for years and only noticed it now.
Love your videos and agree with most of them, however, Pinwheel is one that I think most people vastly *overthink* on so much they miss the more simple explanation. To me, Pinwheel was once a man with a family, and like most men, he feared death and wished to live forever with his loved ones. He became a necromancer for the same reasons most necromancers in fiction become necromancers - to conquer Death and live forever. He stole close to Gravelord Nito, pretending to be a faithful servant and working his way up the chain in a bid to steal immortality for himself and his family. Nito was not so easily fooled and foiled the Necromancer, catching him. As punishment, Nito ironically afflicted the man with exactly what he wanted. Living forever with his family - as an undying abomination, 3 separate beings in one. As such, the Necromancer succeeded in "stealing" immortality, but was punished with poetic justice. Nito then banished the Pinwheel from his sight where it now sits on his doorstep in the catacombs surrounded by it's trappings seeking a way to undo Nito's curse with necromancy, all the while fervently apologizing perhaps to itself or perhaps to Nito, fervently hoping Nito's heart will soften and revoke the curse if he is heard. There's a few reasons why I feel this is most likely the way of it. Firstly, if Pinwheel and Nito's story were so simple as a man stealing from a god, there's no way in the world that man is going to sit around on the god's doorstep afterward. It's a trivial matter for Nito to simply waltz to where Pinwheel lairs and smite his arse to nothingness and gods are never so simple in their punishments, especially for hubris. Gods love irony far too much. If Pinwheel's story were that of a man who stole from Death, that man would logically get as far, far away as possible from Nito as he could - not set up camp on his doorstep. Second, a lot of Dark Souls is inspired or taken heavily from real world mythology and it's surprising that no one seems to make the most obvious connection to their relationship. Where else is there a relationship of a deity of the dead with a 3 headed being? Hades and Cerberus. I find it pretty obvious and most likely that Gravelord Nito caught Pinwheel in his attempt to steal immortality, cursed him with it, then set him to guard his domain much like a 3-headed watch dog against interlopers. Pinwheel now sits in his lair, unable to die, desperately tinkering to find some arcane way to undo Nito's curse all the while pleading (either with itself or to NIto) "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry!" while it does it's best to prevent intruders from progressing hoping that someday Nito will forgive it. If thwarted, Nito will simply re-animate it and set it back to it's toils, much like Hades every time some hero came by and killed Cerberus. Given how heavily taken from real world mythology the rest of the lore is I don't credit the designers for much originality here, either. The rite of kindling, I find is a red herring. It even says it comes from clerics and we've plenty of proof that Pinwheel has encountered clerics aplenty on their way to Nito. No doubt Pinwheel has succeeded some of these encounters and taken knowledge of it from them - hoping perhaps to use it as a weapon or tool in a bid to force Nito to bargain with him in the future. At least, that's my two cents anyways.
Ok ok... How about we combine all THREE theories? So... The father was a high ranking necromancer who assisted Nito (hence the dedication), but then somewhere down the track his family died (perhaps at the hands of the gods for some reason?), and so he betrayed Nito and became a servant of Velka in order acquire the Rite of Kindling so that he might revive his family. I imagine that it went wrong according to Vaati's video. All three theories seemed so likely... combining them seems logical. The other Pinwheels might be failed experiments as Vaati also suggests. Maybe someone else has already said this. Idk
AlphosLeo Hmmm Using your theory (which is what it is), what if his ability to "split" is a after affect of his experimenting on bonfires. They are "shadows" per say... think of it this way, he's somehow turned himself/itself whatever, into a bonfire and each "split" is a fragment that is being released from pinwheel the "bonfire"
My Pinwheel Theory: How exactly Pinwheel became Pinwheel isn't that important. We know it is three family members fused together, either by the father or by Nito. What's important is why and how it does what iy does. Pinwheel stole Nito's power. However it wasn't entirely sure what it was stealing. In the same way a robber might break into a house and take whatever looks the most valuable at first glance, Pinwheel took whatever it could find/had the time for. Now, the Rite of Kindling creates bonfires. The undead respawn at bonfires. But when they die, is their original body repaired? Or is another copy just created at the bonfire? It could be the latter. So this brings us to Pinwheel's ability. Pinwheel can make copies of himself. I guess it somehow used the Rite of Kindling to do this, perhaps unlocking its secrets so that it can create new copies of himself without dying. But why is it creating these copies? Simple. It is trying to undo the curse placed upon him. Pinwheel isn't going to cast spells on himself since that may be what started this whole mess, so he needs test subjects. And what better test subject than an exact replica of itself? Eventually he discards these test subjects. They find their way into the Tomb of Giants, and Nito takes control of them. This would explain why he doesn't march his Army of Death up to the Catacombs and wipe Pinwheel out - Pinwheel provides him with an ample and powerful supply of minions which is enough to appease him... for now. As for the statues, it probably just had his minions build them to: -honour the family members merged together. -appear as harmless decorations only for deadly spikes to pop out and stab adventurers with an appreciation for art.
Hello from 2019. Your theory of the copies created at bonfires is great and so credible given the fact that for every undead character we find in the game, there is also a corpse having their same attire and items in the place they historically die no matter if they are still living in your current passage through the same story. At first I thought that meant we were all ghosts repeating the same events of yore again and again, but this theory of yours makes perfect sense to me. Also, Pinwheel may have been trying to imitate and succeed Nito, and may have been a disciple of sorts to him, given the fact that Nito is also an accumulation of corpses, like in those theories that link him to The Rotten considering him a young version or a future being of the likes of Nito.
I think it might be both. Vaati's theory explain the creation of Pinwheel, and yours explains what might have happened after. The statues do show that at one point they were separate entities
Maybe not even after. What if the mother and the father were necromancers first and then the mother and child die. The Father is still in Nito's good graces and continues to be so even after his attempt at bringing back his family. What if Nito lets that one slide because, well that guy was a good servant. So suddenly it would hurt tons more for him to go traitor.
Vaati has presentations that have more emotinal approaches, which touches our hearts. Yours are heavily more resarched, in this case at least, which brings a deeper analysis and more of a mindblowing experience. Extremely intriguing theories, both of yours. Keep up the good work, both of you. Much respect to the community aswell
A theory I support about Pinwheel is that the father of the family could have lost his Wife and Child to Gravelord Nito. Driven by grief, he stole the power of Gravelord Nito, so that he would be able to resurrect his family, but being an inexperienced Necromancer, he accidentally fused his family into one body with him. What he was tinkering away at was perhaps him attempting to separate his family back into three separate bodies. However, he never managed to complete that task, after you show up and wipe the floor with him ;).
This! Also, I think that's why he has the ability to replicate himself - he's trying to separate himself, but replication is the best he's been able to accomplish so far. He's still trying to figure it out, which is why he's studying the books when you show up to wipe the floor with him ;)
VoS Draug LOL while late this whole comment chain is funny. " Maybe he's asking Velka to forgive him? Velka after all, is the one who absolves sins." or maybe Velka makes really good black tights?lel
TheGumsW The thing is, Velka is the godess of sin, the one that the gods chase. Velka is an enenmy of the gods and thus a member of the occult. The "black tights" is Velka's set. You're welcome.
Thank you so much! I'm honored you feel that way. I try not to make a lore video unless I feel I have some new/different to add, and there'd be no point in just recreating Vaati's video.
Damn I was tryin to keep this theory to myself until I covered it. That's what I meant in your other video when I mentioned a video covering just "the shackles place on your brethren" quote. I think the Dark Curse was transferred to humans as a means to cause hollowing. Hollowing is then staved off by destroying humanity. It's the perfect weapon to combat the dark souls since Gwyn also believes that one day the Dark Lord will be reborn among humans. Great video Dave. Still think Kaathe is bad?
I agree, I think 'Shepard the humans' means cursed them for their humanity, we already know that humanity was a huge industry in Lordran, well before the game starts, so what evidence is there to say that the undead curse is natural, ok so there are undead dragons, but are the undead dragons true eternal dragons or are they lesser dragons that have long since died but because of their lineage they truly cannot die, unless they rot and fade away into dust or are completely vaporised, immortality is not invulnerability. Also their are human npcs that do fully die and do not hollow, Patches for example, so it seems that some can hollow and some do not.
Persona i agree with VaatiVidyas lore, with the copies being attempts to split himself (itself?) Up into seperare beings as originally intended, it only makes sense
Thank you so much! At this point, I'm finally starting to have a decent amount of Lore videos up, so I hope you enjoy the rest as I continue to make more. :)
He's probably trying to make more pinwheel skeletons to troll players with. Or vaguely trying to transfer the 3 pieces that make pinwheel into other bodies, skeletons, since it's a tomb.
Vaati was my go-to guy for lore vids with Dark Souls, but I always love hearing the same thing from a new perspective; especially with a game like Dark Souls that is so dependent on speculation and theories! I'm gonna go check out your other lore vids; this was really awesome, and I'd love to see what other theories you have for this awesome game :D
Watching this gave me an crazy idea. Dave said that maybe Nito and Gwyn are still working in unision, and that Pinwheel stole the Rite. What if... Pinwheel didn't actually steal the Rite, but Nito gave it to him, but made it look like a theft so the cult of Velka, who want to destroy the gods, wouldn't suspect a thing. And why does Pinwheel need it, and why are there books in a big pile? He might attempt to create a new First Flame, and the chamber has been prepared for it.
I knew from the beginning of this video that u will add something more than what VaatiVidya said and I was right bro u r one of the best dark souls lore video creator , a list that contains ENB and VaatiVidya
Love it! Best theory I've heard yet related to Pinwheel yet. I thought Vaati's was good as well, but I do think your take on the lore fits very well with what is presented to the players, especially the note that there are other pinwheels as well as statues honoring them. I'm gonna go ahead and call this one my number 1 theory for pinwheel now, great watch!
I definitely admire the respect that the Dark Souls Lore community has for each other. While I haven't made a decision as to what seems more likely, it makes me happy to see that lorists are respecting and appreciating each other's work
Vatividya gave a nice simple and safe idea, but that's it, it seems a little too simple. I like the idea you presented, the presence of the wheel skeletons ties in with the lore nicely, and the adoration of the faces fits the possibility that Pinwheel had some tie with the occult, not to mention the mysterious smaller coffin next to Nito.
As a lorist viewer I really appreciate people presenting new options for us to consider. Please don't be afraid to challenge our understanding! Either way we got an awesome video out of it, great work
True. I recommend looking at MSPainting (below)'s thoughts on the matter. I find it to be interesting you find them in the same room where (humanity bearing) baby skeletons are being formed and created. Perhaps there's something in that.
I know this is late but can't both of these be true? Pin wheel loses his family and then becomes Nito's right hand man in order to get the power necissary to try and bring them back?
The way you described the painted world as being the place where there are "things the gods feared", made me laugh. Even gods fear those bonewheels, it seems....
Hunter Folyer actually, if you watch Dave's let's play where he goes into the painted world, he shows a very good and easy way to kill them without becoming roadkill.
I feel like that the reason he stays in the catacombs is maybe he's trying to seep rate himself then reincarnate his family in a new body or a vessel for their being since their current bodies are deformed and catacombs are filled with people of the same family so maybe he wants an old family members body to be the vessel or it needs to be
Nah, either or could definitely be true. I found this to be an incredibly interesting potential perspective, and I always hope that these open up more understandings of the overall Dark Souls Lore.
I think that pinwheel might have taken the rite of kindling to break his family from being linked to the fire but instead accidentally linked his families souls together.
The links with the bonewheel skeletons, occult and painted world is a very compelling thought, it amazes me how good the level of interpretation is getting all the time with DkS. I used to think the dead are actually a race, being born a baby skeleton from that primeval fluid with Nito being the first, hence the name first of the dead You know what else is interesting about the occult being related to Pinwheel, the upgrade path scales with faith that doesn't stop the skeletons from resurrecting
Good video. Dark Souls leaves so much of the story a mystery that its really confusing on which covenants would be involved with Pinwheel. And how would the rite of kindling be his power? And how many times could Pinwheel clone its self ? It just seems like Pinwheels minions and Nito's minions come from the same army, or could their be divisions in the endless bodies of bones? Also I think there should have been a spell set centered around Pinwheels skills like a Necromancer class.
I totally agree, it truely makes it a community game. It makes me think (in several ways) of the original Zelda on the NES. That idea of exploring, yet using your friends and Nintendo Powers to discover the secrets together as a community.
interesting theory, it would make sense that he was trying to destroy it, since the bonfire just above his boss room is the only one in the game that does not work
Thanks for not attacking me about it! I'm just as big a fan of Vaati's (and ENB's) as anyone else, and actually held off on making this for a while because I didn't want to disrespect Vaati and his work.
The bonewheels could be a reference to an ancient method of torture commonly administered to blasphemers, and others worthy of an extreme punishment. The racking, or driving wheel, would commonly see individuals threaded through the spokes of a large wagon wheel, the wheel being mounted upon a post and rotated, shattering bones, and tearing flesh. The individuals would then be left in public view, often living for many days, or potentially let go, permanently crippled and disfigured. This method of torture was commonly preserved for traitors, and blasphemers.
According to the description it's a Hollowed Knight, partially crystallized. Probably someone afraid to die of Seath's crystals (therefore not fully turned into crystal) and stays just outside of it, stuck at his objective. You find his corpse later because he doesn't know where to go on (the invisible pathways are too hard to figure out)
I did a looooot of looking at this while I was making the video and filming, and I don't think it is the gravelord sword. You can see that same sword (on the table) all over the room, and it has a sort of curved blade/handle with jagged teeth on the blade. It's used to hang all of the skeletons in the room.
That's a good point about the bonewheel skeletons. But, I also feel that way because Pinwheel "reigns over the Catacombs" and they are directly guarding his chamber. Honestly, I'm not sure about the name and significance. Nito's name I believe was originally something different that sounded more like a joke (if I remember correctly), and at the last minute they decided to change it. (I could be wrong here, but I think I remember the art book saying something along those lines).
Wait if he was researching bonfires maybe his research led him to discover travel between bonfires and vendrick found this discovery in some hidden notes made by pinwheel which is why dark souls 2 has bonfire travel
the Pinwheels outside of Nito's entrance are there to do two things; 1 make sure that no undead awaken Nito, and 2 to make sure Nito stays in his tomb. sense Pinwheel stole from Nito, i doubt he wants him walking around trying to find him. as a necromancer, the collective effort of all the Pinwheels should have some effect over Nito, who is technically dead.
I thought of something the other day. Vamos is in the catacombs, correct? He's also before Pinwheel, and knows how to use the chaos ember. But chaos fire was created when the Witch of Izalith tried to replicate the First Flame, wasn't it? Is it possible that in order to gain power, Pinwheel was trying to create another First Flame, using Vamos' guidance & the Rite of Kindling? It's a possibility
I think that Velka was considered dangerous to the god, but instead of being placed in exile, Gwyn or others forced her to guard the painted world, using her subjects, the pardoners and crow people, as guardsmen.
In VaatiVidya's defense, not that anyone is exactly attacking him fersay, but his videos are called Prepare to Cry, so it would kinda make more sense for him to go with the sympathetic sounding story of the conspirator story is all.
While i love Vaati's interpretation this one makes alot more sense. It explains why there are more pinwheels and makes the boss seem less random then before.
is there any lore on the guy in crystalline armor? before your first encounter with seath, i have never really herd anything about him and would love to know
What I find so surprising by games like Dark Souls is how diverse the lore can be from player to player, but I think that was the intention from the start considering how cryptic the story can be. The developers never intended to provide all the answers and it gives the player greater freedom to puzzle out the lore themselves which adds another layer of enjoyment to the game.
I think Pinwheel was searching thorugh old tomes to discover two things: To see if they were able to seperate. To see if he could weaken the bonfires or destroy them even, by problably reverse engineering the rite of kindling.
I also wonder if maybe he was trying to create a way to create bonfires with bones of the dead, as opposed to the undead. (Which is why his area is littered with skeletons he has been experimenting on).
+DaveControl Do you have a theory on that giant skull in ash lake? What did it belong to? How did it get there? Is it important? Does it have something to do with the hole in the ground that's in the Tomb of Giants that reveals ash lake underneath?
I prefer the idea of the "pinwheels" we see before the nito bossfight being his failed attempts to split himself back into 3. Doe he may have had some connection to velka
Well, keep in mind that there is still existence and non-existence. (As the only disparity). We can't really say what drove the Occult to rebel against the Gods (although it would seem Velka was involved), and I'm hoping this idea is expanded upon on on Dark Souls 2.
:o Your theory is much better than VaatiVidya's one, it fits in much better with the lore. My two cents on Pinwheel's secret is that he studied the Rite of Kindling to find a cure for the Darksign/eternal bonfire respawning (the Undead curse being what the occult are upset about). However, during his research he found out that the RoK is necessary to fend off the Age of Dark, where everything is grim. Having realised his mistake, he utters the same words over and over again: 'I'm so sorry'
I'd think VaatiVidya has his motivation right, while Dave here is more spot on with the methods Nito used. He was likely a high ranking necromancer, but when his family died he turned bitter, then turned to the occult. He succeeded where they failed, stealing the rite of kindling, and Nito's power over the dead, putting the gravelord in a coma. Turned out to be more dangerous than he expected. He was merged and twisted up with his lost family. Spending his days researching the Rite and Undeath to try and undo his mistake, Hence the books and skeletons surrounding him.. Along with the music "I'm so sorry" line.
Well... You see those bone cages surrounding pinwheel - they look to be of enough size to hold one of those baby skeletons, maybe that's what those replica pinwheels are doing in that chamber, Gathering humanity (I don't know if they are for Nito or Pinwheel himself) but I think that's why they are there. Just my opinion - Great video though! I would love to see more.
Maybe both theories work together: He once became a necromancer to revive his family but created pinwheel. He worked hard and became the Nr.1 of Nito-Servants with his own coffin, but he could not seperate the 3 bodies but instead created illusions. Thats why he joined the occult forces and stole nitos power, but he also tricked them and left with the power to his chamber instead of destroying the gods. With the rite that restores hollowing he hopes to restore their original human forms.
The last part reminded me of that Bonfire that you see right after you defeat Pinwheel.... and the Bonfire is extinguished.... wait, could Pinwheel be directly connected to that Bonfire? Or maybe it was one of his experiments? D:
I think of it as a sort of curse. In my mind, the city and people within were cursed to roam forever as ghosts due to the genocide that occurred, forever upset and in despair. But, that's really just my thoughts on the matter.
But why then is his armor on a dead (appeared to be killed) body in Nito's chamber rather then in the coffin, in it's rightful place? following your theory it could be because, sense you have to kill the black phantom version of him to get the armor, he may have returned to Nito defeat, and letting a undead near Nito killed him in disappointment or rage at his failure? My part seems a bit week, but I like were it was headed! any additional thoughts?
A theory I proposed but did not get included in the video is that the family masks are not to show that Pinwheel is made of a 3 person family but are symbolic on the cycle of life and death and that's why the other necromancers (gravelords) that protect Nito's room wear them as well. A father, a mother and a child. The reproductive cycle that provide the first flame and the gods with all the humanity sprites they will ever need...
Woah, that gives me an idea: necromancers can revive skeletons. What if Nito gave Gwyn info so that he could enhance to bonfires to do a similar thing: revive the future-Undead. Maybe the Pinwheels worked on this for Nito and the one we fight realised his mistake and tried to undo it. He'd need skeletons to create a bonfire (he has no real access to Undead bones) to try his experiments on. His guilt is shown by his words. Since FromSoft made him a joke boss, he could secretly be key to the story
I sincerely believe that Velka was once the wife of Gwyn but after his "death" (I am talking about being chained to the first fire" she just wanted the fire age to end so to speak, because wherever you go, Velka both works with Gwyndolin but also is there whenever a rebellion presents itself. Painted World where sinners and outcasts are sent? Priest of Velka was here. At the Bell Tower, after ringing it? Hello, can we talk about Pardoner Velka and how she makes sinning so much easy?
I like the first one better, because feels, but the second is probably more plausible. Likely Pinwheel transmuted himself with his family long ago, before the events of the second theory transpired.
Curious as to where Pinwheel got all the books from. Possibly, another rebel faction from Anor Lando? I mean, Havel did stash away the Occult Club in the basement there, so it wouldn't be too outlandish to suspect someone being capable of stealing some books from the Duke's Archives either, right?
In all honestly your theory, ENB's or Vaati's are all valid. None have been confirmed by Developers or by In-Game Descriptions. I personally enjoy Vaati's proposal that Pinwheel is a father desperately trying to reunite his family and that he is an Ex-Gravelord Servant. Your theory also has weight though and I found it an interesting watch.
That's just why i freaking LOVE dark souls. Nothing is directly gived to the player, even the lore. The fact that Pinwheel is a family seems pretty certain: He got 3 masks, 1 for each family member and 6 "arms". Items tells us that he stole the rite to Nito. He can duplicate himself and create skeletons (Like the skeleton wheels). He is guarding OR blocking the pass to Nito's chamber. It is also pretty sure that he is very close to Nito: Or as a servant, or as an enemy. The mask of the father is the only to got eyes and emotions (Fear or horror) the others looks like they are empty of life or emotions, so the father might be the only really living one of this family. Baby skeletons spawning in the area whith the duplications of Pinwheel could be he's experiment to bring back to life he's family OR (what i believe) to create a new child from necromancy. In the soundtrack, you can ear the father say "im so sorry", and i think (maybe it's just my imagination) the child or the mother say "help me". It's crazy how you can just speculate on a physical form and an OST, but i think the theory of the father trying to undo he's mistake(s) is the most rational answer. It will mean that it's just the most tragic tale i never seen, i feel so sorry for him =(
It could be both, I'm just pointing out the possible symbolic nature of the masks. Pinwheel and the necromancers that protect Nito might operate via a collective consciousness of 3 beings each. Another interpretation is that These necromancers are controlled by a single consciousnesses and this is like an ascended state achieved to escape their living form much like the path of the dragon helps its members escape their human form.
Pinwheel's power is having his ass handed to him in 30 seconds.
know that feel, capra has the same power.
david ramziz yes, but capra can hand anyone their ass in under 30 seconds.
TheBrilliantAndAmazingGamer
i killed him in five hits, and he had the jump on me.
he had the jump on me, it's how he handed me my ass in the first place, with his jump attack.
TheBrilliantAndAmazingGamer
i put up my shield, and it took almost all my stamina, i killed the dogs with the remaining then strafed left, avoiding another attack, i would say i was luky. Or just plain overpowered.
This was brilliant! I loved your interpretation and you backed it up really well. I hope everyone recognises that this theory is just as valid as mine, and that this is what makes Dark Souls Lore so great :)
@VaatiVidya such a shame such a lore rich boss dies within seconds.
Vaati is a good guy
Vaati, your theory isn't valid lol. It hasn't any connection with Dark Souls lore, and even Dark Souls context.
You based all your theories on just a concept design.
@@BioTheHuman your mom isnt valid
@@talaman6371 Nice answer mate
In the tombs of giants right after you exit from pinwheels area is a bonfire that cannot be lit.
Seems to support the theory of him trying and even succeeding in destroying the bonfires.
Where exactly is it though? Like you climb the ladder out of Pinwheel's room/massive coffin and which way do you go? Cause I'd really like to see it! (not that I don't believe you haha)
Johnny Sparks its right in the middle of the main space, just before you walk down the path with the giant skeleton.
look on the ground for a pile of charred bones and ash, its exactly the same as other bonfires... but I think the sword is gone?
alright sweet thanks I'm playing through new game + and I'll check it out when I hit the spot again! Appreciate it fellow Lordran friend! :)
It actually looks like a cleric camp site of sorts. There appears to be two of those piles (for camp fires instead), plus some rope and a cup and bowl. It's cool nonetheless, I've been playing for years and only noticed it now.
Those on bonfires are not swords, they are kindling iron sticks or cinder movers I dunno what are those called but are chimney equipment.
Love your videos and agree with most of them, however, Pinwheel is one that I think most people vastly *overthink* on so much they miss the more simple explanation.
To me, Pinwheel was once a man with a family, and like most men, he feared death and wished to live forever with his loved ones. He became a necromancer for the same reasons most necromancers in fiction become necromancers - to conquer Death and live forever. He stole close to Gravelord Nito, pretending to be a faithful servant and working his way up the chain in a bid to steal immortality for himself and his family.
Nito was not so easily fooled and foiled the Necromancer, catching him. As punishment, Nito ironically afflicted the man with exactly what he wanted. Living forever with his family - as an undying abomination, 3 separate beings in one. As such, the Necromancer succeeded in "stealing" immortality, but was punished with poetic justice. Nito then banished the Pinwheel from his sight where it now sits on his doorstep in the catacombs surrounded by it's trappings seeking a way to undo Nito's curse with necromancy, all the while fervently apologizing perhaps to itself or perhaps to Nito, fervently hoping Nito's heart will soften and revoke the curse if he is heard.
There's a few reasons why I feel this is most likely the way of it. Firstly, if Pinwheel and Nito's story were so simple as a man stealing from a god, there's no way in the world that man is going to sit around on the god's doorstep afterward. It's a trivial matter for Nito to simply waltz to where Pinwheel lairs and smite his arse to nothingness and gods are never so simple in their punishments, especially for hubris. Gods love irony far too much. If Pinwheel's story were that of a man who stole from Death, that man would logically get as far, far away as possible from Nito as he could - not set up camp on his doorstep.
Second, a lot of Dark Souls is inspired or taken heavily from real world mythology and it's surprising that no one seems to make the most obvious connection to their relationship. Where else is there a relationship of a deity of the dead with a 3 headed being? Hades and Cerberus. I find it pretty obvious and most likely that Gravelord Nito caught Pinwheel in his attempt to steal immortality, cursed him with it, then set him to guard his domain much like a 3-headed watch dog against interlopers. Pinwheel now sits in his lair, unable to die, desperately tinkering to find some arcane way to undo Nito's curse all the while pleading (either with itself or to NIto) "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry!" while it does it's best to prevent intruders from progressing hoping that someday Nito will forgive it. If thwarted, Nito will simply re-animate it and set it back to it's toils, much like Hades every time some hero came by and killed Cerberus. Given how heavily taken from real world mythology the rest of the lore is I don't credit the designers for much originality here, either.
The rite of kindling, I find is a red herring. It even says it comes from clerics and we've plenty of proof that Pinwheel has encountered clerics aplenty on their way to Nito. No doubt Pinwheel has succeeded some of these encounters and taken knowledge of it from them - hoping perhaps to use it as a weapon or tool in a bid to force Nito to bargain with him in the future.
At least, that's my two cents anyways.
this is my favorite pinwheel theory and the one I feel has the most weight. well said.
Love this lore theory! It seems very on-point and I'll stand by it :)
Very well constructed theory, and my new personal favourite for whatever the hell Pinwheel is. Honestly I'd love to see this realised in someway.
I really like pinwheel's theme
Ok ok...
How about we combine all THREE theories?
So... The father was a high ranking necromancer who assisted Nito (hence the dedication), but then somewhere down the track his family died (perhaps at the hands of the gods for some reason?), and so he betrayed Nito and became a servant of Velka in order acquire the Rite of Kindling so that he might revive his family. I imagine that it went wrong according to Vaati's video.
All three theories seemed so likely... combining them seems logical. The other Pinwheels might be failed experiments as Vaati also suggests. Maybe someone else has already said this. Idk
AlphosLeo Hmmm Using your theory (which is what it is), what if his ability to "split" is a after affect of his experimenting on bonfires. They are "shadows" per say... think of it this way, he's somehow turned himself/itself whatever, into a bonfire and each "split" is a fragment that is being released from pinwheel the "bonfire"
The most important boss, because without them, there would be no Giantdad.
Simon The Digger Wait how?
CR3AT1VE SPECTRUM The Mask of the Father.
THE LEGEND NEER DIES!!!
My Pinwheel Theory:
How exactly Pinwheel became Pinwheel isn't that important. We know it is three family members fused together, either by the father or by Nito. What's important is why and how it does what iy does.
Pinwheel stole Nito's power. However it wasn't entirely sure what it was stealing. In the same way a robber might break into a house and take whatever looks the most valuable at first glance, Pinwheel took whatever it could find/had the time for.
Now, the Rite of Kindling creates bonfires. The undead respawn at bonfires. But when they die, is their original body repaired? Or is another copy just created at the bonfire? It could be the latter.
So this brings us to Pinwheel's ability. Pinwheel can make copies of himself. I guess it somehow used the Rite of Kindling to do this, perhaps unlocking its secrets so that it can create new copies of himself without dying.
But why is it creating these copies? Simple. It is trying to undo the curse placed upon him. Pinwheel isn't going to cast spells on himself since that may be what started this whole mess, so he needs test subjects. And what better test subject than an exact replica of itself?
Eventually he discards these test subjects. They find their way into the Tomb of Giants, and Nito takes control of them. This would explain why he doesn't march his Army of Death up to the Catacombs and wipe Pinwheel out - Pinwheel provides him with an ample and powerful supply of minions which is enough to appease him... for now.
As for the statues, it probably just had his minions build them to:
-honour the family members merged together.
-appear as harmless decorations only for deadly spikes to pop out and stab adventurers with an appreciation for art.
Hello from 2019. Your theory of the copies created at bonfires is great and so credible given the fact that for every undead character we find in the game, there is also a corpse having their same attire and items in the place they historically die no matter if they are still living in your current passage through the same story. At first I thought that meant we were all ghosts repeating the same events of yore again and again, but this theory of yours makes perfect sense to me. Also, Pinwheel may have been trying to imitate and succeed Nito, and may have been a disciple of sorts to him, given the fact that Nito is also an accumulation of corpses, like in those theories that link him to The Rotten considering him a young version or a future being of the likes of Nito.
I think it might be both. Vaati's theory explain the creation of Pinwheel, and yours explains what might have happened after. The statues do show that at one point they were separate entities
Maybe not even after. What if the mother and the father were necromancers first and then the mother and child die. The Father is still in Nito's good graces and continues to be so even after his attempt at bringing back his family. What if Nito lets that one slide because, well that guy was a good servant. So suddenly it would hurt tons more for him to go traitor.
Vaati has presentations that have more emotinal approaches, which touches our hearts. Yours are heavily more resarched, in this case at least, which brings a deeper analysis and more of a mindblowing experience. Extremely intriguing theories, both of yours. Keep up the good work, both of you. Much respect to the community aswell
A theory I support about Pinwheel is that the father of the family could have lost his Wife and Child to Gravelord Nito. Driven by grief, he stole the power of Gravelord Nito, so that he would be able to resurrect his family, but being an inexperienced Necromancer, he accidentally fused his family into one body with him. What he was tinkering away at was perhaps him attempting to separate his family back into three separate bodies. However, he never managed to complete that task, after you show up and wipe the floor with him ;).
This! Also, I think that's why he has the ability to replicate himself - he's trying to separate himself, but replication is the best he's been able to accomplish so far. He's still trying to figure it out, which is why he's studying the books when you show up to wipe the floor with him ;)
5:33 The gods feared black tights?
It was the most horrifying thing of all. Little known fact, Pinwheel's chamber music isn't saying "I'm so sorry", but rather "scary black tights".
VoS Draug LOL while late this whole comment chain is funny. " Maybe he's asking Velka to forgive him? Velka after all, is the one who absolves sins." or maybe Velka makes really good black tights?lel
TheGumsW The thing is, Velka is the godess of sin, the one that the gods chase. Velka is an enenmy of the gods and thus a member of the occult. The "black tights" is Velka's set. You're welcome.
Thank you so much! I'm honored you feel that way.
I try not to make a lore video unless I feel I have some new/different to add, and there'd be no point in just recreating Vaati's video.
1:17 THE BEST FUCKING MASK IN THE GAME
wat r u casual?
too bad pinwheel died like a casul
Thomas Dixon Pinwheel wasn't a Giant, and so he was slain like every other casul
#TheLegendNeverDies
Damn I was tryin to keep this theory to myself until I covered it. That's what I meant in your other video when I mentioned a video covering just "the shackles place on your brethren" quote. I think the Dark Curse was transferred to humans as a means to cause hollowing. Hollowing is then staved off by destroying humanity. It's the perfect weapon to combat the dark souls since Gwyn also believes that one day the Dark Lord will be reborn among humans.
Great video Dave. Still think Kaathe is bad?
I agree, I think 'Shepard the humans' means cursed them for their humanity, we already know that humanity was a huge industry in Lordran, well before the game starts, so what evidence is there to say that the undead curse is natural, ok so there are undead dragons, but are the undead dragons true eternal dragons or are they lesser dragons that have long since died but because of their lineage they truly cannot die, unless they rot and fade away into dust or are completely vaporised, immortality is not invulnerability. Also their are human npcs that do fully die and do not hollow, Patches for example, so it seems that some can hollow and some do not.
Persona i agree with VaatiVidyas lore, with the copies being attempts to split himself (itself?) Up into seperare beings as originally intended, it only makes sense
Thank you so much! At this point, I'm finally starting to have a decent amount of Lore videos up, so I hope you enjoy the rest as I continue to make more. :)
"...how to destroy bonfires." Makes me think about Dark Souls 2 and some talk about extinguishing bonfires...
He's probably trying to make more pinwheel skeletons to troll players with.
Or vaguely trying to transfer the 3 pieces that make pinwheel into other bodies, skeletons, since it's a tomb.
Vaati was my go-to guy for lore vids with Dark Souls, but I always love hearing the same thing from a new perspective; especially with a game like Dark Souls that is so dependent on speculation and theories! I'm gonna go check out your other lore vids; this was really awesome, and I'd love to see what other theories you have for this awesome game :D
Watching this gave me an crazy idea.
Dave said that maybe Nito and Gwyn are still working in unision, and that Pinwheel stole the Rite. What if... Pinwheel didn't actually steal the Rite, but Nito gave it to him, but made it look like a theft so the cult of Velka, who want to destroy the gods, wouldn't suspect a thing. And why does Pinwheel need it, and why are there books in a big pile?
He might attempt to create a new First Flame, and the chamber has been prepared for it.
I knew from the beginning of this video that u will add something more than what VaatiVidya said and I was right
bro u r one of the best dark souls lore video creator , a list that contains ENB and VaatiVidya
Hi i just wanted to tell you that at 1:42 Naive, is pronounced Nye-Eve
I enjoy these various ideas, and I'm sorry I missed including them. I definitely should have explored those possibilities as well.
Damn, that's a really interesting notion! For some reason, that hand't crossed my mind, but it's pretty brilliant, actually.
Love it! Best theory I've heard yet related to Pinwheel yet. I thought Vaati's was good as well, but I do think your take on the lore fits very well with what is presented to the players, especially the note that there are other pinwheels as well as statues honoring them. I'm gonna go ahead and call this one my number 1 theory for pinwheel now, great watch!
Wow this is an amazing theory, at first I was certain vaati had a better theory but you proved me wrong, amazing video you just earned a subscriber
Man, this video is 7 years old and the mic quality is still great
I definitely admire the respect that the Dark Souls Lore community has for each other. While I haven't made a decision as to what seems more likely, it makes me happy to see that lorists are respecting and appreciating each other's work
Excellent take on Pinwheel's story, your vids are killer!
Vatividya gave a nice simple and safe idea, but that's it, it seems a little too simple. I like the idea you presented, the presence of the wheel skeletons ties in with the lore nicely, and the adoration of the faces fits the possibility that Pinwheel had some tie with the occult, not to mention the mysterious smaller coffin next to Nito.
Also when you started basically quoting vidya I was worried but damn this came out nicely. I really do like this theory more.
As a lorist viewer I really appreciate people presenting new options for us to consider. Please don't be afraid to challenge our understanding! Either way we got an awesome video out of it, great work
True. I recommend looking at MSPainting (below)'s thoughts on the matter.
I find it to be interesting you find them in the same room where (humanity bearing) baby skeletons are being formed and created. Perhaps there's something in that.
I know this is late but can't both of these be true? Pin wheel loses his family and then becomes Nito's right hand man in order to get the power necissary to try and bring them back?
The way you described the painted world as being the place where there are "things the gods feared", made me laugh. Even gods fear those bonewheels, it seems....
Anon ymous My soul can only be so terrified....
Hunter Folyer actually, if you watch Dave's let's play where he goes into the painted world, he shows a very good and easy way to kill them without becoming roadkill.
Wooow, really glad i found this channel! Keep it up please!
I feel like that the reason he stays in the catacombs is maybe he's trying to seep rate himself then reincarnate his family in a new body or a vessel for their being since their current bodies are deformed and catacombs are filled with people of the same family so maybe he wants an old family members body to be the vessel or it needs to be
I really liked the Father saving his family theory but yours makes more sense and has more in game lore to back it up.
Nah, either or could definitely be true. I found this to be an incredibly interesting potential perspective, and I always hope that these open up more understandings of the overall Dark Souls Lore.
I think that pinwheel might have taken the rite of kindling to break his family from being linked to the fire but instead accidentally linked his families souls together.
+DaveControl you can also hear in the soundtrack ,,Its all your foult"
The links with the bonewheel skeletons, occult and painted world is a very compelling thought, it amazes me how good the level of interpretation is getting all the time with DkS. I used to think the dead are actually a race, being born a baby skeleton from that primeval fluid with Nito being the first, hence the name first of the dead
You know what else is interesting about the occult being related to Pinwheel, the upgrade path scales with faith that doesn't stop the skeletons from resurrecting
Haha, that's a great question, actually, that I hadn't put too much thought into. Where did he get all of those books?
Just died on my way down to see pinwheel and spawned in firelink shrine. RIP those souls.
Excellent Lore video as always!
In all these years I'd never noticed the imprints of the masks in the Catacomb statues. That's insane :P
This is a really good theory, I honestly forgot about the smaller coffin next to Nito's.
Good video. Dark Souls leaves so much of the story a mystery that its really confusing on which covenants would be involved with Pinwheel. And how would the rite of kindling be his power?
And how many times could Pinwheel clone its self ? It just seems like Pinwheels minions and Nito's minions come from the same army, or could their be divisions in the endless bodies of bones?
Also I think there should have been a spell set centered around Pinwheels skills like a Necromancer class.
I totally agree, it truely makes it a community game. It makes me think (in several ways) of the original Zelda on the NES. That idea of exploring, yet using your friends and Nintendo Powers to discover the secrets together as a community.
interesting theory, it would make sense that he was trying to destroy it, since the bonfire just above his boss room is the only one in the game that does not work
Thanks for not attacking me about it! I'm just as big a fan of Vaati's (and ENB's) as anyone else, and actually held off on making this for a while because I didn't want to disrespect Vaati and his work.
I really like your theory. It will surely make the next Pinwheel fight feel less lame.
The bonewheels could be a reference to an ancient method of torture commonly administered to blasphemers, and others worthy of an extreme punishment. The racking, or driving wheel, would commonly see individuals threaded through the spokes of a large wagon wheel, the wheel being mounted upon a post and rotated, shattering bones, and tearing flesh. The individuals would then be left in public view, often living for many days, or potentially let go, permanently crippled and disfigured. This method of torture was commonly preserved for traitors, and blasphemers.
According to the description it's a Hollowed Knight, partially crystallized. Probably someone afraid to die of Seath's crystals (therefore not fully turned into crystal) and stays just outside of it, stuck at his objective. You find his corpse later because he doesn't know where to go on (the invisible pathways are too hard to figure out)
I did a looooot of looking at this while I was making the video and filming, and I don't think it is the gravelord sword. You can see that same sword (on the table) all over the room, and it has a sort of curved blade/handle with jagged teeth on the blade. It's used to hang all of the skeletons in the room.
That's a good point about the bonewheel skeletons. But, I also feel that way because Pinwheel "reigns over the Catacombs" and they are directly guarding his chamber.
Honestly, I'm not sure about the name and significance. Nito's name I believe was originally something different that sounded more like a joke (if I remember correctly), and at the last minute they decided to change it. (I could be wrong here, but I think I remember the art book saying something along those lines).
I have never liked playing the dark souls games..But I do enjoy the lore in the games
yours is my favourite concerning Pinwheel
Wait if he was researching bonfires maybe his research led him to discover travel between bonfires and vendrick found this discovery in some hidden notes made by pinwheel which is why dark souls 2 has bonfire travel
the Pinwheels outside of Nito's entrance are there to do two things; 1 make sure that no undead awaken Nito, and 2 to make sure Nito stays in his tomb. sense Pinwheel stole from Nito, i doubt he wants him walking around trying to find him. as a necromancer, the collective effort of all the Pinwheels should have some effect over Nito, who is technically dead.
I thought of something the other day. Vamos is in the catacombs, correct? He's also before Pinwheel, and knows how to use the chaos ember. But chaos fire was created when the Witch of Izalith tried to replicate the First Flame, wasn't it? Is it possible that in order to gain power, Pinwheel was trying to create another First Flame, using Vamos' guidance & the Rite of Kindling? It's a possibility
I think that Velka was considered dangerous to the god, but instead of being placed in exile, Gwyn or others forced her to guard the painted world, using her subjects, the pardoners and crow people, as guardsmen.
In VaatiVidya's defense, not that anyone is exactly attacking him fersay, but his videos are called Prepare to Cry, so it would kinda make more sense for him to go with the sympathetic sounding story of the conspirator story is all.
While i love Vaati's interpretation this one makes alot more sense. It explains why there are more pinwheels and makes the boss seem less random then before.
Velka has a bigger role in darksouls then alot of people would think ;)
is there any lore on the guy in crystalline armor? before your first encounter with seath, i have never really herd anything about him and would love to know
What I find so surprising by games like Dark Souls is how diverse the lore can be from player to player, but I think that was the intention from the start considering how cryptic the story can be. The developers never intended to provide all the answers and it gives the player greater freedom to puzzle out the lore themselves which adds another layer of enjoyment to the game.
I think Pinwheel was searching thorugh old tomes to discover two things:
To see if they were able to seperate.
To see if he could weaken the bonfires or destroy them even, by problably reverse engineering the rite of kindling.
I also wonder if maybe he was trying to create a way to create bonfires with bones of the dead, as opposed to the undead. (Which is why his area is littered with skeletons he has been experimenting on).
the skeleton pinwheel is tinkering on when you first pop into his chamber has an arm that looks like the gravelord sword.
Dave :" when defeating Pinwheel"
you mean when pawning- destroying- Killing Pinwheel
That's definitely possible. I also think it could simply be a matter of the child being a trickster. But, hey! Your speculation could be spot on!
+DaveControl
Do you have a theory on that giant skull in ash lake? What did it belong to? How did it get there? Is it important? Does it have something to do with the hole in the ground that's in the Tomb of Giants that reveals ash lake underneath?
I prefer the idea of the "pinwheels" we see before the nito bossfight being his failed attempts to split himself back into 3.
Doe he may have had some connection to velka
Well, keep in mind that there is still existence and non-existence. (As the only disparity). We can't really say what drove the Occult to rebel against the Gods (although it would seem Velka was involved), and I'm hoping this idea is expanded upon on on Dark Souls 2.
:o Your theory is much better than VaatiVidya's one, it fits in much better with the lore. My two cents on Pinwheel's secret is that he studied the Rite of Kindling to find a cure for the Darksign/eternal bonfire respawning (the Undead curse being what the occult are upset about). However, during his research he found out that the RoK is necessary to fend off the Age of Dark, where everything is grim. Having realised his mistake, he utters the same words over and over again: 'I'm so sorry'
I'd think VaatiVidya has his motivation right, while Dave here is more spot on with the methods Nito used. He was likely a high ranking necromancer, but when his family died he turned bitter, then turned to the occult. He succeeded where they failed, stealing the rite of kindling, and Nito's power over the dead, putting the gravelord in a coma.
Turned out to be more dangerous than he expected. He was merged and twisted up with his lost family. Spending his days researching the Rite and Undeath to try and undo his mistake, Hence the books and skeletons surrounding him.. Along with the music "I'm so sorry" line.
That could be a father trying to fix his mistake if the dev didn't paste other pinwheels around nito
Well... You see those bone cages surrounding pinwheel - they look to be of enough size to hold one of those baby skeletons, maybe that's what those replica pinwheels are doing in that chamber, Gathering humanity (I don't know if they are for Nito or Pinwheel himself) but I think that's why they are there. Just my opinion - Great video though! I would love to see more.
Lots of dead babies and spikes coming out of the mother's stomach? I am thinking the child did not live for long... until it was brought back.
Maybe both theories work together: He once became a necromancer to revive his family but created pinwheel. He worked hard and became the Nr.1 of Nito-Servants with his own coffin, but he could not seperate the 3 bodies but instead created illusions. Thats why he joined the occult forces and stole nitos power, but he also tricked them and left with the power to his chamber instead of destroying the gods. With the rite that restores hollowing he hopes to restore their original human forms.
Thank you so much! I'm glad to hear you think that, and I definitely still love your video on Pinwheel. I appreciate the feedback! :)
The last part reminded me of that Bonfire that you see right after you defeat Pinwheel.... and the Bonfire is extinguished.... wait, could Pinwheel be directly connected to that Bonfire? Or maybe it was one of his experiments?
D:
I think of it as a sort of curse. In my mind, the city and people within were cursed to roam forever as ghosts due to the genocide that occurred, forever upset and in despair.
But, that's really just my thoughts on the matter.
both theroys are true to me a father in the occult steals the power to both restor his family and help the occult
But why then is his armor on a dead (appeared to be killed) body in Nito's chamber rather then in the coffin, in it's rightful place?
following your theory it could be because, sense you have to kill the black phantom version of him to get the armor, he may have returned to Nito defeat, and letting a undead near Nito killed him in disappointment or rage at his failure?
My part seems a bit week, but I like were it was headed! any additional thoughts?
A theory I proposed but did not get included in the video is that the family masks are not to show that Pinwheel is made of a 3 person family but are symbolic on the cycle of life and death and that's why the other necromancers (gravelords) that protect Nito's room wear them as well.
A father, a mother and a child. The reproductive cycle that provide the first flame and the gods with all the humanity sprites they will ever need...
My 10 year old brother: what's up with this boss, you slap him twice and he's done
Woah, that gives me an idea: necromancers can revive skeletons. What if Nito gave Gwyn info so that he could enhance to bonfires to do a similar thing: revive the future-Undead. Maybe the Pinwheels worked on this for Nito and the one we fight realised his mistake and tried to undo it. He'd need skeletons to create a bonfire (he has no real access to Undead bones) to try his experiments on. His guilt is shown by his words. Since FromSoft made him a joke boss, he could secretly be key to the story
I sincerely believe that Velka was once the wife of Gwyn but after his "death" (I am talking about being chained to the first fire" she just wanted the fire age to end so to speak, because wherever you go, Velka both works with Gwyndolin but also is there whenever a rebellion presents itself.
Painted World where sinners and outcasts are sent? Priest of Velka was here. At the Bell Tower, after ringing it? Hello, can we talk about Pardoner Velka and how she makes sinning so much easy?
"I'm so sorry"
"It's all your fault"
"Help me"
Your lore videos are excellent
I like the first one better, because feels, but the second is probably more plausible. Likely Pinwheel transmuted himself with his family long ago, before the events of the second theory transpired.
Curious as to where Pinwheel got all the books from. Possibly, another rebel faction from Anor Lando? I mean, Havel did stash away the Occult Club in the basement there, so it wouldn't be too outlandish to suspect someone being capable of stealing some books from the Duke's Archives either, right?
In all honestly your theory, ENB's or Vaati's are all valid. None have been confirmed by Developers or by In-Game Descriptions. I personally enjoy Vaati's proposal that Pinwheel is a father desperately trying to reunite his family and that he is an Ex-Gravelord Servant.
Your theory also has weight though and I found it an interesting watch.
Pinwheel is the pedestal for Giantdad to recieve his vessels
That's just why i freaking LOVE dark souls. Nothing is directly gived to the player, even the lore.
The fact that Pinwheel is a family seems pretty certain: He got 3 masks, 1 for each family member and 6 "arms". Items tells us that he stole the rite to Nito. He can duplicate himself and create skeletons (Like the skeleton wheels). He is guarding OR blocking the pass to Nito's chamber.
It is also pretty sure that he is very close to Nito: Or as a servant, or as an enemy. The mask of the father is the only to got eyes and emotions (Fear or horror) the others looks like they are empty of life or emotions, so the father might be the only really living one of this family. Baby skeletons spawning in the area whith the duplications of Pinwheel could be he's experiment to bring back to life he's family OR (what i believe) to create a new child from necromancy.
In the soundtrack, you can ear the father say "im so sorry", and i think (maybe it's just my imagination) the child or the mother say "help me".
It's crazy how you can just speculate on a physical form and an OST, but i think the theory of the father trying to undo he's mistake(s) is the most rational answer. It will mean that it's just the most tragic tale i never seen, i feel so sorry for him =(
It could be both, I'm just pointing out the possible symbolic nature of the masks. Pinwheel and the necromancers that protect Nito might operate via a collective consciousness of 3 beings each.
Another interpretation is that These necromancers are controlled by a single consciousnesses and this is like an ascended state achieved to escape their living form much like the path of the dragon helps its members escape their human form.