'Dark Souls 3' DLC release news, rumors: Ashes of Ariandel set in Painted World of Ariamis?

A look at the Ashes of Ariandel DLC for "Dark Souls 3" Bandai Namco

"Dark Souls 3" is getting its first expansion pack next month in the form of the "Ashes of Ariandel," which takes players to land covered with snow and darkness.

While the exact location of Ariandel is not specified, Inverse is convinced that it the entire snow-laden locale is actually the same area inside the Painted World of Ariamis.

For the uninitiated, Painted World of Ariamis is a painting in Anor Londo in "Dark Souls" that features an optional location that players can access, provided they recover Peculiar Doll from the Undead Asylum.

Players will then be pulled to the inside of the painting following the task as they examine it. A giveaway that this is where the "Ashes of Ariandel" DLC for "Dark Souls 3" is set is the character walking towards the same tower featured in the painting.

Another clue is the remark being said by the narrator of the "Dark Souls 3" DLC trailer. In the teaser, the narrator says: "Unkindled one. If you are like us, another forlorn soul — with no place to call your own. Then show my lady flame..."

Painted World was created by Ariamis to serve as a home to lost souls. Based on the trailer, this could be the premise that they are playing with on the "Ashes of Ariandel" DLC for "Dark Souls 3."

Meanwhile, Inverse also says that the villain in the "Dark Souls 3" expansion pack is related to the Corvians, creatures found in the game that appears to be part human and part crow.

These creatures also strengthen the theory that "Ashes of Ariandel" is in the Painted World, as they wield the Storyteller's Staff and the Great Corvian Scythe, both described as items that have something to do with the painting.

The "Ashes of Ariandel" expansion pack for "Dark Souls 3" is scheduled to be released on Oct. 25.

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