This is going to be a bit different. As much as I love talking about giant monsters and Tokusatsu, sometimes there is a game that really catches my eye and I have to play it and talk about it until my friends are driven insane by my ramblings. Shadow of the Colossus is one of those games. After reliving my childhood through this amazing game I got to thinking again about the characters and the story. Anybody who played the game knows it is not a very story or dialogue intensive game, but there is a story there. The story of how the land got to that point, the story of why that warrior was there, and the story of Dormin, the main topic this time.
There are many theories circulating the interweb about Dormin and the Colossus. While the theories are diverse, most people seem to gravitate towards the theory that Dormin is evil, the colossus were meant to seal him, and Wander was in over his head. I completely reject this theory. I would go so far to say that none of the characters in this game are evil. Dormin in particular may hold a grudge against Emon but he is not evil. This theory honestly planted the seeds that would explain a lot of things in the entire land in which the colossus reside and what their innate purpose was. I believe that Dormin is not evil and is instead of being that is a tad more benevolent than we think.
needless to say: Spoilers Ahead
It is first essential to understand what Wander, the main character, is doing in this game. Wander comes to this Forbidden land after hearing a story (more on that later) about it in order to resurrect Mono, a girl whom we can assume Wander has some romantic or family relation with. It is stated that Mono was sacrificed for she had a "cursed fate" while I think some points of dialogue are left over from plot points relating to ICO it is safe to assume that sacrifice was an intentional word choice. The game has so few spoken parts, it is unreasonable to think that they were just skimmed pieces of dialogue. Each line has a point and a very particular word choice. These Lines and certain character actions are key to this theory.
When Wander enters the Forbidden land he meets Dormin, or rather shadowy figures that appear to be a part of Dormin. After Taking notice of Wander and, in particular, the sword he wields, Dormin and Wander have a conversation about why they are there and what Wander has to do to revive Mono. Our first piece of evidence that Dormin is not that evil comes from this conversation. At this point all we know of this land is that it's forbidden and some power in this land can resurrect this dead. Dormin appears to be that power and is okay with helping Wander but needs him to do something for him first. Dormin directly tells wander about the idols and the Colossi they represent. Dormin makes it clear that a heavy price will be paid in this ordeal, only to have the offer accepted hastily by Wander. Most Demons or evil entities are conniving and manipulative. Dormin did not have to convince wander to do anything. There was no coercion or manipulation. Dormin stated what needed to be done for this resurrection to be possible, and Wander just went forth. Dormin may be ominous and otherworldly but it seems he is not a trickster. This is where the game really starts and the brunt of the game is exploration and defeating the Colossi. One argument for the whole "Dormin being evil" theory is that Dormin keeps his directions towards the colossus intentionally vague. Consider this, every time Wander is directed to another colossus, a hint to how to defeat that particular colossus is squeezed in with it. Also, why does dormin have to show you where the colossi is exactly, when you have a sword that literally shows you the way as well as a map. Now, on the game dev side this is meant so the player can explore as much as possible and see this gorgeous world. What if Dormin also wants you to see as much of this land as possible while you journey, only stopping you to point out shrines of some unknown importance. If Dormin really wanted to keep your journey vague and difficult, there would be no hints from Dormin during every Collosi fight. It leaves one of two possibilities. Either Dormin wants these colossi destroyed as soon as possible or Dormin is guiding wander. I think its a bit of both.
As Wander is defeating Colossi, his complexion grows darker and black veiny lines appear over parts of his body. This can be easily tied to what happens when a Colossi falls. When a Colossus dies, this black mist pours from their body and black tendrils appear and make a B-line towards Wander, going into his body. Next Wander appears back in the temple only to prepare for his next challenge. We find out after the final colossi that Wander faints after being subjected to these tendrils. some unknown force then lifts him off the ground and carries him back to the temple. It is heavily implied that this is Dormin moving wander to the temple. Once Wander returns to the temple and the head Shaman Emon catches up, we get the next and final major set of dialogue and cutscenes. Everything starts to fall into place.
Instead of summarizing it, this is the exact play by play:
Shrine of Worship
Emon and his followers ride across the massive bridge to the Shrine, opening the sealed door at the end. Inside, Emon slides his mask back down over his face, having previously lifted it up. The group of six descend the ramp, and arrive at the main chamber. Soon, the entire room begins to shake.| Follower: | Lord Emon! |
Emon turns to the last of the Colossus' idols, right as it explodes.
| Emon: | No... |
He notices Mono at the other side of the room.
| Emon: | Hmm? |
He takes off his mask as he looks to the altar. The camera shifts to Mono, then whites out.
By the 16th Colossus
Wander is lying on the ground in front of the now-felled Colossus. He starts to move as the camera pans up, and reappears in the Shrine.Shrine of Worship
By the altar, Emon is performing a chant over Mono's body. In the middle of it, though, he stops and turns around; Wander has appeared in the room. His sword spirals through the air as Wander loses his grip of it, now incredibly weak and exhausted; his face is pale-white, his voice has become strained, and two small horns now protrude from his head.| Emon: | I don't believe this... So it was you after all. Have you any idea what you've done?! Not only did you steal the sword and trespass upon this cursed land, you used the forbidden spell as well... |
Two of Emon's followers walk towards Wander.
| Emon: | To be reduced to such a sight... |
Wander manages to stand up, albeit slowly.
| Emon: | You were only being used. Eradicate the source of the evil. |
One of the followers readies an arrow. Wander continues to walk, hunched over, with the shadows still behind him.
| Emon: | Look... He's possessed by the dead. Hurry up and do it! |
The follower launches the arrow into Wander's leg; he falls over, grabbing the leg in pain, but is able to stand up again. A shadow seeps of the wound, beginning to spread out over more of his body.
| Emon: | It is better to put him out of his misery then to exist, cursed as he is. |
Another follower walks to Wander. He raises his sword above him; hesitating for a mere second, he
pierces Wander's chest. Cringing, Wander tries to grab the sword; darkness pours out of the wound, like the Colossi when they were stabbed. The follower backs up; Emon looks surprised. Wander staggers to the altar, reaching out to Mono. He pulls the sword out of his chest; darkness flows out of it, rapidly encasing his body in darkness. Wander drops the sword; it falls to the ground, as does he. The shadows finally reach the tip of his foot, now covering him completely. Emon looks at Mono, but turns back as one of the followers screams. Dormin - appearing as a horned beast the size of the Colossi - emerges from Wander. He speaks;
| Dormin: | Thou severed Our body into sixteen segments for an eternity in order to seal away Our power... We, Dormin, have arisen anew... |
| Emon: | He's been resurrected...! |
| Dormin: | We have borrowed the body of this warrior... |
All of the humanlike shadows run into Dormin's body, increasing his size.
| Emon: | Place a seal over the entire shrine before it's too late! |
The player takes control of Dormin for a brief segment. Emon and his men run to the central shaft of the shrine, and a follower grabs the Ancient Sword on the way.
| Emon: | Ready my horse. |
A follower hands Emon the Ancient Sword; he walks to the ledge that sits over the pool of water down below. Emon raises the sword into the air, then throws it downward to the water.
| Emon: | Be gone fowl beast! |
A bright light shines out of the pool as the sword falls into it, creating a sort of miniature tornado. Emon pauses after the winds blow his mask back, but then turns to leave. Back in the main room, Dormin is being pulled by the wind. As he's pulled, he reverts to Wander's form, but is still covered in pitch-black shadows. Dormin-Wander makes a futile attempt at resisting the wind, but is sucked into the pool. The wind dissipates. Outside, Emon and his followers ride across the bridge, which has now begun to collapse. The camera shifts back inside the Shrine. Mono comes back to life and steps off the altar. Agro comes in from the side stairs, with a limp leg. Mono pets him as he draws near her. The credits start to roll.
The locations of all sixteen Colossi are shown in Reminiscence Mode, after which we see Emon and his followers arrive at the end of the bridge as the rest of it breaks apart.
| Emon: | Poor ungodly soul... Now, no man shall ever trespass upon this place again. Should you be alive... If it's even possible to continue to exist in these sealed lands... one day, perhaps you will make atonement for what you've done. |
Back at the Shrine of Worship, Mono and Agro walk to the pool of water. Wander, now in the form of a baby, lies on the surface of the water. Mono kneels down to him and picks him up. Mono follows Agro up the spiral ramp. Outside the Shrine, they walk up to the 'Secret Garden' atop the building. Birds chirp throughout the Garden; a deer notices Mono and Agro as they come in. It runs to them, but slows down as it nears Mono. A bird flies out of the Garden; the camera follows it, leaving Mono and Agro out of view. The bird flies across the forbidden land, eventually reaching a dark place accompanied by a raging storm. The camera shoots passed the bird, and the screen goes black.
(this play by play I got from mtkennerly on GameFAQS)
Now I know a lot of that makes Dormin look pretty evil but consider one thing. If Dormin was truly just after his own resurrection, why bother resurrecting Mono and Wander at all? Emon did not turn wander into a baby. Emon didn't know what happened after he placed the seal and threw the sword down. For all he knows, Wander is dead. So then what? Where is Dormin? What exactly happened to Wander? and how does this mean Dormin aint evil?
I mentioned that exact wording here is important. Emon stated that Wander had been possessed by the dead. I believe that this should be taken at face value and is a true statement. It helps us break down exactly who, or more accurately, what Dormin is. If Wander is possessed by the dead it is safe to assume that the black masses coming out of the colossi and entering wander were collective souls of the dead. We also know these as pieces of Dormin. This means that Dormin is an entity made up of a collective of dead souls and that the colossi contained pieces of Dormin. This could mean a great many things but I believe that Dormin is being who guides the souls of the dead, or more accurately a sentinel between the realm of the dead and the realm of the living. Now is the time to revisit the story that Wander heard about the land that drove him there to begin with.
"That place... began from the resonance of intersecting points... They are memories replaced by ens and naught and etched into stone. Blood, young sprouts, sky--and the one with the ability to control beings created from light... In that world, it is said that if one should wish it one can bring back the souls of the dead... ...But to trespass upon that land is strictly forbidden..."
What if that land is simply an intersecting point between the land of the dead and the land of the living? The main temple, the various shrines and ruined cities all could have been built ceremoniously to worship and protect the cycle of life and death. I believe this to be the case. I also believe that the people in Wanders tribe, and particularly Emon, have a reason for knowing about the ritual to bring back the dead.
Dormin does not show aggression with Wander, but gets violent with Emon and his men stating they sealed his body into the 16 colossi. It is unreasonable to think that Emon himself is as old as some of the ruins in that land. It was established by Dormin earlier in the game (and by the fact that many of the colossi can't leave) That these Colossi were built back when the structures were more stable and complete. Enough time has indeed passed more moss to grow on several Colossi, and for stone structures to collapse.
I believe that over time the people that lived there began to fear the power of the dead as the souls of the dead (represented by shadows, beings created by light) just would wander alongside the living. Dormin likely was always present in some form but stayed near the main temple and only occasionly went to the outer reaches to get the lay of the land and be sure the living and dead aren't in conflict. This idea is reinforced by the fact that the last bit of Dormin that speaks with you is only able to communicate with you at the Temple, where the connection is strongest, and how Dormin still seems to know a lot about the land and where these Colossi are. Dormin very likely has light omniscience. This explains also why he was able to let Wander know Emon was coming before the last Colossus. Dormin can see where all of the Colossi are but more than that, knows very well about how the Colossi work as well as the Shamans like Emon.I believe these Colossi, initially were made to just be stone statues representing or honoring warriors, animals, etc. Some were even meant to represent spiritual guardians. Those who played the game know that many of the colossi are looking over or wandering around temples or something akin to a ritual site. What if the Shamans of old put the glowing rune (the glowing weakspot) in particular spots on these 16 monuments and used the seals to pull pieces of Dormin, which as established are souls of the dead, into these Colossi. These separated and powerful souls could account for the fact that the Colossi seems to have something of a personality unique to each one. One could also toy with why these Colossi attack Wander if they are pieces of Dormin. There are two likely answers. One is that the individual pieces of Dormin hold a grudge against the living until they reform with Dormin's main body. The other is that the enchantment has them protecting the specific site they were constructied. It would be easier for the Shamans as that would have been the statues initial purpose anyway. I am more convinced of the latter. I also believe that Until Dormin gets enough power to connect to the pieces, they aren't active. This is explained by the fact that you have to fight the Colossi in order and the first Colossus is right next to the castle more or less.
Now most of this is speculation but explains quite a bit. There has to be something more, though. For a theory to work there needs to be something in the game. Fortunately there is two final pieces of evidence that raise way too many questions in the game. Firstly at the end Dormin does not persist the chase of Emon and the guards up the spiral steps. During the cutscene there is a pretty big jump in time as anybody who has played the game knows that climbing that spiral ramp to the top on foot does NOT take but a few seconds. This creates a period of time unaccounted for for Dormin. If only Dormin had been seen following the shaman or reaching to grab him them while they climb this would be a different story but that is not the case. The only two things Dormin could have been doing in that time frame is a) standing there lamenting a missed opportunity or b) finishing the ritual and bringing Mona back to life. I find it hard to believe that that castle would stop him or Dormin would just give up like that so considering it is way too much of a stretch, the first option is out. The second option also explains the weird delay in Mona coming back to life.
The second piece of Evidence is from the same scene. When Dormin is chasing the guards and emon, no matter what you do, you cannot kill them. For a "Demon" with the power of 16 colossi and a connection to the souls of the dead, being unable to kill seems pretty odd. Again we are left with two options. a) the newly reformed Dormin is not powerful enough to kill anybody yet b) Dormin was never trying to kill them. I cannot believe the first option simply because he was reformed piece by piece. Dormin had plenty of time to get acclimated to his form one piece at a time so even if he is not at full power, he must be darn close to it. The second option is very easy to explain again if he was trying to finish the ritual. Dormin did not want them dead. They were not his followers he just wanted to shoo them. Dormin just wanted to finish the ritual and help his new follower in peace. I will say again it is easy to assume that the price Wander paid is being turned into a baby, but neither the player nor Emon knows how his interference affected Wander.
In Conclusion. There is too much unaccounted for time and Dormin doing not a lot of evil things for me say that he is really evil. I don't think Dormin is good either. If I were to place Dormin on the typical alignment chart, I would say Dormin is easily Lawful Neutral. Dormin is bound by a set of rules and laws, some of which he enacted himself. While the being never goes out of his way to help anybody, neither does Dormin go out of his way to hurt anybody. Dormin is just doing his job and it's easy to see him as evil like you would a grim reaper or Hades. There was no villain in this story. Wander wanted to save his love from an unknown and unfair fate, Emon was trying to stop him as their beliefs treat life as sacred and Dormin was just trying to do his job. A deal was made and Dormin made good on it. To me, that makes the story that much more tragic. Pretty cool for a game where all you do is fight 16 bosses, huh?
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