The exocutioner Smough

I've never really understood how this character fit into the story I know he isn't one of Gwyn's four knights so why does he hang out with Ornstein and why are there statues of him all over Anor Londo. Thanks in advance anything else you would like to add would gladly be accepted.

Well he had hopes of joining Gwyn's knights as indicated by the description of his hammer. My understanding is that he was the royal executioner of Lord Gwyn, a very important and, in its own way, prestigious position. He would be a very well known figure in Anor Londo and his image would inspire respect in the law and Gwyn. Hmm thats all I got right now; if I think of anything else I'll post it.

Maybe he was the one who locked Havel in the Watchtower? Someone put him in his 3-story jail cell, would make sense if Gwyn's loyal executioner/dungeon master was the one who did it.

Ahhh I just read the weapon description again and he was weird he ate the ground up bones of his victims yuk. also what was what stopped him from joining the four knights of Gwyn because he loved his work or becausr he ate people bones?

Because he ate the bones I believe. Perhaps it was a combination though as to be a knight requires honor, dignity, respect, morals,etc. I would know (see sig). Regardless we know he was brutal, ruthless, sadistics, and more or less cannibalistic. I mean he clearly places no value on allies as when Ornstein collapses he proceeds to finish him off without hesitation.

Hmm that make sence honor is good for knights...But how can he absorb ornsteins power?

Ornstein clearly is imbued with lightning. When Orn dies this power was released. We know that Smough's hammer absorbs life so perhaps it was able to absorb this essence of Ornstein and give it to Smough as it does with life.

Interesting

Of course this is just speculation based on known info as is almos all lore in this game. I have thought about this a bit though as O&S is my favorite boss fight. I hope we can finally nail down some solid conclusions on Smough here.

His armor said that humans can wear it but with trouble that makes me assume he is not human but I'm not really sure what he could be?

He is of the same race that the black/silver knights, Ornstein, Artorias, and likely Gwyn were. Gwyn, in my opinion, is of the same race as they are but with a Lord Soul. Smough is just an exceptionally large example of this race. This race is very similar to humans but clearly larger as far as I can tell and likely more long lived (excluding undead).

I kinda assumed as much but I wasn't sure. I think in his weapon description it said that he guards the chapel do you think his brutal habits is what earned him his title of executioner and that maybe he isn't one at all. Also it says victims that doesn't make me think of someone who deserves to be executed necessarily.

Well it could be victim because of how brutally they were killed. If he was a murderer with no ties to Anor Londo's royalty then why would he be guarding the chapel with one of Gwyn's knights, the leader no less. I believe that he may have been reviled by many but that his title was his position. I think he was an extremely talented and sadistic warrior and Gwyn recognized this by rewarding him with a position worthy of respect. This may have also been a way of keeping his dog on a leash so to speak.

If I were Gwyn I would have sent him on some phony mission to keep him busy forever.

Seeing as how he probably isn't too smart that probably would have worked too...

I bet if he tried he could have convinced Smough to link the fire saving himself the trouble.

No. Smough is too selfish. He would not do anything that would clearly cost his own life and even he isn't stupid enough to believe that igniting a giant flame is good for one's health. Everything he does is because he enjoys it or it gains him something. Even guarding the cathedral is either due to his love of violence or some misguided hope that it will earn him a position among the knights despite Gwyn's hollowing, perhaps as a reward from one of Gwyn's children (he may not realize that Gwynevere is an illusion).

Ya that makes sense haha

Why can't anyone else offer input? I'm running out of theories.

Edit: Aside from Leeroy as it's his thread of course. Just realized this may have sounded really arrogant without that attached. It's just that we are more or less having a conversation over this. I feel like more minds could offer more ideas.

Honestly I was thinking the same but didn't say so as I didn't want to appear arrogant either not that I had any theory's anyway mostly just questions.

Questions lead to theories which lead to answers. You got the ball rolling on this not me.

Oh that's one way to look at it I guess.

Ah well we seem to have reached an end but if anything else occurs to you do post it as I rather enjoyed this.

As did I farewell for know then.

I've done a good deal on these guys elsewhere so here's the gist of my Smough theory. He was famous but not respected when all was well. He is on par with the knights in power (demigod) but his vicious streak kept him out of the club. Artorias fell and all hell broke loose in anor Londo (look at the paintings in the bedrooms). Gough and Ciaran left/died and Ornstein was one of the less "nice" knights. My guess is they were friends all along but Artorias or Gwyn kept Smough from being the fifth knight. Once everyone was gone they led the new regime (notice s's statue is same reverence as o's despite his less popular job and there are no statues of the other three knights). part of the friendship theory is that they work exceedingly well together and while s smashes o to get his power o doeshis version of the same trick. Since they both are only taking power from a dying friend it's actually not selfish at all. It's like a death pact between good friends. He got you but I'll show him for you pal. Also most lore in which warriors absorb power stems from a deep connection with the other party. Can't just steal anyone's powers or you'd come across a warrior who has everyone's abilities eventually. Even with our ability to absorb souls we don't learn each characters power we just make one of our inherent attributes a little better.