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Lore
A Pyromancer, first found in a hanging cage in the Undead Settlement. Once freed, he can be found later in Firelink Shrine. There, he will gladly take you as a pupil and teach you the ways of Pyromancy.
Theories
The History of Pyromancy
Cornyx knows about the legend of Salaman, the Master Pyromancer.
His former pupil Great Swamp Cuculus
If the player defeats the Old Demon King alongside the help of the white phantom Great Swamp Cuculus, her corpse appears next to the cage where Cornyx is found in the Undead Settlement. Cuculus seems to be wearing the exact same attire as Cornyx which can be looted from this corpse alonside the Spotted Whip.
Regarding the item description of Cornyx's Garb, it seems that this set is unique to Cornyx as it states Cornyx favored the use of raven feathers. This makes it extremely likely that Great Swamp Cuculus was related to Cornyx.
The location of Cuculus and the items found in the Catacombs of Carthus/Demon Ruins/Smouldering Lake suggest a lot:
Two pyromancies can be found here;
- Toxic Mist was a pyromancy of Eingyi who was banished from the Great Swamp for creating poison-based pyromancies.
- Sacred Flame is a pyromancy used by savages who consider themselves servants of the divine.
Two Pyromancy Tomes are found here as well;
- Quelana Pyromancy Tome: Cornyx refuses this because only females can learn or teach it
- Grave Warden Pyromancy Tome: Cornyx refuses this, saying that it's dark and forbidden
The Grave Warden Pyromancy Tome teaches Black Orb and Black Flame, both of which are Abyss-related. The Black Flame is said to be the impenetrable fires of humanity
The White Hair Talisman is also found in the Smouldering Lake, a talisman that enables one to cast both pyromancies and miracles and is said to have belonged to a deformed member of the chaos witches, mothers of the art of pyromancy. Fashioned into a talisman, it enables the wielder to cast both miracles and pyromancies.
Cornyx seems to be very eager and enthusiastic to teach pyromancy and to take on a pupil. This makes it very weird that he never mentioned having another pupil before. It is possible that Cuculus delved into forbidden pyromancies (Abyss of Chaos-related). Smouldering Lake is full of Pyromancy-related items that she could be looking for;
- the Tomes, one of them being forbidden, one of them only learn-able by females
- the two other pyromancies, both forbidden and shunned
- even the White Hair Talisman although it was never mentioned that she casts miracles, it can be an interesting find for a pyromancer still, for the hair belonged to one of the Witches of Izalith (possibly Quelaag's Sister);
Despite the above list, it is also worth considering her summon sign location and purpose of the white phantom Cuculus: defeating the Old Demon King.
According to his soul, the Old Demon King is the last living witness of the Chaos of Izalith and his weapon is imbued with remnants of the Chaos Flame. The Chaos Bed Vestiges pyromancy can be also transposed from his soul, which is related to the tumultuous seedbed that birthed the beings known as Demons.
Dialogue
First meeting him in Undead Settlement
Ah-ha, Unkindled are we?
Welcome to my abode.
I am Cornyx, an old pyromancer.
A crow in his cage as you see, now.
But here we are, an encounter for the ages!
I hear the Unkindled make for fine vessels.
Care to learn pyromancies from this old man?
Answer "Ask to learn pyromancy"
Most wise. A chance encounter should not be squandered.
To reiterate, I am Cornyx, of the Great Swamp.
The pleasure is mine.
Answer "Decline"
Most foolish. This old crow has a little knowledge on his own, you know.
Bah. No sense in spelling it out.
I will not rush you. You will return, once you are enlightened.
We are, after all, both Undead. And both prisoners in our own ways.
Approaching him in Firelink Shrine
Ahh, there you are, Unkindled One.
I wish to express my gratitude.
For trusting a lowly pyromancer, and allowing me to gaze upon this majestic flame.
As promised, I will impart pyromancies to you.
But first you will need a flame of your own. Gifts Pyromancy Flame
Careful you don't burn yourself with it.
Greeting
Ahh, there you are, Unkindled One. I am pleased to have a pupil as dedicated as you.
Leaving
Do not be gone for long.
What is a teacher without a pupil?
Talking
To learn pyromancies, you must vow to become my pupil."
I know, I know, but such is the way of the world. Respect your elders, and so on.
And pyromancy, of course, is no exception.
Oh, we'll need a pyromancy tome to learn more advanced pyromancies.
Through unorthodox, that would be the most expedient way to make progress.
If this were the Great Swamp, and you had the luxury of time, we could have trained you the hard way.
Giving him the Carthus Pyromancy Tome
Well, well… I've never seen anything like this.
This inscription… this tome is from the Catacombs.
Fascinating. On this day, the teacher learns alongside the pupil.
"Talk" option after giving him the Carthus Pyromancy Tome
Ahh, you found this tome in the Catacombs…
This spell is akin to chaos.
It may even serve as a link to Izalith, home of pyromancies…
Giving him the Great Swamp Pyromancy Tome
Yes, here we are. It's been long indeed.
With this, I can teach you more sophisticated pyromancies.
Splendid. I can boast I am your tutor a little longer.
Talk option after giving him the Great Swamp Pyromancy Tome
If you seek pyromancy tomes, take this sage advice.
The lands of the Lords converge upon Lothric.
The home of pyromancies drifts comparatively close, as well.
At least, that is what pyromancers of the Great Swamp believe.
The place is called Izalith. Oh, how I wish to behold a primal pyromancy.
Well, these are old tales. No one knows where the truth begins, or ends.
Giving him the Izalith Pyromancy Tome
Ah, what have we here! A pyromancy tome from Izalith!
Then you've found the home of pyromancy.
Brilliant, I will never curse being old and Undead again.
Now, now, show it here, quickly. Let us channel them together.
The primal pyromancies known only to old Master Salaman!
Giving him the Grave Warden Pyromancy Tome
I'm afraid I cannot accept this.
This pyromancy tome is dark, and delves into the depths of men, where an untouchable flame resides.
I cannot comprehend this myself, let alone teach it to you.
It is a spell forbidden in the Great Swamp, and nearly everywhere else too.
Only one terribly afflicted, or burdened by deep sorrow, could begin to understand this.
Giving him the Quelana Pyromancy Tome
Ahh, what have we here…
By the gods, this inscription reads Quelana, the ancient deity, one of the witches of Izalith…
The last of them, who wandered the lands. Then she must have returned to Izalith, after all.
But I regret to say, I cannot accept this.
Quelana's pyromancies are for witches, and must be learned from a mistress.
But thank you, for allowing me to peer upon such a thing.
If only I were a woman…
When attacked but not made hostile
Why? What's the matter?
When attacked and made hostile
Fine, fine, I see how it is.
When killing the player
Spare the rod and spoil the child.
When killed
I can't complain… This old reverie…had to end…
Sources
Cornyx's Garb
Attire of Cornyx, pyromancer of the Great Swamp.
In the Great Swamp, it was customary to adorn oneself with articles of nature. Cornyx favored the use of raven feathers.
Soul of the Old Demon King
[…]The shriveled Old Demon King is now like a clump of burnt ash, but he is the last living witness of the Chaos of Izalith.
Old King's Greathammer (transposed from Soul of the Old Demon King)
[…]This weapon has survived since old Izalith, and is imbued with remnants of the Chaos Flame.
Chaos Bed Vestiges (transposed from Soul of the Old Demon King)
Traces of the tumultuous seedbed that birthed the beings known as Demons. […]
Quelana Pyromancy Tome
A pyromancy tome of Quelana containing her unique spells. These pyromancies can only be taught by a female master.
Give to a female pyromancy master to learn Quelan's pyromancies. […]
Grave Warden Pyromancy Tome
[…]High Lord Wolnir of Carthus succumbed to the Abyss, but the pyromancer later became a grave warden, and discovered the black flame.
Black Flame (unlocked by Grave Warden Pyromancy Tome)
Pyromancy discovered by grave wardens after High Lord Wolnir fell to the Abyss.
Creates a giant, black flame in hand.
Black flames born from the Abyss bear no shadow. They are said to be the impenetrable fires of humanity.
Black Orb (unlocked by Grave Warden Pyromancy Tome)
Pyromancy discovered by grave wardens after High Lord Wolnir fell to the Abyss.
[…]The black flame inflicts dark damage, striking targets with weighty force.
Toxic Mist (pyromancy found in Smouldering Lake)
Unique pyromancy of Eingyi that never gained currency in the Great Swamp. […]
Sacred Flame (pyromancy found in Smouldering Lake)
Pyromancy taught among savages. Flame burrows inside foes and ignites.
Originally used in a ceremony for cleansing sacrificial impurities, thereby lending the spell its name.
As barbaric as it seems, this may in fact be quite fitting for the savage pyromancers who consider themselves servants of the divine.
White Hair Talisman (catalyst of pyromancy found in Smouldering Lake)
This lock of hair belonged to a deformed member of the chaos witches, mothers of the art of pyromancy. Fashioned into a talisman, it enables the wielder to cast both miracles and pyromancies.
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