PixlBit

World 3 is probably my favorite world afte the castle seige that is World 1. It has such a classic Demon's Souls design that are familiar when they appear in other games (Painted World in Dark Souls ), although it doesn't always make them better (No Mans Warf DS2), but familiar. That beating heart at the center of the stage is just awesome. I have no idea what purpose or cause went into the design of this world? The prisoners in Latria souls were being fed to this giant heart to keep the world boss alive? I need to dig into some lore. It's such a mind-fuck! 

You know...
I never understood that heart either.

I should start looking in to it as well

This is a stupid theory, but one that resembles one of the back stories to Dark Souls 2.
The final boss in World 3 is the Old Monk. I think the heart at the center of stage 3-2 belongs to him. The prisoners in latria are flown to this place by the gargoyles, via the cathedral, and feed the giant heart, because when it drops, a bunch of souls fall off onto the ground.   The cathedral also has a giant statue at the entrance that shoots arrows onto a bridge. It could be that people with the 'curse' seeked salvation at the church, but it was just a trap to attract cursed/hollows to feed the heart. Just a theory.

In dark souls 2, heides tower of flame draws travelers to it's light house. There is also a cathedral similar to Fools Idol in DemonsSouls and a cave directly connecting heides to no mans warf, with a ship that travels to the prison. This could have been setup to draw cursed/hollows seeking salvataion, but then being tricked into being led to the ship in the warf, transferred to the prison to be experimented on. There is also Hunters Copse where cursed/hollows were hunted for sport, which is also connected to No Man's warf.

I like the theory of cursed/hollow people being drawn for salvation/cure, but then being tricked  and then imprisoned or tortured. That's what I think happens in World 3 of Demons, and Heides Tower in DS2. Not sure about Anor Londo, but it is an illusion after all. Also the Crystal Cave is connected to Anor Londo, where experiments were carried out on people, so there is that. It would tie all of my ideas together. 

What do you think? 

I thought it was only the Sun in Anor Londo and its denizens that were illusions....the place itself, within the game, is very much real.  At least, that's how I understand it.  Perhaps you could shed some light on this?

The big thing about No Man's Wharf and such in Dark Souls II is that No Man's Wharf was essentially used to transport prisoners to the Lost Bastille (Notice how this method of transportation takes you to the holding cells within Bastille?), and typically the prisoners were caught, not tricked, out in Hunstman's Copse.

For the Heart in Latria's area; I've been pondering it this morning and I think it's moreso a metaphore than anything else. Considering the Queen was betrayed by her lover, a heart bound in chains in rather symbolic in terms of progression. Break the chains, make your way towards the throne.

Also Darth; it is only the areas in Anor Londo that are effected by the said illusion. Or at least, that's the only area that is shown to be effected. I pondered this a while ago with Michael117, but I've often pondered if the entirity of Lordran was simply an illusion, but Anor Londo was the first to break down due to proximity, whereas everywhere else had a slowed rippling effect that would fade over time.

That's only a theory though. But the real evidence points to only Anor Londo being an illusion.

But if Anor Londo was an illusion, did it ever truly exist?  Where would Gwyn's base of operations have been?  

I need to research this

No, Anor Londo was very much real. The illusion was all based around Gwyndolin casting a false sun as well as false knights. As to 'why' he did this; it's speculated that he did it to honor his family as well as to create a sense of normalcy within the realm of Anor Londo.

thank you for clearing that up for me sir!!!

Like I said, my theory was stupid. LOL! Your impression of the heart and world 3 gives it more of a Silent Hill vibe, which is cool. I'm not sure if it was in SH2 or SH3, but the wall turn to flesh and there is a heartbeat sound through out, representing the inside of  a womb or something. Really cool!.

That must've been in Silent Hill 3. I don't remember that part, and I know I haven't played SH3 or SH4

I really recommed SH3 if yo haven't played it. It's fairly linear and looks great. Plus you revisit Silent Hill towards the end. It will be a nice surprise if it's your first time playing it. I think its available in HD on PS3, or maybe find a cheap PS2 game. I haven't played four either, but I can't find a cheap version on amazon or ebay. 

Question:  I've beat the FlameLurker...am I able to place my summon sign outside the boss area and help others as a blue phantom?

You have to be in human form. If you beat the boss, then you should be in human form, or else you need to consume one of those ephemeral eyes to turn human again if you are in spirit form. One stone is for summoning, another stone for invading.

Question:  How do I upgrade to a fire weapon using dragon stone?  currently I have a +8 short sword.  I've been to Ed and Boldwin and neither show me options for upgrading using Dragon Stones.

You're not able to place a blue stone while you're in human form are you?