Gods

The Gods are a race in the Dark Souls series, and one of the primary races in the lore.

Lore

After the manifestation of the First Flame, a race of towering humanoids was born. They came from the Darkness, much like Humans, but their essence changed forever when three powerful individuals found the Souls of Lords within the flame. Gwyn, Lord of Sunlight, the Witch of Izalith and Nito, the First of the Dead: these three beings thus became the first and most powerful of the Gods, known from that time as the Lords.

As a race, size is incredibly varied, though the males of the Gods' kin are usually much taller and larger than a human, while the females usually appear to be the same size: the god of Moonlight Gwyndolin was something of an exception but, precisely due to his short stature and frail body, was considered as a woman. Since they contain shards of the First Flame, they became the polar opposite of the dark energy of the Abyss.

In the third game, the preset of Irithyllian is described as having the features of the old gods, implying that they recently commenced breeding with humans: this preset includes a white skin like Gwyndolin, though with the diminutive height that humans possess. Members of this race are destined to either move to or be taken to live in Irithyll of the Boreal Valley, built upon the ruins of the city of the gods, possibly to be closer to their pure kin of gods.

Plot

Dark Souls

The Witch of Izalith was the first deity to disappear, warped into something barely alive by her own attempt to recreate the First Flame: Gravelord Nito was apparently unfazed by this catastrophe and kept sleeping in its giant coffin, possibly in order to preserve himself from becoming completely hollow. After Lord Gwyn entered the Kiln of the First Flame, many of the gods abandoned Anor Londo, leaving behind a small army and two powerful warriors, Ornstein and Smough, to protect the city: while the first was a veteran and an honorable knight, the latter was just a ruthless killer, sporting an humongous bloated body scarcely covered by a shiny armor. Much more shady was the role of Gwynevere and Gwyndolin, the only greater Gods that remained in Anor Londo: the first was encountered by the Chosen Undead only as the illusion of an attractive but incredibly huge female (probably that was not her true appearance but a trick to make the illusion look imposing and powerful as a true goddess); the second, an androginous with a fragile body but strong magic powers. Both were tied to Kingseeker Frampt, as the fake Gwynevere tried to convince the Chosen Undead to rekindle the First Flame, while Gwyndolin not only was the one who created that illusion but also showed a cluster of snakes were his legs should be, probably a gift from the Primordial Serpent.

Dark Souls II

The gods are mostly forgotten by this point in time, with their names unknown, though there remains the ruins of old cities who once worshipped the old gods. The souls of the three Lords are said to have been reborn and try to influence the world despite being mere fragments.

Dark Souls III

By this time, the only remaining gods are Gwyndolin, Smough and Yorshka. When Gwyndolin fell ill, Yorshka took command of the Darkmoon Knights. After the sorcerer Sulyvahn arrived in the ruined city, he declared himself Pontiff, and created the city of Irithyll in the ruins of Anor Londo. He then attempted to capture the remaining gods for Aldrich to consume, but Gwyndolin allowed himself to be captured so that Yorshka was saved, though she ended up imprisoned atop her church. When Aldrich arrived, he ascended to Anor Londo, where Gwyndolin awaited him. Due to the fact you receive Smough's armor upon killing Aldrich, it seems likely that he was consumed before Gwyndolin, whose dead body is manifested to combat intruders.

Known Gods

Gwyn, first of the lords and God of Light.

Allfather Lloyd, Gwyn's uncle and God of Law and Caste, though "Allfather" could be self-proclaimed.

Gwyn's Firstborn, once heir to being god of lightning, but now merely a nameless king.

Gwynevere, eldest daughter of Gwyn and Goddess of Sunlight.

Gwyndolin, lastborn child of Gwyn and God of Moonlight.

Dragonslayer Ornstein, leader of Gywn's four knights and former knight of Gwyn's Firstborn.

Abysswalker Artorias, member of Gwyn's four knights and master of Farron's wolf blood.

Lord's Blade Ciaran, member of Gwyn's four knights and leader of the Lord's Blades.

Flame God Flann, husband of Gwynevere.

Executioner Smough, royal executioner and the last left to defend Anor Londo.

Nameless Blacksmith Deity, now deceased smith of the gods, who's death formed the Titanite Demons.

Caitha, who mourns the undeserving dead, and the loved ones left behind.

Galib, God of Disease, influencing both the onset of diseases and their causes.

Kremmel, God of Struggle, who awards the perseverance of others.

Nahr Alma, God of Blood, who's followers take to a violent path.

Zinder and Zandroe, Gods of Desire and Greed respectively, both snakes possibly being the other.

Quella, guardian of the dreamworld, and God of Dreams.

Fina, who possesses fateful beauty, but whose embracing love is as fickle as the weather.

Velka, rogue deity and Goddess of Sin.

Old Man McLoyf, God of Medicine and Drink.

Faraam, a mysterious god of war.

Yorshka, also a halfbreed of god and dragon, whom Gwyndolin loved and let remain.

Known Irithyllians

Aldrich, Saint of the Deep and Devourer of Gods.

Dancer of the Boreal Valley, relative of the old royalty and corrupted Outrider Knight.

Vordt and the Outrider Knights, now devolved into beasts.

Trivia

Gwyn's wife, and mother of his children, is not mentioned.
Despite their status, Gwyn and the gods are no more difficult to kill than humans, with their power not included. Perhaps this is why they insured that man forget the dark soul.
Since Gwyn possessed an uncle (and therefore parents) as well as being the ruler of a kingdom when he finds his soul, it can be theorized that the Lords and their kin lived a very long time before the advent of flame, though so far there have been no sources to prove that nor has there been indication of what life could have been like for those living.