Dark Souls: NPC and Faction Guide
Explore Dark Souls' captivating world with this comprehensive guide to NPCs and factions, including quests, benefits, and conflicts within the game.
Welcome to the ultimate Dark Souls: NPC and Faction Guide! Dive into the intricate world of Lordran as we unravel the secrets to mastering in-game alliances and character interactions. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every crucial detail, from Meeting Characters to Understanding Factions, and even the exciting Quests for Factions that await you. Learn about the incredible Faction Benefits and navigate the complex web of NPC and Faction Conflicts with ease. Get ready to enhance your Dark Souls experience and become a true champion in the land of ancient lords.
Meeting Characters
Venturing through Lordran is more bearable thanks to the unique characters you encounter. Some will offer aid, others will have requests, and a few might even become allies in your quest. Here’s a breakdown of some key NPCs and factions you’ll meet and what you need to know about them.
Oscar of Astora
Your journey begins with a fateful encounter with Oscar of Astora. He’s the knight who gives you the Estus Flask and explains your role as the Chosen Undead before he succumbs to his wounds. Pay close attention to his words, as they guide your initial steps out of the Undead Asylum.
Firelink Shrine Characters
Firelink Shrine serves as your primary hub, and multiple important NPCs can be found here:
- The Crestfallen Warrior: This dour man provides useful advice about where to head next. Though less optimistic, his tips are quite helpful early on.
- Petrus of Thorolund: A cleric of the Way of White, Petrus offers healing miracles and hints at the rescue mission he’s planning.
- Kingseeker Frampt: This primordial serpent appears after ringing both Bells of Awakening. He provides pivotal lore explanations and can break down unwanted items for souls.
Undead Burg and Parish
In the Undead Burg, you’ll meet:
- Solaire of Astora: A fan favorite known for his jovial “Praise the Sun!” He provides the White Sign Soapstone, allowing you to engage in co-op gameplay.
- Lautrec of Carim: Initially a prisoner, you can free him for a reward. But watch out-his true nature is revealed later, involving a potential confrontation.
The Undead Parish introduces:
- Andre of Astora: The blacksmith who can upgrade your weapons and armor. He’s essential for keeping your gear in top shape.
Depths and Blighttown
While exploring the Depths, don’t miss:
- Laurentius of the Great Swamp: Imprisoned by Butchers, freeing him allows you to learn powerful pyromancies at Firelink Shrine.
In Blighttown:
- Quelana of Izalith: Hidden and hard to find, she becomes your go-to for advanced pyromancies if you meet her requirements.
Characters in Sen’s Fortress and Anor Londo
Navigating Sen’s Fortress:
- Big Hat Logan: Freed from his cage, he returns to Firelink Shrine to share his vast sorcery knowledge, pending you have the needed intelligence stat.
In Anor Londo:
- Gwynevere: Meeting her offers the Lordvessel, a key item for progressing the game. You might also encounter:
- Darkmoon Knightess: She serves as the Fire Keeper and can reinforce your Estus Flask.
Covenants and Factions
Joining covenants is a big part of Dark Souls' multiplayer and lore.
- Warriors of Sunlight: Led by Solaire, joining makes co-op easier.
- Darkwraiths: Found late in the game, dedicated to invasions and PvP.
Each covenant offers unique spells, items, and multiplayer experiences. Level up within a covenant by contributing to its cause, whether through online play or in-game actions.
Key Takeaways
- Characters often offer useful items or services such as weapon upgrades and new spells.
- Pay attention to dialogue; it’s often laden with hints and secrets.
- Covenants offer more than just allegiance; they enhance the multiplayer experience.
Meeting and interacting with these pivotal characters ensures you’re well-armed and informed for the challenges ahead. Remember to return to old areas and check on NPCs you've met - their stories and rewards can evolve as you progress.
Understanding Factions
In Dark Souls, factions, known as covenants, can greatly impact your gameplay. They can offer unique rewards, spells, and multiplayer opportunities, making them essential for both PvE and PvP. Here’s a breakdown of the main factions you’ll encounter and why joining can be beneficial.
Way of White
The Way of White is one of the first covenants you’ll come across, especially if you chose a cleric or knight. It’s perfect for beginners. This covenant makes it easier to find co-op partners and reduces the chance of invasions from hostile players.
Location: You can join this covenant early on in Firelink Shrine by talking to Petrus of Thorolund.
Perks
- Easier matchmaking for cooperative play.
- Reduced invasion likelihood, which is great for beginners.
Warrior of Sunlight
Praise the Sun! The Warriors of Sunlight, led by the iconic Solaire of Astora, is all about jolly cooperation. If you love helping others, this is the covenant for you.
Location: To join, you need 25 Faith (can be lowered with successful co-op) and pray at the Sunlight Altar, located near the bridge with the Hellkite Dragon in the Undead Parish.
Perks
- Access to the powerful Lightning Spear miracle.
- Your summons sign turns golden, making it stand out for other players to summon.
- Increased likelihood of being summoned for co-op.
Darkwraiths
The Darkwraiths are geared towards players who enjoy invading others. It's a more aggressive covenant that emphasizes player-versus-player combat.
Location: You can join this covenant after obtaining the Key to the Seal in New Londo Ruins and speaking to Darkstalker Kaathe. This can mean betraying Frampt, so choose wisely.
Perks
- Access to the Dark Hand, a unique weapon with life-draining abilities.
- Invade other players’ worlds without needing invasion items.
- Rewarded with items like Cracked Red Eye Orbs for successful invasions.
Forest Hunter
It's as chaotic as the forest it protects. As a Forest Hunter, you’ll be summoned to defend the Darkroot Garden from trespassers. Be ready for unpredictable, spontaneous PvP action.
Location: Join by speaking to Alvina in the Darkroot Garden, hidden in a stone structure near the large doors past the giant cat enemies.
Perks
- Automatically summoned to defend the forest from invaders.
- Premade PvP interactions set in an atmospheric location.
- Rewards like the Fog Ring for successfully ending intrusions.
Gravelord Servant
Serving the Gravelord Nito is a dark and eerie path. This covenant lets you spread misery by cursing other players' worlds with powerful enemies.
Location: You join by finding a hidden ceremony chamber in The Catacombs. After defeating the Pinwheel boss, take the path leading to a coffin near the Titanite Demon. Lie in the coffin to be taken to Nito.
Perks
- Access to the Gravelord Sword and Gravelord Sword Dance, powerful early game tools.
- Spread your misery to other players' games.
- Receive Eyes of Death for affiliated activities, which can boost covenant rank.
Blade of the Darkmoon
Favored by those seeking justice, the Blades of the Darkmoon invade worlds of sinners, those who have committed crimes like killing NPCs or invading other players.
Location: Join by offering the Blue Eye Orb at the Darkmoon Knightess' bonfire behind an illusory wall in Anor Londo, near the Dark Sun Gwyndolin boss room.
Perks
- Ability to invade the worlds of guilty players using the Blue Eye Orb.
- Access to powerful miracles like Darkmoon Blade.
- Rank up to gain rewards like the Darkmoon Talisman.
Chaos Servant
Worship with Quelaag’s Sister, aka "The Fair Lady." This covenant is essential if you want to unlock certain shortcuts and powerful pyromancies.
Location: Found by speaking to the Fair Lady behind a secret wall after defeating Chaos Witch Quelaag in Blighttown.
Perks
- Learn powerful pyromancies such as Chaos Fireball.
- Rank up to lower the chaos servant shortcut, making the Izalith area easier.
- Assist in saving a key NPC.
Path of the Dragon
Embrace your inner dragon. This covenant focuses on turning its members into dragon-hybrids with formidable abilities.
Location: After defeating the Hydra in Ash Lake, find a stone dragon nestled on the beach and join by praying at its altar.
Perks
- Transform into a dragon through items like Dragon Head Stone.
- Gain powerful abilities such as dragon breath.
- Engage in PvP with Dragon Eye to grow stronger.
Conclusion
Choosing a covenant can significantly shape your Dark Souls experience. Whether you’re seeking camaraderie, looking to dominate in PvP, or unlocking unique spells and items, there’s a faction for you. So, pick wisely and enjoy the dark, twisted world of Lordran.
Quests for Factions
In Dark Souls, factions, also known as Covenants, offer unique quests and rewards for players. Joining a Covenant can affect your gameplay, providing benefits like powerful items, spells, and multiplayer enhancements. Here's a rundown of some of the key faction quests you might want to tackle.
Warrior of Sunlight
- How to Join: You need a minimum of 25 Faith or lower it by entering in other player’s worlds and helping them as a Phantom.
- Questline: This faction, led by Solaire of Astora, is all about jolly cooperation. The key to progressing is offering Sunlight Medals, which you can get by successfully helping other players defeat bosses or by defeating bosses while being helped by Warrior of Sunlight members.
- Rewards:
- Sunlight Spear: A powerful lightning miracle.
- Sunlight Straight Sword: A strong weapon rewarded after offering enough medals.
Darkwraith
- How to Join: You have to avoid placing the Lordvessel for a while and instead visit Darkstalker Kaathe in The Abyss. Accessing The Abyss requires the Covenant of Artorias ring, which you get by defeating the Great Grey Wolf Sif.
- Questline: This faction is all about invading other players' worlds and stealing their humanity. You need to offer Humanity items to level up in this Covenant.
- Rewards:
- Dark Hand: A shield with unique abilities.
- Red Eye Orb: Allows for unlimited invasions.
Forest Hunter
- How to Join: Speak with Alvina of the Darkroot Wood in the Darkroot Garden.
- Questline: The goals here revolve around defending the forest from trespassers. Any player entering the forest without joining the covenant will become your target. Killing invaders nets you items for progression.
- Rewards:
- Cleansing Greatshield: Offers high stability and magic defense.
- Ring of Fog: Makes you transparent and harder to detect.
Path of the Dragon
- How to Join: Discover the hidden Dragon Covenant in Ash Lake by speaking to the Everlasting Dragon.
- Questline: This quirky faction requires you to offer Dragon Scales, which you can get from certain dragon enemies or as a reward for winning battles in dragon form.
- Rewards:
- Dragon Head Stone: Turn your head into a dragon head that can breathe fire.
- Dragon Torso Stone: Transform your torso, gain the ability to roar with a powerful shockwave.
Chaos Servant
- How to Join: After saving Laurentius in Blighttown, talk to his apprentice Eingyi near the Daughter of Chaos bonfire.
- Questline: Offer Humanity to Quelaag’s sister to progress. Reaching higher ranks unlocks a shortcut in Lost Izalith, making it easier to navigate the later parts of the game.
- Rewards:
- Great Chaos Fireball: An immensely powerful fire spell.
- Chaos Storm: Another potent spell causing fiery explosions around you.
Blade of the Darkmoon
- How to Join: Talk to Gwyndolin after discovering Dark Sun Gwyndolin’s chamber behind the illusory walls in Anor Londo.
- Questline: The primary task is to invade the worlds of players who have committed sins (like attacking NPCs) and provide justice by defeating them.
- Rewards:
- Darkmoon Blade Covenant Ring: Use to invade the guilty.
- Darkmoon Blade: A powerful sword.
Gravelord Servant
- How to Join: Find the Eye of Death item and reach a Sarcophagus in The Catacombs, which transports you to Gravelord Nito’s area.
- Questline: Spread misery by using the Eye of Death to curse other players' worlds, summoning black phantom enemies to cause chaos.
- Rewards:
- Gravelord Sword: A massive sword unique to the covenant.
- Gravelord Greatsword Dance: A devastating attack spell.
Each faction in Dark Souls offers its own unique twists and turns, greatly influencing your playthrough and multiplayer experiences. Choosing the right one can provide powerful rewards or enhance your cooperative and competitive play. Good luck and praise the sun!
Faction Benefits
In the world of Dark Souls, factions, or covenants as they're known in-game, offer unique perks and rewards. Discovering these hidden benefits can significantly boost your hero's journey. Below, we'll break down the main perks you can receive by joining each covenant.
Way of White
- How to Join: Speak to Petrus of Thorolund in Firelink Shrine.
- Benefits:
- Easier to find co-op partners for summoning.
- Reduced chance of invasion by other players.
Tip: Ideal for beginners or those looking to co-op without constant invasions.
Warriors of Sunlight
- How to Join: Reach 25 Faith or assist other players to lower the requirement.
- Benefits:
- Access to the powerful Lightning Spear miracle.
- Increased chance of being summoned for co-op.
Bonus: Earn Sunlight Medals by helping players defeat bosses, which can be traded for stronger miracles.
Princess Guard
- How to Join: Talk to Gwynevere after defeating Ornstein and Smough.
- Benefits:
- Gain two healing miracles: Soothing Sunlight and Bountiful Sunlight.
- Ideal for support roles in co-op gameplay.
Perk: These powerful healing miracles can be a lifesaver in challenging battles.
Blade of the Darkmoon
- How to Join: Interact with the Darkmoon Seance Ring in the Catacombs and then speak to Gwyndolin.
- Benefits:
- Acquire the Darkmoon Blade miracle.
- Invade the worlds of players who have sinned (broken in-game rules).
Hint: This covenant is perfect for those looking to hunt down rule-breakers and exact vengeance.
Forest Hunter
- How to Join: Talk to Alvina in the Darkroot Garden.
- Benefits:
- Free access to the Darkroot Garden area.
- Automatic summoning to defend the forest from intruders.
Advantage: Great for those who want frequent PvP encounters in a lush, forest environment.
Chaos Servant
- How to Join: Give humanity to the Daughter of Chaos in Quelaag's Domain.
- Benefits:
- Unlock shortcuts and access to powerful fire spells.
- Gain the Great Chaos Fireball spell.
Pro Tip: Offering 30 humanity opens a shortcut to Lost Izalith, skipping a tough area.
Gravelord Servant
- How to Join: Use the Eye of Death item in the Catacombs to find Nito's sarcophagus.
- Benefits:
- Spread misery to other players' worlds with powerful enemies.
- Access the Gravelord Sword and dance of chaos miracles.
Fun Fact: Ideal for players who enjoy causing chaos and disrupting others' games.
Path of the Dragon
- How to Join: Find the Everlasting Dragon in Ash Lake.
- Benefits:
- Dragon transformation abilities.
- Gain the Dragon Eye and Dragon Head Stone items.
Note: Perfect for those craving the primal power of dragons and transforming mid-battle.
Darkwraith
- How to Join: Speak to Darkstalker Kaathe in the Abyss after acquiring the Lordvessel.
- Benefits:
- Boosts in PvP interactions.
- Ability to invade other players' worlds using Cracked Red Eye Orbs.
Tactic: Embrace your dark side and become an unstoppable PvP force.
Joining a covenant isn't just a gameplay choice; it's a step toward mastering the depth and strategy of Dark Souls. Choose wisely and use these bonuses to your advantage.
That's it, undead warrior! Use this guide to navigate the treacherous path ahead and enhance your Dark Souls experience.
NPC and Faction Conflicts in Dark Souls
Welcome to Lordran, where it's not just the monsters and bosses you need to worry about. The NPCs (Non-Player Characters) and factions (groups with aligned interests) you encounter can be a source of both help and hindrance. Here's a breakdown of some key NPC and faction conflicts you need to be aware of as you journey through this dark, unforgiving world.
Unbreakable Patches & Trust Issues
Patches the Hyena, also known as Trusty Patches or Unbreakable Patches, is a notorious NPC known for betraying players. You'll first encounter him in the Tomb of the Giants. Patches will ask you to look over a ledge, but beware! He'll kick you over the edge and leave you to deal with the dangerous enemies below.
Conflict
- With Player: Patches' betrayal can lead to significant hardship, particularly if you're not prepared for the enemies below.
- Resolution: You can confront Patches later on and either seek revenge or forgive him, which may lead him to become a merchant selling useful items. Your choice!
Knight Lautrec's Ambition
Knight Lautrec of Carim is another NPC you'll need to keep an eye on. Initially found in the Undead Parish, he's imprisoned and can be rescued by the player. However, freeing him is risky. Lautrec will murder Anastacia of Astora, the Fire Keeper at Firelink Shrine, if left unchecked.
Conflict
- With Player: Lautrec's actions can disable your primary bonfire at Firelink Shrine, making the game more difficult.
- Resolution: After Lautrec kills Anastacia, he flees to Anor Londo. You can invade his world using the Black Eye Orb to retrieve Anastacia’s soul and restore the Firelink bonfire.
The Forest Hunter Covenant
The Forest Hunter Covenant is based in Darkroot Garden and led by Alvina, the talking cat. Joining this faction can lead to conflicts with other players and NPCs.
Conflict
- With Player: As a member of the Forest Hunter Covenant, you're tasked with protecting the forest by invading other players who enter. Be prepared for some PvP (player versus player) action.
- With NPCs: Attacking NPCs in the forest area, like Shiva of the East, can lead to you being branded a traitor by the covenant.
- Resolution: Stay true to your covenant duties and avoid harming allied NPCs. If you leave or betray the covenant, Alvina and her followers will become hostile.
The Blades of the Darkmoon
Led by Gwyndolin, the Blades of the Darkmoon hunt those who have sinned. Joining this covenant pits you against players who have betrayed their own covenants or transgressed against other players.
Conflict
- With Players: You'll be tasked with invading the worlds of sinners, initiating PvP battles.
- Resolution: By avenging sinners, you gain rewards and rise in the covenant ranks. Abstain from sinful actions yourself to avoid becoming a target.
Siegmeyer & Sieglinde of Catarina
Siegmeyer of Catarina is a friendly but sometimes bumbling knight. His questline becomes intertwined with that of his daughter, Sieglinde, as you progress.
Conflict
- With Siegmeyer and Sieglinde: If you assist Siegmeyer too much or too little in his battles, you'll affect his fate and that of his daughter.
- Resolution: Achieve the best outcome by helping Siegmeyer at key moments but allowing him to take enough damage in battles to maintain his honor. This leads to a reunion with his daughter and a bittersweet conclusion.
Joining and Betraying Covenants
Covenants in Dark Souls offer different benefits and gameplay experiences, but joining one can often conflict with another. Additionally, betraying a covenant by attacking a fellow member or changing alignments has consequences.
Conflict
- With Covenants: Switching or betraying a covenant results in penalties, including hostility from previous covenant members and a loss of faction benefits.
- Resolution: Approach covenant changes strategically. Leave covenants through the proper channels, like Oswald of Carim, to avoid severe repercussions. Weigh the benefits of each covenant carefully.
Conclusion
Navigating NPC and faction conflicts in Dark Souls requires careful choices and a deep understanding of the game's mechanics. Whether it's deciding to trust a seemingly harmless character or committing to a covenant, every decision impacts your journey. So think ahead, keep your eyes open, and may the flames guide thee!
Remember, every interaction can affect the world around you, so tread carefully and choose wisely. Happy gaming, Ashen One!