Backtracking (Keys Edition)

I now had some keys that hadn't opened anything yet. I first returned to the Shaded Woods to investigate the two dead ends. One still required the King's seal or something but the other, The Shrine of Winter, now let me through. I was surprised to find it leading me to Drangleic Castle as I only had 3 of the 4 great souls but I decided to leave it (as the temporarily displaced Emerald Herald advised).

After chatting to the guy who wants Pate dead again, I went back to the mist covered forest area as I'd previously just ran through it in abject fear. Nothing like a Lightning Greatsword and +10 Gyrm Armour to help with the aul confidence. The invisible enemies fire crossbows and also have a penchant for back-stabs but the wide arc of the sword cleared em out good. The Chloranthy Ring +1 was the best of the numerous treasures. I found Vengarl's disembodied head (?) who sells his weapons and Gold Pine Resin. Picked up a Claymore from him also.

I revisited the Shaded Ruins and massacred the Giant Basilisk as well as using a Frangrant Branch to get the Lion Mage set (increases casting speed) and another Fragrant Branch (losing count now!).

As I had picked up the Brightstone key off the Duke I revisited spiderland (warping makes all this almost too easy). I found Pate and the other guy in a mortal duel and gathered I had to step in. As Pate seemed like the Patches type I decided to stick it to him. I received a full armour set along with Pates ring and spear. Also another key - for the guys "den" which contained the Engraved Gauntlets. Nice haul!

I knew where to go to use the Duke's key and after incinerating an army of spiders I got the Black Knight Greatsword and a Fire Seed. Unlike previous BK gear I'd gotten I actually had sufficient stats to wield it and what a beauty it is. Great two-handed strong attack that thrusts like a rapier. Poured all of my 10 twinkling titanites into it to get it to +4.