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.

Majula

Coming out of the cave, into the sunlight and hearing the waves lap against the shore is a well designed introduction to your new sanctuary. The first thing that struck me is how much bigger it is than the previous hubs - you could probably squeeze 20 Firelink Shrines in here and still have room for a Nexus or two.

Beyond the first bonfire I was positive I could see the Maiden in Black (from Demon's Souls) which I'm sure is a deliberate reference - the pose, the thin flowing cloak and silhouetted to look like shes in black. The Emerald Herald (sounds like an Republican newspaper no?) has a hint of an Irish accent (or maybe I was just inferring that from the name!) and imparts a ton of not very specific lore. There's a king, 4 large souls, get strong... Like the Maiden she seems like the only point for leveling but I suppose that wont be an issue if you can warp from any bonfire.

A lot more useful info was gleaned from the Crestfallen Warrior which falls in line with From's intention to make things more accessible. After giving me pointers on each of the possible routes out of Majula he even offered me a Covenant to join (Aul Cresty serving a purpose? maybe he won't go hollow this time!). Something to do with co-op, Blue Sentinels I think.

I spent over an hour just exploring the hub, meeting 2 vendors (one of which is a talking cat who seems to speak a lot but manage to say nothing), a blacksmith, another Covenant and a herd of vicious wild pigs who almost killed me! There was another knight (carrying what looks like a Moonlight blade) who was stuck outside a door Siegmeyer style. There were a couple of mutants in there who inflict a status (which I'm gathering is the new petrify judging by the human statue in there).

Another route led me down a sewer which led to a flaming tower but there was a huge knight outside so I decided I'd leave him alone. Cresty had mentioned a place with useful equipment to be had, the Forest of Giants, so it'll be there I'll be going when I play next.