After creatingDemon’s Souls, Hidetaka Miyazaki worked with FromSoftware to make something else that would become even more memorable. The iconic and dark fantasy series,Dark Souls, is known for its extensive story. Not to mention the underlying lore that sucks you into a magical rabbit hole.
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As you get by in the story, captivating quests await you amidst all the frustrating(yet thrilling) boss fights. When it comes to the franchise’s initial installment, these quests are easy to miss. You have to keep an eye out for these side stories to experience them fully. From helping Solaire to seeing a sinister side ofDark Souls 1, these small journeys create some of the most unforgettable moments in both the game and the series itself.
** SPOILERS FOR Dark Souls 1 AHEAD **
10Griggs Of Vinheim
After purchasing a residence key from the male Undead Merchant, you can free Griggs from a locked room in Lower Undead Burg. Griggs will then go to Firelink Shrine and sell powerful sorceries, but only if you save Big Hat Logan.
Interestingly, it’s theorized that Griggs tried to assassinate Big Hat Logan. This was an attempt to obtain his knowledge, but Grigg’s mission failed as we soon find him hollowed in Sen’s Fortress. Killing him gives you the Slumbering Dragonquest Ring and the Hush spell. Even though it’s a short quest, experiencing this small tidbit of the story feels significant.
9Crestfallen Warrior
As the first NPC that you’ll find in the game, Crestfallen Warrior is an iconic character. Once Frampt arrives in Firelink Shrine, Crestfallen Warrior leaves. We later see him hollowed in the New Londo Ruins.
It’s theorized that Crestfallen Warrior goes hollow because he attempted to kill Frampt. With how hostile he becomes toward us, it’s tragic how we’re faced with the choice to kill him. This quest feels like a small journey, but its impact is memorable. It foreshadows how our choices in Dark Souls influence the story’s conclusion.
8Joining The Forest Hunters
The Forest Hunter covenant is one of the best covenants for PvP. Going through the effort to join is an intriguing journey on its own. In Darkroot Garden, hostile Forest Hunter members attempt to attack you unless you join their covenant.
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Once you get past them and meet Alvina, she’ll gift you the Cat Covenant Ring. This gives access to join the Forest Hunters, and the hostile members will be warm. Wearing this cat ring also makes Alvina summon you, fighting off online invaders to protect the forest. Ultimately, this covenant is combative and comes with incredible perks.
7Reah Of Thorolund
Reah’s questline immerses you in a story that’s a Shakespearean tragedy. You meet her after you talk to Petrus, where you’ll speak to her and find out that her guards are going to the Tomb of Giants.
However, the tomb leadsyou to Patches. He’ll suddenly kick you down into the ravine after answering whether you’re a Cleric. Down below, you’ll only find Reah. If you decide to save Reah, there’s a chance Petrus will kill her. Choosing not to save her leads to her death after the second bell. You’ll earn an Ivory Talisman after confronting and killing Petrus.
6Big Hat Logan
Freeing Big Hat Logan is key to some of the strongest sorceries in the game. You find him trapped in Sen’s Fortress, and after saving him, he reveals to you that he’s a sorcery merchant. He also tells you about his obsession with Seath the Scaleless.
It’s worth saving him, as his inventory is an excellent outlet for a powerful Sorcerer build. Tragically, buying all of his inventory leads to Logan going hollow. In Seath’s boss area, corrupted with arcane knowledge, you must defeat him. Killing him gives you items like Tin Crystallization Catalyst and the White Dragon Breath spell.
5Laurentius Of The Great Swamp
Completing Laurentius' questline rewards you with fiery sorcery. Laurentius can be found trapped in a barrel in the Depths of Undead Burg. If you’ve already upgraded your sorceries from Quelana, he will become obsessed with your powers.
However, if you tell Laurentius that you got your upgrades from Quelana, he will search for her and eventually become a hollowed enemy in Blighttown. On the other hand, not telling him will keep him alive. If you choose to give him the fate of staying alive, it leads Laurentius to Firelink Shrine and makes him a merchant for Pyromancy magic.
4Dusk Of Oolacile
Dusk is the princess of Oolacile who survived the destruction of her city. Being the only survivor, she believes a brave knight saved her. More specifically, she thinks Artorias saved her.
You’ll find Dusk after defeating the Hydra in Darkroot Basin. After killing the Golden Crystal Golem, she’ll appear in its place. Dusk will ask if you’d like help, using her sorceries to help fight Manus. She’ll lay down her signature and wait for you if you say yes. But, if you say no, she’ll disappear. While not a whole quest, Dusk is a fan-favorite whose assistance is beneficial.
3The Knights Of Catarina
You’d think this quest would begin when you meet Siegmeyer in front of Sen’s Fortress. But the true catalyst to this journey lies in Anor Londo. It’s where you’ll save Siegmeyer from being attacked. This causes him to travel to Blighttown and ask you to save Sieglinde (his daughter).
Sieglinde must be rescued from a Crystal Golem in the Crystal Caves. After saving her life, Siegmeyer goes to Lost Izalith (and is attacked again). Helping him this time rewards you with a valuable Titanite Slab. But only if you win the fight with at least half of Siegmeyer’s health left.
2Knight Lautrec Of Carim
For how homicidal this questline gets, it seems it’s done for good reason. We meet Lautrec trapped in a cell in Undead Parish, appearingas a friendly NPC. Some theorize he’s the darker side of ourselves, as he’s seemingly destined to be your opposite.
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If you help him escape and ring the Bell of Awakening, Lautrec gives you the Sunlight Medal. Sadly, he’ll later murder Anastacia (the Fire Keeper below Firelink). To save her soul, you’ll use a Black Orb to invade Lautrec’s world and defeat him. He drops both Anastacia’s soul and her robes after his death.
1Solaire Of Astora
Solaire’s questline is certainly a tearjerker for any player to experience. With the hope of finding his Sun, Solaire’s story tugs at our heartstrings. You’ll come across him frequently throughout the story. He can always be found as he searches for his sun.
There’s a high chance of Solaire becoming hollow. He stops at nothing to try to find his sun. you’re able to prevent this by going to Lost Izalith and fighting the Chaos Bugs from a secret shortcut. Killing the last one gives you the Sunlight Maggot helmet, which ultimately saves Solaire and prevents him from succumbing to darkness.
