Exploring the tower behind the Firelink Shrine allows you to access the roof, as well as recruit Unbreakable Patches as a merchant in the shrine. In addition, you can find the Crow’s Nest where you can exchange items, dicover the location of the Seed of a Giant Tree, Covetous Silver Serpent Ring, the Fire Keeper Soul and much more, but first you need 20,000 souls so you can purchase the Tower Key from the Shrine Handmaid.
From the main entrance to the Firelink Shrine, head up the stairs to the right (facing toward the shrine). When you reach the top floor, there are three window-like archways to the right, with a tree outside wrapped in a statue. If you stand directly in front of the tree you may find the Seed of a Giant Tree. These fall periodically after you’re invaded by another player, and the chances increase by 10 percent with each invasion (up to 50 percent), but there’s no glowing point to identify there’s an item to be found. You simply have to stand in front of the tree to see if an item is available. When these seeds are used it causes invaders to be attacked by normal enemies.
Head up the stairs to the left of the tree and turn around to see an item corpse on the rooftop. Depending on your weight it is possible to make the jump onto the roof, but if you have the Tower Key (bought for 20,000 souls from the Shrine Handmaid), there’s a much easier way to get to the item corpse (which only holds three Homeward Bones).
If you have the Tower Key, open the gate and head up the stairs. When you reach the top, head across the bridge. About halfway across there’s a broken portion the bridge that allows you to move down slightly. From here you can drop down to the top of the stone support pillar and move safely down to the roof below.
Head to the immediate left and knock down the ladder so you have an easier time accessing this area in the future. In the middle of the roof is a nest where you can trade items with a hidden crow in exchange for other items. For a full table of all the items you can leave and what you’ll get in return, check out our crow’s nest item exchange chart.
For now head over to the item you saw before to collect three Homeward Bones. Continue along the roof until you drop down to the balcony running along the top of the shrine. To the right is a staircase leading into the Firelink Shrine.
Head up the stairs and carefully move across the rafters to the item corpse. Collect the Estus Shard, then turn around and head down the rafter to the left (opposite the way you came in). When you reach the end attack the wall to reveal a hidden path. Move to the end of this path and drop down to find a chest to the far right that holds a Covetous Silver Serpent Ring (which gives you more souls when you defeat enemies).
Drop down to the shrine below and head back to the tower entrance. Continue up the stairs again, but this time go all the way across the bridge and into the adjacent structure. Take the lift on the far side and head up the stairs to the right when you reach the top. While you can move left along the narrow edge of the balcony, there’s nothing to be found aside from a nice view.
Collect the Fire Keeper Soul from under the bell. When you give this item to the Fire Keeper she will gain the ability to remove your Dark Sigils and reverse your Hollowing. However, if you want to get the best ending it’s in your best interests not to do this.
Head back down to find that the door has been locked. Unbreakable Patches is on the other side of the door and taunts at your predicament if you speak with him. Move back out onto the bridge here and look down to find an item on one side and a small platform on the other.
If you take a chance to collect the item on the other side of the bridge, you will need a lot of health to make it to the bottom safely. However, for your troubles you will find the Fire Keeper Robe, Fire Keeper Gloves and Fire Keeper Skirt. If you took the safer route, use the small platforms from safely drop down to the bottom. You will still take some damage so make sure your health is full.
At the bottom there’s an item corpse that holds an Estus Ring. Head out the nearby gate and defeat swordsman here if you haven’t already. He drops the Uchigatana weapon, Master’s Attire and Master’s Gloves. You’re not just outside the main entrance to the Firelink Shrine. Head down the stairs and circle around to the entrance, then head back up to the top floor, past the window-like archways and around the corner at the end to find Unbreakable Patches again. Speak with Patches and choose to forgive him if you want to retain his services as a merchant in Firelink Shrine.
If you forgive Patches, access a bonfire and come back to this spot to find him in a squatting position. If you try to speak with him you will earn the Patches Squat gesture. If you haven’t already you should purchase the Pierce Shield (3,000), Catarina Helm (3,500 souls), Catarina Armor (4,500 souls), Catarina Gauntlets (3,500 souls) and Catarina Leggings (3,500 souls) and give them to Siegward of Catarina in the well near the Cleansing Chapel bonfire in the Cathedral of the Deep area. If you’re not too far in the game and you talked to Siegward in the Undead Settlement, he should be waiting there for you.
Head back to our Dark Souls 3 walkthrough and guide to figure out which area you want to traverse next!
Published: Apr 15, 2016 10:32 pm