From the haunting forests of Lothric to the crumbling grandeur of Irithyll of the Boreal Valley, Dark Souls 3 presents a world steeped in cryptic lore that demands interpretation. Understanding the narrative fabric of this final mainline entry requires examining the intricate system of covenants, the voluntary pacts players forge with the various factions scattered across the land. These agreements are far more than simple quest markers; they are the player's declaration of allegiance in a dying world, shaping the story, defining the enemies you face, and determining the ultimate fate of the Age of Fire.
The Foundation of Allegiance: What Are Covenants?
At their core, covenants represent binding agreements between the player character and the major organizations vying for control in Lordran. Joining a covenant is not a trivial decision, as it immediately locks the player into a specific playstyle and narrative path, granting access to unique areas, rewards, and allies. However, this allegiance comes with a cost, primarily in the form of covenant-specific enemies that patrol the lands and invade other worlds. These factions are not merely quest hubs; they are living, breathing communities with their own goals, internal conflicts, and tragic histories that the player becomes a part of.
The Ashen One's Primary Allegiances
Several key covenants stand as the primary choices for the Unkindled, each offering a distinct philosophy and method for navigating the treacherous landscape. Some are aligned with the preservation of the fading fire, while others seek to plunge the world into the hollow chaos of the Abyss. The availability of these covenants is often gated by progression through the main story or specific character quests, meaning the player's journey directly dictates which allies they can call upon and which paths they can traverse.
Seeking the Former Lord
The Brotherhood of the Blue Hoods, centered in the Undead Settlement, is often the first covenant a player encounters. Its goal is to retrieve the soul of the Furtive Pygmy, the original Lord of Cinder, from the profaned grave in the Cathedral of the Deep. This covenant provides the player with the Covetous Serpent Ring, which increases item discovery, making it a valuable choice for those looking to farm rare materials. However, the path to the cathedral is fraught with danger, and the Brotherhood’s strict adherence to tradition makes them hostile to outsiders, creating a tense and aggressive environment within their sanctum.
Servants of a Dark God
Deep within the Demon Ruins lies the Chaos faction, worshippers of the primeval serpents that sought to flood the world with the Abyss. This covenant is unlocked by defeating the pursuing enemy in the Ringed City and embracing the darkness within. By joining, the player gains the Covetous Serpent Ring and the ability to wield the powerful Dark Hand miracle, which can grab enemies and steal their humanity. The Chaos covenant fundamentally alters the player’s approach, turning them into a being of pure entropy capable of manipulating the very fabric of reality to swallow the world in darkness.
Worshipers of the Deep
The Sunken Church, located in the eerie swamp of the Smouldering Lake, represents a fanatical devotion to the Witch of Izalith and the pursuit of a world of chaos. To join, the player must deliver the eyes of the Old One to the church’s altar, a grim task that underscores the covenant’s grim nature. Members of the Sunken Church are granted the Eye of the Dragon, a powerful catalyst for miracle-based attacks, and they patrol the treacherous paths of the Smouldering Lake, eliminating any who would disturb their dark rituals.
