Farron Keep Dark Souls III Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
Remember: throughout the majority of time, you will be exposed to poison. Thus, it is wise to equip yourself with items and armor/rings that will boost your resistance against venom and remove the negative effects of poison.
You can explore this location by going both ways. It doesn't really matter which direction you choose because the area is round. The following description focuses on going left. Draw your attention to the note concerning putting out three flames. You can locate them near stone towers, and putting out each flame will be rewarded with a cut scene. Complete this task to unlock the door that is situated directly opposite to Road of Sacrifices entrance.
Lean out just a little bit on the right from the entrance to collect Purple Moss Clump and Iron Flesh
There are two maggots on the left. Actually, the whole area is full of them and they can be especially dangerous in groups. One of them is situated in the corner, by the wall. The creatures are protecting a body with Ragged Mask. Not far from here, next to a fallen dome, there is Estus Shard, and Titanite Shard right behind the next island.
A little further behind the fallen tower, you can go to the middle of the swamp (on the right side). There are two bridges situated opposite each other - there is a Purple Moss Clump on one of them and Greatsword on the other one.
Put out the first flame: the entrance is once again located near the fallen tower, on the left (if you go further, you will come across a small island with Titanite Shard on it). Go upstairs and prepare for a fight with enemies that focus on melee attacks. Dodge and break through their guard to strike back. Approach the flame and put it out (cut scene). Before you go downstairs, collect Rotten Pine Resin.
Continue your journey along the wall, and you should come across some interesting items: 10x Prism and 4x Rotten Pine Resin. It shouldn't take you long to reach a lonely tower. Prepare for combat with a powerful knight. His deadly strikes are preceded by large swings. Strike back when he performs a single attack (he will remain in one position for a moment). You also have to watch out for his "spells". When you deal with him, pick up Sage's Coal.
You will pass a bonfire next to broken bridges (see screenshot). You will find here Titanite Shard and stairs that will take you to an island above (there is another Titanite Shard on the left side).
Remember: On your way you will come to a place where another flame can be put out (protected by two enemies) and a bridge leading to the second bonfire (face three opponents and drag at least one of them away, or try to throw them off the bridge). You can also get to it from the other side, which will be described further on in this text.
Avoid the stairs and move on along the wall. You will notice three, large creatures in the distance, that gathered around an item. If you want to collect the Poison Gem, you must be extremely fast and put on your best armor (to survive a number of hits). It is pointless to start up a fight, as all of them throw projectiles at you at the same time. Outmaneuver them, pick up the gem and run away as fast as you can.
Pass your enemies and move on, along the wall. Avoid the area under the bridge, on the right. There are three more monsters right behind the corner (don't go after Sage's Scroll just yet, let them notice you and kill them one by one).
You will end up in a place visible in the screenshot. You will face one of the giant crabs from Road of Sacrifices. The fight will be difficult but running between trees should help a lot. Use Firebombs, or spells to finish it out. Furthermore, if you became friends with the giant from Undead Settlement, he will strike your foes with spears. He may even take down the crab for you.
After you defeat the monster, you will receive Lingering Dragoncrest Ring, and find Soul of a Nameless Soldier, 2x Young White Branch (by the tree), Crown of Dusk, Ember, 6x Gold Pine Bundle and Large Soul of Unknown Traveler scattered all around.
Find a bridge and a door opposite it - it should be unlocked as you put out all the flames. There is a Titanite Shard by the bridge and the passage will take you to a bonfire.
If you didn't get to this bonfire from the other side earlier, you will have to cross the bridge (three enemies will be waiting for you, so throw them off the bridge or drag them away).
There is another tower right behind it (find the flame and put it out). You can also pick up Purple Moss Clump.
From the bonfire in the ruins
Get back to the door that is still locked. There is a lonely tower on the right, and inside there is a body surrounded by maggots. Kill them and collect Undead Bone Shard.
Having the tower behind your back, turn left and avoid (or fight) a large enemy that uses a log as a weapon. If you want to challenge the creature, prepare for a lot of damage - beware of pounding attacks and red skulls that will follow you. Keep on moving and dodge attacks in a way that will let you land behind its back. There are few more opponents like that around the area but it is possible to avoid most of them.
If you move on along the wall, you will find an entrance to a cave. Watch out for basilisks as they spit at you. Don't stay too long in the fumes, as you will be cursed, and thus die. It is best to perform a front dodge when the creature flies up in the air. Quickly roll over and strike your enemy in the back. There is Repair Powder at the entrance, and a Golden Scroll and a chest with Antiquated Set. Exit and walk around the stones to collect Large Soul of a Nameless Soldier on the other side.
You should have three stone buildings on your right, and stairs in front of you. They will take you to a location where the third flame can be put out (you will come across one more enemy and Homeward Bone). Once you deal with the flame, get back the same way and walk around the stone building from the left.
There is another building not far from here. Find the place presented in the screenshot and collect Titanite Shard (by the bonfire). In the corner of the building you will find Wolf's Blood Swordgrass, and on a larger island, a pot with estus soup and a Sunlight Medal.
Head straight (see screenshot) and will reach the other side. Watch out for another enemy with a log (you may as well avoid it and collect 2x Titanite Shard and Nameless Knight Set that you can find in a hole by the wall, on the left).
Once you explore the area and put out all the flames, use the ladder to climb up.
Upper entrance
The Old Wolf of Farron is inside, by the bonfire. Come closer to receive Legion Etiquette gesture and become a part of Watchdogs of Farron convent. Don't use the lift just yet, and go outside, and having the ladder behind you, use the stairs on your right.
Quickly kill the lizard in the corner and collect Twinkling Titanite. Pay attention to the wall on your left. Hit it and you will discover another illusion. Go inside and pick up Dreamchaser's Ashes from a body hanging by the window (screenshot).
Go back inside and use the elevator that will take you to the very top. Access the bridge but stay away from the demon in the distance. Instead, turn right at the gate and find a platform situated lower (see screenshot). Jump down on it, and walk along the wall. Kill two more crystal lizards (receive 2x Large Titanite Shard), and collect Dragon Crest Shield and Lightning Spear lying next to the dragon. Head back to the gate and prepare for an attack of undead, and one more crystal lizard (collect Heavy Gem). Get to the other side and fight a mini boss.
Mini boss - Stray Demon
Although Stray Demon is not a boss, its size and strength make it one of the most powerful enemies. The creature will use its giant club to pound the player into the ground, or swing it if you get too close. If you keep your distance, the demon will shoot stones at you and try to catch you (which means instant death), and throw off the bridge. The best solution would be to stay between its legs for the majority of the fight, and thus make it difficult for it to hit you. The creature will try to jump and stomp but both these attacks are rather easy to avoid. Furthermore, when it touches the ground, it takes a while before the demon actually puts itself together and gives you a lot of time to strike.
Knowing its combat style, you shouldn't lock your camera on the creature. Just strike when it has its back towards you. Your first move is the key to success, as it is very hard to get to the beast from the front. When you get to its legs, keep on striking its feet and tail. If the demon turns towards you, dodge and roll over under its belly, to end up behind the beast again. Follow these tips and you should be able to avoid the most dangerous strikes.
As a reward, you will receive Soul of a Stray Demon and 5 500 souls. Don't forget to collect 2x Ember and a Greataxe from the bridge.
Path to Abyss Watchers
Deal with the three flames and walk through the door, heading opposite Keep Ruins bonfire. The road will divide into two paths. Be smart and choose the left one. At its end you will encounter a shaman that would boost transformation of enemies beyond. Kill him and collect Shriving Stone situated on the path.
A knight will come up to you, so watch out for his rapid attacks. Go higher and turn right, outside the ruins. You will pass a bonfire and three more enemies. Not far from here, you will face a reptile that you encountered before. You will be in a narrow corridor, so be careful when you dodge. The creature won't be able to charge, but its strikes will be dangerous. Furthermore, this reptile has more HP. Slay it and you will obtain Titanite Scale. A little further you will have an option to open a gate that leads to the swamps in Road of Sacrifices. In front of the bars there is also a spell, Great Magic Weapon.
Remember: in front of the stairs, on the right, there is a hole in the wall. You can use it to jump down and collect Punishment and Hollow Gem.
Head to the main gate. You will come across dueling opponents. Wait for the winner and attack him when he is hurt. The gate will take you to the boss, Abyss Watchers. Before you face them, you can turn right to find Ember, and at the top of the hill, apart from two more enemies, Black Bug Pellet.
Remember: if you followed according to Sirris's quest and returned Dreamchaser's Ashes to Shrine Handmaid, you were able to talk again with Sirris in Cleansing Chapel. Thus, the sign that will allow you to summon her will be located by the entrance.