Dark Souls 3 NPC quests - defeating the Deacon of the Deep and the Abyss Watchers

CHECKLIST: BEFORE DEFEATING THE DEACONS OF THE DEEP BOSS

You'll find the imposing Cathedral of the Deep on a distant outcrop at the very edge of Lothric's domain. Its guardians, the swarming Deacons of the Deep, await in the darkest depths of the cathedral, and you'll need to navigate its perilous interior to reach your foes. Before invading the deacons' inner sanctum and slaying the boss, however, complete the following steps.

1. Get tricked by Unbreakable Patches

Once you reach the Cathedral of the Deep, wind your way through the building until you reach the vast chamber holding two giants. Defeat the second giant (in the far corner of the room) and climb the small staircase nearby. Take a left at the top and proceed straight ahead, passing into the alcove at the opposite end of the area. Activate the lift, rise to the upper level and open the huge doors nearby. Next, warp out and back via the nearest bonfire, then return to this area again.

[SPOILERS!] Dark Souls 3 vs Dark Souls 1 Graphics Comparison

With the doors (and the world beyond them) to your rear, head toward the small area on the right and speak with Siegward of Catarina. Allow yourself to be tricked into crossing the bridge then warp out of the area. Next, you'll need to work your way toward Rosaria's Bedchamber (by accessing the rooftop and dropping down through the rafters), then speak with Patches who waits outside. He'll apologise for his betrayal and begins selling you his wares. This, in turn, will progress the next stage of the Siegward of Catarina quest line. Note that Patches will appear outside Rosaria's Bedchamber immediately if you go there first before being tricked.

It's also possible that Patches won't show up in the Cathedral at all. Most likely, this will happen if you purchase the Tower Key from the Handmaiden at the Firelink Shrine before reaching the Cathedral. In this case, you may need to defeat the Deacons of the Deep boss first, then use the Tower Key to enter the tower behind Firelink Shrine.

Head up the steps, cross the bridge and enter the shadowy room at the other end. Step on the elevator and, as you ascend, you'll hear the door slam shut below. Ride the elevator back down to discover that the entrance door is now sealed shut, meaning that you'll need to find an alternative route out. Gingerly attempt to drop down to ground level using the ledges beneath you. Regardless of whether you end up dying or manage to make it down alive, Patches should now appear in Firelink Shrine as a merchant, located near the back of the main chamber along the upper right-hand corridor. This too enables Siegward's quest to progress.

CHECKLIST: BEFORE DEFEATING THE ABYSS WATCHERS BOSS

Lothric's fearsome Abyss Watchers await in a grand tomb situated beyond the treacherous Farron Woods. Before facing the Abyss Watchers, locate the nearby Farron Keep Perimeter bonfire and complete the following steps.

1. Give the Dreamchaser's Ashes to the Handmaiden and speak with Sirris

To progress to the next stage of Sirris' quest line, you'll first need to locate the Dreamchaser's Ashes. Complete the Farron Woods portion of the game then head to the Keep Ruins bonfire. Descend the nearby ramp and take a right at the bottom. Hug the right-hand wall and soon you'll reach the massive support holding Lothric Castle's imposing bridge aloft. Locate the illuminated ladder nearby and climb on up.

At the top, work your way along the walkway (you don't need to enter the building) and climb the stone steps around the corner. As soon as you reach the next landing, turn left and hit the wall. The stonework will fade away, revealing a corpse and the Dreamchaser's Ashes.

With the ashes in your possession, return to Firelink Shrine (using the bonfire in the room below) and give them to the Handmaiden. It doesn't matter whether you tell her where you found them or not, just warp out and back into the shrine when you're done. Once you return, Sirris will be waiting for you in the shrine's main chamber. Speak with her to gain the Darkmoon Loyalty gesture (used to join the Blades of Darkmoon covenant) and to unlock her summon signs for the Abyss Watchers, Deacons of the Deep, Dragonslayer Armour and Lothric, Younger Prince boss fights.

2. Locate Anri of Astora and Horace the Hushed at the Firelink Shrine

With the Deacons of the Deep defeated, warp back to Firelink Shrine and speak with Anri of Astora and Horace the Hushed once you find them.

Continue to the list of things to do before killing High Lord Wolnir.

Go back to the start of our guide to Dark Souls 3 - how to complete every NPC quest in one playthrough.

- Alternatively, head back to the beginning of the Dark Souls 3 guide.