Can I Relight Firelink Shrine? A Comprehensive Guide for Dark Souls Enthusiasts
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Yes, you can absolutely relight the Firelink Shrine bonfire in Dark Souls, but the method depends on which Dark Souls game you’re playing. In the original Dark Souls, relighting the Firelink Shrine bonfire hinges on restoring its Fire Keeper, Anastacia of Astora. Without her, the bonfire remains unusable. Other Dark Souls games may have different mechanics. Let’s delve into the specifics of restoring Firelink Shrine and address some frequently asked questions.
Restoring Firelink Shrine in Dark Souls (1)
The primary reason the Firelink Shrine bonfire goes out is due to the actions of Knight Lautrec of Carim. This devious character murders Anastacia, the Fire Keeper bound to the shrine. Your quest to relight the bonfire involves exacting revenge and restoring her soul.
The Steps to Relighting the Bonfire
- Free Lautrec: Initially, Lautrec is imprisoned in a cell in the Undead Parish. You’ll need the Master Key or another key to unlock it. Freeing him isn’t strictly necessary, as he’ll eventually free himself, but doing so earns you a Sunlight Medal.
- Lautrec’s Treachery: After ringing both Bells of Awakening, Lautrec will murder Anastacia. You’ll find her body slumped in her cell and receive the Black Eye Orb.
- Anor Londo Invasion: Travel to Anor Londo. In a specific room (the large hall after defeating the Sentinels but before Ornstein and Smough’s boss room), the Black Eye Orb will begin to vibrate. This indicates you can use it to invade Lautrec’s world.
- Vengeance and Retrieval: Use the Black Eye Orb. You’ll be transported to Lautrec’s world where you must defeat him and his two bodyguards. Upon defeating him, you’ll obtain the Fire Keeper Soul.
- Restoration: Return to Firelink Shrine and interact with Anastacia’s corpse. Use the Fire Keeper Soul to revive her. This will restore her ability to speak and, most importantly, relight the Firelink Shrine bonfire.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about Firelink Shrine and its intricacies:
1. Why is the Firelink Shrine Fire Keeper dead?
Lautrec of Carim is the culprit. He murders Anastacia of Astora after you ring both Bells of Awakening. This event is triggered by game progression and cannot be directly prevented, although some players utilize convoluted strategies involving killing Lautrec before he can commit the act.
2. Who should I give a Fire Keeper Soul to?
You have three primary options:
- Anastacia of Astora: Reviving her restores the Firelink Shrine bonfire. This is usually the most strategically beneficial choice early in the game.
- Quelaag’s Sister (Chaos Servant): Located in Quelaag’s Domain. Giving her a Fire Keeper Soul reinforces your Estus Flask, providing more HP recovery per use.
- The Fire Keeper in Anor Londo: Situated at the main bonfire in Anor Londo. Similar to Quelaag’s sister, giving her a Fire Keeper Soul reinforces your Estus Flask.
The decision hinges on whether you prioritize a functional Firelink Shrine bonfire versus a more potent Estus Flask.
3. Why can I sometimes not leave Firelink Shrine?
This is often due to loading times. The game is loading the surrounding areas. Patience is key, though some players find that moving away from the bonfire before attempting to leave can sometimes expedite the process.
4. What happens if I kill Anastacia after restoring her?
Killing Anastacia will extinguish the Firelink Shrine bonfire again, and you will receive her Fire Keeper Soul. You can use this soul to reinforce your Estus Flask at another Fire Keeper, but you’ll lose the convenience of the Firelink Shrine bonfire. She will NOT respawn.
5. Who is sleeping in Firelink Shrine?
Kingseeker Frampt appears after ringing both Bells of Awakening. He is a primordial serpent who guides you on your quest to link the First Flame.
6. Should I give the Fire Keeper her eyes in Dark Souls 3?
This refers to a mechanic in Dark Souls 3. Giving the Fire Keeper the Eyes of a Fire Keeper unlocks a different ending. It’s a matter of personal preference, as it alters the narrative and the game’s conclusion. You can always retrieve the eyes by killing her and will be able to give them to her again.
7. How do you get 20 Estus Flasks in Dark Souls?
This refers to Dark Souls 2 and Dark Souls 3. In Dark Souls 1 the maximum estus is 10. The Bonfires with a Fire Keeper present is kindled by default, providing 10 flasks. After acquiring the Rite of Kindling the bonfires can be kindled again for a total of 15 “swigs”, and a third time for a maximum amount of 20.
8. What happens if you wish for a world without flame in Dark Souls 3?
This is one of the endings in Dark Souls 3. It presents a choice: either betray and kill the Fire Keeper to steal the last flame, or allow the world to descend into darkness without intervention.
9. Who is the depressed guy in Firelink Shrine in Dark Souls 3?
This is likely a reference to Hawkwood the Deserter, an NPC in Dark Souls 3 who offers cynical commentary and eventually embarks on his own quest.
10. Should I save Knight Lautrec?
Saving Lautrec by freeing him from his cell has minor consequences. He’ll give you a Sunlight Medal as a reward, but he will still kill Anastacia. Leaving him imprisoned doesn’t prevent his actions; he simply escapes later. The choice is mainly about whether you want the Sunlight Medal.
11. Is a Fire Keeper Soul permanent?
Yes, the reinforcement provided by a Fire Keeper Soul is permanent for your Estus Flask, regardless of which bonfire you use. Consuming it provides humanity, but using it to reinforce is generally more beneficial.
12. Do Firelink Shrine NPCs Respawn?
This is true in some of the Dark Souls games, but not Dark Souls. In Dark Souls 3, NPCs like the Firekeeper, Shrine Maiden, and Blacksmith will respawn with consequences. The Shrine Maiden, for example, will have her inventory prices raised and the Blacksmith will not longer offer services. This does not occur in Dark Souls.
13. Is Firelink Shrine the Kiln of the First Flame?
No, the Firelink Shrine is not the Kiln of the First Flame. The Kiln of the First Flame is a separate location, typically accessed near the end of the game, where the final confrontation takes place. In Dark Souls 3, the player must kill all Lords of Cinder and speak to the Fire Keeper in Firelink Shrine, and then interacting with the Firelink bonfire will warp the player to the first bonfire.
14. What do I do at the Firelink Shrine?
Firelink Shrine is the central hub in most Dark Souls games. It’s where you can level up, upgrade your equipment, purchase items, and interact with key NPCs. It serves as a safe haven and a point of departure for exploring the world. The location of the hub can change over time, and you can get more information about this type of thing at Games Learning Society.
15. Why do I only have 5 Estus Flasks instead of 10?
You need to kindle a bonfire to increase the number of Estus Flasks you receive when resting at it. Kindling requires humanity. Most bonfires start unkindled, providing only five flasks. Kindling a fire permanently increases the number of Estus Flasks you receive at that bonfire by five.
Mastering Firelink Shrine
Firelink Shrine is more than just a bonfire; it’s a vital lifeline in the brutal world of Dark Souls. Understanding its mechanics, the characters who inhabit it, and the events that unfold there is crucial for survival and success. Restore the fire, learn its secrets, and prepare yourself for the challenges that lie ahead.
This game is a great way to learn about trial and error and how to overcome challenges. Be sure to see more about learning through games at GamesLearningSociety.org.