Side quests inevitably add substance to a game's story, no matter how big or small. Some side quests give us in-depth lore for the game's main story, while others can offer a small and fun side story. Whether or not you're diving into these quests, there's no doubt they're substantial.
Besides being one of the most iconic video game franchises of all time, Dark Souls' side quests are always meaningful. These quests vary from impacting your playthrough to adding lore. But, with the most recent addition to the series, Dark Souls III, these side quests are somewhat challenging to find. When you do come across them, they appear as some of the most memorable quests in the series.
** SPOILERS AHEAD For Dark Souls 3 **
10 Unbreakable Patches
Love him or hate him, there's no debate that Patches is an iconic Dark Souls NPC. Finishing his questline makes him a merchant with many valuable items for sale. However, this quest is odd as there is no definitive way to begin or end it.
Overall, Patches' questline intertwines with other important side quests. He's also reasonably easy to find if you deviate from the main story and explore. No matter how you complete his questline, Patches will end up as a merchant at Firelink Shrine. His items more than make up for the hardships he's put you through along your journey.
9 Holy Knight Hodrick
As one of the most exciting covenants in the game, Mound-Makers can be challenging to join -- depending on if you've already defeated the Curse-Rotted Greatwood. If you haven't killed the Greatwood, you can talk to Holy Knight Hodrick in a new area. From there, he will let you join the Mound-Makers.
On the other hand, if you killed Greatwood, it does get tricky. You have to complete a bit of Sirris' questline first, then find her summon sign near Greatwood's boss arena. Afterward, you must kill Holy Knight Hodrick to earn a token that gets you into the Mound-Makers.
8 Anri And Horace
This quest is an excellent example of how completing side quests can impact the story and how NPCs treat you. Throughout the game, you'll run into Anri of Astora and Horace the Hushed quite a bit. At one point, you'll find Anri in the Catacombs alone, as they've been separated from Horace. This is the point where your sense of ethics kicks in.
Eventually, you'll come across an area where Horace can be seen below; unfortunately, he's become Hollowed. You can kill him, but this choice will ultimately impact Anri's fate, along with the various endings for the questline.
7 Hawkwood The Deserter
Hawkwood's questline is not immediately apparent, and many players may miss this impactful side quest. He gives you some incredible items for defeating certain bosses. Some of these bosses lead to one another, so there's no difficulty finding them all.
Once you defeat the Abyss Watchers, Hawkwood gives you the Farron Ring. You must also obtain the Twinkling Dragon Torso Stone from Archdragon Peak. After acquiring these, you'll hear from Andre that Hawkwood wishes to duel with you. From there, you can duel him to finish the quest, earning you a reward of a Twinkling Dragon Head Stone if defeated.
6 Greirat Of The Undead Settlement
Admittedly one of the easiest quests you can complete, Greirat's questline is far from insignificant. Locked in a cell at the High Wall of Lothric, you must free him after a deadly journey to find the key. When he's released, Greirat will head to Firelink Shrine and give you an item for Loretta. However, you later find out that she's passed.
Greirat grieves from your discovery, but not for long, as he soon sets himself on increasingly dangerous excursions. Greirat finds valuable items along the way as he explores different areas. But, sadly, his last journey ends in his death.
5 Siegward Of Catarina
Affectionately referred to as Onion Bro, Siegward's questline is a tale of devotion. You'll run into him at Undead Settlement as he has trouble reaching the top of the tower. At one point, after some tricky maneuvering on the lift, you'll encounter a great demon to battle. Siegward comes to your aid, and this fight becomes the catalyst for completing his quest.
From there, you can find him in three other places, ultimately ending up in a cell at the bottom of Irithyll Dungeon. If you play your cards right, Siegward becomes your ally in defeating Yhorm the Giant, one of the Lords of Cinder -- and an old friend of Siegward's.
4 Sirris Of The Sunless Realms
Sirris' questline leads you to obtain the powerful Sunless Talisman and her unique armor set. It also leads you to the Blades of the Darkmoon Covenant. You can find her at Firelink Shrine after visiting the Road of Sacrifices, and you can begin her quest after speaking to Anri.
To continue, you'll encounter Sirris in various places until you find her summon sign in the Curse-Rotted Greatwood's boss arena. This transports you into Sirris' world, where she tells you to kill Hodrick (her grandfather). Afterward, the quest's end will depend on if you accept Sirris' Fealty -- which could lead her to become Hollow.
3 Irina And Eygon
Eygon and Irina are deeply bonded throughout the game, and completing their questline can allow Irina to become a Fire Keeper for Firelink Shrine. Once you find Irina and Eygon in the Undead Settlement, you can take two paths to complete this quest: light or dark.
Taking the dark path will require you to purchase dark miracles and eventually lead you to kill her as she's fallen to darkness. However, taking the light approach will transform Irina into a Fire Keeper. Irina can level you up as a Fire Keeper and sell you simple miracles, helping you to advance quickly as a Faith build.
2 Ringfinger Leonhard
Completing Leonhard's questline is the key to being properly introduced to PVP in the game. Upon speaking to him, Leonhard gives you Cracked Red Eye Orbs and eventually directs you to obtain the Red Eye Orb. This differs from the Cracked Red Eye Orbs -- the Red Eye Orb lets you invade as much as you want.
Leonhard sends you to get a Pale Tongue through invading. You'll end up in Rosaria's Bedchamber, where you give Rosaria the tongue. Later on, you'll discover that Leonhard has killed her. The quest ends after invading Leonhard using the Black Eye Orb, avenging Rosaria.
1 Yuria Of Londor
The different endings to each Dark Souls game are memorable, deciding to link the flame or let it burn out. Ultimately, Yuria of Londor's questline is key to achieving one of these sacred endings: Usurpation Of Fire.
The path to earning this ending is long and involved. You first have to finish Yoel's questline in order to get Yuria to appear in Firelink Shrine. After that, you must complete a dark marriage ritual of killing Anri to progress further. After defeating the final boss, you can snuff out the flame, plunging the world into the age of dark -- with you as the Lord of Hollows.