Dark Souls 3 Covenants add spice to the player-versus-player world and are, overall, more streamlined than in previous games. Pledging oneself to any of the following eight covenants will allow the players to protect themselves from invaders, engage in fun PVP modes, or summon unique NPCs to aid them in their boss fights.
There are two loyalty thresholds for each covenant and players can redeem interesting rewards by reaching them. In this article we will share a few lore tidbits for every Dark Souls 3 covenant, tell you how to join them, and what you can earn from each of them.
As a general rule, you can join any covenant by equipping the covenant’s item from your inventory. The diamond-shaped box next to the equipment and rings is the covenant slot.
1. Way of Blue
This CO-OP covenant is recommended to players who are afraid of being invaded, or simply require assistance against invaders. Equipping the covenant’s sigil will automatically summon Blue Sentinels and Blades of the Darkmoon into the player’s world.
Pale blue sheepskin parchment detailing the moon of an ancient accord. Equip to pledge oneself to the Way of Blue. Members of the Way of Blue are the beneficiaries of an ancient accord. When a dark spirit threatens them, a blue spirit will grant them assistance, and help root out the invader. Summoning takes place automatically while this is equipped.
Source: Way of Blue Insignia in-game description
IMPORTANT: Please note that the summons don’t happen instantly and the helper might require some time to make his way to the summoner.
Rewards:
Way of Blue covenant members do not receive any rewards, since they are the ones being helped. The covenant was formed to protect new players from being invaded.
How to Join:
Very early in the game, players can join the Way of Blue covenant. Venture to the High Wall of Lothric. On the other side of Vordt’s boss chamber there is a towering sanctuary with a gorgeous rosette window. The building is flanked by two knights. Kill them or run past them and go inside. Here you will find Emma, the Priestess in the High Wall of Lothric.
Speak to her in the chapel and she will give you the Lothric Banner. Speak again and she will also give you the Way of Blue Insignia, which can be equipped from your inventory.
Lore: there’s not much to say in terms of lore. The Way of Blue is a covenant for the weak.
2. Blue Sentinels
When someone invades the world of a Way of Blue member, a Blue Sentinel is automatically summoned in to protect them. Blue Sentinels will automatically be summoned in if they have the “Blue Sentinels” insignia equipped.
Rewards:
Blue Sentinels are rewarded with a Proof of a Concord Kept, when they successfully vanquish an invader of a Way of Blue covenant member. You can exchange these in Anor Londo:
- Turn in 10 Proof of a Concord Kept to receive the Darkmoon Ring.
- Turn in 30 Proof of a Concord Kept to receive the Darkmoon Blade.
Lore:
The Blue Sentinels is a defensive covenant that was created to protect members of the Way of Blue. It is not clear yet why the Way of Blue and Blades of Darkmoon are so similar in function, but there are a few theories.
(THEORY) The Blades of the Darkmoon were created by Gwyndolin to punish the guilty. Over time, they may have realized they could not continue operating like this so they formed the Blue Sentinels, a more benevolent order. The Blades of the Darkmoon continued punishing sinners, while the Blue Sentinels protected innocents from them. When Gwyndolin was captured by Aldrich, Yorshka took over, but was not aware of Gwyndolin’s secondary role for the covenant. A description of the Darkmoon Blade miracle reads:
Miracles of the Darkmoon are tales of revenge, but Captain Yorshka recites only for the sake of remembering her brother, without knowledge of its meaning.
Source: Darkmoon Blade Miracle item Description
How to Join:
Joining the Blue Sentinels is easy. On the Road of Sacrifices, in the Halfway Fortress, you will encounter Anri of Astora and Horace. While the latter is less talkative, he is the one who will reward you with the Blue Sentinel Insignia.
3. Warriors of Sunlight
One of my favorite Dark Souls 3 covenants, probably due to its connection to Dark Souls 1 and Solaire, is the Warriors of Sunlight. Members of this covenant are rewarded for helping others in their conquests.
A Warrior of Sunlight can leave his summoning sign and be summoned into another player’s world. If he/she helps the host defeat a critical boss or complete an area, a Sunlight Medal will be awarded. Warriors of Sunlight can also invade other players using the Red Eye Orb and will be awarded a Sunlight Medal for each successful kill.
An ancient talisman depicting a holy symbol bestowed upon the Warriors of Sunlight. Equip to pledge oneself to the Warrior of Sunlight Covenant. Warriors of Sunlight are brilliantly beaming co-operators who place their golden signatures to help those in need, for it is their duty to deliver a great conquest to their summoner.
Source: Warriors of Sunlight Insignia in-game description
Don’t forget to blast the infamous “Take on Me” tune before you engage in jolly cooperation!
Rewards:
Players can exchange medals for rewards later in the game. The exchange alter can be found in the sun-kissed room of Lothric Castle, next to the Dragonslayer armour boss gate.
- Turn in 10 Sunlight Medals to receive the Sacred Oath miracle.
- Turn in 30 Sunlight Medals to receive the Lightning Spear miracle.
Lore:
(THEORY) Why do the Warriors of Sunlight pray to a broken statue? Many believe that the statue is a depiction of the Nameless King. It is also clear that the members of this covenant are followers of Gwyn’s firstborn. If you check the SoulsLore Wiki, you will notice that there are many theories supporting that Nameless King is Gwyn’s firstborn.
From item descriptions, it is clear that the Nameless King was present in the age of gods and that he was a god of war that hunted dragons. His choice of weapon is a swordspear is imbued with lightning, of which he was the heir.
Source: Wikidot
Warriors of Sunlight are also rewarded with lightning spells, which are perfect for killing dragons. As to why the Nameless King betrayed his father and sided with the dragons, but the Warriors of Sunlight still worship him, that might be a mystery that will never be solved.
How to Join:
The Warrior of Sunlight Insignia can be found in the Undead Settlement. Players must travel from the Undead Settlement bonfire, past a tree surrounded by enemies, into a run-down house, and open a door. There is a hole in the floor that players must fall through. Here they will find the Insignia and an Estus Soup. Equip the covenant’s insignia to show proof of allegiance.
4. Blade of Darkmoon
The Blade of Darkmoon faction is functionally identical to the Blue Sentinels. However, they have an additional rivalry with the Aldrich Faithful. The Blades of the Darkmoon were initially led by Dark Sun Gwyndolin, in Dark Souls 1.
A silver pendant depicting the Darkmoon and a sword, the crest of the Darkmoon Knights, the original Blue Sentinels. Equip to pledge oneself to the Blade of the Darkmoon covenant. When a member of the Way of Blue faces a dark spirit, the Blades of Darkmoon, by an ancient accord, help to rout out the invader.
Source: Blade of Darkmoon Insignia in-game description
Rewards:
Blades of Darkmoon covenant members receive one Proof of a Concord Kept every time they save their host from an invader. The rewards are exactly the same as those of the Blue Sentinels:
- Turn in 10 Proof of a Concord Kept to receive the Darkmoon Ring.
- Turn in 30 Proof of a Concord Kept to receive the Darkmoon Blade.
Lore:
I already shared my theory regarding the function of the Blades of Darkmoon in Dark Souls 3. But let’s take a closer look at their role in Dark Souls 1, and possible connections with the current game. In DS1, The Darkmoon Covenant shared ties with Velka, the Goddess of Sin and her Pardoners. According to the Book of the Guilty
The Goddess of Sin Velka oversees this list of the guilty, who have disrespected the Gods or their covenants, and shall one day face the wrath of the Blades of the Darkmoon.
Source: Fextralife
Thanks to the in-game description of the Blue Eye Orb, it is also known that the Blades of the Darkmoon serve the Dark Sun Gwyndolin, and their mission is to dish out vengeance in the name of the Gods.
(THEORY) The two game descriptions may hint towards a change in the purpose of the covenant. Maybe Gwyndolin was trying to undo Velka’s work. This is hinted at in the Painted World of Ariamis, when the half human – half crow hybrids drop their Souvenirs of Reprisals:
(…) the knights called the Blades of the Darkmoon punish the guilt-soaked offenders of the Gods and take this as proof of their conquest. The earless corpses of the guilty will be left behind as a warning to others, inspiring both fear and respect for the Gods. Such is the eternal mandate of the Dark Sun.”
Source: Souvenirs of Reprisal in-game description
So, maybe, somewhere during the timeline of Dark Souls 3, Gwyndolin sought to legitimize the covenant further, giving it a less vengeful function, while continuing its punishments quietly.
How to Join:
Players must equip the “Blades of the Darkmoon” Insignia to join the covenant. It can be found in Anor Londo, by moving the rotating staircase and accessing the pathway that leads to the tower from the lower level of the staircase.
Players can only obtain the Insignia if they have previously obtained the Darkmoon Loyalty gesture from Sirris of the Sunless Realms. The gesture must be performed before Company Captain Yorshka, after speaking to her in the Prison Tower.
5. Watchdogs of Farron
One of my favorite Dark Souls 3 covenants in terms of lore, the Watchdogs of Farron, are a group of protectors that will make a player’s journey through the poisonous swamps of Farron Keep even more gruesome. Members of this covenant will be automatically summoned into a player’s world. Bound to the Abyss Watchers, their sole purpose is to defeat the host that attempts to traverse the marshes.
Ancient medallion depicting the crest of a wolf. Symbolizes the pact with the Old Wolf of Farron. Equip to pledge oneself to the Watchdogs of Farron. The Watchdogs ensure that the warriors sleep in serenity, by taking the form of loyal spirits and hunting down those who would trespass the woods of Farron.”
Source: Watchdogs of Farron Isignia in-game description
Rewards:
The Watchdogs of Farron will receive one Wolf’s Blood Swordgrass for every player they invade in defeat in the swamps. You can offer 10 swordgrasses to receive the Old Wolf Curved Sword, or 30 to receive the Wolf Ring and Wolf Knight’s Greatshield.
- Turn in 10 Wolf’s Blood Swordgrass to receive the Old Wolf Curved Sword.
- Turn in 30 Wolf’s Blood Swordgrass to receive the Wolf Ring and Wolf Knight’s Greatshield.
Lore:
The Watchdogs of Farron only exist in the Farron Keep. Little is known about the Covenant, apart from what we are told through in-game descriptions. The Old Wolf of Farron, which might be a nod at Sif and Artorias from Dark Souls 1, assembled to protect those resting in Farron Keep from being disturbed.
How to Join:
To join this Dark Souls 3 covenant players must pray to the Old Wolf of Farron. The only difficult part is to find him. Head down the stone path, from the Road of Sacrifices, towards the flame activated stone door. Look to your right for a ladder guarded by sludges.
Kill them and make your way up the ladder and into the tower. Outside the towers, there is also an invisible wall. Clear it to obtain the Dreamchaser’s Ashes.
6. Aldrich Faithful
One of the hardest Dark Souls 3 covenants to join, Aldrich Faithful is equally rewarding, due to the fact that it opens the player to a hotbed of PVP action. Like the Watchdogs of Farron, Aldrich Faithful is also a covenant bound to a location.
Rewards:
Aldrich Faithfuls receive one Human Dreg for each host they kill. Give 10 Human Dregs to Archdeacon McDonnell to receive the Great Deep Souls Spell and 30 Human Dregs to receive the Archdeacon’s Great Staff. This staff scales well with Faith.
- Turn in 10 Human Dregs to receive the Great Deep Souls spell.
- Turn in 30 Human Dregs to receive the Archdeacon’s Great Staff.
Lore:
From the Aldrich Faithful Insignia: “The holy symbol of the Cathedral of the Deep, and crest of those who see beyond fire to the age of deep waters.” The covenant was founded by Aldrich, the Devourer of Gods and Saint of the Deep. Its main function was to provide Aldrich with a steady stream of sacrifices. Now, followers of the covenant patiently await the God’s return.
How to Join:
I’ve honestly never found the Archdeacon during my first playthroughs, mostly because I could never be arsed to kill the scary lizards. Here’s how you can reach the Archdeacon and join his covenant:
- Teleport to Pontiff Sulyvahn’s bonfire and make your way past the courtyard with sleeping giants.
- Enter the stone building and head left through the underpass. You will have to take out a few priests and two warriors.
- Enter the next building and walk under the staircase, to the left. There’s an illusory wall here. Roll through it or hit it to reveal a ladder that takes you down to a sewer protected by two scary lizard beasts
- Once the beasts have been dispatched, head to the far corner of the room and pray to the corpse of Archdeacon McDonnell to receive the Aldrich Faithful Insignia.
7. Mound-Makers
Similar to the Blood-addled summoning mechanic in Bloodborne, Mound-Makers will be summoned into another’s world as hostile purple phantoms. If they are summoned through the white Soapstone, they must kill the host or any other phantom in that world.
A malformed vertebra found by the mad, with a queer symbol on its inside, proof of the shackles of the Gods. Equip to pledge oneself to the Mound-makers covenant. The mound-makers wish only to add to their mounds, becoming mad spirits whether summoned as co-operators or invaders. They are blithe to those around them, for in their minds, any kill might lead to another shackle.
Source: Mound-makers Insignia in-game description
Rewards:
- Turn in 10 Vertebra Shackles to receive the Obscuring Ring.
- Turn in 30 Vertebra Shackles receive the Man-Grub’s Staff.
Killing a host or phantom will reward a Mound-maker with Vertebra Shackles. Ten shackles can be exchanged at the altar for the Bloodlust katana and 30 shackles can be exchanged for the Warmth Pyromancy. Players can find the altar under the Curse-rotted Greatwood.
Lore:
Mound-makers are… quite mad. Their only goal is to add to their mounds. They believe that a certain vertebrae that can be found in a victim’s body is a sign of the gods. There is only one such vertebrae shackle in a body, so they keep on killing.
In their mind, every new kill might lead to another connection. Another shackle. If you really want to learn more about this insane covenant, check out Wikidot’s lore on it.
How to Join:
The Mound-makers is a tricky covenant to join if you have defeated the Greatwood. Please keep in mind that it’s impossible to join this Dark Souls 3 Covenant if you have already obtained Rosaria’s Fingers.
How to join the covenant if you have NOT defeated the Curse-rotted Greatwood:
It’s easy to join the Mound-makers before killing the Curse-rotted Greatwood.
- Run from the Undead Settlement bonfire through the house, across the bonfire with fanatics (where you found Loretta’s bone).
- Cross the bridge and break through a bunch of crates and barrels. There will probably be a sign on the ground.
- Walk along the outside of the stable building and, behind a house, you will find a cage spider NPC who will give you a hint regarding the covenant.
- Run around, climb up the ladder of the small house, then drop off where you can see a huge NPC with a cage on his back. Don’t attack him. Simply approach it and use your interaction to climb in.
- There will be a short cut-scene and you will be teleported to the area below the Greatwood, where Hodrick will give you access to the covenant.
- You can only exit the area with a homeward bone. If you don’t have one, interact with Hodrick three times and he will provide one.
How to join the covenant if you have defeated the Curse-rotted Greatwood:
Joining the Mound-makers under these circumstances requires a lot of effort. You must also have access to late-game areas. Are you ready?
*Inhales*
- If you have already killed the Greatwood, the floor over the large cavern will have collapsed, killing the holy knight, Hodrick. You will need to ask Sirris of the Sunless Realms’ for help in joining the covenant. She appears in Firelink Shrine after speaking to Anri of Astora and Horace on the Road of Sacrifices.
- Speak to Sirris and head back to the Old Wolf of Farron. Run around the chamber’s perimeter, on the right side. There is an illusory wall there, hiding the Dreamchasher’s Ashes. Hand the ashes to the Shrine Handmaid.
- Travel to a random new location, then back to Firelink Shrine. Sirris will appear again. Speak to hear then head to Irithyll and defeat the lizard on the bridge. Rest at the bonfire and head back across the bridge. Sirris’s sign should appear on the ground, beckoning you to cooperate.
- You will be teleported to defeat Creighton the Wanderer in the Pit of Hollows. Head back to Firelink Shrine and talk to Sirris. She will give you the Silvercat Ring and the Blessed Mail Breaker.
- Before you can advance this storyline you must defeat Aldrich, Devourer of Gods. Head back to the Curse-rotted Greatwood’s boss chamber and you will find the Sirris summon sign again.
- Accept her summon to defeat Holy Knight Hodrick and, if you are successful, finally gain access to the covenant.
8. Rosaria’s Fingers
Rosaria’s covenant is perfect for aggressive players who want to invade innocent souls and make their life hell. Although each kill gives the covenant member a reward, the true benefit of siding with Rosaria lies in the ability to reset your abilities up to five times during a playthrough.
Rewards:
Invade other worlds and kill the host to receive a Pale Tongue. One tongue is needed to perform a character reset and redistribute abilities. Killing a Blade of the Darkmoon or Blue Sentinel rewards the invader with a Forked Pale Tongue, which offers double the points.
- Turn in 10 Pale Tongues to receive the Obscuring Ring.
- Turn in 30 Pale Tongues to receive the Man-Grub’s Staff.
Lore:
Rosaria’s Fingers are dedicated completely to killing or hunting players for their Embers. The leader of the covenant is Rosaria, Mother of Rebirth. It is believed that she has ties with Gwynevere, from Dark Souls 1.
If you trade her soul to Ludleth, you will receive the Bontiful Sunlight miracle, a spell that belonged to Gwynevere. Furthermore, Leonhard will bring her soul to where Gwynevere could be found in Darksouls 1. Given their shared “mother” title, it can be deducted that Rosaria is Gwynevere.
The grub people located at the entrance to her chamber are members of her covenant that reallocated their stats too many times. If players reallocate their abilities the maximum amount of times, they receive a warning that the next “rebirth” will transform them into grub men.
How to Join:
This is another tricky Dark Souls 3 covenant to join, mostly due to the fact that it is well hidden within the Cathedral of the Deep. You must open a shortcut to the Cleansing Chapel bonfire and make your way through a literal maze. Here’s a useful video that you can check out to find the pathway to Rosaria’s chambers. Speak to her to receive the Rosaria’s Fingers Insignia.
This concludes our guide to all Dark Souls 3 covenants. Hopefully, this will help demystify them and make it easier for you to join and claim your rewards. If you haven’t yet, make sure you also check out our guide to all Dark Souls 3 bosses.
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