Cardinal Tower:

Near the Bonfire, you will find the merchant Melentia. She sells various goods, including 5 Human Effigies for 1500 souls each, and spells. You can also purchase Lenigrast's Key from her to unlock the blacksmith shop in Majula.

If you choose, you can fast travel to Majula using the Bonfire after buying the key. Visit the blacksmith in Majula to loot the chest inside for a short bow.

To access the courtyard outside, drop onto the catwalk, then gradually drop down levels. Navigate the large fallen tree on the far end. Warning: Wait until you have acquired a valuable item that comes later before proceeding this way. It is also advisable to have a stronger character as the lower areas are difficult.

Go to the ledge of the balcony and jump off onto the wooden scaffolding below. Follow the scaffolding along the wall to find a hanging corpse containing a Human Effigy.

Head down and you will see another corpse hanging on a fallen tree. Loot it to obtain a Torch and a Soul of the Lost Undead. Warning: Do not fall, as you will be attacked by a group of enemies. If you fall, lure them one by one to defeat them.

After clearing the area, pass through the small cave to reach a body containing a Hollow Soldier Helm.

Walk towards the rubble at the end of the courtyard to find a corpse with 3 Lifegems.

Return to the burning tower and go through it. Warning: Two swordsmen will attack you from behind.

After defeating them, you will find another corpse containing the Soul of a Proud Knight.

Behind the nearby door, a chest contains the Fire Longsword.

Return to the Bonfire in the Cardinal Tower. You can use a Homeward Bone to fast travel back. Warning: Using a Homeward Bone will cause enemies to respawn (be brought back to life at a checkpoint after death). You can upgrade your equipment at the merchant before proceeding.

Climb down the ladder. Warning: A soldier will attack you. Also, kill the nearby body that is playing dead before it ambushes you.

Locked doors will force you onto a single path leading to a balcony. A dead body in the hall will attempt to surprise you from behind. Warning: The commotion of fighting him may cause other corpses to rise.

Loot the nearby corpse to get a Soul of a Lost Undead.

Both doors on this side and the side where you came from are locked. Backtrack to the bridge and enter the only open doorway.

Attack the undead at the stairs and remove the mist. You will enter another part of the castle.

You will notice archers, one on the scaffolding in the middle and one along the walls. Head towards the balcony to the right.

Kill the axeman and archer at ground level, then climb the ladder.

Head towards the middle scaffolding. Try to lure the pikeman to the roof from where you came from and kill him there.

Afterwards, kill the archer.

Make your way towards the broken tower to the left. Kill the enemy there and collect the torch from the body.

Make your way back to the middle platform.

From here, make your way to the rooftop in the middle and drop off from the opening on the roof to the floor below you.

Jump off again and locate the wooden pathway leading back to ground level. You should find a corpse beside the gate containing a Titanite Shard.

Follow the wooden walkway again to reach the ladder you used to climb back up to the rooftop.

Head to the roof in the middle and sprint jump to the other platform.

Then, jump towards the lower ledge next to the tunnel. Go inside the tunnel and walk slowly. Warning: A boulder will roll down from the slope to the left.

Once the boulder is gone, loot the corpse to get a Human Effigy.

Turn all the way around and make your way along the corridor on your right.

Near the top, you will find a man named Cale. Talk to him until you obtain the House Key, which can be used in Majula.

Look to the left and pick up the Amber Herb at the end of the corridor.

Double back through the hole you came in. Climb the ladder and circle back around, clearing the rest of the courtyard.

It is advisable to use the bonfire near the merchant to return to Majula to use the House Key you obtained from Cale.