Cardinal Tower

Welcome to the Cardinal Tower, a central hub within the Forest of Fallen Giants. This area offers crucial progression paths, valuable items, and challenging encounters. Prepare for ambushes and environmental hazards as you navigate its winding corridors and crumbling battlements.

Initial Exploration and Bonfire

Upon entering the Cardinal Tower from the Forest of Fallen Giants, you'll immediately discover the Cardinal Tower bonfire. Light this bonfire; it will be your primary respawn point for this section. From the bonfire, proceed through the doorway to your left.

Item: Near the bonfire, check the corpse for a Soul of a Lost Undead.
Strategy: Be wary of the Hollow Soldier lurking just around the corner from the bonfire. Engage it carefully.

The Upper Levels and Crossbow Ambush

Head up the stairs from the bonfire. You'll encounter several Hollow Soldiers. One will be waiting at the top of the first flight, and another will drop down from above as you approach the next landing. A particularly dangerous ambush awaits on the upper walkway:

Enemies: Multiple Hollow Soldiers, including one wielding a crossbow from a vantage point.
Strategy: Prioritize the crossbowman. Use ranged attacks if possible, or sprint to close the distance and eliminate them before they can pepper you with bolts. Be mindful of the other melee Hollows.
Item: After dealing with the crossbowman, look for a corpse hanging over the ledge on the upper walkway. This contains a Large Soul of a Lost Undead.

The Rooftop and Ladder Descent

Continue along the upper path. You'll reach a section with a broken wall overlooking the courtyard below. A ladder here leads down to a lower area.

Enemies: Be cautious of a Hollow Soldier patrolling the rooftop section before the ladder.
Item: Before descending the ladder, explore the small alcove to the left of the ladder's top. You'll find a chest containing a Green Blossom.
Descent: Take the ladder down. This leads to a narrow ledge with another path.

The Wooden Platform and Exploding Barrels

After descending the ladder, you'll find yourself on a wooden platform. This area is notorious for its environmental traps.

Enemies: Several Hollow Soldiers patrol this platform. Crucially, there are also numerous explosive barrels.
Strategy: Lure enemies away from the barrels or use ranged attacks to detonate the barrels from a safe distance. The explosions can damage both you and the enemies, but they can also create openings or clear groups. Be extremely careful not to get caught in the blast radius.
Item: On this platform, check a corpse for a Torch.

The Locked Door and Merchant

From the wooden platform, you'll see a locked door. This door requires the Soldier's Key, found later in the area. For now, continue past it.

NPC: Just beyond the locked door (accessible later), you'll find Merchant Hag Melentia. She sells various useful items, including the Pharros' Lockstone and the Lenigrast's Key (which opens the blacksmith's shop in Majula).
Item: After speaking with Melentia, she will eventually move to Majula. Before she leaves, ensure you purchase anything you need.

The Giant Tree Root and Shortcut

Further along the path from the wooden platform, you'll encounter a massive tree root that acts as a bridge. This root leads to a crucial shortcut.

Enemies: A few Hollow Soldiers are positioned on and around the tree root.
Strategy: Cross the root carefully. At the end, you'll find a door that can be opened, creating a shortcut back to the area near the first Forest of Fallen Giants bonfire. This is invaluable for quick travel.
Item: On a ledge near the end of the tree root, a corpse holds a Lifegem.

Path to the Boss Arena

From the area with the exploding barrels, look for a path leading downwards. This path will eventually lead you to the fog gate for the area's boss.

Enemies: Expect more Hollow Soldiers and potentially a larger, tougher enemy guarding the approach to the boss.
Item: Along this path, keep an eye out for a hidden alcove or side path that might contain a Titanite Shard.
Boss: The fog gate here leads to the Last Giant. Ensure you are well-prepared with healing items and appropriate gear before entering.