Things Betwixt

Things Betwixt

Things Betwixt serves as the introductory tutorial area for Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin, guiding new players through fundamental mechanics and setting the somber tone of Drangleic. This section will walk you through every essential step, ensuring you gather all crucial items and understand the initial challenges presented.

Navigating the Path to the Fire Keepers

Upon creating your character and awakening in the dilapidated shack, your journey in Drangleic truly begins. Follow the winding, overgrown path forward. You'll encounter your first few hollowed enemies here. These initial encounters are designed to familiarize you with the basic combat controls:

• Light Attack: R1/RB
• Heavy Attack: R2/RT
• Block: L1/LB (with a shield)
• Roll/Dodge: Circle/B
• Target Lock: R3/RS

Practice these moves against the slow-moving hollows. They pose little threat but are excellent for honing your parry and backstab timings if you wish to experiment early.

The Fire Keepers and Character Customization

Continue along the path until you reach a large manor-like structure. Inside, you will find the Fire Keepers, a trio of ancient, withered women. These pivotal NPCs are your first point of interaction for defining your character's foundation:

1. Speak to the Fire Keepers: Engage in dialogue with them. They will offer cryptic advice and set the stage for your quest.
2. Choose Your Starting Class: This is a critical decision that influences your initial stats, equipment, and playstyle. While any class can eventually be molded into any build, your starting choice provides a significant head start. Consider your preferred combat style:
   • Warrior: Melee-focused, good strength and dexterity.
   • Knight: Tanky, high Vigor and Endurance, comes with a shield.
   • Swordsman: Dual-wielding, high dexterity.
   • Explorer: High Adaptability, starts with many useful items.
   • Bandit: Bow-focused, high dexterity.
   • Cleric: Faith-based, starts with healing miracles.
   • Sorcerer: Intelligence-based, starts with offensive spells.
   • Deprived: Starts at level 1 with minimal equipment and balanced stats, offering a true blank slate for experienced players.
3. Receive the Estus Flask: After choosing your class, the Fire Keepers will bestow upon you the Estus Flask. This invaluable item is your primary source of healing throughout Drangleic. You start with a limited number of uses, which can be replenished at bonfires.

Exploring the Tutorial Path

After your encounter with the Fire Keepers, proceed through the mansion and back outside. The path ahead continues to introduce basic game mechanics:

• Illusory Wall: Near the start of this section, look for a suspicious wall on your left. Interact with it (press X/A) to reveal an illusory wall, leading to a small alcove containing a Soul of a Lost Undead.
• Crystal Lizard: You may encounter your first Crystal Lizard scurrying away. These creatures drop valuable upgrade materials but are notoriously difficult to hit. Try to corner them or use a quick attack.
• Combat Practice: More hollows and a few basic enemies will appear, including a larger, more aggressive hollow. Use these opportunities to practice your combat, parries, and backstabs.
• Environmental Hazards: Be mindful of the environment. There are no immediate traps, but the game subtly teaches you to observe your surroundings.

Key Item Locations and Collectibles

As you traverse Things Betwixt, be diligent in exploring every nook and cranny. Several important items are scattered throughout:

• Small White Sign Soapstone: Located on a small cliff edge overlooking the sea, shortly after the Fire Keepers' house. This item is crucial for online play, allowing you to be summoned as a phantom to help other players and earn a Token of Fidelity.
• Lifegem (x3): Found on corpses throughout the area. Lifegems provide slow, continuous healing and are excellent for topping off health between encounters.
• Soul of a Lost Undead (x2): One behind the illusory wall, another on a corpse. These consumable items grant a small number of souls.
• Broken Straight Sword: On a corpse near the end of the tutorial path. While not a powerful weapon, it's a good example of basic loot.
• Wood Bolt (x10): If you chose a class with a crossbow, you'll find these on a corpse.

The Drop to Majula

The final stretch of Things Betwixt leads to a large, circular opening in the ground. This is the direct path to Majula, your central hub in Drangleic. However, it's a significant drop:

• Warning: While the fall is designed to be survivable, it is a considerable distance. You will take fall damage, but it is rarely fatal unless your Vigor is exceptionally low or you are already injured.
• Mitigation: There's no specific way to mitigate this particular fall damage beyond having sufficient health. Simply drop down when ready.
• Significance: This dramatic descent marks your official entry into the main world of Dark Souls II. Prepare for a brief loading screen before arriving in the serene, yet melancholic, haven of Majula.

By thoroughly exploring Things Betwixt and understanding its foundational lessons, you will be well-prepared for the challenges that await you in Majula and beyond.