Dark Souls Walkthrough Part 15 – Ash Lake

Head down the half log you find yourself in and run to the right, looping back. There you will find a Bonfire. Kindle it and rest for a time here, leveling up or repairing your equipment. Now head up along the edge. There is a Hydra to your left that will slowly come up against you. You can either run or fight it.  The trick to fighting the Hydra is to lure it close using the hollow log that is along the beach. Once it is closer, you want to simply melee it. To do so effectively though you need to lure it up onto the beach else it can still attack with its bite. It can also hop from one body of water to the next, all the way raining down water burst. It can used to kill the Man-Eating Shells that are in the area and sometimes the Hydra can get Glitch-killed, giving you the 10,000 souls it is worth. It is worth noting that the Man-Eaters do drop Purging Stones sometimes so they are great when you are cursed.

Either way head across the sandbank to the other side. You will eventually come to a tree that you can climb. If you want to, be warned there is a Basilisk around so keep moving quietly to get the drop on it. Inside the tree you will find a Mushroom Man and a pair of Basilisk. Just keep going past the tree. There is only one more clam in your way. After that it is clear sailing down the path to the Eternal Dragon and another bonfire. Before you do much else, go down along the edge of the sandbar. Get behind the dragon and attack his tail. This will not remove your chance to join the Covenant and gives you the Dragon Greatsword when you manage to cut it off. Collect it then it is time to make your way back to the Firelink Shrine. It is a long trek so be ready.