Dark Souls Walkthrough Part 17 – Return to the Undead Asylum

Head on down the slope toward the building in front of you. You will find four Torch Zombies in your way. Take care of them easily. Head across the room where you fought the Asylum Demon. If you want to get into another fight then go down the center of the room, crossing the indentation on the floor, otherwise hang to the side to avoid falling down into the pit where the Stray Demon resides.

Stray Demon
While is can be a very hard fight, as you take notable damage from falling, there is a handy trick you can use against the demon. First, approach the indentation from the from the asylum so you land facing the demon. Next close the distance and hang around its sides or back. This cuts down the attacks it can hit you with to two opposed to four or five. It can now only, potentially, hit you with its spell blast and its flying slam attack. Both of these are easy enough to dodge thanks to their long starting animations. Just after the burst from the spell, close in and start swinging. Otherwise use those openings for spells! If you are hit by the spell take off the lock to run and re-close the gap quicker as it has a good chance to kill you after that with another spell or a swipe.

Snuggle the Crow Trade List
Item                                     Receive
Bloodred Moss                    Twinkling Titanite
Purple Moss                         Twinkling Titanite
Blooming Purple Moss         Twinkling Titanite x2
Cracked Red Eye Orb          Purging Stone x2
Rubbish                               Titanite Shard
Dried Finger                         Blue Titanite Chunk
Dung Pie                              Demon Titanite
Egg Vermifuge                     Dragon Scale
Humanity                              Ring of Sacrifice
Twin Humanity                    Rare Ring of Sacrifice
Skull Lantern                       Ring of Fog
Pyromancy Flame                Red Titanite Chunk
Sunlight Maggot                  Old Witch's Ring

Once you get past that room, rest at the bonfire then head through the door beyond it. Take the ladders down and follow the corridor straight ahead. There is a Black Knight at the end of it. While it is a tough fight he is guarding the Peculiar Doll which is necessary for you to enter the Painted World of Ariamis later on. Collect the doll and head for the second bonfire that is off to the side of where you fought the Asylum Demon. Follow this path to face another Knight. Beyond him, continue along that corridor ahead. You will encounter Oscar if Astoria who has gone complete hollow and will attack you now. It is not a hard fight.

Head to the right from there and go up the stairs, favoring the right-hand side. A boulder will start rolling and this will either ensure you dodge or at least survive the impact. Continue up the stairs, down the corridor and head to the left. There are a pair of sword zombies and one archer near where you could drop into the area to fight the Asylum Demon. Kill them and continue across the terrace to the other side. There is another pair of spear and shield zombies in this room. Kill them and go to the door in the back of the room. If you got the key from on top of the church back at the Firelink Shrine you can get inside to get a Rusted Iron Ring.

Now just head back to the crow's nest and curl up again. The crow will return you to the Firelink Shrine.