You can find Hawkwood down the stairs to the right from the entrance, from whom you can obtain the Collapse Gesture. For now, speak to the ones that are here. While mostly empty on your first visit, you will eventually find several friendly NPCs to recruit to your cause and add to the shrine's inhabitants. The Firelink Shrine serves as your main hub and safe refuge to return to during your adventures. Be sure to explore the hillside for some useful items. Upon his defeat, you will receive the Coiled Sword you pulled from him and you can then proceed through the large set of doors in the back to the hillside path leading to the Firelink Shrine.

Pull the sword buried in his chest to begin the fight. The 5x Firebombs located down the hill to the right can prove useful for the upcoming boss fight. Once ready, make your way towards the ruins where you will find the first boss, Iudex Gundyr, kneeling in the center of the arena. Explore the area some more, defeat more wardens and acquire items. Return to the fountain and press on towards a hilltop where the first bonfire can be found, overlooking some ruins in the distance. Go to the narrow pathway to the right where you will encounter a Ravenous Crystal Lizard. It will drop a Titanite Scale upon defeat. Very early on, you will encounter a fountain where you can find the Ashen Estus Flask, used to recover your FP. The graveyard is patrolled by Grave Wardens who will serve as your introduction to the game's combat, and there are a few consumables you can collect along the way, including several Soul Items. These are messages that offer hints on game mechanics and controls, which you will encounter quite often. After awakening and gaining control of your character, familiarize yourself with the controls and take note of the red marks on the ground scattered about.

The Cemetery of Ash serves as the game's tutorial section and is rather straightforward.

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