Requirements
Darkstalker Kaathe is available and not hostile. To gain access to Kaathe:
- Obtain the Covenant of Artorias by killing Sif, the Great Grey Wolf.
- Lordvessel is not required, but if placed on the alter prior to killing The Four Kings (regardless of talking to Kingseeker Frampt), the Darkwraith covenant becomes unavailable.
How to Join
1. Acquire the Covenant of Artorias .
2. Acquire the Key to the Seal:
- Talk to Ingward - requires having the Lordvessel
- Kill Ingward - can be done as early as arriving at Firelink Shrine, even before ringing the Bells of Awakening
3. Open the floodgate, then proceed to fight The Four Kings in The Abyss. Equip the Covenant of Artorias.
4. Talk to Darkstalker Kaathe. The option to join the covenant becomes available if the player does not currently possess Lordvessel. If the Lordvessel has been acquired, Kaathe will take the player to Firelink Altar to place it before offering to join the covenant. Don't forget to rest at the bonfire.
5. At this point in the Firelink Altar, there are two options:
- Put the Lordvessel at the altar, then talk to Kaathe to warp back to The Abyss. This will make Kingseeker Frampt leave for the current playthrough.
- Use a Homeward Bone or Homeward back to The Abyss bonfire.
6. Talk to Darkstalker Kaathe again, he'll offer an entry to the covenant