Covenants are different groups the player can align themselves with for rewards. Sometimes this takes the form of Co-op gameplay where Chosen Undead join forces across worlds and to take down bosses or complete other objectives. There are nine covenants total and each has their own goals as well as lore and access to many features and pieces of equipment.
But covenants are about much more than jolly co-operation. For invasions by those seeking to take for their own gain are all too common. These factions add a unique aspect to a great game that increases replay value through revolutionary multiplayer gameplay.
9 Warrior Of Sunlight
To become a warrior of sunlight, the player needs to first meet a faith stat requirement of twenty-five. Next, they need to find the broken altar of an unknown god, close to where the Hellkite Dragon lurks, and kneel before it in prayer. Now, the Chosen Undead is ready to travel via summon signs and assist other players in fighting bosses. Appearing in worlds other than their own as golden phantoms, players can acquire sunlight medals upon defeating bosses. These tokens can be collected, and upon reaching certain thresholds will allow one to rank up and gain access to powerful miracles like Great Lightning Spear, a spell used by Dark Souls' final boss.
8 Darkwraith
The Darkwraiths are a difficult group to join, as the application process is quite lengthy. One must avoid the path given to them by most information provided by the game. Instead, one must get the ring, the Covenant of Artorias, which the player receives from slaying the Great Grey Wolf Sif. With the ring in hand, the Chosen Undead must now acquire the key to the Abyss and then defeat the Four Kings. In this same Abyss, one can then make an ominous pact with Darkstalker Kaathe, a primordial serpent with ill intent. The benefits of joining are many and include access to special armor, weapons, and the ability to steal humanity from players one invades. All that's needed to hunt fellow players are red eye orbs and a dark hunger.
7 Princess Guard
After defeating Ornstein and Smough, the Chosen Undead meets with Princess Gwynevere of Anor Londo. Upon speaking to her a great many things happen, and one of those is the chance to join her guard and act as a valiant ally to many players immediately. For there are no ranks in this covenant, but instead a ring and powerful healing miracles can be accessed upon joining. Being the easiest covenant to join gives great incentive for almost altruistic online gameplay; a far cry from some of the other factions.
6 Forest Hunter
True to its name, the Forest Hunter covenant allows players to invade other worlds as a blue phantom and attack other players. To join, simply find Alvina the talking cat in Darkroot Garden, answer her questions, and put on the ring she gives.
This ring will mark the player as a member of the covenant and kills made while wearing it will give the player a point. The first point will reward a divine blessing. The second will grant a ring that makes one much harder to see. The third will unlock special dialogue with Alvina which can expand the player's knowledge of the world.
5 Way Of White
There are a couple of ways to join this covenant. All players that choose the starting class Knight or Cleric will automatically be given membership. Alternatively, if one does not start as either of these classes, completing Reah of Thorolund's questline and rescuing her from the unknown horrors of the Tomb of Giants will grant one access to the Way of White. However, the benefits of this faction pale in comparison to others as there are no special rings, weapons, or armor. The only notable perk is a less likelihood of being invaded by other players.
4 Path Of The Dragon
In the hidden and optional area, Ash Lake, one can venture through a bizarre and dangerous landscape unlike any other area in the game. At the end of a path laden with hydras and giant clams, the player will meet the Everlasting Dragon. By bowing down before their might, one can enter this covenant. Using the dragon eye item, players can duel one another for dragon scales. Acquiring enough scales will increase one's rank in the Path of the Dragon and net the player items that can turn them into humanoid dragons with fierce and powerful attacks.
3 Blade Of The Dark Moon
To join this divine cult, one must acquire the Darkmoon Seance Ring and speak to Dark Sun Gwyndolin instead of fighting them. The Blade of the Dark Moon is a faction all about sin. Sin can build up on a player by performing certain acts considered atrocious and vile, such as attacking and killing NPCs.
Members of this covenant can invade other players, but only those guilty of committing grievous sins. By slaying the sinful, one's rank will increase and the player will be rewarded with a unique talisman and Darkmoon Blade, a powerful weapon buff in the form of a miracle.
2 Chaos Servant
Becoming a servant of chaos requires only a few steps. The player needs to defeat Chaos Witch Quelaag and enter her domain, where they will find her infinitely more docile sister: the Fair Lady. By speaking with her, the player can join the covenant and immediately gain access to the Great Chaos Fireball pyromancy; an excellent spell for those looking to burn their foes to ash. Furthermore, ranking up in this faction only requires the submission of easily farmable humanities. At the second rank, the player will gain access to the devastating Chaos Storm pyromancy, to the dismay of those who fear flame.
1 Gravelord Servant
To join this sinister faction, one needs to head down into the Catacombs and nestle themselves into a coffin, to be brought before Gravelord Nito's resting place. When before the first of the dead, make a pact to begin cursing other players. This covenant is a faction seemingly dedicated to trolling others hard enough to get them to invade the player's world for a confrontation. By using an eye of death, players will curse another's world with stronger enemies and disabling access to that area's boss, preventing progress for the cursed. The only way for the victim to lift the curse is to find the sign of the foul deed and travel via summoning to the gravelord servant's world for a showdown. If the gravelord wins, however, more eyes of death will be gained, which can allow players to rank up and acquire a powerful, poisonous greatsword and deadly offensive miracles.