To get the Mound-Makers covenant early in Dark Souls III, find the cage-bearing Hollow Manservant in the Undead Settlement before progressing too far with the Curse-rotted Greatwood. Interact with the cage to reach the Pit of Hollows, then speak with Holy Knight Hodrick to receive the covenant item. If that opportunity has closed, Sirris of the Sunless Realms’ questline may provide another route.
Early route: find the cage in the Undead Settlement
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In the Undead Settlement, go past the large burning tree area and take the side route toward the rooftops. Look around the ladder and nearby Thralls for a non-hostile Hollow Manservant with a cage on its back.
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Approach the Manservant and interact with the cage. It transports you to the Pit of Hollows below the Curse-rotted Greatwood arena.
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Speak with Holy Knight Hodrick near the Sacrificial Altar. He gives you the Mound-Makers covenant item; a further conversation gives a Homeward Bone to leave the area. Dark Souls Wiki’s Mound-makers entry describes the NPC interaction and reward.
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When the cage route becomes unavailable
The cage-bearing Manservant is hostile if the Curse-rotted Greatwood has been confronted or defeated, so advancing that encounter can shut off the early route. The exact cutoff is not consistently specified in the available walkthroughs. If you want this covenant, look for the cage before progressing the Greatwood encounter rather than assuming the route will remain open. GameSpot’s Dark Souls 3 Covenant Guide also outlines the early route.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Alternative route: Sirris of the Sunless Realms
If you missed the cage, Sirris’s questline is a reported later alternative. GameSpot’s guide describes returning to the Greatwood courtyard after defeating Aldrich, using Sirris’s summon sign, and accepting her offer after helping her. This option depends on her quest remaining available: making Sirris hostile can close it, and walkthroughs do not establish that it works in every quest state. Gamer Guides’ Mound-makers guide also describes the alternate quest route.
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- Atmospheric Visual - Dynamic lighting and particle effects immerse players into a dark fantasy world of ruin
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Rank #2
- Atmospheric Visuals: Dynamic lighting and particle effects immerse players into a dark fantasy world of ruin.
- Interconnected World: Expertly crafted world encourages players to explore vast and breath-taking landscapes.
- Sword Action: Diversifies combat action allowing players to craft their own unique play style.
- Unique Online System: Evolution of trademark online multiplayer functionality that seamlessly integrates online interactions into single-player story.
How the two routes differ
| Route | When and where | What it depends on |
|---|---|---|
| Cage-bearing Hollow Manservant | Early; Undead Settlement to Pit of Hollows | The Greatwood encounter must not have progressed far enough to make the Manservant hostile. |
| Sirris of the Sunless Realms | Later; Greatwood courtyard after defeating Aldrich, according to GameSpot | Sirris’s questline must remain available; making her hostile can block this route. |
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