When discussing the Dark Souls franchise developed by FromSoftware most people like to talk about the bosses or environments and often forget about the NPCs roaming around the world. Dark Souls 3 did a great job at introducing numerous characters that felt fully developed, with a number of them having engaging questlines.
Almost all of their stories are tragic in one way or another, but provide unique perspectives on a world torn asunder. Some of them could be the focus of their very own video game or animated series.
10 Yoel Of Londor
Yoel of Londor is one of the first NPCs players encounter outside of Firelink Shrine and is unique simply because he isn't some sort of knight, warrior, or magical being. He is simply the last surviving member of a group of pilgrims who were likely in search of the flame or some sort of savior. It's unclear what he is exactly as all of the pilgrims had turtle-like shells chained to their backs. His existence is fleeting as he eventually perishes no matter what, but the player can replace him with Yuria of Londor if certain criteria are met.
9 Old Wolf Of Farron
The Old Wolf Of Farron immediately won the hearts of players as it felt like a callback to Sif, the great wolf and companion to Artorias the Abysswalker. This wolf seems to be the source of blood that the Abyss Watchers used to obtain Artorias' power and provided the connection to the legendary knight. The wolf itself looks emaciated which is a telltale sign that its blood has been drained numerous times by those who belong to the covenant known as the Watchdogs of Farron who see the old wolf as a deity of some sort.
8 Unbreakable Patches
Patches is a character that persists throughout FromSoftware games and is nothing more than a devious trickster. In Dark Souls 3 he uses the player's trust of Siegward of Catarina against them as he disguises himself in the armor set of the onion knight.
In a turn of events, Patches can become a merchant to the player in Dark Souls 3 and can even be sent out to save his friend Greirat of the Undead Settlement who was tasked with pillaging Irithyll of the Boral Valley by the player.
7 Captain Yorshka
Most Dark Souls players know Captain Yorshka as the ethereal being that sits at the tower accessed by traversing an invisible bridge. She does tell the player that she's a daughter of Gwyn, but it's unclear if Gwyndolin bestowed that upon her or not considering she's never mentioned as one of Gwyn's actual children. Gwyndolin gave her not only her name but control of the Darkmoon Blades during the time in which he fell ill. She never knew that he was imprisoned by Pontiff Sulyvahn and eaten by Aldrich the Devourer.
6 Locust Preacher
The Locust Preachers are rather interesting because the player runs into 3 of them during their time in The Ringed City, and shocking to no one they're focused on manipulating the player. They want the player to allow the Abyss to overcome the fire and not stand in the way of what they feel is right. These story-tellers talk about figures from all 3 games and fans have done a good job at connecting the dots and figuring out who the individuals in each of the stories are and how they relate to the Abyss.
5 Eygon Of Carim
Eygon is a Knight of Carim that players are introduced to as a man who s bound to protect a woman known as Irina at all costs. If at any point the player as the Ashen One harms her or puts her in danger it will trigger his hostility. He's unlike other Knights of Carim in that he wields a shield which is rather rare for the unit. He wields Morne's Great Hammer which is a legendary weapon bestowed to deserving Carim Knights who prove that they have the faith and strength to succeed no matter the circumstance.
4 Anri Of Astora
A neat thing about playing a game for the first time is that it's unclear what parts of the game change based on what choices the player makes in the character creator at the beginning of their journey.
Anri of Astora for instance will always be the opposite sex of what the player chooses. Anri is an Unkindled and one of only two kids who escaped from Aldrich the Devourer. Their sole goal is to find and defeat Aldrich in an attempt to serve some type of justice for the pain and suffering the consumer brought into the world.
3 Picklepum The Crow
Some people may not find a singing crow to be all that interesting, but Picklepum isn't as annoying as some may believe. The crow capable of trading with the player is something that's been a part of FromSoftware's games since Demon's Souls and was included in the entire Dark Souls trilogy. Its use of the terms "pickle-pee" and "pump-a-rum" are references to a children's book written by James Reeves where the first sound is in reference to a bird sound and the second is meant to echo the noise of a drum.
2 Leonhard
FromSoftware has a track record of either teasing or referencing their games in other games and most of the time it's unclear until their newest game releases. Ringfinger Leonhard, like all of the Fingers of Rosaria, seems to represent one of their games. For him, it's obviously Bloodborne as his apparel is very reminiscent of the hunters found in Yarnham. Paranoia and fear get the best of Leonhard and after he kills Rosaria himself the player has a chance to invade his world and fight him in hopes of obtaining Rosaria's soul.
1 Siegward Of Catarina
It's hard to find a more likable and interesting NPC in Dark Souls III than Siegward of Catarina. Players are first introduced to him as a jolly traveler simply making his way through the world. As time goes on it becomes clear he's on a specific mission to fulfill a promise he made to a friend. That promise was to Yhorm the Giant and it's up to Siegward to kill his old friend and put him to rest. He's a callback to Siegmeyer of Catarina, a beloved NPC from the original Dark Souls that also has his questline.