Been a hot minute since I played THIS game. Was super rusty, so I trained a bit in the Haligtree Brace (near Melania's boss room), killing "Pests" and knights. Quickly came to terms of how the game works once again.

Did a little dueling for a bit.

Summoned a buddy to help me fight Maliketh the Death Eater, and trounced him quickly.

Switched over to my lower level account in "the Lakes", and got about halfway through before hitting a significant bump.

Switched back to help friend fight Mogwyn. Took three tries (cause his build was a glass cannon), but spamming Bloodflame Blade seemed to have done the trick.

Ran some clean-up. Found out I missed collecting Bloodflame Blade, so picked that up. Helped move items between profiles for friend. Dueled friend. Learned some neat things about certain gear and abilities.

Collected Miquilla's Needle, remade Malenia's rune, jumped around to locations I may not have scrubbed clean yet, and found a wayward Night's Cavalry that had a missing Ash of War.

MALENIA DEFEATED. No Help. No Mimic Tear. Used only Grave Scythe w/ Chilling Mist Ash, Lord's Heal, Black Flame, Golden Vow, and a handful of healing items. Didn't even need the Preservation Bolas.

Not a top tier win, but I'll take it.

Got about halfway through Malenia's second phase. I think I'm getting better. Also, farmed some Rune Arcs. I'm gonna go in bloody loaded.

More Sacrifical Bud farming, and more practice against Malenia. I feel like I'm getting worse, though...

Did some Sacrificial Bud farming. Tried two locations. Gonna use the second location due to better results. Making preparations for second phase Malenia.

Still on that Malenia grind. I've gotten her second phase down to half without spamming items, so I'm making SOME progress.

Fought against Malenia without using items for about an hour... managed to get at least one clear of phase 1. Gonna keep practicing until I can fairly constantly clear phase 1.

Finally completed the Omen Twins' runes by finding their tower. Also helped a friend transfer gear, and duel to practice.

Slayed the Night's Cavalry at the Dragonbarrow. Experimented with Ashes of War on the Grave Scythe. Was a very short session.

Fought Malenia again. Still learning. Helped transfer over weapons and gear for a friend to a different character. Killed the Deathbird in the Mountaintop of the Giants. Teleported to the Dragonbarrow to prepare to fight the Night Cavalry.

Dueled a friend for a few rounds. Then assisted him in the Shunning Grounds to find and kill Mohg. Then fought Melannia for an hour solo, and still lost. Learning her patterns, at least.