Dark Souls Part 3: Arrival in the Land of the Ancient Lords

The Bonfires are the only remnants of the Fire that has kept this world alive

So after flying for miles, our bird friend drops us off in Lordran. Our arriving location appears to be a place called Firelink Shrine. It is a shrine dedicated to the Fire, and the many Bonfires it has created around the world. These Bonfires keep the encroaching darkness at bay. This shrine houses its own Bonfire, and around it, you may briefly see the spirits of other lost souls who are on their own quests through these lands, before they fade away.

Basically, think of a bunch of homeless people crowded around a trash can they set on fire.

Speaking of crazy bums, it is here that you will encounter another undead who has not yet gone hollow. His name is... um... Crestfallen Warrior. Why is he crestfallen? Well, it seems he has accepted that this world, and everything he had in his former life, is lost. Stricken with this depression, he does nothing but sit within the warmth of the Bonfire, and talk smack to those who pass by - like you! Just give him a bottle of whiskey, and I'm sure he fulfills this crazy bum metaphor.

"Well, what do we have here? You must be a new arrival.
Let me guess. Fate of the Undead, right? Well, you're not the first.
But there's no salvation here. You'd have done better to rot in the Undead Asylum… But, too late now. Well, since you're here… Let me help you out. There are actually two Bells of Awakening.
One's up above, in the Undead Church. The other is far, far below, in the ruins at the base of Blighttown. Ring them both, and something happens… Brilliant, right? Not much to go on, but I have a feeling that won't stop you. So, off you go. It is why you came, isn't it? To this accursed land of the Undead?
Hah hah hah hah…"

So now we know that this was not just Oscar's mission. Others have come before you, and apparently failed just as he did. Not letting this discourage you, you take his helpful advice and set out for the first bell. You reach a burg known only as the Undead Burg (at least it's to the point). Far above is a bridge that connects to the Undead Parish. You fight your way through the several Hollow citizens and soldiers that once inhabited this burg, and ascend to the surrounding battlements. You are almost to the bridge that connects to the parish when yet another dreadfully large monstrosity drops from a turret above... Yes, again. I promise these guys aren't one-trick ponies.

This is another demon - a Taurus Demon. Like the astrological sign, it very closely resembles a bull. This demon is far more aggressive than the one back in the Asylum, but with proper use of tactics  and height advantages within the surrounding environment, you are able to overcome it.

And so you have ascended through the ruins of once was surely a provident settlement - lost to the madness of those who have gone Hollow - and reached the bridge connecting to the church, which houses the bell you must ring. It is here that you meet, undoubtedly, the friendliest person you will ever encounter in this twisted land... Knight Solaire of Astora, Praiser of the Sun, adherent of the Lord of Sunlight.