Of course, as with the rest of the game, Dark Souls III doesn't really hold your hand when it comes to making the most of the Firelink Shrine. What was once a small, essentially unofficial rest stop is now its own dedicated destination - and, while the rest of the world is dedicated to killing the player in the worst ways possible, the inhabitants of the shrine are there to help the Unkindled in their quest to link the fire.
There is, however, one place that players can call home: the Firelink Shrine. Wandering through dilapidated castles and abandoned homesteads is genuinely depressing - and that's before an enemy sends you tumbling over a cliff to your doom. You will find her downstairs, in the main part of this location. Now, during your first visit here, talk to Fire Keeper. It's no secret that Dark Souls takes place in a relatively bleak world, but new players might be surprised by just how oppressive that atmosphere can be. You will find a few NPCs here and several interesting places that you can visit later.