I'd Have Given Up On Elden Ring A Long Time Ago If It Wasn't For The Kindness Of Strangers

thegamer.com:

After an unfortunate accident involving my mount and a cliff edge, I got lost in Elden Ring last night. But in a game like this, getting lost is often the best way to find something interesting, which I did. While fleeing from some poisonous bog monsters, I spotted a wooden elevator in a cave. I descended and found myself in a labyrinthine mine stuffed with crafting materials—and, unfortunately, some pickaxe-wielding enemies that were way stronger than me.

Luckily there was a summoning pool nearby, and I had a Furlcalling Finger Remedy to hand—a curiously named item that reveals gold summon signs in the world, allowing you to call other players in to help you overcome tough challenges. I invited a fellow Tarnished into my game and it was clear immediately that they were familiar with this dungeon. Off they crept, expertly navigating the first chamber, calmly back-stabbing the miners.

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I helped out with a few sword swings, but it was a token gesture. I was low level at this point, so my puny blade wasn't doing much damage. As we made our way through the tunnels, my co-op buddy, a complete stranger, would occasionally stop and point at secrets or show me places where I could drop off an elevator and grab hidden items. If I couldn't figure out what they were trying to silently communicate, they waited patiently for me to figure it out.

When I first arrived in this dungeon, and got my ass handed to me by its monstrous residents, I was ready to leave and come back later when I was stronger. But with this helpful Tarnished leading the way, I managed to make it all the way through and ended up with an inventory full of armament-upgrading smithing stones. I mean, I didn't do much