Covenants have seen massive changes in every Dark Souls release. Dark Souls 2 and Dark Souls 3 were rather lenient with players switching between covenants as they desired. This is not the case in the original Dark Souls, as some covenants have penalties for leaving them.
Choosing the right covenant is more important in the original Dark Souls than other titles due to this betrayal system. Fortunately, most of the covenants in Dark Souls are either straightforward in purpose or easy to find. From praising the sun to cursing other worlds, here are all nine of Dark Souls' covenants and how to join them.
9 Way Of White
Clerics and faith-related characters will want to join the Way of White covenant due to their solid selection of early-game miracles and their ability to create Miracle Resonance for others. Way of White members are also more likely to find summoning signs of each other. Some players also speculate that Way of White members are less likely to be invaded, but this has never been officially confirmed.
To join, players must talk to Petrus of Thorolund in Firelink Shrine. If he isn't present, players will need to save Reah of Thorolund in the Tomb of Giants and speak to her at Undead Parish to join. Every player that starts as a Cleric or Knight also starts in the Way of White covenant. There are no penalties for betraying the Way of White.
8 Warrior Of Sunlight
Cooperative play is the main draw of the Warriors of Sunlight covenant, the same group that Solaire of Astora aligns himself with. This covenant grants variants of the Lightning Spear miracle and makes summoning other Warrior of Sunlight members easier.
Joining the Warriors of Sunlight covenant requires players to pray to the Broken Altar to the right of the Hellkite Wyvern bonfire in Undead Parish. Players will need 25 faith to join the covenant, although this requirement reduces by five for every boss a player defeats as a white phantom. Should players betray the covenant, expect the Sunlight Spear miracle to stop working.
7 Forest Hunter
Once players obtain the Crest of Artorias, they can traverse the depths of Darkroot Garden. Inside one of the garden's buildings is a cat named Alvina. She will ask the player two questions when she is first spoken to. Answer "Yes" to both to obtain access to the Forest Hunter covenant.
Forest Hunters are given the Cat Covenant Ring which, when equipped, will cause players to be summoned as blue phantoms whenever a player enters Darkroot Wood in human form. Killing them will grant a variety of items, the most common reward being Titanite upgrade materials. Betraying the covenant will cause the humanoid NPCs in the area to turn hostile once again.
6 Chaos Servant
Those that care for Solaire's questline or care about pyromancies should consider joining the Chaos Servant covenant. Players can find this covenant after defeating Chaos Witch Quelaag. After ringing the second Bell of Awakening, head down to the circular room below. Instead of heading down further, turn around and hit the wall across the room. It will reveal a new room guarded by Eingyi.
Answer "Yes" to his questions to talk to the Daughter of Chaos. She will let players join the covenant. Players can level this covenant up by donating Humanity to the Daughter of Chaos. Donating 30 Humanity to her will open a shortcut to Lost Izalith that is critical for Solaire's questline. Note that leaving the covenant before opening the shortcut will prevent it from opening. Betraying the Daughters of Chaos will disable the bonfire in her room.
5 Princess Guard
Upon obtaining the Lordvessel, players can speak to Gwynevere to join the Princess Guard covenant in Anor Londo. This covenant will grant players additional healing miracles and make matchmaking with the Warriors of Sunlight, Way of White, and Princess Guard covenants much easier. Players will also leave Miracle Resonance traces upon casting certain miracles. Betraying this covenant will disable the Soothing Sunlight and Bountiful Sunlight miracles.
4 Blade Of The Darkmoon
The Blade of the Darkmoon covenant is the progenitor to the Way of Blue covenant seen in future Dark Souls titles. To join, players will need to obtain the Darkmoon Seance Ring in the Catacombs. Equip the ring and visit Anor Londo. Travel to the Darkmoon Tomb bonfire and approach the statue of Gwyn. It will disappear and reveal a fog gate. Gwyndolin will ask players to kneel. Accept to join the covenant.
Darkmoon members gain access to a Blue Eye Orb and the Blade of the Darkmoon ring. The Blade of the Darkmoon ring will cause players to be automatically summoned to Anor Londo if a player is in a dark Anor Londo instance. The Blue Eye Orb is used to invade any player who has sinned regardless of location. Interestingly, invading a sinner with the Blue Eye Orb will not notify the host that they are being invaded, giving Darkmoon players the element of surprise. Miracle builds and fans of PvP will get the most out of this covenant. Betraying the Blade of the Darkmoon will disable the Darkmoon Blade miracle.
3 Path Of The Dragon
From Blightown, players can travel to a network of tree branches named the Great Hollow. Passing through the Great Hollow will reveal Ash Lake and a unique NPC. Known as the Everlasting Dragon or Stone Dragon, this NPC grants entry to the Path of the Dragon covenant. Members of this covenant obtain the Dragon Eye item, which can be used to place a summoning sign intended for one-on-one duels.
Leveling up this covenant will grant new Dragon Stones that allow players to turn themselves into a humanoid dragon, complete with unique attacks. The higher a player's rank, the stronger these dragon attacks are. Betraying this covenant will disable any damage bonuses to dragon stones provided by ranks while preventing the use of the Dragon Eye.
2 Gravelord Servant
Gravelord Servants infect other worlds with black phantoms that give other players trouble. The main reason for joining this covenant, though, is to fight against multiple players. Up to three players may be infected by a Gravelord Servant at a time, and these players can invade the Gravelord Servant by interacting with a summoning sign located at the covenant member's location.
Joining this covenant will require players to find a unique tunnel in the Catacombs guarded by a Titanite Demon. Inside the tunnel will be a coffin that sticks out further than the rest. With an Eye of Death obtained, sleep in the coffin for 30 seconds to visit Gravelord Nito's coffin. Speak with him to join the covenant. Note that killing Nito will disable leveling up with the covenant but does not count as a betrayal. Gravelord Servants can enjoy a couple of new miracles and use the Gravelord Sword. Betraying this covenant disables the use of Nito's miracles.
1 Darkwraith
Dark Souls has one hidden covenant named the Darkwraiths. Joining them requires players to defeat the Four Kings boss without placing the Lordvessel for Frampt. The easiest way to prevent this requirement from breaking is to never speak to Frampt.
If these conditions have been met, the Four Kings arena will be occupied by Darkstalker Kaathe. He will grant players access to the Darkwraiths, a covenant focused on invading other players through the use of Red Eye Orbs. Darkwraith members gain access to the Dark Set, Dark Hand that can steal Humanity from other players, and the ability to invade players when they please with the Red Eye Orb. Betraying this covenant will disable the use of Cracked and whole Red Eye Orbs.