dark-souls-2speedrun
I like to speedrun the souls series and an important piece of this is knowing the locations of story-important items. I have found quick routes to many items of importance but the one that I cannot find is the Fragrant Branch of Yore, needed to unlock the NPC blocking the shaded woods.
What is the closest and most accessible Fragrant Branch of Yore from the beginning of the game?
While nobody seems to have an authoritative answer yet, here's my current understanding, based on what others in the Souls community have managed to suss out:
My personal (educated) conjecture is that Agility is no doubt useful on paper, at least based on what we think it currently does. Even in that case, if you're really good about timing your rolls perfectly, it's possible that you may not particularly need the lengthened invincibility window. The various other effects may or may not be useful to your character, depending on your build and playstyle. For example, a character that focuses on staying at maximum range may not always need the quicker Estus Flasks or roll speed, but heavy melee characters might want all the help they can get in those regards.
In any case, if you're planning on doing a lot of PvP or you just want to be a little bit quicker overall, I'd personally suggest spending a few points into bumping up your Agility a bit (most typically through Adaptability). However, if you're getting along in the game just fine as it is, then you may not need to worry about it.
I have created this image that I print out and mark off as I progress through different characters in order to keep track of progress. It is a work in progress.
Best Answer
These are the three that I believe are the quickest to get. I'm not a speedrunner, so I can't speak with authority about which one of these is the quickest, but it's almost certain to be one of these three.
Defeat the Dragonrider in Heide's Tower of Flame to free Licia, then use her to gain access to The Huntsman's Copse. Proceed to Harvest Valley and find the branch just prior to the Mines bonfire.
Find a way down into the pit in Majula, then proceed through the Grave of Saints to the Gutter. The branch is at the very end of the Gutter, right before the fog gate to the Black Gulch.
Defeat the Lost Sinner in Sinner's Rise.