Make sure that for your gift, make sure you choose the Bonfire Ascetic. We will be using this in a later area to get a much needed item.

When you enter Majula, activate the bonfire. You should see a woman in a cloak, that is the Emerald Herald. Keep talking to her until she allows you to level with her, she will also give you an Estus Flask Shard in the process.

When you have enough souls from slaying hollow soldiers, and other assortment of enemies, come back to Majula and speak to the Emerald Herald.

We want to start leveling your Strength to 16 (STR) and your Dexterity to around 9 or 10 (DEX). Doing so, we can then equip and use certain items that will help greatly when in close combat.

The Binoculars are located in Majula, just after you exit the cave from Things Betwixt.
It's use is to see further... But you can now aim your casts anywhere you [explitive] well please.

When you exit Things Betwixt and head towards Majula, hang along the right side of the cliff. There will be a small section where no rocks are preventing you from falling, inch your way forward and drop down, then turn 90 degrees left and drop down to a path. Turn around and loot the body to find the Cleric's Chime (which is a good chime until you upgrade to the Priest's Chime in the Lost Bastille)

Turn around yet again, and follow the path and you shall see a lootable body. Loot it to find the Binoculars. I used this weapon in my left hand along with my shield for easy access.

That being said. Go through the Forest of Fallen Giants (take a right as soon as you come through the archway of Things Beetwixt, hug the wall and there is a slope leading down. Continue to the second bonfire in the Forest of Fallen Giants, head out the door, and fall down onto the wooden platforms ahead, slowly and carefully make your way down to the ground level where there are many hollow soldiers, after taking care of them, there is a cave which is covered in embers and patches of fire, go halfway into the cave and then run back out, as you will be ambushed by two hollow soldiers. After dealing with our nasty ambushers, go back into the cave, wait for the Fire Lizard to spit it's fire 3 times in a row and make a dash for the door on the left side of the cave (do not worry as when you are in this animation, it cannot hurt you). Inside the chest you will find the Fire Sword, which is going to be a very useful weapon, as you will need a melee weapon sometime when an enemy decideds to take a closer look at you.

You will need to defeat The Last Giant , and receive the Soldier's Key before gaining access to The Pursuer.

You will then need to defeat, The Pursuer.

After defeating The Pursuer, go out the other side you came in from. Drop down, and you will notice a body with a blue soul, take his full set of armor. Out of that armor, equip the Drangleic Shield which has a 100% physical block (This means that you will not take damage from blocked attacks)

*NOTE: THIS IS MY PERSONAL PREFERENCE, IT MAY BE A WASTE OF STAT ALLOCATION FOR SOME, BUT I LIKE TO MIX MY PLAY STYLE UP SOMETIMES*

At the bonfire, rest for a second and click "Attune Spells" place any miracle in the slot (must meet the minimum requriments with stats)
Equip any chime (some are better than others, but since you may have the Sorcerer's Chime when getting the BInoculars we'll use this for now.
Not only are Miracles useful, but they're pretty fun if used properly.

I know what you're saying "Isn't this a Battle Mage build? Why are Miracles included in this?"
Simple answer is that, I enjoy using Great Heal instead of Estus Flasks for in between bossfights. Though it takes a few seconds from the start of using the chime to the end of the cast. It's useful for if you are CO-OPing and solo, as it has an AOE affect.

You must first travel to Heide's Tower of Flame. As you progress through Heide's Tower of Flame, you will encounter many Old Knights, killing only one at a time is the best strategy as they attack at different times and the amount of times they attack are dependent on your range. When you defeat the knights, a lever will pop up. Pull it to increase the size of the arena for the Dragonrider Fight.
When you come to a circular area with 3 knights, go forward and attract the middle one, the middle Old Knight will follow you, but the other two will raise their shields and back off.
Once completed you should see a set of stairs leading downward, go down there to find the boss fight.

After defeating the Dragonrider, go up the stairs opposite where you entered and exhaust maiden's dialogue. She will then move to the broken chapel.
Go back to the Majula bonfire and start twords Heide's Tower of Flame, once you head down the stairs she will be directly in front of you. You need 2000 souls to access a shortcut, pay her those souls to gain access to Huntsman's Copse.

Follow the path after gaining access to the new area (be carefull as you can fall of the ledge easily if you do not stick to the wall).

In an alcove there is a man sitting, facing the wall. Speak to him and he will give you both the Sunset Staff and the Hexer's Hood. Your base staff is much better if you are only going to be using casts and not hexes.

Stat placements should be put in Dexterity (Raise this to about 25, this will allow you to equip the Heide Spear)
If you would like, keep leveling your Intellegence as well as your Vigor and Endurance.

These stats are now up to you to level now.

Estus Flasks are primarily what you will be using as a health item throughtout the game.

All the locations are here (according to the wiki*)

Things Betwixt
-After the bonfire, you will find many fog gates at your right and left. At the second fog gate at your left there is a petrified statue that blocks it. You will need a Fragrant Branch of Yore to get inside and the shard is located at the bottom of a pit before the area with the gender-changing coffin.


Majula
-On a corpse inside the well outside the mansion. You have to strike the stone on the well for the corpse to come up from the well.
-On a corpse after the Skeleton in the basement of the mansion, after you obtain its key.


Forest of Fallen Giants
-On a body on the platform where the optional Pursuer fight happens.


Lost Bastille
-In the metal chest behind the 'McDuff's Workshop Bonfire'. Follow a small pathway around the back from the courtyard with the dogs.


No-man's Wharf
-In the passage on the way to No-man's Wharf there is a petrified hollow. Use a Fragrant Branch of Yore to get past him and pick up the Estus Flask Shard on the corpse nearby.


Huntsman's Copse
-On a body near the lever that opens the shortcut to the boss gate. Enter the cave in front of the boss gate, behind the waterfall, kill the skeletons and follow the path at end to the left. A lever will open a shortcut to the bonfire and the body with the Shard will be next to the lever.


Shaded Woods
-One found in a room opposite the Old Akerlarre bonfire.


Upper Gutter
-Next to the chest with the visible Auros Armor climb up the ladder and collect it from a corpse on the platform


Brightstone Cove Tseldora
-From the Chapel Threshold bonfire, head back towards the church. Instead of going inside, head to the right and jump off. Follow your way down the platforms towards the bottom, where a priest guy shooting spells at you is, standing in front of an entrance way (near where the mass of spiders come from). Inside that little room is the Shard.


Drangleic Castle
-Central Castle Drangleic bonfire, the room below the Alonne Captain where he is trying to snipe you.


Shrine of Amana
-On a corpse at the end of a walkway between the second and third bonfires, guarded by an Ogre. Also where Sunlight Blade is located.

I will be updating this guide regularly, as I have little time to work on it. This alone has taken me two weeks with my busy schedule.

Feel free to add, or follow me.
None of this would be if it weren't for the 900+ people who have looked at my guide. I want to thank you and it will be updated with more soon!