Here's a pro tip for the swamp/Queelag people:
Go into the swamp in human form - you'll have a chance of getting invaded by a black phantom that has the meat cleaver from Demon's Souls. You'll fight it out with the NPC Black Phantom and then, once you kill her, you get the meat cleaver - AND you can summon her to help you fight against the boss (her sign will appear near the entrance).