>>712639686
>does killing NPCs count towards endings [...] or is it just to be an asshole
The former. NPCs in BS1 have Dark Souls-style questlines associated with them, which go something like:
>meet NPC in one part of the world
>speak to them again elsewhere, receive exposition
>speak to them again elsewhere, then either fight a boss, choose a dialogue option, or complete a fetch quest
>NPC is now your companion
Killing/raping an NPC at any point bars you from completing her questline for that playthrough, and since each companion has an associated ending, it's easy to cuck yourself out of content and have to play a NG+ run to experience missed endings/CGs. Despite this, the game encourages repeat playthroughs, with an in-universe explanation for NG+. The optimal way to structure your playthrough so you don't miss anything the first time around would be:
>beat the game without raping or killing any recruitable NPCs, and unlock them all as companions by completing their questlines. Also, make sure to receive Leaf's ring by talking to her outside the gate to the Lost Empire. This results in End A at 0 sin and End B at >0 Sin
>after beating the game, you're placed back in the Holy Forest and can revive the final boss to beat her again. Take advantage of this by playing through each companion's solo ending. These are unlocked after you've gotten a companion to level 100. Just select her name after beating the final boss. There are 10 unique companion endings
>having played them all, fulfil the requirements for End C. It involves the fairy tale books you receive after beating a boss. I'll let you figure this one out.
>reload your pre-End C save (crucial) and fulfil the requirements for End D, which just involves playing through Baphomet's questline. End D is also the "canonical" ending in the sense that BS2 continues where End D leaves off
At this point, you'll have the required context to understand BS2, which is where the series REALLY gets going. Have fun!
