just got back from revisiting the asylum, beat the optional boss(get 20,000 souls and a tantanite slab) there's also two black knights(one dropped a "black knight sword" which is stronger than the dragon sword...but requires a higher strength) and a human knight(got a crescent shield..80% reduction of magic damage)
bought the"crest" from the blacksmith...the enemies are pretty tough but give you a great amount of souls(some enemies you can't lock onto)
btw: anyone know where to get twinkling tantanite and large tantanite?