i started this game about 2 days ago.

i'm a Knight with Flute armor and a "Crescent Falchion" blade.

I can't seem to get to the second boss "Tower Knight" without dieing. There are two red knights along with the usual enemys infront of the boss entrance and even when i manage to get there, the Tower Knight manages to impale me before i make it to the stairs.

I increased my attributes alot "mostly Endurance, Vitality, and Strength" and powered up my kite shield

heres a few questions:

1) i was reading that newbie guide for things to get. i got most of them except the "Purple shield" because i don't know where the "Dragon roost" in 1-1 is. does anyone know?

2)if and when i do get to the Tower Knight, is there a way to kill him without getting up close? i've experimented with magic (i have the Soul arrow) and i have a couple bows.

3)the bow that i was told to retrieve in the newbie guide (compound long bow?) cannot be wielded by my knight with skill apparently. what do i need to wield it skillfully?

4) why are there Red knights where there shouldn't be? they weren't there before yet now they are.

5) i used the soul of the first boss (phalanx) did i need it for anything important?

The reason there are red knights there is because the world is pure black tendency, mostly due to the Halloween event. Once the world isn't pure black anymore, those red knights will be gone.
 
Dragon's roost is if you turn left before the bridge the red dragon flames up in 1-1. You'll see the blue dragon and a bunch of dead bodies in a clearing. Purple flame shield is also a rare drop off any red eyed knight
 
If you look at the item information, you'll see how much str/dex/etc you need to use a weapon/shield correctly. Also refer to this Demon's Souls wiki for most information you'll need 
http://demonssouls.wikidot.com
 
Phalanx's soul is used for making Scraping Spear.
 
Tower Knight is much easier if you are able to roll freely (aka don't get over 1/2 of your max equip burden). That way you can evade his attacks much easier and run around him to attack his ankles.

Your problems with the stage are probably due to the World Tendency Halloween event.  I'm not sure yet if it resets...
 
Your problems with the boss are probably due to your armor.  Consider removing some pieces of armor.  After all, this isn't really a boss where you can afford to get hit in the first place.  Just make sure you're under half your equip burden and can roll at full speed.  Know when to lock on and when to not lock on.  Sometimes you might just want to sprint in a particular direction and being locked on will hinder you.  To get close to him, bait him into tossing a lance and then sprint straight between his legs without locking on.  Lock on to a leg after you get behind him.    
 
At point blank range he only uses two attack, the shield slam and the hop backwards.  The shield slam shouldn't hit you if you are behind him.  The hop can be blocked easily.  Stay behind him and take intermittent swings at his legs between his attacks.  The steam shooting out tells you how damaged each leg is.  Hurt the both enough and he will topple and you can wail on the head for massive damage.  If he gets you in front of him, break lock and sprint/roll between his legs again.
 
Good luck!

i bought the game on Halloween and was also having trouble getting into the front gate with the blue-eyed knight and the two black phantoms there.  Except for me, I never got past them unlike you.  Good to know they are only there because of the halloween thing.  Maybe I'll be able to progress if they are gone.
 
The 2 black phantoms were gone for me today.  Much much easier now.  I was able to get in and fight the Tower Knight finally.  Killed me 3 times tho :/

Ok so i just explored other areas and found kick ass equipment and leveled up a bit. Then i got some magic and owned that stupid Tower Knight with soul arrows. 
 
much easier than i thought
 
 
thanks for the advice!

"Ok so i just explored other areas and found kick ass equipment and leveled up a bit. Then i got some magic and owned that stupid Tower Knight with soul arrows.   much easier than i thought   thanks for the advice! "