In the vast and intricate world of Elden Ring, few narratives are as captivating as that of Ranni the Witch. This questline not only immerses players in an engaging storyline but also entwines them with significant gameplay elements, including the potential for a unique ending and access to one of the game’s most revered weapons: the Dark Moon Greatsword. Below, we delve deeply into Ranni’s quest, outlining the essential steps and challenges that players must navigate to fulfill their mission.
Chapter 1: The Initial Encounter
Your journey with Ranni begins shortly after you return to the Church of Elleh in Limgrave, where you first meet her. At this early stage in the game, she introduces you to the Spirit Calling Bell and plants the seeds for a more intricate quest awaiting you in the future. Your next encounter will take place later in the game at Liurnia of the Lakes. Here, she resides within Ranni’s Rise, the central tower of the Three Sisters area, past the haunting Carnia Manor. Ascend to the top, and you'll be greeted by Ranni herself.
Accepting the Witch's Service
Upon your first meeting, Ranni extends an invitation for you to join her service. It’s crucial to accept her offer to progress further. Afterward, make your way to the tower's lower level and converse with her three loyal followers. Once you have done this, it’s time for one last discussion with Ranni before your quest truly begins. She’ll commission you to retrieve a treasure from the fabled Nokron, Eternal City, setting you on a course that will span across various regions of the Lands Between. To access this location, however, you will first need to confront General Radahn, a shardbearer positioned in Caelid.
Chapter 2: Confronting General Radahn
General Radahn's stronghold lies in the southeast part of the map, and defeating him is a pivotal step to unlocking the path to Nokron. Once you vanquish Radahn, a cosmic event unfolds—the stars he had been holding at bay return to the sky, one of which will collide with the landscape. Following this spectacle, NPCs around you will indicate that a massive star has fallen somewhere in Limgrave.
Find the Entrance to Nokron
To locate Nokron, look upwards; you should notice a scattering of floating rocks that guide you to a hole in East Limgrave, south of the Mistwood Ruins. Utilize Torrent to traverse these rocks and enter the ruins. Your adventure will soon take you across gothic rooftops and eventually to a small plaza featuring the Nokron Site of Grace, a critical resting point for your journey ahead.
Chapter 3: The Trials of Nokron, Eternal City
From the plaza, head diagonally right towards an archway. Initially appearing to be an entrance into a building, this passage leads to an alley that overlooks a cliffside. Here, you’ll find a staircase on your right—follow it until you encounter the boss fog that shields the Mimic Tear.
Defeating the Mimic Tear
This fight can be particularly tricky, as the Mimic Tear can replicate your current equipment. A simple strategy is to remove all your gear before entering the fog, allowing the mimic to spawn without any weapons or armor. Once you’ve triumphed, a bridge leads north from your location. Head past a grassy area on your left, keeping close to the cliff wall until you find an opening that leads to further gothic rooftops.
Securing the Fingerslayer Blade
Keep navigating until you uncover an archway that descends into a sheltered building, where you’ll find a chest containing the Fingerslayer Blade—an important item for Ranni’s questline.
Chapter 4: Venturing into the Ansel River
Return to Ranni's Rise to update her on your progress. After a brief exchange, where she will fall into a slumber, you can explore the newly unlocked tower. Inside, find Ranni's armor set alongside a teleport gate that transports you to the Ansel River Main. Upon arrival, a Site of Grace lies ahead alongside the Ranni doll. Engage the doll multiple times until it reveals that it represents Ranni, now in hiding from assassins lurking in the Ansel River.
Tracking Down Assassins
Your task now is to chase down these assassins. Proceed south through the river, navigating through the Uhl Palace Ruins until you reach a river tunnel that leads to a cavern filled with giant flying ants. Explore further into the area to find the Nokstella, Eternal City Site of Grace, your next important waypoint.
Chapter 5: Confronting the Baleful Shadow
In this region, pursue the ground-level path and enter a cave filled with lizards that can inflict a lethal status. Speed past them and find the cave's end, where you will confront the Baleful Shadow resembling Blaidd. Upon defeating this shadowy figure, you’ll receive the Discarded Palace Key, vital for future endeavors.
Unlocking New Areas
Your next objective will be to venture eastward into a building. An elevator here will take you down, leading to the Lake of Rot Shoreside Site of Grace. Activate this so you can return later, then fast travel to the Raya Lucaria Grand Library, where a chest, now openable with the Discarded Palace Key, contains the Dark Moon Ring.
Chapter 6: Traversing the Lake of Rot
Your adventure through the Lake of Rot requires caution, as you can’t summon Torrent to traverse the water. Collect Preserving Boluses or manage your flasks to mitigate the notorious Scarlet Rot. Despite the challenges, navigate the pressure plates that offer a path toward the Grand Cloister, where another Site of Grace awaits.
Facing Astel, Naturalborn of the Void
Prepare yourself for a significant boss fight against Astel, a creature reminiscent of a space scorpion. Once vanquished, use the Dark Moon Ring to unlock the sealed door at the back of the arena, leading you down a pathway to an elevator that will take you higher into the world of Elden Ring.
Chapter 7: The Conclusion of the Quest
Your journey concludes at the Moonlight Altar where you will encounter Ranni’s real body. Here, place the Dark Moon Ring on her hand, solidifying your allegiance to her cause. She will encourage you to pursue your title as Elden Lord, hinting at your powerful union for the future.
The Dark Moon Greatsword Awaits
After Ranni vanishes, you will discover the Dark Moon Greatsword, an artifact of immense power requiring significant intelligence to wield. This completion of Ranni's questline not only rewards players with an iconic weapon but also enriches the overarching narrative of Elden Ring, cementing Ranni's place as a vital character in your journey.
From Ranni the Witch's intricate tale to the thrilling challenges that await, completing this questline is a must for any serious player looking to dive into the depths of Elden Ring's lore and gameplay.