Gelmir Hero's Grave

Key takeaways

• Gelmir Hero’s Grave is an optional dungeon, not a sub-area of Volcano Manor.
• Its defining hazard is a patrolling mechanical chariot that cannot be destroyed by ordinary attacks.
• The dungeon has several branches below and beside the main chariot route Do not treat the first visible descent as the only path.
• The Mantis Blade comes from a Cemetery Shade in a side alcove and is a guaranteed first-kill reward.
• The Gelmir Knight Set is found by dropping from the chariot route onto lower rafters and defeating a Bloodhound Knight.
• The final reward sequence includes Bloodhound Knight Floh from the Red Wolf of the Champion and Deathroot from a chest beyond the boss.
• No named NPC, merchant or quest-giver resides inside the grave.

About this guide

Overview

Gelmir Hero’s Grave is an optional Hero’s Grave dungeon in the Mt. Gelmir area. It lies in the wooded uplands south-west of the First Mt. Gelmir Campsite and is reached through a stone structure containing a lift. The dungeon is built around a long, hostile descent patrolled by a mechanical chariot. Rather than simply clearing rooms in sequence, you must use alcoves, side passages, timing and vertical shortcuts to reach the lower passages.

The grave’s principal challenge is environmental. The chariot kills in a single hit for most characters, and the lava-lined lower section leaves little room to recover from mistakes. The dungeon nevertheless contains unusually valuable rewards: the Mantis Blade, the Gelmir Knight Set, the Bloodhound Knight Set, the Ringed Finger, a Stonesword Key, spirit-upgrade materials and a Deathroot. Its boss, the Red Wolf of the Champion, awards the spirit ash Bloodhound Knight Floh.

What belongs to Gelmir Hero’s Grave?

The following are neighbouring places, not parts of the dungeon:

The entrance is close to the road through Mt. Gelmir, but the grave has no road network, settlement, shopfront or exterior NPC population of its own. The nearby campsites and manor are separate map locations with their own encounters and progression. GameSpot’s regional route places the grave near the First Mt. Gelmir Campsite and distinguishes it from the routes continuing towards Volcano Manor and Volcano Cave.

The named location consists of

1. 01
   The exterior stone entrance building.
2. 02
   The lift descending to the dungeon.
3. 03
   The Site of Grace at the beginning of the underground route.
4. 04
   The chariot-controlled descent.
5. 05
   Side passages containing the grave’s armour, weapon and crafting-material pickups.
6. 06
   The lower lava route.
7. 07
   The boss fog and Red Wolf of the Champion’s arena.
8. 08
   The post-boss room containing the Deathroot chest.

What belongs to Gelmir Hero’s Grave?

• Volcano Manor
• Hermit Village
• Volcano Cave
• Fort Laiedd
• Wyndham Catacombs

Internal subareas

Gelmir Hero’s Grave has no separately named child locations in the base game. For navigation, however, it is useful to divide it into functional sections:

These are descriptive route names rather than additional canonical map names.

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Reaching the entrance

The most straightforward approach is from the First Mt. Gelmir Campsite Site of Grace. From the campsite, follow the nearby route through the wooded area towards the stone structure. The entrance is not the same as the path leading further up Mt. Gelmir towards Volcano Manor.

You can also approach from the wider Mt. Gelmir network after reaching the region from Altus Plateau. The dungeon does not require a quest, key item or boss victory to enter. Once inside, activate the Gelmir Hero’s Grave Site of Grace before attempting the chariot section.

Nearby but separate locations

Do not confuse Gelmir Hero’s Grave with Sainted Hero’s Grave, Auriza Hero’s Grave, Fringefolk Hero’s Grave or other Hero’s Graves. They share the Hero’s Grave dungeon family and chariot-style hazards, but they are separate locations with different enemies and rewards.

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Nearby but separate locations

Named characters

There are no named NPCs living in or visiting Gelmir Hero’s Grave. No dialogue, shop, quest conversation or invasion sign is tied specifically to the dungeon.

Factions and associations

The grave’s imagery belongs to the wider system of Hero’s Graves, burial sites for figures honoured by the Erdtree. The Gelmir Knight Set links the location to the knights of Mt. Gelmir, while the Bloodhound Knight guarding the armour reflects the recurring relationship between Bloodhound Knights and powerful masters.

The dungeon should not, however, be treated as a Volcano Manor headquarters or a faction base. Volcano Manor is nearby, but Gelmir Hero’s Grave contains no manor facilities, recusant NPCs, contracts or quest progression.

Shops and facilities

There are no merchants, blacksmiths, summoning pools, grace-side services or businesses within the grave.

Mechanical chariot

The chariot is the dungeon’s main security mechanism. It travels along fixed channels and crushes anything in its path. The practical solution is to move between recessed alcoves and side ledges when the chariot has passed.

The chariot cannot be destroyed through ordinary weapon attacks. The safest method is not to race it for long distances. Instead:

The upper route is deliberately arranged so that impatient movement is punished. Camera positioning is important because the chariot can approach from behind while you are facing downhill.

Mechanical chariot: steps

1. 01
   Wait for it to pass.
2. 02
   Sprint to the next recess.
3. 03
   Stop fully inside the recess.
4. 04
   Let it pass again.
5. 05
   Repeat until a side route or safe landing becomes available.

Fire traps

A lower passage contains a fire trap that activates when approached. Watch the floor and surrounding walls, and use the nearby safe space to wait out the flame. Do not combine the trap with the chariot’s timing unless necessary. The safest exploration pattern is to solve one hazard at a time, then retreat to a stable position before proceeding.

Ordinary enemy directory

The exact number and placement of minor enemies can vary between guide presentations because some enemies are hidden in side recesses or encountered on return trips. Verified enemy types associated with Gelmir Hero’s Grave include:

The Cemetery Shade is particularly important because it carries the Mantis Blade reward. The Shade’s unusual movement, teleportation and rapid attacks make it dangerous if fought while the chariot is still active.

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The following directory consolidates the named pickups and rewards verified by location guides and item records. Some guides count only fixed item pickups, while others also list boss rewards and repeatable crafting materials. They are separated here to avoid presenting all entries as the same kind of collectible.

Ordinary enemy directory

• Cemetery Shade

Fixed equipment and key items

The Gelmir Knight Set is reached by leaving the obvious line of descent, dropping onto lower rafters and entering a guarded room. A Bloodhound Knight protects the set. The placement is easy to miss because the relevant ledge is below the chariot route rather than at the end of a normal corridor.

The Mantis Blade is dropped by the Cemetery Shade in a recess shortly before the final lava stretch. The weapon record specifically warns that the chariot can continue along the path and kill either the Tarnished or the Shade, so deal with the Shade deliberately rather than relying on the hazard to do the work.

Fixed equipment and key items

Spirit and boss rewards

Bloodhound Knight Floh costs FP to summon and is upgraded with Ghost Glovewort. The ash is an aggressive Bloodhound Knight spirit that attacks immediately and pursues enemies rather than remaining entirely passive.

Deathroot is a collection item associated with Gurranq and the Bestial Sanctum. The Gelmir Hero’s Grave version is found in a chest after the Red Wolf of the Champion, not as a direct boss drop.

Spirit and boss rewards

Crafting materials and consumables

Some location lists present the materials as quantities rather than separate named pickups. The exact number of each material can therefore differ between guide formats, but these are the named material types associated with the dungeon.

1. Activate the grace and observe the route

From the Site of Grace, look down the long passage before moving. The chariot follows the main channel and will usually be visible or audible. Your first objective is not to reach the bottom, but to identify the alcoves on either side.

Wait for the chariot to pass, then move to the nearest recess. If you are carrying many runes, spend them before attempting the dungeon’s deeper branches. The first descent is a timing exercise, and deaths are common while learning the route.

2. Descend between the alcoves

Move from recess to recess. Avoid stopping on the edge of the channel. The chariot occupies most of the usable width and can catch you even if only part of your character remains exposed.

When the chariot travels away, sprint downhill. When it turns or begins returning, step fully into cover. Do not attack enemies in the open unless they directly block the next safe space.

3. Take the first side opportunity

As the descent continues, look for doors and ledges branching away from the main channel. These branches contain much of the dungeon’s worthwhile loot.

The first major branch leads towards a fire-trap section and lower internal corridors. Explore it after the chariot has passed, then retreat if the hazard pattern is unclear. The dungeon is easier when treated as a series of short excursions from safe points.

4. Reach the lower rafters for the Gelmir Knight Set

The Gelmir Knight equipment is not collected by simply following the central floor. You must identify the lower ledge and drop onto the rafters beneath the main chariot path.

The Bloodhound Knight is fast and can close distance with evasive movement. Fighting it on the rafters is risky, so draw it into the wider room where possible. If you are struggling, use a shield, a summon or attacks that stagger reliably.

Proceed carefully

1. 01
   Wait for the chariot to move away.
2. 02
   Move towards the relevant opening beside the route.
3. 03
   Drop onto the lower rafters rather than falling directly into the hazard.
4. 04
   Follow the rafters to the guarded room.
5. 05
   Defeat the Bloodhound Knight.
6. 06
   Collect the Gelmir Knight Set pieces in the room and surrounding pickup locations.

5. Collect the Mantis Blade

Continue towards the lower route and search the side nook near the final lava approach. The Cemetery Shade is the target.

The Shade can disappear and reappear, making the fight especially dangerous if the chariot remains active behind you. Lure it away from the travel lane if possible. Defeat it once to obtain the Mantis Blade. It can respawn, but the weapon is a one-time drop.

6. Negotiate the fire trap

Use the safe portion of the passage to watch the fire trap’s cycle. Move only after the flame has finished, then advance to the next protected position.

The important rule is to avoid panic movement. The trap is more manageable when you wait for a complete cycle instead of trying to pass during its active interval. Heal before entering the lava-lined route because there is limited room to stop once the final descent begins.

7. Follow the lava-lined final route

The lowest section contains lava on either side of the path. It is possible to move through without standing in the lava for long, but the area is designed to pressure you into rushing.

Use the central safe surfaces and keep moving. If enemies are present, prioritise the route over full clearance. Collect the Ringed Finger from its fixed corpse pickup when safe to do so, then continue towards the boss fog.

8. Defeat the Red Wolf of the Champion

The Red Wolf of the Champion is an optional Red Wolf boss with fast lunges, magical sword attacks and Glintblade-style sorceries. The fight resembles other Red Wolf encounters but takes place after the dungeon’s cramped hazard sections, so enter with enough healing and a clear plan.

9. Open the post-boss chest

After defeating the Red Wolf, search the room beyond the arena for the chest containing Deathroot. Do not leave immediately after collecting the boss reward. This chest is the dungeon’s final major objective and is not part of the Red Wolf’s direct drop table.

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Fast completion route

Use this if you only want the boss and main progression rewards:

This route misses the Gelmir Knight Set, Bloodhound Knight Set, Mantis Blade, Ringed Finger and several materials.

Fast completion route: steps

1. 01
   Activate the Site of Grace.
2. 02
   Descend using the alcoves.
3. 03
   Ignore most side branches.
4. 04
   Pass the fire trap.
5. 05
   Follow the lava route.
6. 06
   Defeat the Red Wolf.
7. 07
   Open the Deathroot chest.

Completionist route

Use this if you want the full dungeon inventory:

Completionist route: steps

1. 01
   Activate the Site of Grace.
2. 02
   Learn the upper chariot timing.
3. 03
   Explore the first side branch.
4. 04
   Find and clear the fire-trap passage.
5. 05
   Drop to the lower rafters.
6. 06
   Defeat the Bloodhound Knight and collect the Gelmir Knight Set.
7. 07
   Locate the Cemetery Shade and obtain the Mantis Blade.
8. 08
   Search the lava-side corpse for the Ringed Finger.
9. 09
   Collect the fixed materials and rune.
10. 10
    Defeat the Red Wolf of the Champion.
11. 11
    Take Bloodhound Knight Floh.
12. 12
    Open the post-boss Deathroot chest.

Low-risk return route

After defeating the boss, return from the Site of Grace rather than trying to navigate the entire dungeon backwards under pressure. This is particularly useful if you left the armour branch unexplored. The boss route is not the most convenient route for revisiting every side room.

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The Hero’s Grave structure reflects the Erdtree’s funerary and heroic traditions. These dungeons are not ordinary mines or caves. They are ceremonial burial complexes whose traps appear designed to protect the remains and treasures of honoured warriors.

Gelmir Hero’s Grave is especially evocative because it combines that heroic burial imagery with the harsh identity of Mt. Gelmir. The region is associated with volcanic stone, military conflict, recusants and the blasphemous power of Volcano Manor, yet the grave preserves the language of Erdtree honour. The dungeon therefore sits beside, but is not absorbed into, the political identity of Volcano Manor.

The Champion’s Song painting offers a useful visual parallel. Its description depicts a Hero’s Grave with Mt. Gelmir’s sharp rocks and Volcano Manor crowning the landscape. The painting itself is found elsewhere in Altus Plateau, so it is not a collectible inside Gelmir Hero’s Grave, but its imagery reinforces the relationship between the grave and the wider Gelmir landscape.

The Bloodhound Knight connection also has thematic weight. Bloodhound Knights are described as trackers who select and serve a master, while Floh is remembered as a “rabid stray” who never found the true king he sought. Obtaining Floh from a Red Wolf encounter makes the reward feel less like a random summon and more like another fragment of Gelmir’s stories of loyalty, failed masters and displaced warriors.

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Gelmir Hero’s Grave has no known major quest-state transformation in the base game. Its boss, items and dungeon layout remain available as ordinary optional content throughout a normal playthrough.

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Is Gelmir Hero’s Grave part of Volcano Manor?

No. It is a separate dungeon in Mt. Gelmir. Its proximity to Volcano Manor creates a regional connection, but the grave has no manor NPCs, contracts or internal route into the manor.

Can the chariot be destroyed?

Not through ordinary attacks. Treat it as a moving environmental hazard and use the alcoves and side branches.

What is the best reward in Gelmir Hero’s Grave?

For many builds, the most distinctive reward is the Mantis Blade. Completionists will also want the Gelmir Knight Set, Bloodhound Knight Set, Ringed Finger, Bloodhound Knight Floh and Deathroot.

Where is the Gelmir Knight Set?

It is in a lower branch reached by dropping from the main chariot route onto rafters. A Bloodhound Knight guards the relevant area.

Does the Red Wolf drop Deathroot?

No. The Red Wolf of the Champion rewards Bloodhound Knight Floh. Deathroot is in a chest beyond the boss arena.

Is there a Site of Grace inside?

Yes: Gelmir Hero’s Grave.

Are there any merchants or NPC quests inside?

No named merchant, resident NPC or quest-giver has been verified within the dungeon.

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Bosses and notable enemies

• Red Wolf of the Champion
• Cemetery Shade

Weapons

• Mantis Blade
• Ringed Finger

Services and businesses

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Sources

• Gelmir Hero’s Grave Guide: Puzzles & Secret Items | Elden Ring – GAMERPILLAR — gamerpillar.com
• Elden Ring Mt. Gelmir Guide: Where To Go, Items To Get, And Enemies To Watch Out For - GameSpot — gamespot.com
• Mantis Blade - Eldenpedia — eldenring.wiki.gg
• Bloodhound Knight - Eldenpedia — eldenring.wiki.gg
• Bloodhound Knight Floh - Eldenpedia — eldenring.wiki.gg
• Deathroot - Eldenpedia — eldenring.wiki.gg
• Gelmir Hero's Grave Walkthrough: All Items, Secrets & Boss Location | Elden Ring (Dungeon Guide) - YouTube — youtube.com
• Red Wolf of the Champion - Eldenpedia — eldenring.wiki.gg
• "Champion's Song" Painting - Eldenpedia — eldenring.wiki.gg