Key takeaways
- Murkwater Catacombs is an optional Limgrave catacomb, not part of Murkwater Cave or another larger dungeon.
- The entrance is at the northern end of Murkwater River, north of Lake Agheel.
- The dungeon contains one Site of Grace, a summoning pool, fanged imps, arrow traps and a single lever.
- The boss is the Grave Warden Duelist.
- The current base-game reward is Banished Knight Engvall Ashes Before patch 1.03, the boss reward was associated with the Battle Hammer instead.
- The fixed dungeon loot includes two Grave Glovewort [1], one Ghost Glovewort [1] and Root Resin.
About this guide
Base-game scope. This guide covers the Murkwater Catacombs dungeon in Elden Ring, including its entrance, internal rooms, Site of Grace, enemies, traps, collectibles and boss. It does not include the neighbouring Murkwater Cave, Murkwater River, or the wider Limgrave area except where those places provide access or useful context.
Overview
Murkwater Catacombs is a small optional dungeon in northern Limgrave, built into the ravine at the end of Murkwater River. It is easy to confuse with Murkwater Cave, which lies farther south along the same watercourse and contains Patches. They are separate locations with separate Sites of Grace, bosses and rewards.
The catacombs are a compact early-game dungeon designed around three ideas: ambushes by fanged imps, floor-triggered arrow traps, and a lever that opens the boss chamber. Its final opponent is the Grave Warden Duelist, whose post-patch reward is Banished Knight Engvall Ashes. The dungeon also contains early Grave Glovewort and Ghost Glovewort, making it a useful first stop for players developing spirit summons.
Boundaries and neighbouring locations
Murkwater Catacombs occupies the underground dungeon entered from the river ravine. Its boundary begins at the catacomb doorway and ends at the boss arena beyond the sealed boss door. The outdoor riverbed, the nearby Spirit Spring, Murkwater Cave and the surrounding cliffs are approach areas rather than parts of the catacombs.
The nearest easily confused location is Murkwater Cave. Murkwater Cave is farther south and contains Patches, his cave encounter and the later merchant function associated with him. None of those characters, rewards or services belong to Murkwater Catacombs. A regional walkthrough lists the two locations separately, with Murkwater Catacombs containing the Grave Warden Duelist and Engvall Ashes, while Murkwater Cave contains Patches and his separate rewards.
Neighbouring but separate places
Geography and access
The catacombs are found by travelling north up the riverbed from the Lake Agheel area. The entrance is at the end of the winding river route, built into the cliff face. Players can approach on foot or horseback, although the final dungeon entrance itself is entered on foot. The river route is the simplest and least confusing approach.
There are alternative ways to descend into the ravine, including a nearby Spirit Spring and the gravestones projecting from the cliffside. These routes are useful if you are approaching from the surrounding cliffs, but they do not bypass the dungeon’s entrance or internal progression.
Suggested route from early Limgrave
The route from Murkwater Cave is especially useful for players already exploring the river, but the cave and catacombs remain separate dungeon spaces.
Suggested route from early Limgrave
- 01Travel towards Murkwater Coast or the lower Murkwater River.
- 02Follow the river north, passing the entrance to Murkwater Cave.
- 03Continue upstream until the river narrows and terminates at the catacomb entrance.
- 04Enter and activate the Murkwater Catacombs Site of Grace.
- 05Activate the summoning pool near the entrance if you intend to use co-operative help.
- 06Clear the opening chamber, collect the Glovewort and proceed to the lever.
- 07Return to the central junction after pulling the lever.
- 08Enter the newly opened passage and descend to the Grave Warden Duelist.
Residents, factions and services
Murkwater Catacombs has no friendly resident, merchant, quest-giver or named NPC. Its inhabitants are hostile dungeon enemies and the Grave Warden Duelist.
There is no shop, smithing table, Spirit Tuner, map fragment, dungeon-specific merchant or unique service inside. The Site of Grace provides the ordinary Grace functions available elsewhere, including resting, levelling once the relevant progression has been reached, changing Ashes of War and managing memorised spells. These are standard Site of Grace functions rather than services unique to the catacombs.
The summoning pool allows players to seek co-operative assistance. Spirit Ashes can also be used in the boss area if the usual summoning conditions are met.
Named entries directory
Characters
Factions
Merchants and services
Internal layout and subareas
Murkwater Catacombs is short and largely linear, but its central junction can make the dungeon appear more complicated than it is.
1. Entrance chamber
The first chamber contains the Site of Grace and the dungeon’s initial ambush. Fanged imps are positioned to attack from unexpected angles, including from the walls or ceiling. The room also contains two Grave Glovewort [1] pickups.
Do not sprint straight through the room after entering. Check the corners and upper walls before collecting the plants. The imps are more dangerous when allowed to attack together, especially for low-Vigor characters who can be staggered by rapid strikes.
2. Central junction
The next corridor leads to a branching area. One route leads towards the lever chamber; the other is initially blocked by a sealed door connected to the boss route.
The dungeon’s arrow traps are activated by pressure plates on the floor. They fire a line of arrows down the corridor. The traps can hurt the player, but they can also damage the imps positioned near them. Lure enemies into the firing lane, step onto the plate, then move aside before the arrows land.
3. Lever chamber
The lever is positioned in front of an illuminated statue. Several imps guard the room, including one placed around the side of the approach. A corpse in this section provides Root Resin. Pulling the lever opens the previously sealed route to the boss.
The safest method is to draw the imps back towards the previous corridor, where there is more room to manoeuvre. Alternatively, use the arrow trap against them. Ranged characters can attack from outside the room, while shield users should watch for the imps’ quick jumping attacks rather than relying entirely on blocking.
4. Boss approach chamber
After pulling the lever, return to the central junction and take the previously locked route. Another group of imps guards this passage. There is a second pressure plate and another overhead ambush.
A Ghost Glovewort [1] can be collected in this section before descending to the boss door.
5. Grave Warden Duelist arena
The final staircase leads to the boss fog. The Grave Warden Duelist uses chained hammers and has broad sweeping attacks that are more threatening in the confined arena than the dungeon’s size might suggest.
Enemies and hazards
Fanged Imps
Fanged imps are the ordinary enemies of the catacombs. They favour ambushes, quick lunges and attacks from elevated positions. Their small size and sudden movement make them more dangerous than their health suggests.
The canonical location source identifies the enemies as Fanged Imp. Some secondary guides use informal or incorrect names such as “Jade Goblin”; that terminology does not describe a separate canonical enemy in this dungeon.
Arrow traps
The pressure plates fire arrows along a fixed corridor. They are most dangerous when activated accidentally while retreating. Watch the floor before backing away from an imp, and move sideways after triggering a plate rather than continuing directly down the firing line.
The traps can be turned into environmental weapons. Stand outside the arrows’ path, bait an imp across the plate, then let the volley strike it. This is particularly useful for characters with low early-game damage.
Items and collectibles
The dungeon’s fixed loot is modest but useful early in a playthrough. Its most important practical reward is the combination of early spirit-upgrade materials and Banished Knight Engvall Ashes.
Inventory
The location directory and walkthrough sources agree on two Grave Glovewort [1], one Ghost Glovewort [1] and Root Resin as the dungeon’s fixed internal loot.
Banished Knight Engvall Ashes
The Grave Warden Duelist awards Banished Knight Engvall Ashes in the current base game. Engvall is a durable spirit summon suited to drawing enemy attention and holding a boss in place. The Ashes have a listed FP cost of 100.
This reward has a progression-history complication. Before patch 1.03, the boss reward was associated with the Battle Hammer. Patch 1.03 changed the reward to Banished Knight Engvall Ashes. Players who had already cleared the dungeon before that update were reported as receiving the Ashes automatically, but this is a historical version issue rather than a normal current-game requirement.
Inventory
| Item | Quantity | Location or source | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grave Glovewort [1] | 2 | Entrance chamber | Upgrades ordinary Spirit Ashes |
| Root Resin | 1 listed pickup | Lever route | Crafting material for grease and other items |
| Ghost Glovewort [1] | 1 | Boss approach route | Upgrades special Spirit Ashes |
| Banished Knight Engvall Ashes | 1 | Defeat Grave Warden Duelist | Summons Banished Knight Engvall |
Walkthrough
Recommended preparation
You do not need a special key or quest item to enter. Before going in, consider:
Numbered route
- 01Activate the Site of Grace. Rest before exploring. This gives you a safe reset point if an imp kills you in the opening chamber.
Numbered route
- 01Clear the first ambush. Move carefully around the room, looking at the corners, walls and ceiling. Kill the imps before collecting the two Grave Glovewort [1] plants.
Numbered route
- 01Reach the central junction. Follow the corridor until the route divides. Note the sealed boss door so you know which passage will change after the lever is pulled.
Numbered route
- 01Enter the lever route. Advance cautiously. Trigger the arrow plate from a safe position if necessary, then step to one side of the firing lane.
Numbered route
- 01Deal with the lever-room imps. Either fight them directly or lure them onto the arrow trap. Check around the side of the room for the additional ambush.
Numbered route
- 01Collect Root Resin. Pick up the Root Resin in the lever section after the immediate enemies are dead.
Numbered route
- 01Pull the illuminated lever. This opens the boss route. The lever does not require a key or special interaction.
Numbered route
- 01Return to the junction. Retrace your steps, watching for the pressure plate again. Take the newly opened path.
Numbered route
- 01Clear the second imp group. Expect another ambush around the archway or upper wall. Use the same trap-management approach as before.
Numbered route
- 01Collect Ghost Glovewort [1]. Pick up the plant in the boss approach section.
Numbered route
- 01Enter the boss arena. Descend the stairs and pass through the fog when ready.
Numbered route
- 01Claim the reward. Defeat the Grave Warden Duelist to receive Banished Knight Engvall Ashes in the current version of the game.
Grave Warden Duelist
The Grave Warden Duelist fights with chained hammers and relies on wide horizontal swings, lunging attacks and attacks that cover a surprising amount of the arena. It is a recurring enemy type elsewhere in the game, but the Murkwater Catacombs encounter is an early optional boss.
General strategy
The fight is optional, so players who find the Duelist uncomfortable can leave and return after gaining levels or improving their weapon. There is no main-story progression requirement attached to the dungeon.
Lore and interpretation
The catacombs are presented as an underground burial site, consistent with the wider catacomb network beneath the Lands Between. Their decoration and Glovewort placements connect them to the game’s treatment of graves, spirit remains and the preservation of the dead. The Grave Warden Duelist’s presence suggests a guardian role, although the game does not provide a direct dialogue scene or explicit account of this particular catacomb.
Banished Knight Engvall’s description gives the reward a more specific historical connection. Engvall is one of the knights known as the “Wings of the Storm” and is associated with guarding a masterless castle after rejecting an invitation from the Grace-Given Lord. That lore belongs to Engvall himself rather than proving that he personally served as the Grave Warden Duelist.
Progression and version changes
Murkwater Catacombs does not have a major story-state transformation comparable to locations altered by defeating a shardbearer or reaching the endgame. Its enemies, route and boss remain available during ordinary progression.
The important version change is the boss reward:
The current reward should be treated as the authoritative one for modern play.
Progression and version changes
| Game state | Reported reward |
|---|---|
| Current base game after patch 1.03 | Banished Knight Engvall Ashes |
| Earlier pre-1.03 version | Battle Hammer-associated reward |
| Cleared before patch 1.03 and updated later | Engvall Ashes could be added automatically according to contemporary reports |
Sources
- Limgrave - Elden Ring Walkthrough & Guide - GameFAQs — gamefaqs.gamespot.com
- How to Get Banished Knight Engvall Spirit Ashes | Elden Ring｜Game8 — game8.co
- Elden Ring: How to Complete Murkwater Catacombs | Push Square — pushsquare.com
- Murkwater Catacombs Walkthrough and Location | Elden Ring｜Game8 — game8.co
- Murkwater Catacombs | Elden Ring Wiki | Fandom — eldenring.fandom.com