Key takeaways
- Taylew’s Ruined Forge is an optional Minor Dungeon in Rauh Base, not a separate overworld region or part of the Ancient Ruins of Rauh proper.
- There is no boss at the end The dungeon’s final reward comes from examining an altar.
- The main unique loot consists of the Smithscript Axe, Smithscript Greathammer, Smithscript Shield, Taylew the Golem Smith Spirit Ash and two Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones.
- The major traversal feature is a large suspended pipe spanning the central lava chamber. A lever reverses its useful slope and allows access to the ending area.
- The principal enemies are Lava Slimes and Golem Smiths The stronger stone-throwing golems are especially dangerous around gaps and ladders.
- The location has no shop, merchant, quest NPC, ordinary resident or faction hub It is a self-contained exploration dungeon.
About this guide
Shadow of the Erdtree location guide Spoilers: This guide contains location, enemy and reward spoilers for Taylew’s Ruined Forge.
Overview
Taylew’s Ruined Forge is an optional forge dungeon in the Rauh Base subregion of the Realm of Shadow in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. It lies north-east of the Ancient Ruins Base Site of Grace, inside a large ruined stone structure reached from the Rauh Base overworld. The forge is not part of the main route to the DLC’s major legacy dungeons, and it has no boss fog wall or conventional boss encounter. Instead, its reward is secured behind a compact environmental puzzle involving a suspended metal pipe, a lever and a final altar.
The dungeon is particularly valuable for characters using Strength, Dexterity or hybrid builds because it contains three Smithscript weapons: the Smithscript Axe, Smithscript Greathammer and Smithscript Shield. It also awards Taylew the Golem Smith, a defensive Spirit Ash, and two Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones, making the forge one of the more rewarding optional locations in the DLC.
Although its layout is short, Taylew’s Ruined Forge is easy to partially clear and leave unfinished. Several rewards are placed on opposite sides of a lava-filled chamber, some items require risky jumps, and the lever changes the orientation of the central pipe. The safest approach is to activate the Site of Grace immediately, collect the side-room weapons before manipulating the pipe, then use the altered pipe as the route to the final altar.
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Regional placement
Taylew’s Ruined Forge belongs to Rauh Base, the lower, overgrown approach to the Rauh area. It should not be treated as part of the elevated Ancient Ruins of Rauh. The forge is a dungeon embedded in the Rauh Base landscape, while the Ancient Ruins of Rauh are a separate continuation reached through the wider ruin complex and its routes. Guides and maps list Taylew’s Ruined Forge under Rauh Base rather than under the Ancient Ruins of Rauh.
The entrance is north-east of the Ancient Ruins Base Site of Grace. From the grace, the route passes through a stretch of Rauh Base containing hostile groups and a small wooden roadblock before reaching a large ruined structure. The dungeon entrance is a hole in the side of that building rather than a large monumental doorway.
Not included
The following are neighbouring or associated locations, but are not part of Taylew’s Ruined Forge:
The three ruined forges share a general design idea and lack conventional bosses, but they remain separate dungeons with different entrances, layouts and signature rewards.
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Reaching Rauh Base
The usual approach begins at the Ancient Ruins Base Site of Grace. If Rauh Base has not yet been reached, the player must first follow the lower route from the Scadu Altus and Moorth Ruins area through the waterway and tunnel network leading into the base of the Rauh ruins. One route passes through a tunnel near the end of a pond and eventually reaches Ancient Ruins Base.
The overworld enemies can be bypassed on Torrent, although clearing them first makes the return journey safer if you expect to die inside the forge. The entrance is close enough to Ancient Ruins Base that there is little reason to carry a large number of runes into the dungeon.
Overworld entries found on the approach
These entries are part of the route or its surrounding area, not internal sections of the forge:
The last three should not be collapsed into a single “Rauh ruins” location. Rauh Base is the lower region, Ancient Ruins of Rauh is the larger elevated ruin complex, and Taylew’s Ruined Forge is an optional dungeon reached from the base.
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Taylew’s Ruined Forge is a linear dungeon with several connected side rooms. Its structure is built around a large central chasm filled with molten material. A broad metal pipe crosses this gap and serves as both a bridge and a vertical route. The pipe’s orientation changes when the lever is pulled, allowing the player to reach the final section.
The main progression can be divided into five practical areas:
Named internal sections
The game does not provide official names for most individual rooms. For navigation, this guide uses descriptive labels rather than presenting them as canonical proper names.
Only Taylew’s Ruined Forge itself is a canonical location name. The remaining labels are navigation descriptions.
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Once at Ancient Ruins Base
- 01Rest at Ancient Ruins Base.
- 02Head north-east along the path.
- 03Pass the wooden roadblock and the hostile soldiers guarding the route.
- 04Continue north towards the large ruin.
- 05Look for the hole in the side of the structure rather than searching for a conventional door.
- 06Enter the building and activate Taylew’s Ruined Forge Site of Grace.
Overworld entries found on the approach
Overworld entries found on the approach
- 01Entrance and grace chamber
- 02Lower bridge and first Golem Smith room
- 03Pipe chamber and Smithscript Greathammer side
- 04Upper side rooms and Smithscript Shield route
- 05Lever, reversed pipe and final altar
Lava Slimes
Lava Slimes occupy the lower passages and side rooms. They are slow but dangerous in confined spaces, particularly when they drop from ceilings or appear after the player interacts with an item. One Lava Slime drops into the route near the early bridge, while others guard or ambush the Smithscript Shield route and later corridors.
Their main threat is not speed but positioning. Fighting them beside a ledge or on the suspended pipe can cause a knockback death. When possible, draw them onto solid ground before attacking.
Golem Smiths
Golem Smiths are the dungeon’s principal heavy enemies. They are large stone constructs with a vulnerable point on the back. Attacking this rear jewel can help break their stance and create an opportunity for a critical hit. The safer method is to circle behind them rather than trading blows directly against their heavy attacks.
Some golems are more dangerous than others. The stone-throwing variant can attack from a distance and is particularly threatening near holes, ladders and the central chasm. Fighting two Golem Smiths together is risky, so running through to secure an item and then retreating is a legitimate strategy.
Enemy directory
The sources consulted use slightly different descriptions for the heavy enemies, including “Golem Smith”, “Stone Blacksmith” and “Elite Stone Golem”. These should not automatically be treated as separate named bosses. Taylew’s Ruined Forge has no confirmed boss encounter.
Environmental hazards
Fire resistance can help against environmental damage, but it does not remove the main danger. Most deaths in this dungeon come from falls, poor positioning or enemy knockback rather than simply standing in the molten areas.
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Major rewards
The two Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones are among the dungeon’s most important rewards. One is found before the final altar, while the second is awarded at the end alongside Taylew’s Spirit Ash.
Major rewards
| Reward | Location or method | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Smithscript Axe | Side room beyond the early Golem Smith | Fixed weapon pickup |
| Smithscript Greathammer | Opposite side of the central pipe chamber | Guarded by a Lava Slime |
| Smithscript Shield | Upper side route reached by climbing the sloped structure | Lava Slime ambush |
| Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone | Side beyond the pipe, near the dangerous golems | Fixed pickup |
| Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone | Final altar | Obtained with Taylew the Golem Smith |
| Taylew the Golem Smith | Final altar | Spirit Ash reward |
| Shadow Realm Rune [3] | Corpse near the entrance | Fixed pickup |
Smithing materials
The forge contains a spread of regular and somber smithing materials. These are placed on corpses, floors and side passages, so a fast completion route can easily miss them.
Verified material directory
The available walkthrough evidence confirms multiple Smithing Stone [4] and Smithing Stone [5] pickups, as well as additional lower-grade stones. The exact count of each ordinary stone is presented inconsistently between guide formats, so the safest claim is that the dungeon contains the listed grades rather than asserting an unsupported total.
Other fixed reward
The rune is on a corpse shortly after the internal Site of Grace. It is easy to collect before descending into the first lava-side passage.
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1. Activate the Site of Grace
From the entrance, proceed into the forge and activate Taylew’s Ruined Forge Site of Grace. Do this before exploring. The dungeon contains several falls and ambushes, and the grace turns the entrance into a convenient recovery point.
Take the Shadow Realm Rune [3] from the nearby corpse, then descend the stairs.
2. Cross the first bridge
Continue down to the small bridge. A Lava Slime appears in the route ahead. Defeat it or move around it, then collect the nearby Smithing Stone.
Descend the ladder and search around its base for another Smithing Stone. The forge is deliberately dim and many of the stones lie on the floor rather than in conspicuous treasure containers.
3. Enter the first Golem Smith room
Continue down the stairs until the floor opens into a gap. Jump across to the doorway on the left. A Golem Smith attacks as you enter the room.
You can also run through, collect the Smithscript Axe, and leave. The weapon is in this side room, and it is not necessary to defeat the golem to claim it.
The safest combat pattern is
- 01Enter far enough to trigger the enemy.
- 02Move around its side or back.
- 03Attack the jewel on its rear.
- 04Use a critical attack when its stance breaks.
- 05Retreat into the doorway if its wide attacks begin to cover the room.
4. Reach the central pipe
Return to the lower path and proceed towards the large pipe crossing the lava-filled chamber. Step onto the pipe and use it as a bridge.
Do not assume the first pipe crossing completes the dungeon. Several of the most valuable rewards are reached from different points along it.
5. Collect the Smithscript Greathammer
Cross to the far side of the chamber. The Smithscript Greathammer is in a corner and is guarded by a Lava Slime. Defeat the slime on solid ground if possible, then pick up the weapon.
Return to the pipe rather than searching for a conventional corridor beyond the weapon. The pipe is the intended connection between the major halves of the room.
6. Secure the first Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone
Climb towards the upper part of the pipe and jump off to the left. This leads to two Golem Smiths, including a dangerous stone-throwing variant.
The recommended method is to run through the archway, collect the Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone, and retreat. Fighting both enemies in the narrow approach is possible, but the ranged attacks can knock you from the route or interrupt healing. The pipe provides a useful escape route if the fight becomes unstable.
7. Take the upper side passage
Return to the upper pipe area and take the passage to the left. This route leads to a room where a Golem Smith is positioned near a Lava Slime.
Look for the sloped stone or structural support on the right. Climb it to reach the upper level. An item is positioned at the top, but a Lava Slime drops down when the area is disturbed. Trigger the drop, move away from the landing point, then return to collect the Smithscript Shield.
After collecting the shield, jump over the nearby railing to reach the lower passage.
8. Search the lower passage and ladder
Pick up the Smithing Stone [8] from the corpse in the passage. Continue through the corridor if you want the additional floor pickups, but be ready for more Lava Slimes.
Take the side ladder upwards. At the top, two Lava Slimes drop into the area. Deal with them before attempting the next jump.
Across the gap is a Golem Smith and the Somber Smithing Stone [3]. The item can be taken quickly, but the golem’s attack may knock you into the lower area. Grab it and jump back if you do not intend to fight.
9. Pull the lever
Continue up the stairs to find the lever. Pulling it reverses the orientation of the large central pipe. This is the dungeon’s main progression switch.
The changed pipe may make the dungeon look as though it has closed off. It has not. Return to the previous platform and drop to the lower level, then use the newly oriented pipe to reach the opposite side.
This is the point at which many incomplete runs go wrong. If the pipe appears to lead in the opposite direction, that is the intended result.
10. Collect the remaining somber stone
Use the reversed pipe and follow the route to the opposite passage. Descend the stairs and collect the Somber Smithing Stone [8] from the corpse.
Drop from the ledge towards the pipe. A running jump may be possible, but the safer route is to descend carefully and use the pipe once you are on the lower platform.
11. Reach the final altar
Walk up the reversed pipe and jump off to the left. Climb the ladder and enter the final room.
After the reward is collected, a blue wisp appears nearby and provides a return route to the beginning of the forge.
There is no boss arena after the altar, no remembrance and no second phase. Once the altar has been examined, the dungeon’s principal progression is complete.
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Taylew is obtained as a Spirit Ash rather than encountered as a conventional NPC. The altar at the end of the forge provides both the Spirit Ash and the second Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone.
The item description connects Taylew with smithery and presents him as a guardian figure associated with the forge tradition. The wider ruined-forge group suggests that these workshops were not ordinary industrial buildings. They were ancient places where smithing had a sacred or quasi-divine significance, and where Smithscript weapons were made or imbued with unusual power.
Spirit Ash role
Taylew’s Spirit Ash is a durable golem summon suited to drawing enemy attention and holding a position. It is especially thematically appropriate for heavy, defensive builds, although its practical usefulness depends on the player’s Spirit Ash upgrades and the encounter.
The forge does not contain Taylew as a speaking character, quest giver or merchant. The name refers to the legendary golem smith represented by the final Spirit Ash reward.
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Taylew’s Ruined Forge contains no conventional businesses or services.
Confirmed absent from the dungeon
The Site of Grace is the only normal facility inside the location. It provides the standard resting, fast-travel and character-management functions associated with Sites of Grace.
Faction directory
The Messmer soldiers and other hostile figures on the approach belong to the wider Rauh Base overworld and should not be listed as residents of Taylew’s Ruined Forge.
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The forge’s strongest lore comes from its architecture, enemies and rewards rather than from dialogue. Its stone interiors, molten channels, massive pipe and working golems present it as a specialised smithing complex that has outlived its original society.
The three Shadow of the Erdtree ruined forges share several features:
Taylew’s forge is distinguished by the presence of the Taylew Spirit Ash and the collection of three Smithscript weapons. The area implies that the Golem Smiths are not merely mindless stone guardians. Their association with the forge, smithing tools and animated weapons gives them a functional or religious role within the ruins.
The Gas Stones found in ruined forges are also associated with the old fuel systems of these workshops. Their presence helps explain the persistent heat and industrial character of the locations, although the game does not provide a complete historical account of who built each forge or how the golems were animated.
What remains uncertain
The following points should be treated as interpretation rather than confirmed fact:
The item descriptions support the importance of smithery and Taylew’s guardian status, but they do not establish a complete chronology.
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This route prioritises the unique weapons before the pipe changes and leaves the final altar until the dungeon’s movement puzzle is active.
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The ordinary Smithing Stone placements are easy to overlook because several are lying directly on the ground or beside corpses rather than in obvious treasure containers. The named weapon and Spirit Ash rewards are fixed, not random drops.
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For a first clear, use this order
- 01Activate Taylew’s Ruined Forge Site of Grace.
- 02Collect the Shadow Realm Rune [3].
- 03Take the early Smithing Stones.
- 04Enter the left side room and collect the Smithscript Axe.
- 05Cross the pipe and collect the Smithscript Greathammer.
- 06Run past or defeat the upper Golem Smiths and take the first Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone.
- 07Use the left upper passage to collect the Smithscript Shield.
- 08Take the Smithing Stone [8] and Somber Smithing Stone [3].
- 09Pull the lever.
- 10Use the reversed pipe to collect the Somber Smithing Stone [8].
- 11Climb to the final altar.
- 12Claim Taylew the Golem Smith and the second Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone.
- 13Use the blue return wisp or fast travel from the grace.
Is Taylew’s Ruined Forge required?
No. It is an optional dungeon in Rauh Base and is not required to complete the DLC’s main progression.
Is there a boss?
No. Taylew’s Ruined Forge has no conventional boss encounter. The final altar is the endpoint of the dungeon.
Where is the entrance?
The entrance is north-east of Ancient Ruins Base, inside a large ruined stone structure reached by following the path past the overworld roadblock and hostile groups.
How do I get the Smithscript Greathammer?
From the internal Site of Grace, progress to the large central pipe, cross to the opposite side and search the corner beyond it. A Lava Slime guards the weapon.
How do I reach Taylew’s Spirit Ash?
Pull the lever in the upper section to reverse the central pipe. Use the new route to reach the final ladder and altar. Examine the altar to receive Taylew the Golem Smith and the second Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone.
Can I summon Spirit Ashes inside?
The dungeon follows the normal rules for Spirit Ash availability. Summoning depends on whether the summon indicator is active in the current section. No location-specific NPC summon is documented for Taylew’s Ruined Forge.
Does the forge have a merchant or smith?
No. It contains a Site of Grace, fixed loot and hostile forge guardians, but no merchant or smithing NPC.
Is Taylew present as an NPC?
No. Taylew is obtained as a Spirit Ash from the final altar. The name does not identify a speaking character encountered inside the dungeon.
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This guide distinguishes the forge from Rauh Base and the Ancient Ruins of Rauh, and separates the three Shadow of the Erdtree ruined forges rather than treating them as one connected dungeon. The fixed rewards and principal route are supported by multiple walkthrough sources.
The exact total count of ordinary Smithing Stone pickups is not stated consistently across the consulted sources. For that reason, the guide lists verified item grades and placements without claiming an unsupported complete numerical inventory. Enemy terminology also varies between sources, particularly for the tougher Golem Smith variants. No separate boss has been verified, and the location should be treated as having ordinary enemy variants rather than a named boss.
Sources
- Taylew's Ruined Forge Location and Walkthrough | Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree｜Game8 — game8.co
- Taylew's Ruined Forge Dungeon Guide - Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree - EIP Gaming — eip.gg
- Forges | Elden Ring Wiki | Fandom — eldenring.fandom.com
- Taylew's Ruined Forge | Elden Ring Wiki | Fandom — eldenring.fandom.com