Key takeaways
- Get the western map fragment first It is on the road beneath Kingsrealm Ruins, north of the lake and south of Caria Manor.
- Caria Manor is the main western progression dungeon Defeating its boss opens the Three Sisters and allows access to Ranni’s Rise.
- The Four Belfries is both a landmark and a transport hub Its imbued sword keys open three one-way portals to other parts of the game world.
- The Village of the Albinaurics is easy to miss It lies beneath the western cliffs and contains an important quest item connected to the Haligtree.
- Moonlight Altar is a late-access western plateau It cannot be reached by ordinary climbing from the overworld. Access requires progress through Ranni’s quest and the Lake of Rot.
- West Liurnia has several different progression states Ranni, Blaidd, Seluvis, Sellen, Hyetta, Latenna and other characters may move or become unavailable depending on earlier actions.
About this guide
Scope: Base-game Elden Ring. Spoilers: This guide contains major spoilers for Caria Manor, Ranni’s quest, the Moonlight Altar, the Frenzied Flame questline and several hidden areas.
Overview
West Liurnia of the Lakes is the broad western portion of Liurnia, extending from the western lake shore and the cliffs above the Village of the Albinaurics to Caria Manor, the Three Sisters, the Four Belfries and the high plateau known as the Moonlight Altar. It is not simply the land around Caria Manor. The region includes several distinct landscapes: flooded lowlands, wooded slopes, ancient royal roads, haunted ruins, elevated plateaus and underground or sealed areas connected to western Liurnia.
The name is chiefly a map and regional convention. Elden Ring does not present “West Liurnia” as a single, formally gated subregion in the same way it presents places such as Bellum Highway or the Moonlight Altar. In practical exploration terms, however, the western section is defined by the Map: Liurnia, West, found on the road beneath Kingsrealm Ruins, and by the western landmarks shown once that fragment is collected. The map-fragment location is consistently described as being near the road south of Kingsrealm Ruins or beneath the ruins on the approach to Caria Manor.
This guide treats the following as part of West Liurnia:
The Academy of Raya Lucaria, Academy Gate Town, Bellum Highway and most of eastern Liurnia are neighbouring areas rather than part of this guide. The underground Ainsel River, Lake of Rot and Nokron are also treated as separate areas, even where West Liurnia provides access to them.
Named places in West Liurnia
Ranni-related and high-plateau locations
The wider Liurnia location lists also distinguish these landmarks from central and eastern locations such as the Academy, Laskyar Ruins, Purified Ruins, Jarburg and the Carian Study Hall.
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Overworld and regional landmarks
Caves, catacombs and sealed locations
Ranni-related and high-plateau locations
Entering from Stormveil Castle
The most natural entrance is through Stormveil Castle. After leaving the castle by its northern exit, the player arrives at the Lake-Facing Cliffs. From there:
The player can also bypass Stormveil Castle entirely by following the cliff path east of the castle. This route reaches Liurnia without defeating Margit or Godrick.
Entering from Stormveil Castle: steps
- 01Rest at the Lake-Facing Cliffs Site of Grace.
- 02Follow the western or north-western shoreline route.
- 03Use the lake and shallow water as the main travel corridor.
- 04Reach the Liurnia Lake Shore, Scenic Isle and Boilprawn Shack.
- 05Continue north-west towards the western uplands or north towards Caria Manor.
Reaching the western uplands
The western cliffs are not climbed from every point. The main approaches are:
A common mistake is to assume that the Village of the Albinaurics is on the same elevation as the Four Belfries. It is beneath the western cliff wall and is reached by following the lower path beneath the plateau.
Finding Map: Liurnia, West
The western map fragment is found near the road south of Kingsrealm Ruins. The stone map stele stands beside the road leading towards Caria Manor. Once collected, it reveals the western portion of Liurnia and makes the major roads, cliffs and manor area much easier to interpret.
Reaching the Moonlight Altar
The Moonlight Altar cannot be reached by simply riding around the western cliffs. The required route is:
This makes the Moonlight Altar a late western destination even though it appears to be near the ordinary Liurnia landscape.
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The following named checkpoints are associated with West Liurnia or its immediate western approaches.
Reaching the Moonlight Altar: steps
- 01Meet Ranni at Ranni’s Rise after clearing Caria Manor.
- 02Enter her service and speak to the associated retainers.
- 03Progress through the underground stages of her quest.
- 04Defeat Astel, Naturalborn of the Void.
- 05Use the lift beyond Astel to reach the Moonlight Altar.
- 06Explore the plateau, Cathedral of Manus Celes and Chelona’s Rise.
Named Sites of Grace
Some of these are dungeon checkpoints rather than open-world travel hubs. Their inclusion reflects their connection to western Liurnia, not a claim that every listed location lies on the same map tile.
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Caria Manor is the dominant landmark of northern West Liurnia. It is a heavily defended royal estate approached from the south by a road beneath Kingsrealm Ruins. The manor grounds are filled with enchanted hands, spectral soldiers, magical traps and elevated walkways.
Named Sites of Grace
Exploring the manor
The safest general approach is to move slowly through the gardens, check the ground and rooftops for Fingercreepers, and avoid rushing across large open courtyards. The manor is a vertical dungeon, so a path that appears blocked at ground level may continue across a roof or upper walkway.
Royal Knight Loretta
The manor culminates in a boss fight against Royal Knight Loretta. Defeating her opens the northern exit to the Three Sisters, a group of towers surrounded by a broad magical garden.
The reward is Loretta’s Greatbow and Loretta’s Slash. The fight also serves as the progression gate for Ranni’s storyline, because Ranni’s Rise becomes accessible after the manor has been cleared.
Caria Manor directory
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The Three Sisters is the enclosed area beyond Caria Manor. It contains three towers:
Only Ranni’s Rise is immediately central to the main quest. Seluvis’s Rise becomes relevant to Seluvis’s own schemes, while Renna’s Rise is initially sealed and becomes accessible later.
Caria Manor directory
Ranni’s Rise
Ranni is found at the top of Ranni’s Rise after Caria Manor has been cleared. Speaking with her begins one of the game’s longest questlines, leading through Nokron, the Ainsel River, the Lake of Rot and the Moonlight Altar. Ranni’s location and quest role are consistently associated with the central tower of the Three Sisters.
The later rewards and encounters are distributed across several regions, so they should not all be treated as West Liurnia items.
Seluvis’s Rise
Seluvis occupies the southern tower. He offers sorcery instruction and advances a morally dubious quest involving a potion and a target chosen by the player’s decisions.
Seluvis’s quest can interact with the quests of:
Because these questlines can alter the availability of dialogue and rewards, players should speak to all relevant characters before making irreversible choices.
Seluvis’s Rise
Renna’s Rise
Renna’s Rise is initially sealed. It becomes useful later as a route towards the Ainsel River Main area after certain progress in Ranni’s quest. Its presence is an example of West Liurnia’s progression-state design: a visible building may remain inaccessible until a separate questline changes the world state.
Three Sisters directory
Not every listed reward is physically located in the Three Sisters. The directory records characters and quest-linked names associated with the area.
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The Village of the Albinaurics is hidden beneath the western cliffs. It is one of the most important minor settlements in Liurnia, both for its story and for the route to a major late-game area.
The village is inhabited by Albinaurics, many of whom are hiding from violence and persecution. The settlement is partly concealed by its surroundings, and the player must search for a disguised inhabitant to uncover the path towards the village boss.
Three Sisters directory
Village route
The medallion half is essential for reaching the Consecrated Snowfield. It is possible to leave the village without collecting it, so it belongs on any completion checklist.
Village route: steps
- 01From the lake, travel towards the western cliff base.
- 02Follow the path beneath the cliff rather than attempting to climb directly.
- 03Search the village structures and ruined paths.
- 04Find the disguised Albinauric elder.
- 05Strike the appropriate object to reveal him.
- 06Speak to him to receive the Haligtree Secret Medallion (Right).
- 07Continue uphill to face the Omenkiller.
Omenkiller
The village boss is an Omenkiller, fought in the elevated section beyond the settlement. The fight is complicated by dogs and the boss’s firebreathing attacks. Ranged attacks, spirit summons and the terrain around the buildings can make the encounter safer.
Village directory
Albus is a resident and quest-associated character, while Latenna is found later at the Slumbering Wolf’s Shack after the village events.
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The Four Belfries is a hilltop landmark in western Liurnia containing four massive bell towers and a Site of Grace. Three towers are activated with Imbued Sword Keys. Each activated portal transports the player to a different isolated destination.
Only one Imbued Sword Key is found at the Four Belfries itself. The other keys are found elsewhere in Liurnia, including one in Raya Lucaria Academy and one in the Cuckoo’s Evergaol area. The portals are fixed rather than random, and the player chooses which tower to activate.
Four Belfries directory
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Village directory
Village directory: The three destinations are
| Belfry portal | Destination | Main purpose |
|---|---|---|
| First activated portal | Chapel of Anticipation | Return route to the starting area and rematch against the Grafted Scion |
| Second activated portal | Crumbling Farum Azula | Early visit to a small isolated section |
| Third activated portal | Nokron, Eternal City | View and access to an isolated section of the underground city |
Four Belfries directory
Kingsrealm Ruins
Kingsrealm Ruins stand on the road towards Caria Manor. The ruins are initially deceptive because parts of the apparent obstruction are illusory. The player can reveal the hidden route by striking the false wall at the end of the road.
The ruins contain a Royal Revenant, a particularly dangerous enemy with fast melee attacks and healing magic. The site is also the principal reference point for finding the western map fragment.
Moonfolk Ruins
Moonfolk Ruins lie in the western uplands near Caria-associated territory. They are inhabited by spectral or ghostly enemies and contain treasure among ruined walls and underground passages. They are easy to overlook because they blend into the surrounding highland terrain.
Royal Grave Evergaol
The Royal Grave Evergaol contains Alabaster Lord, an optional boss associated with gravity sorcery. The Evergaol is reached through the western highland roads and provides a self-contained challenge arena.
Cuckoo’s Evergaol
The Cuckoo’s Evergaol contains Bols, Carian Knight, a large troll-like knight. The fight rewards patience, as Bols’s size and sweeping attacks can cover much of the arena.
Revenger’s Shack
The Revenger’s Shack is linked to an invasion-style encounter involving Edgar the Revenger. The encounter is dependent on quest progression and may not appear in every progression state. It is therefore important not to treat the shack as a permanently populated combat area.
Slumbering Wolf’s Shack
The Slumbering Wolf’s Shack is associated with Latenna. It becomes relevant after events in the Village of the Albinaurics and forms part of the Haligtree Secret Medallion storyline.
Frenzied Flame Village and Frenzy-Flaming Tower
These sites lie on the north-eastern edge of the broad western approach, near the routes towards Bellum Highway and the Grand Lift of Dectus. The village is occupied by Frenzied Flame followers and maddened enemies. The tower projects an area-of-effect madness hazard while its defenders remain active.
The safest approach is to use cover, break line of sight and deal with the tower’s defenders before lingering in the open. The Frenzied Flame Village is relevant to Hyetta’s quest and to the wider Frenzied Flame storyline.
Minor landmark directory
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The Moonlight Altar is a large elevated plateau in southern-western Liurnia. It is visually and mechanically distinct from the flooded lowlands below. The plateau contains moonlit grasslands, dragon encounters, ruins, a tower puzzle and the Cathedral of Manus Celes.
The route to the plateau is unlocked only through the underground stages of Ranni’s quest. The area therefore represents one of West Liurnia’s most significant progression changes.
Minor landmark directory
Cathedral of Manus Celes
The Cathedral of Manus Celes is the principal landmark of the Moonlight Altar. It contains a concealed passage leading to Ranni and a major quest conclusion. The Dark Moon Ring is required to progress through the sealed area.
Completing this stage advances Ranni’s storyline and leads towards the Dark Moon Greatsword.
Chelona’s Rise
Chelona’s Rise is a puzzle tower. Its barrier is removed by finding three great spectral turtles distributed around the Moonlight Altar plateau. The player must search the wider plateau, including cliffs and distant ledges, rather than looking only around the tower.
Because one or more turtles may be positioned vertically or at a considerable distance from the tower, the puzzle is easier if the player explores the plateau methodically and uses the map to mark searched areas.
Dragon encounters
The Moonlight Altar contains powerful dragon encounters, including Glintstone Dragon Adula if the player has not already defeated it earlier. Dragon encounters may change location or state according to progression. The player should not assume that seeing a dragon in an earlier area means the Moonlight Altar encounter has been removed.
Moonlight Altar directory
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The Carian Study Hall stands on an eastern projection of Liurnia and is reached from the central and eastern roads, but it is closely tied to the Carian royal material that dominates West Liurnia. It should not be folded into the ordinary Caria Manor dungeon.
The statue is obtained from Ranni during her quest. Inverting the hall changes its architecture and reveals a route to quest-related discoveries, including material connected with the Night of the Black Knives and the Cursemark of Death.
The Divine Tower of Liurnia is unusual among Divine Towers because it does not restore a Great Rune. Its importance is primarily narrative and quest-related.
Directory
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Moonlight Altar directory
Moonlight Altar directory: The Study Hall has two distinct states
- 01Its ordinary configuration, which leads towards the Divine Tower of Liurnia.
- 02Its inverted configuration, created by using the Carian Inverted Statue.
Directory
Lakeside Crystal Cave
This cave lies near the western lake shore. It contains Glintstone miners, demi-human enemies and crystal-based hazards. Its boss is the Bloodhound Knight, and its reward includes the Cerulean Amber Medallion.
Academy Crystal Cave
The Academy Crystal Cave lies in the western or north-western lake region and contains crystallian enemies, miners and magical tunnels. Its boss encounter involves two Crystallians. The dungeon is useful for players seeking crystal-based crafting materials and sorcery-related rewards.
Stillwater Cave
Stillwater Cave is a poison-oriented dungeon. Its hazards include poisonous water, flying enemies and narrow passages. The boss is the Cleanrot Knight, whose defeat rewards the Winged Sword Insignia.
Cliffbottom Catacombs
These catacombs are reached from the ravine and cliff routes. They contain imps, Ogres and trap-filled corridors. The boss is the Erdtree Burial Watchdog, and the dungeon rewards the Kaiden Sellsword Ashes.
Road’s End Catacombs
Road’s End Catacombs are hidden behind an illusory wall. The dungeon’s defining feature is its use of concealed passages and false walls. Its boss is the Spirit-Caller Snail, which summons a Crucible Knight spirit during the fight.
Black Knife Catacombs
Black Knife Catacombs are particularly important because they contain both an optional boss encounter and evidence relevant to Ranni’s wider story. The dungeon includes skeletons, hidden walls and a guillotine-filled route.
The Black Knife Assassin encounter is associated with the Assassin’s Cerulean Dagger, while the deeper route leads to the Cemetery Shade. The dungeon also contains the Black Knifeprint, an important quest item for Rogier and Ranni-related investigation.
Dungeon directory
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West Liurnia has an unusually high concentration of quest characters. They should be distinguished by status, because several are visitors or temporary occupants rather than permanent residents.
Dungeon directory
Quest-associated visitors
Not all of these characters remain in West Liurnia permanently. Their presence can depend on whether the player has:
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West Liurnia has relatively few conventional shops. Several named structures are landmarks rather than businesses, so their names should not be interpreted as evidence of services.
Quest-associated visitors
Confirmed services and useful functions
The Boilprawn Shack is not a general shop merely because it has a named structure. It is primarily associated with Blackguard Big Boggart and the purchase of boiled prawns, with the precise availability depending on dialogue and quest progression.
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Confirmed services and useful functions
| Name | Details |
|---|---|
| Church of Vows | sacred site, absolution service and Miriel’s sorcery and incantation instruction |
| Seluvis’s Rise | sorcery instruction and quest-related interaction with Seluvis |
| Caria Manor and Three Sisters | quest progression, sorcery-related characters and spirit-related rewards |
| Sites of Grace | levelling, flask management, memorisation and fast travel |
| Four Belfries | portal transport through Imbued Sword Keys |
| Merchant locations | limited travelling merchant services, where present |
Major optional bosses
| Boss | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Knight Loretta | Caria Manor | Opens the Three Sisters |
| Omenkiller | Village of the Albinaurics | Guards the upper village |
| Alabaster Lord | Royal Grave Evergaol | Gravity sorcery user |
| Bols, Carian Knight | Cuckoo’s Evergaol | Large knight with wide attacks |
| Bloodhound Knight | Lakeside Crystal Cave | Fast close-range boss |
| Cleanrot Knight | Stillwater Cave | Poisonous cave environment |
| Erdtree Burial Watchdog | Cliffbottom Catacombs | Catacomb boss |
| Spirit-Caller Snail | Road’s End Catacombs | Uses a summoned Crucible Knight |
| Black Knife Assassin | Black Knife Catacombs | Hidden catacomb encounter |
| Cemetery Shade | Black Knife Catacombs | Deep catacomb boss |
| Glintstone Dragon Adula | Moonlight Altar or earlier encounter state | Quest and progression dependent |
Common enemy groups
Enemy placements are fixed in ordinary play, but some invasion encounters, NPC appearances and dragon states depend on progression.
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A full item-by-item inventory would need to be checked against every individual dungeon and subarea page. The following are the most important named collectibles and rewards directly associated with West Liurnia.
Other rewards include sorceries, talismans, spirit ashes, crafting materials, smithing stones, golden seeds and sacred tears. Exact dungeon inventories should be checked separately when preparing a no-miss run, since many rewards are located in side rooms or behind illusory walls.
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Common enemy groups
Common enemy groups
| Item | Area or source | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Map: Liurnia, West | Road beneath Kingsrealm Ruins | Reveals the western map |
| Haligtree Secret Medallion (Right) | Village of the Albinaurics | Required with the left half for the Consecrated Snowfield route |
| Imbued Sword Key | Four Belfries and other Liurnia locations | Activates Belfry portals |
| Loretta’s Greatbow | Royal Knight Loretta | Sorcery reward |
| Loretta’s Slash | Royal Knight Loretta | Ash of War reward |
| Cerulean Amber Medallion | Lakeside Crystal Cave | Increases FP |
| Winged Sword Insignia | Stillwater Cave | Rewards successive attacks |
| Kaiden Sellsword Ashes | Cliffbottom Catacombs | Spirit Ash reward |
| Black Knifeprint | Black Knife Catacombs | Quest and lore item |
| Assassin’s Cerulean Dagger | Black Knife Assassin | Critical-hit FP recovery |
| Carian Inverted Statue | Ranni’s quest | Changes Carian Study Hall |
| Dark Moon Ring | Ranni’s quest | Required at Manus Celes |
| Dark Moon Greatsword | Ranni’s quest conclusion | Major quest reward |
| Carian Glintstone Staff | Carian-related area | Staff reward |
| Royal Greatsword | Ranni’s questline | Weapon reward |
| Adula’s Moonblade | Glintstone Dragon Adula | Sorcery reward |
| Sword of Night and Flame | Caria Manor | Important weapon in a locked room |
Early route
- 01Enter Liurnia through Stormveil’s northern exit or the cliff bypass.
- 02Activate Lake-Facing Cliffs.
- 03Collect the western map fragment beneath Kingsrealm Ruins.
- 04Explore the western lake shore and Boilprawn Shack.
- 05Visit the Village of the Albinaurics.
- 06Clear Lakeside Crystal Cave and Stillwater Cave if your build is ready.
- 07Travel to the Four Belfries.
- 08Explore Converted Tower and the western uplands.
- 09Approach Caria Manor.
Mid-game route
- 01Clear Caria Manor.
- 02Defeat Royal Knight Loretta.
- 03Search the Three Sisters.
- 04Speak to Ranni, Seluvis and Iji.
- 05Visit the Black Knife Catacombs for the Black Knifeprint.
- 06Explore the Cuckoo’s Evergaol, Royal Grave Evergaol and Road’s End Catacombs.
- 07Complete the Village of the Albinaurics and Latenna steps.
- 08Return to the Four Belfries and use any desired portals.
Late route
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Before leaving West Liurnia, check that you have:
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West Liurnia is the clearest expression of Carian culture in the open world. Caria Manor, the Three Sisters, the Study Hall and the Divine Tower all connect to the former royal house and its relationship with the moon, the stars and glintstone sorcery.
The region also presents the human cost of Liurnia’s conflicts. The Village of the Albinaurics is hidden beneath the land rather than placed on a road, suggesting a community forced into concealment. The Black Knife Catacombs and Carian Study Hall connect the area to the Night of the Black Knives, while the Moonlight Altar links the western landscape to Ranni’s rejection of the Golden Order’s imposed cosmic order.
The Four Belfries provides a literal view of the wider world. Its portals connect West Liurnia to locations that are geographically distant or normally inaccessible, reinforcing the region’s role as a crossroads between the Lands Between, the stars and the game’s deeper history.
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Late route: steps
- 01Advance Ranni’s quest through Nokron and Ainsel River.
- 02Reach the Moonlight Altar after defeating Astel.
- 03Explore Cathedral of Manus Celes.
- 04Complete Chelona’s Rise.
- 05Revisit the western region for changed NPC positions and quest rewards.
- 06Invert Carian Study Hall when the Carian Inverted Statue becomes available.
West Liurnia contains several forms of missability
| Name | Details |
|---|---|
| Albus and the Haligtree medallion half | can be overlooked if the Village of the Albinaurics is not searched carefully. |
| Latenna | her dialogue and quest state depend on the village and medallion sequence. |
| Edgar’s invasion | the Revenger’s Shack encounter depends on prior actions involving Edgar and Irina. |
| Ranni’s quest characters | Blaidd, Seluvis and Iji change locations and dialogue as the quest progresses. |
| Black Knifeprint | can be missed if Black Knife Catacombs is treated as an ordinary optional dungeon. |
| Hyetta | her movement depends on dialogue and item hand-ins from earlier stages. |
| Seluvis’s potion | handing it to the wrong character or advancing Ranni’s quest too far can change the available outcomes. |
| Glintstone Dragon Adula | its encounter can change location and progression state. |
| Moonlight Altar | inaccessible until the required underground quest progression is complete. |
| Carian Study Hall | its inverted configuration requires the Carian Inverted Statue from Ranni. |
Is West Liurnia a separate region in the game?
Not in the same strict sense as Liurnia of the Lakes, Bellum Highway or the Moonlight Altar. “West Liurnia” is primarily a map and guide convention based on the western map fragment and the western portion of the Liurnia landscape. This guide uses it as a practical exploration region.
Does West Liurnia include Caria Manor?
Yes. Caria Manor is the main northern landmark of the western section and the gateway to the Three Sisters.
Does it include the Moonlight Altar?
Yes, geographically and thematically, although it is treated as a distinct subarea. It is included here because it occupies the isolated western Liurnia plateau and is reached through the western Carian questline.
Can I reach the Moonlight Altar early?
No. The ordinary western roads do not lead there. You must advance Ranni’s quest through the underground areas and defeat Astel.
Where is the western Liurnia map?
It is on the road beneath Kingsrealm Ruins, south of Caria Manor.
What should I do first?
Collect the map fragment, visit the Village of the Albinaurics, then explore the western shore before clearing Caria Manor. This order exposes the region’s major quest hooks without requiring the player to commit immediately to late-stage quest decisions.
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Sources
- Maps - Eldenpedia — eldenring.wiki.gg
- Liurnia of the Lakes | Elden Ring Wiki | Fandom — eldenring.fandom.com
- How to complete Ranni's quest in Elden Ring — pcgamer.com