Quick Answer: Ranni’s questline is the longest and most rewarding quest in Elden Ring, ending in the Age of Stars — one of six possible endings. It starts at Ranni’s Rise in Liurnia and spans Nokron, Carian Study Hall, Lake of Rot, and the Moonlight Altar. Completion rewards the Moonlight Greatsword and unlocks the Age of Stars ending. Estimated time: 15-20 hours.
Ranni’s questline is the longest, most rewarding, and most lore-rich quest in Elden Ring. It spans nearly every region of the map, intersects with several other questlines, and rewards completion with one of the game’s six endings — the Age of Stars. This step-by-step guide walks you through every interaction, item, and area required to complete Ranni’s quest from start to finish without missing a single step.
Step 1 — Meet Ranni at the Three Sisters
Travel to the Three Sisters area in northwestern Liurnia of the Lakes. You can access it via:
- The Caria Manor path (after defeating Royal Knight Loretta);
- The Ranni’s Rise Site of Grace at the top tower.
Climb Ranni’s Rise and speak with her. Exhaust her dialogue until she gives you the Spirit Calling Bell (if you do not already have it) and asks you to join her service. Accept.
Step 2 — Speak with Iji, Blaidd, and Seluvis
Ranni introduces you to her three retainers:
- Iji — a giant blacksmith on the road into the Three Sisters;
- Blaidd — a wolf-man warrior, found in Mistwood or Siofra River later;
- Seluvis — a sorcerer in Seluvis’s Rise nearby.
Speak with each. Exhaust all dialogue. Iji’s blessing is critical — without it, certain enemies will attack you later.
Step 3 — Defeat Starscourge Radahn
Travel to Caelid and defeat Starscourge Radahn at the Radahn Festival. His death is what opens the path to Nokron, Eternal City — required for Ranni’s quest. A meteor crashes into the Mistwood after his defeat, creating a new chasm.
Step 4 — Descend into Nokron, Eternal City
Travel to the Mistwood crater and drop down. Navigate Nokron through several Sites of Grace until you reach the Night’s Sacred Ground area. Here you fight the Mimic Tear boss (excellent fight; rewards the Mimic Tear Spirit Ash) and continue to a chest containing the Fingerslayer Blade.
Important — pick up the Fingerslayer Blade. This is the key item for Ranni’s quest.
Step 5 — Return to Ranni with the Fingerslayer Blade
Return to Ranni’s Rise and present the Fingerslayer Blade. She is overjoyed and offers you a reward — accept it. She also gives you the option to enter her chamber. Do so. Inside, you find Ranni’s miniature doll on a chair; pick her up. From now on, you can speak with her as a portable doll.
Step 6 — Speak with Ranni Through the Doll
Rest at a Site of Grace and select “Talk to Miniature Ranni.” She instructs you to seek a place where the moon is captured. This points you toward the Carian Study Hall and the path to the Divine Tower of Liurnia.
Step 7 — Carian Study Hall and the Inverted Statue
Travel to the Carian Study Hall in eastern Liurnia. You need the Carian Inverted Statue from Preceptor Seluvis to invert the building. This statue is given by Seluvis when his questline is active.
Once you place the statue on the pedestal, the entire Carian Study Hall inverts. Climb up through the inverted structure to reach the path to the Divine Tower of Liurnia.
Step 8 — Divine Tower of Liurnia and the Cursed Sword
Climb the Divine Tower of Liurnia. At the top, find the chest containing the Dark Moon Ring. Return to Ranni’s doll and speak with her again.
Step 9 — Descend to the Lake of Rot
Ranni now sends you deeper underground. Travel to the Ainsel River Main Site of Grace (accessible from the Ainsel River Well in Liurnia) and navigate through the Ainsel River. Defeat the Dragonkin Soldier of Nokstella mini-boss.
Continue down through Nokstella, Eternal City, then descend further into the Lake of Rot. This area is filled with Scarlet Rot — bring Preserving Boluses and Immunizing Cured Meat.
Step 10 — Defeat Astel, Naturalborn of the Void
At the far end of the Lake of Rot, you enter a strange purple void arena. Here you face Astel, Naturalborn of the Void — a cosmic horror boss. Defeat him to clear the path forward.
Step 11 — The Moonlight Altar
Past Astel, take the warp to the Moonlight Altar — a hidden region on the western edge of Liurnia, only accessible after Astel’s defeat. The Moonlight Altar is a beautiful, dreamlike area covered in blue light.
At the heart of the Moonlight Altar is the Cathedral of Manus Celes. Here you find Ranni’s true body in a sealed chamber. Place the Dark Moon Ring on her body to advance the quest.
Step 12 — Final Boss: Required Main Game Progression
Ranni’s questline requires you to complete the main game path up to (but not necessarily including) the final boss. You can defeat the Elden Beast at any point to trigger Ranni’s ending — but you must have placed the Dark Moon Ring first.
Step 13 — The Age of Stars Ending
After defeating the Elden Beast (final boss), instead of mending the Elden Ring yourself, summon Ranni at the throne. The “Age of Stars” ending plays — Ranni cradles the Elden Ring, the world is bathed in cosmic light, and a new order begins. This is one of the most poetic endings in any FromSoftware game.
Critical Items to Track
- Spirit Calling Bell — from Ranni or Renna;
- Fingerslayer Blade — Nokron chest;
- Carian Inverted Statue — Seluvis (after his questline progress);
- Dark Moon Ring — Divine Tower of Liurnia;
- Eternal Darkness sorcery — for fighting Astel (optional but helpful);
- Preserving Boluses / Immunizing Cured Meat — for the Lake of Rot.
NPC Questlines That Intersect
- Blaidd — his questline parallels Ranni’s; complete his Mistwood and Siofra River steps;
- Seluvis — his quest can lock you out of certain steps; be careful with his potions;
- Iji — his blessing prevents the Black Knife Assassins from attacking you on the road;
- Hyetta — does not conflict but cannot be combined with Ranni’s ending.
Important Warnings
- Do NOT drink Seluvis’s potion when offered (it traps an NPC permanently);
- Do NOT join the Three Fingers questline (Frenzied Flame) if you want Ranni’s ending — it locks you out;
- Always speak with Ranni’s doll after every major progression step.
Estimated Time to Complete
Ranni’s questline takes approximately 15-20 hours of dedicated focus, depending on level and exploration habits. Most players experience it gradually across a 60-80 hour playthrough.
What You Get
- Moonlight Greatsword — Ranni gifts you the iconic weapon when you place the Dark Moon Ring;
- Carian Inverted Statue — major progression item;
- Fingerslayer Blade — Bell Bearing useful weapon;
- Age of Stars ending — one of the most thematically rich endings in the game.
Final Notes
Ranni’s questline is the soul of Elden Ring’s narrative. It pulls together the cosmic horror, the political conflict, and the personal stories of every major NPC in the game. Take your time with each step — read item descriptions, exhaust dialogue, and let the story breathe. There is no rush. The Age of Stars is a quietly devastating, beautiful endpoint to one of gaming’s great quests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I start Ranni’s questline?
A: Climb Ranni’s Rise in the Three Sisters area of northwestern Liurnia, speak with Ranni, and accept her service. Then meet her three retainers: Iji, Blaidd, and Seluvis.
Q: What is the Age of Stars ending?
A: The Age of Stars is the ending unlocked by completing Ranni’s questline. Instead of mending the Elden Ring yourself, you summon Ranni at the final throne and she takes the Ring into the cosmos, beginning a new order.
Q: Can I lose Ranni’s quest?
A: Yes. Drinking Seluvis’s potion when offered, joining the Frenzied Flame questline, or skipping key dialogue can lock you out. Always preserve a backup save.
Q: What does the Moonlight Greatsword scale with?
A: The Carian Moonlight Greatsword scales with Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence. It is one of the best weapons for Int hybrid builds.