Quick Answer: Leyndell, Royal Capital is the most ambitious Legacy Dungeon in Elden Ring, located in central Altus Plateau. It contains three Sites of Grace, multiple Erdtree Avatars, the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds sewer system, and culminates in the boss fight against Morgott, the Omen King. Recommended level: 80-110. Two Great Runes are required to enter.
Leyndell, Royal Capital is the most ambitious Legacy Dungeon in Elden Ring — a sprawling, multi-layered city packed with Erdtree avatars, knights, secret tombs, and dragon-themed boss encounters. It is also where the game’s story crystalizes around the conflict between Marika’s lineage and the world’s mortals. This walkthrough takes you from the main approach to Morgott’s throne, with side paths called out for completionists.
How to Enter Leyndell
You enter Leyndell after presenting two Great Runes at the Forbidden Lands and using the Grand Lift of Dectus or the Lift of Rold. The main approach is through the Outer Wall Phantom Tree Site of Grace.
Two entries to the city itself:
- Main Gate — guarded by a Tree Sentinel duo;
- Lower Capital Church — the sneaky path through the underground.
For a first run we recommend defeating the Tree Sentinel duo for the main gate — it grants direct access to the central Sites of Grace and is the more lore-rich path.
Outer Wall Phantom Tree
Rest at the Outer Wall Phantom Tree Site of Grace. From here, ride south to engage the Tree Sentinel duo on the bridge. Strong builds can take them head-on; weaker builds should pull them one at a time using Torrent. Defeating both drops their armor set and unlocks the main gate.
West Capital Rampart
After the main gate, you arrive at the West Capital Rampart Site of Grace. This is the central hub of upper Leyndell. From here:
- North path — to the Avenue Balcony and the giant chained Erdtree avatar;
- East path — to the Lower Capital Church and underground sewers;
- Up — eventually leads to the Erdtree Sanctuary where Morgott waits.
Avenue Balcony — Erdtree Avatar
The Avenue Balcony hosts a chained Erdtree Avatar — a holy giant tied to the chain. Roll-spam its swings, hit the legs, and avoid the dust storm. Defeating it drops a Sacred Tear (upgrade your Flask of Wondrous Physick).
The Capital Outskirts — Optional Loot
Below the rampart, you can explore the lower roofs and balconies. Notable rewards:
- Erdtree’s Favor +2 Talisman — found on a corpse near the chained Erdtree avatar;
- Crucible Aspects Talisman — drops from a Crucible Knight in the rampart;
- Several Smithing Stones (5+).
The Lower Capital Church
Take the elevator down behind the chained avatar to reach the Lower Capital Church Site of Grace. This is a key hub for:
- Brother Corhyn’s questline (he migrates here if you spoke to him at Roundtable);
- Access to the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds (the giant sewer system below);
- A Sacred Tear for your Wondrous Physick.
The Sewers — Subterranean Shunning-Grounds
The Shunning-Grounds are Leyndell’s nightmare underbelly. Here you find:
- Mohg, the Omen — a mini-boss version of Mohg, Lord of Blood;
- The path to Volcano Manor (through Rykard’s questline triggers);
- The entrance to Deeproot Depths and Nokron Eternal City.
This area is missable for some builds — but completing the Shunning-Grounds is rewarding both narratively and mechanically.
Main Path — Climbing the Royal Capital
Continuing the main path from West Capital Rampart, you ascend through:
- The Avenue of the Erdtree Sentinel — patrolled by two Erdtree Sentinels;
- The Auriza Sentinels’ Gauntlet — a small balcony fight;
- The Hidden Path to the Haligtree key (eventually);
- The Elden Throne staircase — the final approach.
Erdtree Sanctuary Site of Grace
Your last stop before Morgott. Buy or craft buffs here, equip your best loadout, and summon any cooperative help. Past this Site of Grace is the boss room itself.
Important Side Areas
- The Hidden Path to the Haligtree — beneath a wooden floor in the Shunning-Grounds. Triggers the path to Consecrated Snowfield;
- Auriza Side Tomb — accessible by elevator. Contains the Cinquedea dagger and a small dungeon;
- Defield Cathedral — small bossfight room with a Crucible Knight; drops the Aspects of the Crucible: Breath Incantation.
Mini-Bosses and Notable Encounters
- Tree Sentinel Duo — outside the main gate;
- Erdtree Avatar — Avenue Balcony;
- Crucible Knight — Auriza Side Tomb and rampart variants;
- Esgar, Priest of Blood — Subterranean Shunning-Grounds;
- Mohg, the Omen — Subterranean Shunning-Grounds (sewer boss);
- Morgott, the Omen King — the main boss.
Common Mistakes
- Skipping the Sewers. They contain critical questline triggers and major loot;
- Engaging both Tree Sentinels at once. Pull one at a time with Torrent;
- Missing the elevator behind the chained Erdtree avatar. Easy to overlook — leads directly to the Lower Capital Church.
Recommended Level for Leyndell
Most players engage Leyndell at level 80 to 110 with weapons at +18/+7 or higher. The Erdtree Sentinels and Crucible Knights deal heavy damage — bring Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman if you struggle.
Loot Highlights
- Tree Sentinel Armor Set (Tree Sentinel Duo drop);
- Erdtree’s Favor +2 (Avenue Balcony area);
- Cinquedea dagger (Auriza Side Tomb);
- Several Sacred Tears for Wondrous Physick;
- Crucible incantations (Crucible Knight drops);
- Morgott’s Remembrance (boss reward).
NPC Questlines That Resolve Here
- Brother Corhyn — migrates to the Lower Capital Church;
- Goldmask — found on a bridge near the Capital Outskirts;
- Dung Eater — quest resolution involves the Shunning-Grounds;
- D, Hunter of the Dead — final stages of his questline involve Fia and Leyndell.
What’s Next
After defeating Morgott, the path forward leads through the Forbidden Lands to the Mountaintops of the Giants. Most players also use Leyndell’s defeat as the trigger to fully explore Mt. Gelmir, Volcano Manor, and Caelid before moving on.
Final Notes
Leyndell is the dungeon that defines Elden Ring’s mid-late game. Take your time here — the vertical layout, hidden passages, and dense lore are all designed to reward thorough exploration. Read item descriptions, talk to every NPC, and do not be afraid to backtrack. Leyndell is one of the great Legacy Dungeons in FromSoftware history, and it deserves a careful playthrough.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I enter Leyndell?
A: Present at least two Great Runes (Godrick’s plus one other) at the Forbidden Lands. Then defeat the Tree Sentinel duo at the main gate to enter the city proper.
Q: What level should I be for Leyndell?
A: Most players complete Leyndell at level 80-110 with weapons at +18/+7 or higher. The Erdtree Sentinels and Crucible Knights are the difficulty tests of the dungeon.
Q: What’s in the Leyndell sewers?
A: The Subterranean Shunning-Grounds contain Mohg, the Omen (mini-boss version), several questline triggers, and the secret path leading to Nokron-related areas. The sewers are missable but rewarding.
Q: What do I get for completing Leyndell?
A: Morgott’s Remembrance and Great Rune, multiple Sacred Tears for the Wondrous Physick, the Tree Sentinel armor set, and access to the path forward to the Mountaintops.