In the DLC Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree, every NPC you encounter has their own questline. Each of these quests intertwines with the main storyline, and, as in the base game, there are no markers or objectives to guide you on where to go. The game encourages you to explore, discover new things, and figure everything out on your own.

Shadow of the Erdtree Questlines Tips

• The main advice during the playthrough is to always exhaust all dialogue options with each NPC. Some will provide hints about the next steps, while others will give you items needed for quests. The outcomes of some quests may change depending on your choices, such as which side a character takes or which item you receive.

• It’s also worth noting that the game features "points of no return" — this occurs when you burn the Sealing Tree in the Church of the Bud. This is an inevitable plot event that happens after defeating the main boss Romina. After this, all NPCs will disappear, and their quests will fail, except for Queelign, Ymir/Jolán, and Igon/Priestess, who remain available post-game.

• It is important to complete all questlines before burning the Sealing Tree or make a backup of your save. Additionally, the questlines for Hornsent and Hornsent Grandam need to be started before defeating the boss Messmer in the Shadow Keep, and Moore's quest should be started before the quests of St. Trina and Thiollier.

Needle Knight Leda

Needle Knight Leda is the first NPC you will meet in the DLC Shadow of the Erdtree. Initially, she appears in Moghwyn Palace, standing near Miquella's cocoon after you defeat Starscourge Radahn and Mogh, Lord of Blood in the main game. Visiting the Shadow Realm, you will find her near the Highroad Cross Site of Grace, north of Castle Ensis in Scadu Altus.

To start Leda's quest, talk to her in Mohgwyn Palace and touch her dry hand to teleport to the Land of Shadow. Explore the location and speak with other NPCs in Gravesite Plain, including Thiollier, Moore, Hornsent, Freyja, and Ansbach.

You can defeat the boss Belurat, Tower Settlement, and collect Leda's notes found above the boss room, on the tower stairs, and at the Castle Ensis Checkpoint Site of Grace. Summon Leda or Dryleaf Dane to help in the boss fight in Castle Ensis.

Progressing to Scadu Altus, talk to Leda at the Highroad Cross Site of Grace. Dispel Miquella's charm and talk to Leda again. She will ask whom she should target next. Your choice between Thiollier or Hornsent will affect the outcome of her quest.

Proceed through the Shadow Keep dungeon to the Storehouse Front area, filled with Vulgar Militiamen and golden funeral boats. Here you will find two summoning signs, allowing you to assist either Leda or Hornsent. Your choice will determine whether you face Leda in the Cleansing Chamber Anteroom in Enir-Ilim.

After defeating Messmer and returning to Leda at Highroad Cross, she will turn her attention to Ansbach. To progress further, collect the Secret Rite Scroll from the 4th floor of the Specimen Storehouse in the Shadow Keep and give it to Ansbach.

Then choose which side to take — Leda or Ansbach — using the summoning signs. Your choice will determine whether you get a summon for the final boss or a unique talisman, Retaliatory Crossed-Tree, which boosts attacks after a roll or backstab.

Regardless of the choice, you will eventually face Leda and her followers in the Cleansing Chamber Anteroom. After completing all other NPC quests, burn the Sealing Tree in the Church of the Bud to teleport to Enir-Ilim. In the city, defeat everyone, including Leda, to get her sword and armor set, as well as the armor of her fallen comrades.

Redmane Freyja and Hornsent

Next Shadow of the Erdtree questlines are about Redmane Freyja and Hornsent. They're two NPCs you will meet near the Three-Path Cross Site of Grace in Gravesite Plain. They will likely be the first followers of Miquella you encounter in the Shadow Realm. Completing Freyja's quest will reward you with the Golden Lion shield and the Ash of War — Roaring Bash. Hornsent's quest allows you to summon him for the Golden Hippopotamus bossfight and intertwines with Leda's questline.

For Freyja's quest, talk to her at the Three-Path Cross Site of Grace and dispel Miquella's charm. Return to her and continue the dialogue. You will find her again opposite the Site of Grace on the seventh floor of the Specimen Storehouse. Find the Secret Rite Scroll in the room on the 4th floor of the Specimen Storehouse and give it to Ansbach, who is in the room opposite the Site of Grace on the first floor.

You can choose to give the letter to Freyja now or wait until you unlock Enir-Ilim. If you give her the letter now, she will appear in the Cleansing Chamber Anteroom in Enir-Ilim, after which you can get her greatsword and armor. If you wait until the end of the fight, return to the Site of Grace on the seventh floor to collect her items.

For Hornsent's quest, talk to him at the Three-Path Cross Site of Grace and receive the map of crosses from him. Defeat the Divine Beast Dancing Lion boss. Then you can wear the boss's head and talk to Hornsent Grandam in the Storeroom, opposite the Small Private Altar Site of Grace. You can also bring Scorpion Stew to Hornsent to get more information about his people.

Exhaust all available dialogues with Hornsent to learn about the crosses and Miquella. Make sure you have talked to Thiollier, Ansbach, Freyja, and Moore before continuing your journey. Dispel Miquella's charm and talk to Hornsent again. He will move to the Shadow Keep. Talk to Leda, who will ask you to choose between Thiollier and Hornsent. Eventually, she will choose Hornsent.

During the Shadow Keep progression, you can summon Hornsent in the fight against the Golden Hippopotamus boss. At the Storehouse Front, you will find two summoning signs and must choose to help Leda or Hornsent. If you help Hornsent or ignore the signs, he will be available for summoning in the battle with Messmer at the top of the Shadow Keep.

After defeating Messmer, return to the Highroad Cross Site of Grace and talk to Leda and Hornsent. Leda will conclude that he is no longer a threat, and Hornsent will continue his revenge. If you go to the Ancient Ruins of Rauh, Hornsent will attack you, and you must defeat him to complete his Shadow of the Erdtree questlines.

Hornsent Grandam

Hornsent Grandam can be encountered at the start of the DLC Shadow of the Erdtree in the Belurat Tower Settlement. Her short Shadow of the Erdtree questline is optional, but completing it will unlock the Watchful Spirit spell and the healing item Gourmet Scorpion Stew.

To start her quest, head to Belurat Tower Settlement in Gravesite Plain. From the Small Private Altar Site of Grace, turn right, bypass the first building on the right, go past the waterfall, and enter the right room.

Collect the Storeroom key from a corpse on the stairs. Defeat the Divine Beast Dancing Lion boss. Now go to the Storeroom across the bridge, left from the Small Private Altar Site of Grace. Inside, wear the Divine Beast head and talk to Grandam to receive the Watchful Spirit spell.

Rest and return to her to receive the Scorpion Stew. You can give the Scorpion Stew to Hornsent at the Three-Path Cross Site of Grace. After defeating Messmer in the Shadow Keep, return to Grandam and inform her of the good news. She will give you the Gourmet Scorpion Stew.

Fire Knight Queelign

Fire Knight Queelign appears during an invasion in Belurat Tower Settlement. You will fight him twice during the DLC, and depending on your choices, you can receive either Queelign’s Greatsword or his Spirit Summon Ash.

First, encounter Queelign in the large courtyard of Belurat Tower Settlement (northeast of the Small Private Altar Site of Grace). Then defeat him again in the Church of the Crusade in Scadu Altus and collect the Prayer Room key.

Obtain the Iris of Grace (located in the Living Jar hall under the Specimen Storehouse in the Shadow Keep or in the Tree-Worship Passage under the Shadow Keep after draining the water). Ensure you also have the Iris of Occultation (drops from Omenkiller under the Fort Of Reprimand or from Ulcerated Tree Spirit in the Church District of The Shadow Keep).

Head to the Prayer Room in the Church District and give Queelign either the Iris of Grace to receive the Fire Knight Queelign Ash Summons, or the Iris of Occultation to get Queelign’s Greatsword. On this stage, his Shadow of the Erdtree questline is over.

Sir Ansbach and Moore

Sir Ansbach and the merchant Moore can be found near the Main Gate Cross Site of Grace. Ansbach's quest intertwines with Leda and Freyja's quests, and completing it will reward you with Ansbach’s Longbow. Moore's quest intersects with Thiollier and St. Trina's quests and rewards you with heavy armor, a shield, and a Bell Bearing.

For Ansbach's Shadow of the Erdtree questline, talk to him at the Main Gate Cross Site of Grace in Gravesite Plain, where he introduces himself and his companion Moore. After speaking with the NPCs, dispel Miquella's charm. Return to Ansbach at the Main Gate Cross and visit Freyja at the Three-Path Cross Site of Grace.

Next, proceed through the Shadow Keep dungeon in Scadu Altus. When you reach the Specimen Storehouse, talk to Ansbach in his room adjacent to the Site of Grace on the first floor. Collect the Secret Rite Scroll from the room on the fourth floor and go to the Site of Grace on the seventh floor to talk to Freyja. Give the Secret Rite Scroll to Ansbach and choose whether to deliver Ansbach’s letter to Freyja or not.

Progress through Leda's questline until you must choose between Thiollier and Hornsent. Return to Ansbach's room and decide whether to help him or Leda (via summoning signs). After which, his quest will conclude here, or you will have the opportunity to summon Ansbach for the battle in the Cleansing Chamber Anteroom for the final boss fight.

For Moore's quest, meet him at the Main Gate Cross Site of Grace and talk to Thiollier at the Pillar Path Cross. Return to Moore and take the Black Syrup to give to Thiollier and advance his quest. Additionally, you can find all six Forager Brood Cookbooks and return to Moore to collect the seventh cookbook. Talk to Ansbach, Hornsent, and Freyja before continuing.

Dispel Miquella's charm and return to Moore. Choose from the following dialogue options: "put it behind you" or "remain sad forever." If you choose "remain sad forever," you will find Moore dead and bound to the Servant of Rot opposite the Church of the Crusade in Scadu Altus. If you choose "put it behind you," you will see him fighting in the Cleansing Chamber Anteroom.

Thiollier

Thiollier's quest intertwines with St. Trina's quests and intersects with other NPCs, especially with Moore and the Dragon Communion Priestess. Thiollier's quest is the only way to obtain the St. Trina’s Smile talisman.

Meet Thiollier at the Pillar Path Cross Site of Grace in Gravesite Plain, southeast of Castle Ensis. Talk to Moore near the Main Gate Cross until he gives you the Black Syrup. Bring it to Thiollier and tell him you are "weary of life" to receive Thiollier’s Concoction.

Dispel Miquella's charm and talk to Thiollier again. He will head south. Rest at the Site of Grace and go to the Stone Coffin Fissure in Cerulean Coast. The Fissure is a large chasm in the ground at the southernmost part of the Cerulean Coast. Use Torrent to jump down the platforms and reach this underground region.

Proceed through the location to the end of the dungeon, where you will find a Site of Grace surrounded by animals and a kneeling ghost near a statue. Jump from the head of the statue to the ground. Here you will have to defeat the Putrescent Knight. Rest and continue your path to Thiollier and St. Trina.

Drink the nectar of St. Trina four times. You will die and resurrect each time. On the fourth time, you will hear a voice. Tell Thiollier what you heard and exhaust all dialogues. Rest and reload the area.

Defeat Thiollier and return to the cave to talk to him again. Drink the nectar two more times and talk to Thiollier again. Then you will be able to summon Thiollier for assistance in the battle in the Cleansing Chamber Anteroom and in the final boss fight. If Thiollier was summoned in the final boss fight, pick up Thiollier's Hidden Needle in the arena. Return to St. Trina after defeating the final boss to complete the quest.

Dryleaf Dane

Dryleaf Dane can be found near the Moorth Ruins Site of Grace in Scadu Altu for a short quest that will reward you with the Dryleaf Arts weapon and Dane’s Hat helmet. The rest of his gear can be obtained in Leda's quest and in a late boss fight.

Proceed to Scadu Altus and learn the gesture "May the Best Wi" and pick up the "Monk's Missive" message at the Highroad Cross Site of Grace. Meet Dryleaf Dane at Moorth Ruins and perform the learned gesture in front of Dane. Defeat him to get the weapon.

Dryleaf Dane can also be summoned for assistance in the fight with Rellana, Twin Moon Knight in Castle Ensis, and Romina, Saint of the Bud at the Church of The Bud. He will also appear in the slaughterhouse in Enir-Ilim Cleansing Chamber Anteroom.

Count Ymir and Jolán

Count Ymir and his swordsman Jolán are main quest characters in Shadow of the Erdtree. Head to the Cathedral Of Manus Metyr and talk to Count Ymir southeast of the Shadow Keep in Scadu Altus. He will give you the Hole-Laden Necklace and a map of ruins with instructions to "ring the bell." To reach the cathedral, go past Bonny Village and Whipping Hut. You can rest and refresh the area to talk to the swordsman Jolán and Ymir again.

Next, go to the Finger Ruins Of Rhia via the route from the southern beach of the Cerulean Coast, past the stone slab of ancient ruins. Interact with the hanging finger to ring the bell. Return to Ymir to receive the second map of the ruins and the Beloved Stardust talisman. If you are interested in the story, you can talk to Jolán and ask Ymir about Miquella.

Rest and return to Ymir’s throne to open the secret passage to the Finger Ruins of Miyr. Defeat Swordhand Of Night Anna. Additionally, you can reload the area and talk to Jolán and Ymir again about what you have seen. Next, go to the Ruins Of Dheo in the Hinterland. Perform the gesture "O, Mother" in front of the headless statue of Marika in the Shadow Keep to gain access to this area. The gesture can be found on a headless corpse under a tree north of Bonny Village. Repeat the same steps as in the first ruins and interact with the stone finger in the center of the area.

Return to Ymir and Jolán to receive the third and final map of the ruins. Rest and head to the underground Finger Ruins of Miyr beneath Ymir’s throne. Ring the bell to be teleported to the boss Metyr, Mother Of Fingers. Defeat her and return to the cathedral to defeat Jolán. Count Ymir will appear in a new form. Kill him and reload the area.

Talk to Jolán and choose to give her the Iris of Grace or the Iris of Occultation. Depending on your choice, you will receive the Swordhand Of Night Jolán Spirit Ash or the Sword Of Night. Reach the top of Rabbath's Rise to interact with Anna's body and get the combined Spirit Ash. Find the Cherishing Fingers spell in the cemetery.

Igon and Dragon Communion Priestess

In the questline of Igon and the Dragon Communion Priestess, you will face fierce dragons. To start, talk to Igon opposite the Pillar Path Waypoint Site of Grace on the eastern side of Gravesite Plain. Rest and talk to him again. Follow the road southwest to access the Dragon's Pit area.

Defeat the Ancient Dragon-Man and proceed to the cave to complete the Dragon's Pit dungeon. Exit the cave and head down the Jagged Peak, fighting the Jagged Peak Dragon along the way. Continue south until you find the Grand Altar of Dragon Communion and the Dragon Communion Priestess.

Return to the valley where you fought the Jagged Peak Dragon and head north. Follow the road around the rock to the Spiritspring, then across the suspension bridge to the Foot Of The Jagged Peak Site of Grace. Move south along the rocky road where you will find two dragons fighting each other. After they weaken each other, finish them off and follow Igon’s laughter to find him. Take his Furled Finger and continue through the Spiritspring behind him.

Then proceed through the cave to the southeast and meet the Ancient Dragon Senessax. Defeat him or run through and keep going until you reach the Jagged Peak Mountainside Site of Grace. Use the Spiritsprings to reach the Jagged Peak Summit Site of Grace, where Bayle will be waiting for you. Defeat him; you can summon Igon for assistance and use the Priestess's Ancient Dragon's Blessing.

After defeating Bayle, return to where you last saw Igon and collect his items. Exchange Bayle's Heart at the Grand Altar of Dragon Communion for Bayle's Flame Lightning or Bayle's Tyranny.