How to Access the Blocked Room in Volcano Manor: A Comprehensive Guide

The Volcano Manor in Elden Ring is a fascinating and treacherous location filled with intrigue, powerful enemies, and valuable rewards. One of the biggest mysteries within its walls is the blocked room, a hidden chamber that many players struggle to access. The key to unlocking this secret lies in the drawing-room invasion quests given by Tanith, the leader of the Volcano Manor. Completing a specific number of these quests opens up a new path, ultimately leading you to the coveted blocked room. Specifically, you must complete two of the assigned assassination contracts. After assassinating Istvan, and Rileigh the Idle you will be rewarded by Tanith and Bernahl will appear in the hallway near her. Speaking to Bernahl will lead you to being able to purchase the ‘Recusant Finger’ a multiplayer item that will allow you to invade other players worlds. Shortly after, a gate will open, and a new area will become accessible. This is the “Illusory Wall” path. Hidden behind the Illusory Wall is the entrance to the blocked room.

Unlocking the Illusory Wall: The Key to the Blocked Room

The blocked room in Volcano Manor isn’t accessible through brute force or clever item usage. Instead, it’s tied to the progression of the Volcano Manor questline, specifically the assassination contracts. Here’s a step-by-step guide to unlocking access:

1. Join the Volcano Manor: Travel to Volcano Manor and accept Tanith’s offer to join her cause. This starts the Volcano Manor questline.
2. Complete the Assassination Contracts: Tanith will provide you with a series of letters detailing assassination targets. These letters can be found at a table in the manor. The first assassination target is Istvan. Defeat him in Limgrave. The second assassination target is Rileigh the Idle Defeat him in Altus Plateau.
3. Speak to Bernahl: After completing two assassination contracts, Bernahl, will appear in the hallway near Tanith. Speak to him.
4. Find the Illusory Wall: After speaking to Bernahl, a new section of the manor will become accessible. This section starts with a corridor located down the hallway from Tanith. Explore this corridor to find an illusory wall.
5. Strike the Illusory Wall: To reveal the passage, simply strike the wall with your weapon or roll through it.
6. Navigate the Secret Passage: Behind the illusory wall is a series of rooms and corridors. Follow this path carefully, as it contains enemies and potential pitfalls. This will lead you into the blocked room.

Understanding the Volcano Manor Questline

The Volcano Manor questline isn’t just about accessing the blocked room; it’s a branching narrative that offers unique weapons, armor, spells, and insights into the lore of Elden Ring. Understanding the questline as a whole will make the process of accessing the blocked room much smoother.

• Tanith’s Role: Tanith is the key to progressing the Volcano Manor questline. She provides the assassination contracts and rewards you for completing them.
• Bernahl’s Significance: Bernahl is another important character within Volcano Manor. He offers valuable information and can be summoned for boss fights. His role is crucial for opening up certain sections of the manor and revealing the Illusory Wall.
• The Serpent-Hunter: As part of the Volcano Manor questline, you’ll eventually face Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy. The Serpent-Hunter is a unique weapon designed specifically for this fight.
• Alternatives to the Questline: While the assassination contracts are the intended path, you can bypass them and go straight to Rykard after finding the Illusory Wall.

What to Expect Inside the Blocked Room

The “blocked room” is technically a larger interconnected section of the Volcano Manor and not simply one room. It provides access to a new area. Within the Illusory Wall passage, you’ll encounter:

• Enemies: Beware of enemies lurking in the darkness. Prepare for ambushes and challenging encounters.
• Items and Loot: The secret passage contains valuable items, including crafting materials, weapons, and armor.
• Exploration: Take your time to explore every nook and cranny of the secret passage. There are hidden passages and secrets to uncover.
• Progression: The secret passage connects to other areas of Volcano Manor, allowing you to bypass certain sections and access new areas.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do I have to join Volcano Manor to access the blocked room?

Yes, you must join Volcano Manor by accepting Tanith’s offer. This initiates the questline necessary to unlock the blocked room.

2. Can I still access the blocked room if I accidentally attacked Tanith?

Attacking Tanith will likely lock you out of the Volcano Manor questline and prevent you from accessing the blocked room through the intended method. However, you may still be able to reach the blocked room by exploring the manor and finding the hidden Illusory Wall passage, albeit without the initial quest prompts.

3. How many assassination contracts do I need to complete before the Illusory Wall opens?

You need to complete at least two assassination contracts (Istvan and Rileigh the Idle) given by Tanith. This will trigger the next phase of the questline and unlock the Illusory Wall passage after speaking to Bernahl.

4. Where exactly is the Illusory Wall located?

The Illusory Wall is located down the hallway from Tanith. It’s one of the walls in a room along the hallway that looks interactable.

5. What if I can’t find the assassination contract letters on the table?

Make sure you have officially joined Volcano Manor and spoken to Tanith about assisting her cause. If the letters still don’t appear, try resting at a Site of Grace within Volcano Manor to refresh the area. Also, check your inventory to see if you already have the letters.

6. Are there any particularly difficult enemies in the Illusory Wall passage?

Yes, there are several challenging enemies in the Illusory Wall passage. Be prepared for ambushes and consider using stealth or summons to help you navigate the area.

7. Is it possible to miss the Illusory Wall passage entirely?

Yes, it’s possible to miss the Illusory Wall passage if you don’t explore thoroughly or follow the Volcano Manor questline. Pay close attention to your surroundings and explore every possible path to ensure you don’t miss it.

8. What happens if I kill Rykard before accessing the blocked room?

Killing Rykard will prematurely end the Volcano Manor questline. This will remove NPCs such as Bernahl from the manor. It is advisable to complete the Volcano Manor questline, including accessing the blocked room, before defeating Rykard.

9. Can I access the blocked room in multiplayer with a friend?

Yes, you can explore the blocked room and the Illusory Wall passage in multiplayer with a friend. This can make navigating the area and fighting enemies easier.

10. What kind of rewards can I expect to find in the blocked room and the surrounding area?

The blocked room and the Illusory Wall passage contain valuable rewards, including crafting materials, weapons, armor, and items related to the Volcano Manor questline. Be sure to explore thoroughly to find everything.

11. Is there a level recommendation for exploring the Illusory Wall passage and the blocked room?

A level recommendation for exploring the Illusory Wall passage is around level 60-80. The enemies in the area can be quite challenging, so it’s best to be adequately prepared.

12. Does accessing the blocked room affect the ending of the game?

Accessing the blocked room and completing the Volcano Manor questline can influence the narrative and provide insights into the lore of Elden Ring, but it does not directly affect the main endings of the game. However, it may unlock certain dialogue options or side quests that contribute to your overall understanding of the world.

13. Can I respec my character after completing the Volcano Manor questline and accessing the blocked room?

Yes, you can respec your character at any time after defeating Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, and obtaining the Larval Tear item. This allows you to reallocate your stats and change your build based on the rewards and challenges you encounter in Volcano Manor.

14. Are there any other secret areas or hidden passages in Volcano Manor besides the blocked room?

Yes, Volcano Manor is full of secrets and hidden passages. Explore thoroughly to uncover all of its mysteries.

15. How do I know if I’ve explored the Illusory Wall passage completely?

The best way to ensure you’ve explored the Illusory Wall passage completely is to map out the area as you go and check every nook and cranny. Look for hidden doors, illusory walls, and areas that seem out of place. Once you’ve found all the items and defeated all the enemies in the area, you can be confident that you’ve explored it fully.

By following this guide and exploring thoroughly, you’ll be well on your way to accessing the blocked room in Volcano Manor and uncovering its secrets. Good luck, Tarnished!