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Does Volcano Manor Ruin Any Quests in Elden Ring?

Yes, progressing too far within Volcano Manor can indeed lock you out of certain quests and alter the outcomes of others in Elden Ring. Understanding these implications is crucial for players aiming to experience the full breadth of the game’s narrative and obtain specific items or endings. While Volcano Manor offers its own unique questline with valuable rewards, triggering certain events within the manor, specifically defeating Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy, will advance the world state and cause some NPCs to vanish or change their dialogues, effectively cutting off quest branches. Therefore, careful planning and a clear understanding of potential consequences are essential before fully committing to the Volcano Manor storyline.

Unlocking Volcano Manor and Its Implications

Volcano Manor, a towering fortress of blasphemous intent, nestled in the west of Altus Plateau, is a key location with significant implications for the wider game world. You can access it through multiple routes: accepting Rya’s request in Liurnia of the Lakes and teleporting via her at the top of Grand Lift of Dectus after finding her necklace thief, or by navigating the treacherous Mt. Gelmir and reaching the manor on foot. Entering and engaging with the manor’s inhabitants initiates a series of assassination quests, providing unique weapons and armor. However, this seemingly isolated storyline intertwines with other quests in subtle yet impactful ways.

The Point of No Return: Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy

The crucial turning point is the defeat of Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy. Once Rykard is defeated, several NPCs within the manor, who are integral to their respective quests, will disappear or alter their dialogues. This makes it impossible to complete certain tasks offered by these characters. It essentially marks a point of no return in relation to those specific quests. Planning accordingly before tackling Rykard is, therefore, highly recommended. Make sure you’ve explored all available dialogue options, completed any assassination requests you want to, and exhausted all other possibilities within Volcano Manor before engaging in the boss fight.

Quests Potentially Affected by Volcano Manor

Several quests can be affected by progressing too far within Volcano Manor, including:

Tanith’s Questline: This questline involves completing assassination requests assigned by Tanith. While you can continue her quest even after defeating Rykard, provided you’ve completed at least one assassination, the option to do so is missable, and if she hasn’t assigned any tasks before Rykard’s defeat, her storyline effectively ends. Her quest also leads to interesting lore revelations and a unique boss fight after Rykard is defeated.
Bernahl’s Questline (Recusant Bernahl): Bernahl, also located in Volcano Manor, provides assassination requests and sells valuable Ashes of War. Similar to Tanith, his availability and the completion of his requests are directly linked to the state of Rykard. If you defeat Rykard before completing his assassination requests, you will miss out on his specific rewards and unique encounters. He eventually moves to Crumbling Farum Azula, but completing his quest there without having done the Volcano Manor portion results in missing out on certain items.
Diallos’s Questline: While Diallos’s questline isn’t directly reliant on Volcano Manor, its outcome can be influenced. If you speak to Diallos within the manor, and then exhaust his dialogue after killing each target he’s given you, it can affect his behaviour later down the line when he is at Jarburg.
Rya’s Questline: While you can still complete Rya’s quest after beating Rykard, failing to complete her assassinations or exhausting her dialogue before the boss will lock out different outcomes.
Patches’ Questline: The notoriously elusive Patches can appear within Volcano Manor, selling valuable items. While his presence isn’t entirely dependent on Rykard’s fate, his dialogues and the potential for certain interactions will change. If you’re following his quest, it is advisable to interact with him in Volcano Manor before taking down Rykard.

Mitigating the Risks: Planning Your Route

The best way to avoid inadvertently locking yourself out of quests is to meticulously plan your journey through Elden Ring. Consider the following:

Explore Thoroughly: Before advancing the main storyline in any major location, explore every nook and cranny, speak to every NPC multiple times, and exhaust all dialogue options.
Research Questlines: Use online resources (like this article!) to understand the critical junctures in various questlines and the potential consequences of your actions.
Prioritize Content: If you’re particularly interested in a specific quest, focus on completing it before tackling Rykard.
Create Backups: PC players can back up their save files to revert to an earlier state if they make a mistake. This allows you to explore different options and outcomes without permanently altering your game.

By understanding the potential ramifications of progressing through Volcano Manor, you can navigate its treacherous halls with confidence, ensuring you don’t miss out on valuable rewards or enriching narrative experiences. The key is awareness and careful planning.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I still access Volcano Manor after defeating Rykard?

Yes, Volcano Manor itself remains accessible. You can still explore the location, fight enemies, and acquire items within its walls. However, the quests involving certain NPCs will likely be unavailable.

2. Does killing Rykard affect any endings in Elden Ring?

No, defeating Rykard does not directly affect the availability of any of the game’s multiple endings. The endings are primarily determined by your interactions with other key NPCs and the choices you make during the final stages of the game.

3. What happens to Tanith after I defeat Rykard?

After defeating Rykard, Tanith remains in the Manor, though her mood and dialogue change. You can discover her consuming Rykard’s corpse. She can later be killed for her armor.

4. Can I reverse the effects of defeating Rykard on questlines?

Unfortunately, no. Once Rykard is defeated, there is no way to undo the consequences on the affected questlines within that playthrough. You would need to start a new game or load an earlier save file (if you have one).

5. Is it worth completing the Volcano Manor quests before fighting Rykard?

Absolutely. The Volcano Manor quests offer unique weapons, armor, and Ashes of War, making them valuable for character progression. They also provide interesting lore and insights into the game’s world.

6. What are the rewards for completing Bernahl’s assassination requests?

Bernahl offers a range of rewards, including unique Ashes of War that are not obtainable elsewhere. Completing all his requests is highly recommended for players interested in build customization.

7. How do I initiate the assassination requests in Volcano Manor?

Speak to Tanith and Bernahl multiple times. They will eventually offer you contracts to assassinate specific targets marked on your map.

8. Will completing the Volcano Manor quests lock me into any specific ending?

No, as mentioned earlier, completing the Volcano Manor quests does not lock you into any specific ending. The endings are determined by choices made in the later stages of the game.

9. Where does Bernahl go after leaving Volcano Manor?

After leaving Volcano Manor (usually triggered after you kill Rykard), Bernahl can be found in Crumbling Farum Azula. He becomes an invader and drops his armor set, which includes the unique Blasphemous Claw, when defeated.

10. Is there any benefit to killing Tanith after defeating Rykard?

Killing Tanith yields her armor set, the Consort’s Mask, and allows you to acquire Rykard’s Remembrance. However, it also ends her storyline and prevents you from witnessing any further developments.

11. Does the “Tarnished Eater” quest affect anything in Volcano Manor?

The “Tarnished Eater” quest, received from Recusant Bernahl, leads to a significant invasion and boss fight. Completing this quest is necessary for obtaining certain unique items and progressing Bernahl’s storyline.

12. What happens if I refuse the assassination requests from Volcano Manor?

Refusing the assassination requests does not prevent you from progressing through the game, but it does lock you out of the rewards and lore associated with those quests. You can still choose to fight Rykard without completing them.

13. Is there a recommended level range for tackling Volcano Manor?

A character level of 60-80 is generally recommended for exploring Volcano Manor and facing Rykard. However, skilled players can attempt it at lower levels.

14. How do I reset NPCs in Elden Ring to potentially fix broken questlines?

Unfortunately, there is no official way to reset NPCs or fix broken questlines within a single playthrough of Elden Ring. You must either load an earlier save or begin a new game.

15. Can I complete Volcano Manor quests in co-op?

Yes, you can complete Volcano Manor quests in co-op. However, progress is generally tied to the host’s world, so only the host will receive credit for completing quests and defeating bosses. Both players can acquire loot dropped by enemies.

Does Volcano Manor ruin any quests?