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Can You Progress Through Volcano Manor Without Joining? A Comprehensive Elden Ring Guide

Yes, you absolutely can progress through Volcano Manor in Elden Ring without formally joining Tanith and her band of Tarnished hunters. While accepting her offer and embarking on the assassination quests provides a structured path through the area, it’s not the only way. You can bypass the recruitment entirely and still reach Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy, and explore the majority of the dungeon. This offers a unique gameplay experience with some key differences in how you approach the Manor’s challenges and narrative.

Ways to Access and Navigate Volcano Manor Without Joining

There are a couple of methods to bypass the conventional recruitment process:

The Abductor Virgin Teleport: This is perhaps the most well-known method. Within the Raya Lucaria Academy, deep down where the water wheels are located, you can intentionally allow yourself to be captured and killed by the Abductor Virgin. Instead of a traditional death, this transports you directly to a hidden section of the Volcano Manor dungeon. This puts you close to the Manor and gives you an alternative path.
The Mountain Route: While technically requiring more exploration and potentially higher levels, you can navigate the entirety of Mt. Gelmir to reach the Volcano Manor exterior without any interaction with Rya or Tanith. This involves traversing treacherous landscapes, battling challenging enemies, and uncovering hidden paths, but ultimately allows you to access the Manor independently.

Consequences of Bypassing the Manor’s Quests

While freedom from the Manor’s missions sounds appealing, there are a few drawbacks to consider:

Missing Rya’s Questline: Rya’s quest is intrinsically tied to the Volcano Manor. Bypassing the initial interactions with her and the subsequent quest stages means you’ll miss out on her story, potential rewards, and associated lore.
Lost Opportunities for Unique Loot: Tanith’s assassination contracts reward you with unique weapons, armor, and other items specific to the Volcano Manor questline. Going rogue means forfeiting these rewards.
Altered Narrative Experience: Engaging with the Volcano Manor quests provides valuable insights into the motivations and goals of Rykard and his followers. Skipping these quests diminishes the narrative depth of the area.

How to Get to Rykard Without Volcano Manor Quests

Whether you arrive via Abductor Virgin or mountain trek, reaching Rykard without completing assassination quests involves navigating the Manor’s intricate dungeon. This means exploring twisting corridors, overcoming environmental hazards, and battling various enemies. The path to Rykard is ultimately the same, regardless of whether you completed the quests or not, so you won’t miss out on content.

Strategic Considerations

Navigating the Volcano Manor dungeon without the guidance of the quests can be more challenging. You’ll need to be observant, resourceful, and prepared for unexpected encounters. This approach, however, rewards curiosity and provides a sense of accomplishment for those seeking a more unconventional playthrough.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about progressing through Volcano Manor without joining, offering additional insights and clarifications:

What happens if I decline to join Volcano Manor? Nothing significant! The game allows you to explore the Volcano Manor as if you accepted, although you cannot participate in the assassination missions.
Does killing Rykard lock me out of anything? Yes, killing Rykard immediately ends all Volcano Manor quests. It’s crucial to complete the assassination missions before confronting the Lord of Blasphemy.
Are the Volcano Manor quests considered “evil”? That’s subjective! They involve assassinating other Tarnished, which many would consider morally questionable. However, the quests provide valuable lore and rewards. The Games Learning Society studies how morality in games impacts player choices and engagement. More can be found out at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
What level should I be at Volcano Manor? A good level range for tackling the Volcano Manor and Mt. Gelmir is 60-80. This ensures you have sufficient stats and weapon upgrades to handle the challenges.
Can you get to Rykard without killing Godskin Noble? No. The Godskin Noble is a mandatory boss required to open the path to Rykard.
Why does Volcano Manor hunt Tarnished? Lord Rykard and the Volcano Manor seek to overthrow the Golden Order and establish their own rule over the Lands Between. Hunting Tarnished is part of their rebellion.
Is there a secret wall in Volcano Manor that requires many hits? Yes! One infamous illusory wall initially required around 50 hits to dispel. This was later confirmed to be a bug and subsequently patched.
Why does Tanith eat Rykard? After you defeat Rykard, Tanith will begin consuming his remains. Her goal is to ensure Rykard’s resurrection in a new form by preserving his essence.
What level should I be to fight Rykard? Aim for at least level 65, but ideally 70 or higher. The God-Devouring Serpent and Rykard are challenging bosses.
Why did Rykard feed himself to the serpent? Driven by a desire for immortality and power, Rykard willingly merged with the God-Devouring Serpent, seeking to transcend his mortal limitations.
Does serving Ranni lock you out of anything? No. Serving Ranni does not lock you out of anything, though it does impact which ending you can achieve.
Can you access Volcano Manor early? Yes! As discussed, the Abductor Virgin and the mountain route allow early access to the Volcano Manor.
Is there an alternative to fighting the Godskin Noble? No, unfortunately, the fight with the Godskin Noble is necessary in order to progress to Rykard.
Are there any notable items that can only be obtained by joining the Volcano Manor? Yes, several unique weapons, armor sets, and consumables are exclusively obtained through Tanith’s assassination contracts. This makes joining appealing for those seeking completionist runs.
What is the general consensus on the Volcano Manor quest line? While some find the quests morally questionable, the Volcano Manor questline is generally well-regarded for its intricate level design, fascinating lore, and rewarding loot.

Can you progress through Volcano Manor without joining?