Can You Summon Ranni? A Deep Dive into the Age of Stars Ending in Elden Ring
Yes, you absolutely can summon Ranni in Elden Ring, but it’s not just a casual summoning you can do at any time. Summoning Ranni is a pivotal action that triggers the Age of Stars ending, one of the most significant and arguably the “best” endings in the game. This action is only available after fulfilling specific prerequisites and making specific choices throughout your journey in the Lands Between. Let’s delve into the intricacies of summoning Ranni and what it entails.
How to Summon Ranni and Trigger the Age of Stars Ending
The ability to summon Ranni is directly tied to completing her complex and rewarding questline. This questline is far from a simple fetch quest; it requires exploring hidden areas, engaging with various NPCs, and solving cryptic puzzles. Here’s a breakdown of the key steps involved:
- Initiate Ranni’s Quest: You’ll first encounter Ranni in her tower at Ranni’s Rise in the Liurnia of the Lakes region. She’ll task you with helping her, setting you on the path of her quest.
- Follow Ranni’s Instructions: Throughout the quest, you’ll be sent to different locations, interacting with characters like Blaidd, Iji, and Seluvis. Pay close attention to the dialogue and instructions given, as these will guide you through the next stages.
- Defeat Starscourge Radahn: A crucial step in Ranni’s quest is defeating the demigod Starscourge Radahn. This boss fight is challenging and requires a well-equipped character, but defeating Radahn is paramount to unlocking subsequent areas. Note: If you defeat Radahn before starting Ranni’s quest, an important character won’t be available.
- Explore Nokron, Eternal City: After Radahn’s defeat, a new path opens up to Nokron. This area holds vital items necessary to progress Ranni’s quest, such as the Fingerslayer Blade.
- Journey to the Moonlight Altar: Once you have the necessary items, you will journey to the Moonlight Altar. A critical part of this journey includes defeating Astel, Naturalborn of the Void.
- Final Choice at the End of the Game: After defeating the final boss, the Elden Beast, you will be faced with a choice. Instead of interacting with the fractured Marika, you must look for a blue summoning sign on the ground. This is where you will be able to summon Ranni. Triggering this sign starts the Age of Stars ending.
Summoning Ranni is a significant decision, locking you into her ending. There is no going back once the sign is triggered. Choosing to summon Ranni will essentially alter the fate of the Lands Between according to her plans.
The Significance of Summoning Ranni
Summoning Ranni at the end of Elden Ring signifies your alignment with her goal of ushering in a new age – the Age of Stars. This ending sees Ranni take the place of Queen Marika and usher in a new order, with the Tarnished as her Elden Lord and consort. It’s an ending that removes the influence of the Golden Order and sets the Lands Between on a new, hopefully better, trajectory.
Many players view Ranni’s ending as the “best possible outcome” amongst all the endings due to its implications for a less oppressive future. While it might be considered morally gray, it does represent a conscious effort to break free from the cycle of stagnation and tyranny. It is also considered a “true” ending in that it provides a more clear break from the past.
Why Choosing Ranni Is Not For Everyone
While Ranni’s ending is a popular choice, it’s important to remember that Elden Ring has no truly “happy” ending. Every option comes with its own consequences and leaves the Lands Between fundamentally altered, often in ways that can be interpreted as neither purely good nor purely evil.
The path to summoning Ranni is long and challenging, requiring the player to engage with the lore and characters on a much deeper level. If you do not complete her quest, you cannot summon her at the end of the game, which leads to other endings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Summoning Ranni
Here are some frequently asked questions about summoning Ranni in Elden Ring:
1. Is the Ranni ending a “good” ending?
Yes, many players consider the Age of Stars ending, which is achieved by summoning Ranni, as the “good” ending. While there is no perfect ending, this one is often seen as leaving the Lands Between in a better state than it was found.
2. Can I summon Ranni if I haven’t completed her entire questline?
No, you must complete Ranni’s entire questline to trigger her summoning sign at the end of the game. Missing crucial steps will prevent you from achieving the Age of Stars ending.
3. What happens if you summon Ranni?
Summoning Ranni will start the Age of Stars ending, which means that Ranni will become the new god and ruler of the Lands Between. The Tarnished will become her Elden Lord and eternal consort.
4. Can you still do Ranni’s quest after killing Radahn?
Yes, you can still do Ranni’s quest after killing Radahn, but it’s generally recommended to start her questline first. If you kill him before initiating her quest, a critical character, Blaidd, will not be available.
5. Where do I find Ranni’s summoning sign?
Ranni’s summoning sign will appear on the ground in the boss arena after defeating the Elden Beast. Look for a blue summoning sign, instead of interacting with the fractured Marika.
6. Does Ranni love the Tarnished?
In the Age of Stars ending, Ranni refers to the Tarnished as her “lord” and “dear consort,” indicating a deep bond and acknowledging them as her spouse.
7. What is the significance of Ranni becoming a god?
Ranni’s ascension as a god means the Lands Between will be ruled by her, ushering in the Age of Stars. This represents a major shift away from the Golden Order’s influence, and a move towards a new era.
8. Is summoning Ranni a permanent decision?
Yes, summoning Ranni is a permanent decision that locks you into her ending. Once the summon is triggered, you can not change the ending on your current playthrough.
9. What level should I be for Ranni’s questline?
Ranni’s questline does not require a specific level, but most players will find it very challenging. The challenge of boss battles like Radahn and Astel can influence the level required, but is most commonly recommended around level 70 or higher.
10. What other endings are there in Elden Ring?
Elden Ring has several endings other than the Age of Stars. These include The Elden Lord ending, the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending, and several variations of the standard Elden Lord ending depending on which factions and NPC’s the player interacted with and the choices they made.
11. Can you complete other quests after achieving the Age of Stars ending?
No, once you summon Ranni and trigger her ending, your current playthrough is complete. You must start New Game+ to continue with other quests and experience different endings.
12. Is Ranni the true villain in Elden Ring?
While Ranni’s actions, such as the Night of Black Knives, were pivotal to the story, she is not a true villain. She is a complex and morally gray character driven by her own desires and ideas for the future of the Lands Between.
13. Does summoning Ranni lock me out of any items?
Summoning Ranni does not lock you out of any items that you might have previously found in the game, but you will not have the opportunity to find new items on this current playthrough after triggering the ending.
14. Where does Ranni go after the Age of Stars ending?
Ranni’s final location is in the Cathedral of Manus Celes in the Moonlight Altar. You can visit her here as you progress through the latter stages of her questline and after the game has ended by loading your save.
15. What if I touch Marika instead of summoning Ranni?
Touching Marika after the final boss triggers the standard Elden Lord ending, which is the ending that Melina has been leading the player to throughout the game. This is a different option that does not bring on the Age of Stars ending.
By understanding these questions and the steps required to summon her, you are better equipped to make informed decisions about Ranni and the destiny of the Lands Between. Happy exploring, Tarnished!