How to Get Invited to Roundtable Hold in Elden Ring: A Comprehensive Guide
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The Roundtable Hold is a crucial hub in Elden Ring, offering access to essential services, merchants, and NPCs. However, access isn’t granted immediately upon starting your journey in the Lands Between. Instead, it’s an invitation extended by the enigmatic maiden, Melina, after you’ve proven yourself worthy. This article will detail the precise steps needed to unlock this haven, and answer related frequently asked questions to help guide your way.
The Core Requirements: Sites of Grace and Exploration
The invitation to Roundtable Hold hinges on a specific condition: you must activate a Site of Grace outside of the initial starting region of Limgrave and the Weeping Peninsula. This means simply resting at any random Site of Grace won’t cut it; these sites in caves, tunnels, catacombs, or those within the Limgrave and Weeping Peninsula regions do not count towards triggering the invitation.
Here’s a clear breakdown of what you need to do:
- Begin Your Adventure: Start in Limgrave and progress through the initial areas, encountering Melina at the Gatefront Site of Grace. This initial meeting is key, where Melina will grant you the Spectral Steed Torrent.
- Explore Beyond Limgrave: Do NOT remain within Limgrave (West and East) or the Weeping Peninsula. Focus your exploration on areas beyond these initial regions. This could mean traveling to Liurnia of the Lakes, Caelid, or even reaching the far side of Stormveil Castle.
- Activate the Right Site of Grace: Once you’re outside of Limgrave and the Weeping Peninsula, locate and interact with any Site of Grace in the open world. Resting at the Site of Grace is NOT necessary, simply activating it is the critical trigger.
- Melina’s Invitation: After the proper Site of Grace has been activated, Melina will appear. She will commend you on your progress and offer to take you to Roundtable Hold, a place she feels you’ve earned access to.
Alternative Access Points
While the above method is the most reliable, the following two Sites of Grace also trigger the Roundtable Hold invitation:
- Stormveil Main Gate: This is reached after defeating Margit, the Fell Omen, at the entrance to Stormveil Castle.
- Lake-Facing Cliffs: This site is located directly north of Stormveil Castle, generally accessed after defeating Godrick the Grafted.
Reaching either of these Locations and activating the associated Site of Grace, will guarantee that you will get your invitation from Melina.
Understanding the Invitation
The invitation from Melina is not random; it’s a narrative mechanic designed to move the player into a new phase of the game. She explicitly states she has been testing you, gauging your potential before offering access to the Roundtable Hold. This emphasizes that your journey and exploration are not without purpose; the game is assessing whether you are worthy of the path ahead.
Roundtable Hold – What Awaits
The Roundtable Hold is a safe haven for Tarnished, serving as a crucial nexus with a plethora of features. Here you can:
- Interact with various NPCs: Including merchants, blacksmiths, and quest-givers.
- Upgrade your equipment: Smithing services are available, allowing you to enhance your weaponry.
- Advance questlines: Many character stories and questlines begin or continue at the Roundtable Hold.
- Access the Two Fingers: At the table’s center, a location of immense narrative importance is present, driving the core story.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the Roundtable Hold and its accessibility, providing further context and answers:
Is it possible to miss the Roundtable Hold?
No, it is not possible to miss the Roundtable Hold. Melina’s invitation is tied to the progress of the game and the player’s exploration.
Can I access the Roundtable Hold before defeating Margit?
Yes, you can get access before defeating Margit. By simply activating a Site of Grace beyond Limgrave and the Weeping Peninsula, you can be invited to the Roundtable Hold before taking on any bosses.
How soon can I access the Roundtable Hold after starting the game?
You can access it quite early in the game, as soon as you get Torrent and move past Limgrave and activate a site of grace in a different region.
Do I need to rest at the Site of Grace for Melina to appear?
No, resting is not necessary. Simply activating the correct Site of Grace (outside of Limgrave or Weeping Peninsula) is sufficient.
Do I have to talk to Melina at Gatefront for the Roundtable Hold to become available?
Yes, it is necessary to have spoken to Melina at the Gatefront Site of Grace, where she gives you Torrent.
Can any player join the Roundtable Hold?
Yes, all players who have met the specific criteria (activating a qualifying Site of Grace) are invited to Roundtable Hold by Melina.
Is the Dung Eater a permanent resident of the Roundtable Hold?
The Dung Eater will only appear later in the game at the Roundtable Hold after reaching Leyndell, Royal Capital. He is not a permanent resident as his location is tied to his own questline.
What is the significance of letting Fia hold you?
Letting Fia hold you gives you the Baldachin’s Blessing, which temporarily boosts Poise. However, it also applies a minor HP debuff until the item is used. This effect can be traded by hugging her once again.
How does Nepheli Loux come to the Roundtable Hold?
Nepheli will appear after you have defeated Godrick and spoken to Sir Gideon Ofnir at the Roundtable Hold. You need to exhaust his dialogue for Nepheli to appear.
Is the Roundtable Hold you visit the original one?
Most likely not. It’s theorized that the Roundtable Hold you visit is a copy placed in a different realm by Marika, since the original in Leyndell was destroyed in the shattering.
Is there a cost to join the Roundtable Hold?
No, there is no cost to join the Roundtable Hold within the game. However, there is a real-world organization called “Round Table” which is a social club with an annual membership fee.
How many people can fit at a round table?
In real life, round tables vary in size to seat different numbers of people. A small table may seat 4-5 people while larger tables can seat 8+. This does not apply within the game’s lore or setting.
What is the purpose of the Roundtable meetings within the game?
The game does not have a structure where roundtable meetings take place. But rather the setting serves as a central hub where key characters can be located for story and quest progression.
What happens if Fia kills D in Roundtable Hold?
If Fia kills D in the Roundtable Hold, a violation of a sacred law occurs. Additionally, D’s twin brother will appear at Roundtable Hold to seek revenge.
Is Fia evil in Elden Ring?
Fia’s actions are driven by a desire to be a protector, not a conqueror. She does not seek power for herself but aims to be a mother to those who live in death, thus her morality is more complex than simple “good or evil”.
By understanding the triggers and the opportunities that the Roundtable Hold provides, you will be well-equipped to navigate the world of Elden Ring and progress on your journey as the Tarnished One. This central hub is not only a safe space, but also a key location that ties the game’s intricate narrative together.