What to Do After Defeating Old Knight Istvan in Elden Ring: A Comprehensive Guide
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So, you’ve just vanquished Old Knight Istvan in Elden Ring? Congratulations, Tarnished! You’ve taken your first step into a world of intrigue, assassination, and questionable alliances. But what comes next? This guide will walk you through the immediate aftermath and the broader implications of your actions, ensuring you don’t miss any crucial steps in your journey through the Volcano Manor questline.
The most immediate action is to return to Volcano Manor and speak with Tanith. After defeating Old Knight Istvan, she will reward you with the Magma Shot sorcery. Also, speak with Bernahl to unlock him as a vendor. Once you have spoken to both, you can then return to the room you unlocked earlier to pick up the next assassination letter on the table. This letter will detail your next target.
Following the Volcano Manor Questline
Defeating Old Knight Istvan is more than just a single encounter; it’s the beginning of a significant questline tied to Volcano Manor. This path offers unique weapons, spells, armor, and a chance to confront some of the most formidable enemies in the game. Here’s what you need to keep in mind:
The Assassination Contracts
The core of the Volcano Manor questline involves assassinating specific Tarnished targets marked by letters you receive from Tanith. Each successful assassination will net you unique rewards and bring you closer to the Manor’s inner circle. Remember to thoroughly explore each target’s location, as they often contain valuable items and lore.
Exploring Volcano Manor
Between assassinations, don’t neglect exploring Volcano Manor itself. The manor is filled with hidden passages, challenging enemies, and valuable loot. Pay close attention to the walls and corridors, as many secrets are cleverly concealed. This is where you’ll find many key NPCs.
The Godskin Noble and Magma Wyrm
Advancing through Volcano Manor requires overcoming several challenges, including the Godskin Noble and the Magma Wyrm. The Godskin Noble can be fought in Eiglayy Church and you must defeat him in order to progress the main area of Volcano Manor. The Magma Wyrm in Mt. Gelmir is an optional boss located near the entrance. Defeating these bosses opens up new areas and advances the storyline.
Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy
Ultimately, the Volcano Manor questline leads you to Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy. This Shardbearer boss is a unique encounter that requires a specific weapon to effectively defeat. The Serpent-Hunter great spear is located near the boss fog gate and should be used to defeat Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy. Make sure you’re adequately leveled (around Level 50 is a good baseline recommendation) and prepared for a challenging fight.
Important Considerations
- Completing Assassination Quests: Completing the three assassination letters given by Tanith will allow her to transport you to God Devouring Serpent aka Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy. If you want to explore the underground of the Volcano Manor yourself, don’t complete the assassination missions.
- Consequences of Killing Rykard: Be warned, killing Rykard locks you out of all remaining Volcano Manor quests. If you want to complete all assassinations, do them before defeating Rykard.
- Rya’s Questline: Completing the Volcano Manor assassinations can prevent you from finishing Rya’s quest. Make sure you do what you want from Rya before assassinating.
- Tanith’s Fate: After Rykard’s defeat, Tanith will move to his boss room and begin consuming his remains. This is an optional encounter, but you can obtain her armor set by defeating her Crucible Knight bodyguard.
By following these steps and being mindful of the potential consequences, you can navigate the complexities of the Volcano Manor questline and reap its numerous rewards. Remember to explore, experiment, and most importantly, have fun!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I still do Volcano Manor quests after killing Rykard?
No, killing Rykard will lock you out of all remaining Volcano Manor assassination quests. It’s crucial to complete all desired assassination contracts before confronting Rykard.
2. What happens if I complete all Volcano Manor assassination quests?
After completing the three assassination letters, Tanith will offer to transport you to Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy. This allows you to bypass a significant portion of Volcano Manor’s exploration.
3. Is there a downside to joining Volcano Manor?
There is no apparent negative consequence for joining the Volcano Manor, and there are no downsides in relation to Elden Ring’s story. There are many missable items you could acquire, but joining will help make sure you get them.
4. How do I get to Volcano Manor without Rya?
You can reach Volcano Manor manually by traveling north of Altus Plateau, south of Shaded Castle. The Bridge of Iniquity will lead you towards Mt. Gelmir and eventually to Volcano Manor.
5. What level should I be in Volcano Manor?
Volcano Manor contains strong enemies that are capable of one-hit killing low level players. It is not advised to head to Volcano Manor until you’re appropriately leveled. A good baseline recommendation is Level 50.
6. What do I do at Volcano Manor after beating Rykard?
After defeating Rykard, speak to Tanith at her usual spot inside Volcano Manor. Exhaust her dialogue, then reload the area. She will move to Rykard’s boss room, consuming his remains. This is optional and doesn’t affect the main storyline.
7. Where is Rya after killing Rykard?
After killing Rykard, Rya may disappear. After a reset, she will be gone and has left Daedicar’s Woe and Zorayas’ Letter in her place. If you gave her the Tonic of Forgetfulness, she simply goes to sleep. After Rykard is killed and the Manor’s inhabitants have all left, she will return to her original location in the Manor.
8. Should I give Zoraya the tonic?
The choice is yours. All three options will eventually reward you with the Daedicar’s Woe Talisman, though the tonic will make her forget the details of her birth. Not giving her the tonic will lead to her thanking you for sparing her, and leaving behind both the talisman and a note calling you her champion.
9. Can you get to Rykard without killing Godskin?
No, if you want to face Shardbearer Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy inside the Legacy Dungeon, you will have to defeat Godskin Noble.
10. How do you get Lady Tanith’s armor?
To get Tanith’s armor, attack and kill her. Her Crucible Knight will be summoned to defend her. Defeat the Crucible Knight, and the Consort’s Set can be retrieved from her body alongside Rykard’s corpse.
11. Why does Volcano Manor hunt Tarnished?
Volcano Manor hunts Tarnished because they are in rebellion against the Erdtree. Lord Rykard and the Volcano Manor seek to rule the Lands Between with a new iron fist that is no longer subjugated to the Erdtree’s grace and life force.
12. What are the rewards for completing the Volcano Manor questline?
Completing the Volcano Manor questline nets you a variety of rewards, including unique weapons (like the Serpent-Hunter), spells (like Magma Shot), armor sets (like the Scaled armor set), and valuable Runes. Additionally, it provides access to key areas and boss fights within Volcano Manor.
13. Is the Scaled armor set good?
Yes, the Scaled armor set is considered one of the most well-rounded armor sets in the game due to its balance of defenses, weight, and poise. It’s a solid choice for many builds.
14. Are Volcano Manor quests evil?
Whether the Volcano Manor quests are “evil” is a matter of perspective. It’s just one of the ways to get to the Lord of that zone and get some more story building stuff. They involve assassinating other Tarnished, which may be morally questionable, but they also provide unique gameplay experiences and rewards.
15. What happens if you kill all merchants in Elden Ring?
While there are no direct negative consequences for killing merchants, it’s generally not recommended unless you absolutely need their Bell Bearing. There is no apparent negative consequence for killing the game’s merchants. It’s also worth noting that some merchants have unique questlines and interactions that you’ll miss out on if you kill them prematurely.
Remember that learning and experimentation are key to mastering Elden Ring. Consider exploring resources like the Games Learning Society to further enhance your understanding of game mechanics and strategy. GamesLearningSociety.org offers valuable insights into the intersection of games and learning. Embrace the challenge, and may your journey through the Lands Between be filled with triumph!