What Does Absolution at the Church of Vows Do in Elden Ring?
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In Elden Ring, seeking absolution at the Church of Vows serves two crucial purposes: it reverses hostile NPC aggro and resets certain questlines. If you’ve accidentally (or intentionally!) attacked an NPC, causing them to become hostile and attack you on sight, absolution will calm them down and allow you to interact peacefully again. Secondly, it can sometimes reset quest progress if you’ve accidentally made irreversible decisions that lock you out of certain endings or rewards. These two functions make the Church of Vows an invaluable location for any Tarnished navigating the complex world of the Lands Between.
Understanding Absolution’s Effects
The core function of absolution is to clear your character’s “sins,” effectively calming any NPC that has turned hostile toward you. It’s important to note that absolution doesn’t revive dead NPCs. If you’ve killed a crucial character, they’re gone for good, and you’ll need to wait until New Game Plus to see them again.
Reversing NPC Aggro
Imagine you’re exploring a new area and accidentally strike a friendly NPC. Immediately, they become hostile, attacking you relentlessly. This can lock you out of important dialogue, quests, and even merchant services. Absolution provides a solution by essentially hitting the “reset” button on their hostility. After receiving absolution, the NPC will return to their original, non-hostile state, allowing you to continue interacting with them as intended.
Resetting Questlines (Sometimes)
While primarily known for reversing NPC aggro, absolution can, in some specific instances, reset certain questline flags. This is a less reliable function and isn’t guaranteed to work for every quest. If you’ve made a mistake, such as giving a specific item to the wrong NPC or making a dialogue choice that locks you out of a particular quest ending, seeking absolution is worth a try. However, be prepared for the possibility that it won’t completely undo your actions. It is best to seek out community guides or specific information online about your issue to determine if it is something that can be reset.
How to Obtain Absolution
The process of obtaining absolution is relatively straightforward but requires a specific item and a visit to the Church of Vows.
Acquiring Celestial Dew
To receive absolution, you’ll need Celestial Dew. This rare item is found in various locations throughout the Lands Between. Some notable locations include:
- Ainsel River: Found on a corpse within this underground area.
- Siofra River: Also located on a corpse within this underground region.
- Earning as PvP Rewards: Sometimes given as a reward for successfully defeating other players in PvP combat.
- Purchasing from certain merchants: Very few merchants stock this item. Be sure to consult a wiki for up-to-date information.
Visiting the Church of Vows
Once you have Celestial Dew, travel to the Church of Vows, located in Liurnia of the Lakes. Inside, you’ll find the Celestial Turtle, also known as Miriel, Pastor of Vows. Interact with Miriel and offer the Celestial Dew. This will initiate the absolution process.
Confirming the Absolution
After using the Celestial Dew, a message will confirm that your sins have been absolved. You can then return to the hostile NPC, and they should no longer be aggressive towards you. If the questline issue you are hoping to fix is not immediately solved, check back at the quest’s starting location or another relevant location.
Limitations of Absolution
It’s crucial to understand that absolution has limitations. As mentioned earlier, it cannot revive dead NPCs. If you’ve killed a character, absolution won’t bring them back. Additionally, absolution doesn’t always guarantee a complete quest reset. Some decisions are permanent and cannot be undone. It is important to remember that each situation in Elden Ring can be vastly different, so do some research to see if other players have found a solution to your specific issue.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does absolution revive dead NPCs?
No, absolution does not revive dead NPCs. Once an NPC is killed, they are permanently deceased for that playthrough.
2. How do I get Celestial Dew?
You can find Celestial Dew in various locations, including the Ainsel River, Siofra River, and sometimes as a reward for PvP combat. A few merchants also sell the item.
3. Where is the Church of Vows located?
The Church of Vows is located in Liurnia of the Lakes.
4. Who is Miriel, Pastor of Vows?
Miriel, Pastor of Vows, also known as the Celestial Turtle, is an NPC at the Church of Vows who performs the absolution ritual.
5. How many times can I use absolution?
You can use absolution as many times as you have Celestial Dew.
6. Does absolution work on all hostile NPCs?
Yes, absolution works on any NPC that has become hostile due to your actions.
7. Can absolution reset questlines completely?
While absolution can sometimes reset questline flags, it’s not guaranteed to completely undo all your actions or choices.
8. What happens if I attack Miriel, Pastor of Vows?
Attacking Miriel will make them hostile, but you can use absolution to calm them down.
9. Is Celestial Dew a rare item?
Yes, Celestial Dew is considered a rare item.
10. Can I farm Celestial Dew?
While you can’t traditionally “farm” Celestial Dew, you can potentially obtain it repeatedly through PvP if you are skilled enough.
11. Does absolution affect my character’s stats or abilities?
No, absolution only affects NPC hostility and, in some cases, questline progress. It does not alter your character’s stats or abilities.
12. What happens if I don’t have Celestial Dew?
If you don’t have Celestial Dew, you cannot receive absolution. You’ll need to find or purchase it before visiting the Church of Vows.
13. Does absolution work on boss enemies?
No, absolution does not work on boss enemies.
14. If I kill an NPC merchant, can absolution bring them back?
No, absolution cannot bring back a killed NPC merchant. They will remain dead for the duration of the playthrough.
15. Are there any alternative ways to calm hostile NPCs?
Besides absolution, there are no other in-game mechanics to calm hostile NPCs in Elden Ring. If an NPC is hostile due to your actions, absolution is the only solution.