What Happens When You Join Volcano Manor in Elden Ring? A Deep Dive
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
Joining Volcano Manor in Elden Ring is a significant decision that opens a unique questline, grants access to powerful items, and provides an alternative narrative path within the game. Upon joining, you become a Recusant, tasked with assassinating other Tarnished for the glory of Lord Rykard and the rebellion against the Erdtree. This unlocks a series of assassination contracts, providing valuable rewards like unique armor sets (including the Bloody Wolf set), weapons, and sorceries. While it doesn’t fundamentally alter the main story endings, joining the Manor offers a fascinating detour into the morally ambiguous world of Elden Ring, allowing you to experience the game from the perspective of those who oppose the Golden Order. It also grants you an audience with Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy himself, leading to one of the more memorable boss fights in the game. Remember to carefully consider the impact on other questlines, as some may become inaccessible if not initiated beforehand.
Delving Deeper into the Manor’s Embrace
The Volcano Manor experience is more than just a series of assassinations. It’s a glimpse into a cult-like society operating in the shadows, harboring dark secrets and twisted ambitions. The Manor itself is a sprawling, interconnected area filled with hidden passages, challenging enemies, and intriguing lore.
Embracing the Recusant Life
After pledging allegiance to Tanith, the head of Volcano Manor, you’ll receive your first assassination contract. These contracts, delivered via letters found in the Manor’s drawing-room, task you with invading the worlds of specific NPCs and eliminating them. Each successful assassination rewards you with valuable items and progresses the Manor’s questline. These quests provide unique opportunities to explore different areas of the Lands Between, often leading to encounters with powerful enemies and uncovering hidden secrets.
Unlocking Rewards and Treasures
The rewards for completing the Volcano Manor quests are substantial. In addition to the aforementioned Bloody Wolf set, you can acquire powerful weapons like the Serpent-Hunter (essential for the Rykard fight), unique sorceries, and valuable talismans. Exploring the Manor itself also reveals a wealth of loot, including upgrade materials, consumables, and other useful items.
The Path to Rykard
Completing the assassination contracts, or alternatively, exploring the hidden underground area of Volcano Manor, will eventually lead you to Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy. This is a unique boss encounter that requires a specific weapon, the Serpent-Hunter, found near the boss arena. Defeating Rykard rewards you with 100,000 runes, the Remembrance of the Blasphemous, and Rykard’s Great Rune.
Consequences and Considerations
While joining Volcano Manor doesn’t directly impact the major endings of Elden Ring, it does have implications for certain questlines. As noted, failing to speak with Rya at Liurnia of the Lakes before joining will lock you out of Blackguard Big Boggart’s quest. Furthermore, defeating Rykard before completing the Manor’s assassination quests will render them inaccessible. Therefore, careful planning and exploration are essential to maximize your experience with Volcano Manor.
Exploring the Secrets Within
The Volcano Manor is rife with secrets, from hidden passages to cryptic lore. Players have even discovered illusory walls that can be broken through after repeated attacks, revealing hidden areas and treasures. Unraveling these secrets adds another layer of depth to the Volcano Manor experience, encouraging exploration and rewarding curiosity. It’s this kind of hidden depth that makes Elden Ring such a compelling game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Joining Volcano Manor
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about joining Volcano Manor in Elden Ring, designed to provide comprehensive answers and insights:
-
Does joining Volcano Manor lock me out of any endings?
No, joining Volcano Manor does not affect any of the main endings of Elden Ring. You are free to pursue any ending regardless of your affiliation with the Manor.
-
Can I complete Volcano Manor quests after beating Rykard?
No, killing Rykard locks you out of all Volcano Manor quests. It’s crucial to complete all assassination contracts before facing Rykard.
-
What quests are affected by joining Volcano Manor?
Joining Volcano Manor without first speaking to Rya in Liurnia will lock you out of Blackguard Big Boggart’s questline. Defeating Rykard early also interrupts the quests associated with Rya, Bernahl, and Patches.
-
What rewards do I get for completing Volcano Manor quests?
You receive various rewards, including unique armor sets (like the Bloody Wolf set), powerful weapons such as the Serpent-Hunter, sorceries, talismans, and runes.
-
How many assassination quests are there in Volcano Manor?
There are three main assassination quests given by Tanith. A final assassination target unlocks after completing Leyndell, Royal Capital.
-
What level should I be to explore Volcano Manor?
It’s recommended to be at least level 50 before venturing into Volcano Manor. The enemies are powerful and can easily overwhelm lower-level players.
-
What level should I be to fight Rykard?
You should be at least level 65+, ideally over level 70, to effectively fight Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy.
-
Where do I find the Serpent-Hunter weapon?
The Serpent-Hunter weapon is found near the Rykard boss arena. It’s specifically designed for that fight and is crucial for defeating him.
-
What happens to Rya after I kill Rykard?
After defeating Rykard and returning to the Manor, you can find Rya in her original spot in the drawing room. Speak to her, then reload the area to find the Daedicar’s Woe talisman where she was standing.
-
What happens if I give Rya the Serpent’s Amnion?
Giving Rya the Serpent’s Amnion after she becomes distressed will cause her to disappear from her usual spot. This triggers a part of her questline.
-
What is the secret of Volcano Manor?
The darkest secret revolves around Rykard’s insatiable hunger for power and the heretical religion that has taken root within the Manor, involving torture and sacrifice.
-
What happens if I give Tanith the Dancer’s Castanets?
You can give Tanith the Dancer’s Castanets (obtained from Patches’ questline) while she is eating Rykard’s corpse, but you receive no special items for doing so. You can then choose to leave her or kill her.
-
What happens if I kill Tanith?
If you kill Tanith, her knight bodyguard immediately invades you. Defeating him will grant you an Ash of War, and you can loot Tanith’s Consort Set.
-
Why does Volcano Manor hunt Tarnished?
Volcano Manor’s mission to hunt Tarnished is directly linked to their rebellion against the Golden Order. They seek to establish a new order, free from the Erdtree’s influence.
-
Are there any hidden areas within Volcano Manor?
Yes, Volcano Manor is filled with hidden areas, including illusory walls that can be broken through after repeated attacks, revealing secret rooms and treasures.
The Allure of Rebellion
Ultimately, joining Volcano Manor offers a compelling and unique experience within Elden Ring. It allows you to explore a morally complex narrative, acquire powerful rewards, and challenge the established order of the Lands Between. While there are considerations to be made regarding other questlines, the benefits and the compelling lore make it a worthwhile endeavor for any Tarnished seeking a different path. The detailed world-building and engaging storylines are aspects that are often examined in game studies. For more information on game studies, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.