Unveiling the Age of Stars: What Happens When You Finish Ranni’s Questline in Elden Ring?
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Finishing Ranni the Witch’s questline in Elden Ring unlocks a powerful legendary armament and culminates in one of the game’s most significant endings: the Age of Stars. This ending sees you, the Tarnished, ushering in a new era where the influence of the Greater Will wanes, and Ranni, now a goddess, guides the world along a path dictated by the Moon. It is a transformative event with profound implications for the Lands Between.
The Culmination: The Age of Stars Ending
The most immediate and impactful consequence of completing Ranni’s quest is the ability to trigger the Age of Stars ending. After defeating the final boss, the Elden Beast, a blue summon sign will appear on the ground. Interacting with this summon sign brings Ranni forth. She claims the Elden Ring, replacing Marika as its host, and initiates a new order governed by the chill and mystery of the cosmos. You, as her consort, stand by her side. This is not merely a cosmetic change; it represents a fundamental shift in the power structure of the Lands Between, moving away from the Golden Order and towards a future shrouded in the unknown.
Rewards and Changes
Beyond the narrative conclusion, completing Ranni’s quest bestows tangible rewards and alterations to the game world:
- The Dark Moon Greatsword: Arguably one of the best weapons in the game, this legendary armament is a powerful Greatsword scaled to Intelligence, Strength, and Dexterity. Its unique weapon skill, Moonlight Greatsword, allows you to imbue the blade with frost energy, dealing massive damage and applying frostbite.
- Ending Choice: Completing Ranni’s quest adds another ending option. Players must manually select it by using the summon sign.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ranni’s Questline
Let’s dive into some of the most common questions surrounding Ranni’s questline and its impact on Elden Ring:
1. Will completing Ranni’s quest end the game automatically?
No. Completing Ranni’s quest unlocks the Age of Stars ending, but it doesn’t automatically trigger it. You’ll have the choice to select Ranni’s ending, or any other ending you’ve unlocked, after defeating the final boss. The game offers a degree of player agency.
2. Does finishing Ranni’s quest lock you out of other endings?
Not entirely. Completing Ranni’s quest doesn’t prevent you from achieving the standard Elden Lord ending or any other ending tied to mending the Elden Ring. However, specific choices within other questlines, such as those of the Dung Eater, may be affected by your progress, or lack thereof, within Ranni’s quest. The game presents a network of interlocking narratives that sometimes clash, as explored by the Games Learning Society.
3. Is the Ranni ending considered a “good” ending?
Whether Ranni’s ending is “good” is subjective. Many consider it the most morally sound because it represents a departure from the influence of the Greater Will and a step towards greater autonomy for the Lands Between. However, the Age of Stars is still shrouded in mystery, and its long-term consequences are unknown. Ultimately, the definition of “good” rests with the player.
4. What happens to Ranni after you complete the Age of Stars ending?
At the end of the Age of Stars, Ranni departs on a journey to guide the Lands Between from afar. The exact nature of her new role and the specifics of her journey are left open to interpretation. The ending suggests a prolonged period of minimal outer influence in the Lands Between.
5. What is the hardest ending to get in Elden Ring?
Many players consider the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending the most difficult. It requires specific actions and choices that are easy to miss, and it locks you into a particular path. The Age of Stars ending is comparatively more straightforward, though it still demands a lengthy and involved questline.
6. Does Ranni kill Godwyn?
Yes. Ranni orchestrated the Night of Black Knives, a coordinated assassination that resulted in the death of Godwyn the Golden. This act was central to Ranni’s plan to shed her physical form and break free from the influence of the Two Fingers and the Greater Will.
7. Which Elden Ring ending is considered the “best”?
The “best” ending is subjective and depends on player preference. Many players appreciate the Age of Stars ending for offering an alternative to the established order and giving the Tarnished a direct role in shaping the future.
8. Does Millicent’s quest affect the Ranni ending?
While Millicent’s quest doesn’t directly affect the Age of Stars ending, completing it is necessary if you wish to access the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending after receiving the Frenzied Flame. It essentially acts as a “cure” or a way to break the seal after the Three Fingers embraces the player.
9. Is it possible to miss Ranni’s questline?
Yes, it is entirely possible to miss Ranni’s questline. While Ranni herself is easy to find in Ranni’s Rise, triggering and progressing through her quest requires specific actions at specific times, which makes it one of the most missable questlines in the game.
10. Should I summon Ranni or touch Marika?
If you’ve completed Ranni’s questline and want the Age of Stars ending, you should summon Ranni after defeating the Elden Beast. Touching Marika will trigger one of the other endings.
11. Does Ranni love the Tarnished?
While the nature of Ranni’s feelings is open to interpretation, she refers to the Tarnished as her “lord” and “dear consort” in the Age of Stars ending. This suggests a level of affection and partnership that goes beyond mere alliance.
12. When is the best time to finish Ranni’s questline?
You can complete Ranni’s questline at any point before defeating the final boss. However, it’s best to finish it before facing the Elden Beast so that you have the option to trigger the Age of Stars ending immediately after the fight.
13. Did Ranni sacrifice herself?
Ranni didn’t sacrifice herself in the traditional sense. During the Night of Black Knives, she simultaneously killed her physical body and another individual. This allowed her to shed her Empyrean flesh, freeing herself from the influence of the Two Fingers.
14. What is the canon ending of Elden Ring?
FromSoftware hasn’t officially declared a canon ending for Elden Ring. However, many believe the default Elden Lord ending to be the closest to a canon conclusion because it’s the only one available without completing any specific side quests.
15. Is Ranni the real villain of Elden Ring?
This is a matter of perspective. While Ranni initiated the Night of Black Knives, which triggered the Shattering, her motives are complex. She sought to break free from the control of the Greater Will and forge a new path for the Lands Between. Whether this makes her a villain depends on your interpretation of her actions and their consequences.
The End is Just the Beginning
Completing Ranni’s questline in Elden Ring is more than just achieving an ending; it’s about shaping the future of the Lands Between. The Age of Stars represents a bold departure from the established order, and its consequences will resonate long after the credits roll. From unlocking the Dark Moon Greatsword to becoming Ranni’s consort, the rewards for embarking on this quest are significant. As you traverse the Lands Between, consider the implications of your choices and the kind of future you want to create. The choice, as always, is yours.
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