
Unlocking the Beast Within: A Comprehensive Guide to Gurranq’s Deathroot Quest in Elden Ring
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Giving all nine Deathroot to Gurranq, the Beast Clergyman in Elden Ring triggers a fascinating, albeit bittersweet, conclusion to his questline. After handing over the final Deathroot, Gurranq, despite receiving all the Deathroot you have collected for him, will express that his hunger remains unsatisfied, and that he will go on a hunt alone to satiate himself. He will then vanish from the Bestial Sanctum, leaving behind the highly coveted Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone. This stone is invaluable, as it’s one of the few upgrade materials in the game that cannot be farmed, allowing you to fully upgrade a unique armament. While his departure might feel abrupt, it marks the culmination of a journey tied to a tragic figure and offers significant rewards.
Delving Deeper into Gurranq’s Questline
The Deathroot questline involving Gurranq is one of the most rewarding side quests in Elden Ring, offering a unique glimpse into the lore surrounding the Lands Between and providing access to powerful Bestial Incantations. It’s a journey of give and take, where you feed a monstrous hunger in exchange for gradually increasing power.
The Rewards of Sin
Each Deathroot you offer Gurranq nets you a different reward, typically a Bestial Incantation, a Seal to cast these incantations, or other useful items. The rewards scale with each Deathroot turned in:
- First Deathroot: Clawmark Seal
- Second Deathroot: Bestial Sling
- Third Deathroot: Bestial Vitality
- Fourth Deathroot: Ash of War: Beast’s Roar (He also turns hostile until you reduce his health)
- Fifth Deathroot: Beast Claw
- Sixth Deathroot: Stone of Gurranq
- Seventh Deathroot: Beast’s Claw
- Eighth Deathroot: Gurranq’s Beast Claw
- Ninth Deathroot: Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone
These rewards make the questline highly desirable for any build that utilizes Faith, particularly those that enjoy aggressive, close-quarters combat. However, the Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone alone is a compelling reason for any player to complete the quest.
Unveiling Gurranq’s True Identity
The questline provides clues about Gurranq’s true identity, which is intrinsically linked to a major story beat in Elden Ring. As you progress, you learn that Gurranq is, in fact, Maliketh, the Black Blade, Queen Marika’s shadowbound beast and half-brother. He was entrusted with guarding the Rune of Death, a fragment of the Elden Ring that allows for true death in the Lands Between.
Maliketh, consumed by guilt and remorse over losing control of the Rune of Death (partially due to Ranni’s actions) and desperate to contain its power, took on the guise of Gurranq and began devouring Deathroot – the physical manifestation of the Rune’s power. This act, intended to protect the Lands Between, ultimately twisted him, driving him to the brink of madness and insatiable hunger.
Dealing with Gurranq’s Hostility
After giving Gurranq the fourth Deathroot, he will become hostile, attacking you relentlessly. This is a scripted event and is not a bug. To progress, you must reduce his health enough to trigger a dialogue prompt. After this dialogue, he will apologize and return to his normal state.
The Impact of Defeating Maliketh
Interestingly, defeating Maliketh in Crumbling Farum Azula does not prevent you from completing the Gurranq questline. This is likely a design choice to allow players to fully experience the quest and obtain the rewards, even if they prioritize story progression. Gurranq will remain in the Bestial Sanctum, continuing to accept Deathroot until you’ve given him all nine. Once he disappears, you’ll know the quest is complete.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Gurranq and Deathroot
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Gurranq and the Deathroot questline, designed to further clarify its intricacies and rewards:
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Is it worth giving all my Deathroot to Gurranq? Absolutely. The rewards, especially the Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone, are highly valuable. Even if you don’t use Faith-based builds, the stone alone makes it worthwhile. Furthermore, you will have access to a range of Incantations with a low Faith requirement.
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Can I turn in Deathroot after killing Maliketh? Yes, you can still give him Deathroot and complete the questline after defeating Maliketh. This allows players who prioritize the main story to still experience the full quest and receive the rewards.
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Where can I find Deathroot? Deathroot is typically found by defeating Tibia Mariners or at the end of dungeons, specifically in catacombs. The Beast Eye, given to you by Gurranq, will pulse when you are near a Deathroot location.
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Does Gurranq disappear after killing Maliketh? No, Gurranq will only disappear once you have given him all nine Deathroot. Defeating Maliketh does not automatically remove him from the Bestial Sanctum, although this order of events will make the Maliketh fight the last time you see him.
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What happens if I attack Gurranq outside of the scripted hostility? Attacking Gurranq outside of the scripted event will make him permanently hostile. It’s generally not advisable unless you intend to kill him, forfeiting the rest of the quest.
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How many Deathroots are there in the game? There are nine Deathroots to collect in total.
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What is the Beast Eye used for? The Beast Eye is an item given to you by Gurranq after you give him your first Deathroot. The Beast Eye pulses, indicating you are near an area containing Deathroot.
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Is Gurranq actually Maliketh? Yes, Gurranq is the alter ego of Maliketh, the Black Blade. He took on this persona to track down and consume Deathroot.
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What happens after Gurranq becomes hostile? After the fourth Deathroot, Gurranq will become hostile. You must reduce his health until he stops attacking. He will then apologize, and you can continue the questline.
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What is the final reward from Gurranq? The final reward for giving Gurranq all nine Deathroot is an Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone.
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Should I hand over Deathroot to the beast even if I am not a Faith build? Yes, the rewards you receive throughout the quest can be useful to any build. It’s especially worth giving him all of the Deathroot as the last reward is an Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone, which allows you to fully upgrade a unique armament.
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What happens if I kill Gurranq? Killing Gurranq will prevent you from obtaining the Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone and any remaining Incantations he would have granted you. It’s generally not recommended unless you are specifically trying to disrupt the questline.
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Does the order I give Gurranq the Deathroot matter? No, the order in which you give Gurranq the Deathroot does not affect the rewards you receive. The rewards are tied to the number of Deathroot given, not the specific Deathroot itself.
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Where is the Bestial Sanctum located? The Bestial Sanctum is located in the northern part of Caelid. It is easily accessible early in the game by using the Sending Gate in the Church of Elleh in Limgrave, teleporting you directly outside.
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How does this questline relate to the broader lore of Elden Ring? The Gurranq/Maliketh questline is deeply intertwined with the central narrative of Elden Ring. It reveals the history of the Rune of Death, Maliketh’s role as Marika’s shadow, and the events that led to the Shattering. Understanding this questline provides crucial context for the main story.
By understanding the nuances of the Gurranq questline, players can fully appreciate the lore, obtain valuable rewards, and experience a truly memorable aspect of Elden Ring. The themes of loyalty, corruption, and the burden of duty all come together in this compelling side quest.
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