What is the Purpose of Roundtable Hold?
The Roundtable Hold in Elden Ring serves as a central hub for Tarnished, a safe haven, and a vital stepping stone for progressing through the game’s narrative. It acts as a sanctuary, offering respite from the dangers of the Lands Between. Functionally, it provides access to essential services like weapon upgrades, Spirit Ash enhancements, merchant interactions, and NPC questlines. More profoundly, it embodies the hopes and aspirations of those seeking to become Elden Lord, offering guidance and support (sometimes dubious) on their journey. The Roundtable Hold exists as a mirror image of the real-world Roundtable Hold in Leyndell, created by Queen Marika to serve as a safe haven for the Tarnished.
A Haven and a Hub
Sanctuary from the Storm
The primary purpose of the Roundtable Hold is to offer a secure location where the Tarnished can escape the relentless dangers of the Lands Between. Unlike the open world, where enemies lurk around every corner, the Roundtable Hold is generally free from direct threats (with a few notable exceptions!). This allows players to relax, regroup, and plan their next move without constant fear of attack.
Essential Services at Your Fingertips
Beyond safety, the Roundtable Hold provides access to critical services that are essential for character progression. These services are primarily delivered by various NPCs, each with their own unique role and personality:
- Smithing Master Hewg: The blacksmith of the Roundtable Hold, Hewg is arguably the most vital NPC. He provides the crucial service of upgrading your weapons, allowing you to increase their damage output and scaling. His questline and eventual tragic fate are deeply intertwined with the game’s lore.
- Twin Maiden Husks: These two figures sell a wide variety of items, including upgrade materials, cookbooks (for crafting), and Ashes of War. Their inventory expands as you bring them Bell Bearings found throughout the Lands Between, making them an increasingly valuable resource.
- Finger Reader Enia: Enia provides information on Great Runes and allows you to access the power of these Runes once they have been restored at their corresponding Divine Towers. She also offers remembrances, powerful items that can be exchanged for weapons, spells, or runes from defeated bosses.
- War Counselor Iji: Although Iji is not directly within the Roundtable Hold, he is linked to it through his role as a servant of Ranni the Witch and his location is shown on the map of Roundtable Hold. Iji is a blacksmith that can upgrade somber weapons.
A Nexus for Quests and Lore
The Roundtable Hold is more than just a place to upgrade your gear; it’s a nexus for quests and lore. Many NPCs in the Roundtable Hold have their own storylines that the player can follow. These quests often involve venturing out into the Lands Between, completing specific tasks, and returning to the Roundtable Hold to report progress or receive new instructions. These questlines often unlock new equipment, spells, or provide valuable insights into the world’s history and its inhabitants.
Moreover, the Roundtable Hold serves as a gathering place for Tarnished from across the Lands Between. The interactions with these NPCs, their motivations, and their fates contribute significantly to the overall narrative of Elden Ring. By interacting with them, the player gains a deeper understanding of the world, its history, and the challenges faced by those who seek to become Elden Lord.
A Reflection of the Shattering
The Roundtable Hold’s existence and ultimate state reflect the larger events of The Shattering. The Roundtable Hold that players access is a phantom copy of the original, created to allow the Tarnished to gather and advance in their quest to become Elden Lord. The original lies in ruins in Leyndell. The burning of the Roundtable Hold later in the game symbolizes the growing chaos and destruction engulfing the Lands Between, as well as the increasing desperation of the Tarnished. Even within this safe haven, the influence of the Erdtree and the crumbling world seeps in, reminding the player of the stakes involved. The final state of the Roundtable Hold serves as a grim reminder of the futility of the Tarnished’s quest, as many go mad or die, while others remain trapped, even when the Erdtree burns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When should I go to Roundtable Hold in Elden Ring?
You can visit the Roundtable Hold after your second meeting with Melina. This typically happens when you interact with a Site of Grace outside of the starting area of Limgrave and the Weeping Peninsula.
2. Why are there two Roundtable Holds in Elden Ring?
The Roundtable Hold players visit is a phantom copy created by Marika. The original Roundtable Hold is located in Leyndell, Royal Capital, and was destroyed during the Shattering. This phantom version serves as a safe haven for Tarnished in a separate dimension.
3. Does the Roundtable Hold get destroyed?
Yes, the Roundtable Hold eventually gets set ablaze as a consequence of the burning of the Erdtree. While the NPCs remain, it signifies the advanced stage of the game and the dire circumstances.
4. Who is the enemy in Roundtable Hold?
Several enemies invade the Roundtable Hold at specific points. The first one is Mad Tongue Alberich. Later in the game, Ensha of the Royal Remains invades after you obtain the first half of the Haligtree Secret Medallion.
5. What triggers the invasion in Roundtable Hold?
Mad Tongue Alberich’s invasion is automatic upon entering the lower level of the Hold. Ensha’s invasion is triggered by returning to the Roundtable Hold after obtaining the first half of the Haligtree Secret Medallion.
6. What triggers the Roundtable Hold to open?
To unlock Roundtable Hold, you must activate/unlock (resting is not necessary) a Site of Grace in the open world–Sites of Grace in caves, tunnels and catacombs do not count for this condition. Said Site of Grace must not be located in Limgrave (West and East) or Weeping Peninsula.
7. Can you be invaded in the Roundtable Hold?
Yes, you can be invaded by specific NPCs like Mad Tongue Alberich and Ensha of the Royal Remains under certain conditions.
8. Who is the red guy in the Roundtable Hold?
The “red guy” you’re likely referring to is the apparition of the Dung Eater. He appears in a room near the Twin Maiden Husks after you’ve progressed to Leyndell, Royal Capital.
9. Why is the Roundtable burning?
The Roundtable Hold is burning because it is intrinsically connected to the Erdtree. When the Erdtree is set ablaze, the Roundtable Hold, being a reflection or extension of it, also suffers the same fate.
10. Should you let Fia hold you?
Letting Fia hold you is a personal choice. It gives you the Baldachin’s Blessing, which temporarily boosts Poise, but also applies a minor HP debuff until the item is used.
11. How do I get to Roundtable Hold without Melina?
You don’t get to Roundtable Hold without Melina. She will come and transport you there after you meet the criteria of resting at a Site of Grace outside of Limgrave and the Weeping Peninsula.
12. Can you get to the roundtable without defeating Margit?
After attempting Margit the Fell Omen (he does not necessarily need to be killed) the player may rest at a Site of Grace in Limgrave such as the Castleward Tunnel Site of Grace and receive an invitation to the Roundtable from Melina if they had not received one prior by meeting the above condition.
13. Should I let Dung Eater out?
Letting the Dung Eater out of his cell is necessary to progress his questline. Be aware that he is a morally reprehensible character, and his questline has dark consequences.
14. Why is he called Dung Eater?
The Dung Eater’s name originates from his past actions. He was covered in dung as part of a punishment. His name is representative of the evil acts that he has committed.
15. Why does Ensha invade you?
Ensha invades you to steal the Haligtree Secret Medallion. It is implied that Gideon Ofnir, his master, ordered him to do so, though Gideon’s true intentions are unclear.
Understanding the purpose and intricacies of the Roundtable Hold is key to navigating the complexities of Elden Ring. It is more than just a safe haven, but a reflection of the conflicts and tragedies that permeate the Lands Between, providing essential services and a central hub for unraveling the game’s rich lore and completing its many challenging quests.
To further explore the educational value and impact of games, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. This is an organization focusing on the intersection of gaming and education, which explores how games contribute to learning and development.