What to Do When Ranni Disappears in Elden Ring: A Comprehensive Guide
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Ranni the Witch, one of the most intriguing and pivotal characters in Elden Ring, is central to one of the game’s most popular and impactful endings, the Age of Stars ending. Discovering that she’s vanished can be unsettling, leaving you unsure of how to proceed with her questline. The primary directive when Ranni disappears from her initial meeting place at the Church of Elleh (or later from Ranni’s Rise) is to progress through the game until you reach Caria Manor and defeat Royal Knight Loretta. Afterward, ascend to Ranni’s Rise within the Three Sisters area. If she’s not there, you must ensure you haven’t accidentally invalidated her questline, which we’ll address in more detail below. Assuming all conditions are met, her appearance at Ranni’s Rise will trigger the next phase of her complex quest, allowing you to continue pursuing the Age of Stars ending.
Understanding Ranni’s Quest and Disappearances
Ranni’s questline is nonlinear and tied to several key locations and boss fights. Her “disappearance” often signifies a shift in her location as the quest progresses. Understanding these transitions is crucial.
Initial Meeting and Early Quest Stages
Your first encounter with Ranni is typically at the Church of Elleh. However, she only appears at night after you’ve obtained Torrent, the spectral steed. If she isn’t there, try resting at the Church of Elleh Site of Grace until nightfall.
After this initial meeting, you’ll eventually find her at Ranni’s Rise, one of the three towers in the Three Sisters area in Liurnia of the Lakes. Accessing this area requires navigating through Caria Manor and defeating Royal Knight Loretta.
Progressing Through Ranni’s Rise
Once you’ve reached Ranni’s Rise, speak with Ranni. She’ll task you with finding and aiding her three spectral servants: Blaidd, Iji, and Seluvis. This involves speaking to them in their respective spectral forms within the tower.
After this initial consultation, Ranni will disappear from Ranni’s Rise again. This is supposed to happen. Her disappearance at this stage signifies that you’ve completed the initial dialogue and are ready to move on to the next phase of her quest. This involves investigating a Starfall Crater east of Mistwood.
The Nokron Eternal City Conundrum
Following the Starfall Crater, you need to head to Nokron, Eternal City. This is accessed through the giant crater left behind by the fallen star. Your goal is to retrieve the Fingerslayer Blade, located within Nokron.
Return to Ranni with the Fingerslayer Blade. She will reward you with the Carian Inverted Statue. Use this statue at the Carian Study Hall to invert the tower and access the Divine Tower of Liurnia.
The Lake of Rot and Astel, Naturalborn of the Void
After inverting the Carian Study Hall, you will eventually gain access to the Lake of Rot. In the Lake of Rot, you’ll find a coffin that you can enter. This coffin will transport you to Astel, Naturalborn of the Void. Defeating Astel opens the path to Deeproot Depths, and further progress to the Moonlight Altar, and finally, the Cathedral of Manus Celes, where you will ultimately interact with Ranni and choose your ending.
Troubleshooting Ranni’s Disappearance
While Ranni’s disappearance is often a natural part of her questline, there are situations where she may vanish due to other factors.
- Accidental Aggression: Accidentally attacking Ranni can lock you out of her quest. If this happens, try seeking absolution at the Church of Vows with a Celestial Dew.
- Advancing Other Endings: If you progress too far in another ending’s questline, such as the Frenzied Flame ending, it may interfere with Ranni’s quest. Consider reverting to an earlier save if possible.
- Killing Important NPCs: Killing key NPCs involved in Ranni’s questline, such as Blaidd (before completing his part of the quest), can disrupt the progress.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. I can’t find Ranni at the Church of Elleh. What do I do?
Ranni only appears at the Church of Elleh at night after you have obtained Torrent, the spectral steed. Rest at the Site of Grace and pass the time until nightfall. If she’s still not there, ensure you’ve obtained Torrent by speaking to Melina at the Gatefront Ruins Site of Grace or any three Sites of Grace.
2. I defeated Royal Knight Loretta but Ranni isn’t at Ranni’s Rise. Why?
Double-check that you’ve actually defeated Loretta and that you are at the correct tower. Ranni’s Rise is located in the Three Sisters area, accessible after defeating Loretta. If you are sure you have met these criteria and she is still not present, check to make sure you have not attacked or angered her in any way.
3. I spoke to Ranni at Ranni’s Rise and she disappeared. Is this normal?
Yes, this is completely normal. After your initial conversation and speaking with the spectral forms of Blaidd, Iji, and Seluvis, Ranni disappears to allow you to proceed with the next stage of the quest, which involves the fallen star crater east of Mistwood.
4. Where do I find Blaidd after Ranni disappears from Ranni’s Rise?
Blaidd can initially be found near the Starfall Crater in Mistwood. Listen for his howling near the Mistwood Ruins. Speak to Merchant Kale at the Church of Elleh for advice on how to communicate with Blaidd.
5. How do I access Nokron, Eternal City?
Nokron is accessed through the giant crater that appears in Limgrave, east of Mistwood, after defeating Starscourge Radahn. The crater is caused by a falling star, a key event in Ranni’s questline.
6. What is the Fingerslayer Blade and where do I find it?
The Fingerslayer Blade is a key item required for Ranni’s questline. It’s located within a chest in Nokron, Eternal City, specifically in the Night’s Sacred Ground area. You’ll need to navigate the city’s intricate architecture to find it.
7. What is the Carian Inverted Statue used for?
The Carian Inverted Statue is used at the Carian Study Hall to invert the tower. This allows you to access previously unreachable areas and eventually reach the Divine Tower of Liurnia.
8. I’m stuck in the Carian Study Hall. How do I progress?
After using the Carian Inverted Statue, you’ll need to navigate the inverted tower. Be prepared for challenging platforming and enemy encounters. The goal is to reach the top and defeat the boss located there.
9. What is the Lake of Rot and how do I reach it?
The Lake of Rot is a large, toxic swamp located beneath Nokron, Eternal City. You’ll reach it by progressing through Nokron and using a coffin found near the Aqueduct-Facing Cliffs Site of Grace. Bring plenty of Preserving Boluses to mitigate the effects of Scarlet Rot.
10. Who is Astel, Naturalborn of the Void, and why do I need to defeat him?
Astel is a powerful boss located deep within the Lake of Rot. Defeating Astel opens the path to Deeproot Depths, a crucial step in progressing Ranni’s questline.
11. How do I reach the Cathedral of Manus Celes?
The Cathedral of Manus Celes is located on the Moonlight Altar, which is accessible after defeating Astel and progressing through Deeproot Depths. The Moonlight Altar is a plateau in southern Liurnia of the Lakes.
12. What happens at the Cathedral of Manus Celes?
At the Cathedral of Manus Celes, you will find Ranni’s physical body and a hole leading to the Dark Moon Ring. Obtaining and using the ring is the final step in securing the Age of Stars ending. This is where you make the critical decision to fully commit to Ranni’s ending.
13. I accidentally attacked Ranni. Can I still complete her quest?
Potentially, yes. If you accidentally angered Ranni, you can try seeking absolution at the Church of Vows with a Celestial Dew. This may reset her disposition towards you, allowing you to continue her questline.
14. Can I complete other endings after completing Ranni’s questline?
Choosing an ending in Elden Ring is a point of no return. Once you choose an ending, you cannot immediately experience another one in the same playthrough. However, the game encourages multiple playthroughs (New Game Plus) to explore all the different endings.
15. Is the Age of Stars ending the “best” ending in Elden Ring?
The concept of a “best” ending is subjective and depends on personal preference. The Age of Stars ending, facilitated by Ranni, aligns with themes of rebellion against the Greater Will and ushering in an era of cold, lunar influence. Whether it’s the “best” depends on your interpretation of the game’s lore and your desired fate for the Lands Between. Each ending has unique implications and thematic resonance.