Where Did Nepheli Loux Go? A Comprehensive Guide to Her Elden Ring Questline
Nepheli Loux, the valiant warrior and adopted daughter of Gideon Ofnir, is a complex character in Elden Ring with a questline that can be easily missed or altered, leaving many players wondering, “Where did Nepheli go?” The most direct answer is that her location depends entirely on your choices throughout her multi-stage questline, branching into different outcomes that lead her to different places. She could be found back at the Roundtable Hold, at the Village of the Albinaurics, or even at Stormveil Castle, playing a vital role in reclaiming a rightful throne. The key is understanding the steps involved and the impact of your interactions with her and other NPCs.
Unraveling Nepheli Loux’s Quest: A Detailed Walkthrough
Nepheli Loux’s journey is intertwined with themes of ambition, identity, and the tragic fate of the Albinaurics. To fully understand where she might have disappeared to, let’s break down the key stages of her questline:
Initial Encounter and the Stormveil Castle Dilemma
You’ll first encounter Nepheli Loux in a room just before the Godrick the Grafted boss fight in Stormveil Castle. She’s disheartened and questioning her purpose. Exhaust her dialogue options. This initial meeting is crucial to triggering subsequent events.
Roundtable Hold Despair
After defeating Godrick, Nepheli relocates to the Roundtable Hold. You’ll find her dejected near Gideon Ofnir’s study. Speaking with her here and revealing details about Godrick’s defeat will progress her storyline. This is a key moment; progressing too far in the main story without interacting with her here can cause her quest to stall. She expresses disillusionment and confusion regarding her adoptive father’s motives.
The Village of the Albinaurics and the Pendant
The next crucial step involves the Village of the Albinaurics, located in the Liurnia of the Lakes region. Here, you’ll encounter Albus, an Albinauric who gives you the Haligtree Secret Medallion (Right) before dying. He tasks you with keeping it safe. Crucially, before progressing much further with Ranni’s quest, you must go to the Roundtable Hold and find Nepheli.
Giving Gideon the Medallion (and its Consequences)
This is a crucial decision point. You have two main choices:
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Give the Haligtree Secret Medallion to Gideon Ofnir: This leads to a less desirable outcome for Nepheli’s quest. Gideon, consumed by his thirst for knowledge, will use the medallion. This path might not completely break Nepheli’s quest, but it certainly steers it down a darker, less fulfilling route.
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Do NOT give the Haligtree Secret Medallion to Gideon Ofnir: Instead, speak with Nepheli Loux at the Roundtable Hold again. This is the ideal path for completing her quest and achieving the best ending.
Seluvis’s Potion: A Path to Deviation
A significant deviation in Nepheli’s questline is her involvement with Seluvis, the manipulative sorcerer at Ranni’s Rise. Seluvis will ask you to give Nepheli a potion, claiming it will grant her great power. DO NOT GIVE NEPHELI THE POTION. Giving her the potion will turn her into a puppet and effectively end her main questline.
Instead of giving Nepheli the potion, give it to Gideon Ofnir or even to the Dung Eater. They are viable options, depending on how you want to play the game.
Kenneth Haight and the Rightful Ruler of Limgrave
After progressing Kenneth Haight’s quest (which involves retaking Fort Haight), you’ll find him searching for a rightful ruler of Limgrave. This is where Nepheli’s story truly blossoms.
Stormveil Castle: The Crowning Moment
Once you have completed Kenneth Haight’s questline and interacted with Nepheli at the Roundtable Hold after completing the Village of the Albinaurics section, head back to Godrick’s throne room in Stormveil Castle. Here, you will find Nepheli Loux, Kenneth Haight, and Gatekeeper Gostoc. Nepheli will be crowned as the rightful ruler of Limgrave, finally finding her purpose.
Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone Reward
As a reward for completing this path, Nepheli will give you an Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone, a valuable item used to fully upgrade unique weapons.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Nepheli Loux’s Quest
These FAQs provide further insight and clarify common points of confusion regarding Nepheli Loux’s questline in Elden Ring.
1. Can I miss Nepheli Loux entirely?
Yes, it is possible to miss Nepheli Loux. If you progress too far into the game without encountering her in Stormveil Castle before fighting Godrick, she might not appear at the Roundtable Hold. However, if you see her at Stormveil Castle before the boss fight, you’re on track.
2. What happens if I kill Gideon Ofnir before completing Nepheli’s quest?
Killing Gideon Ofnir will not prevent you from progressing Nepheli’s questline, provided you’ve already advanced it past the point where he’s directly involved (e.g., after the medallion dilemma). However, you’ll miss out on any potential dialogue he might have offered related to her.
3. I gave Nepheli Seluvis’s potion. Can I reverse it?
Unfortunately, there is no way to reverse the effects of giving Nepheli Seluvis’s potion. She will become a puppet and her questline will be irrevocably altered.
4. Does my starting class affect Nepheli’s quest?
No, your starting class has absolutely no impact on Nepheli’s questline. Her quest is tied to specific locations and interactions, not your character’s initial build.
5. What level should I be to complete Nepheli’s quest?
There’s no specific level requirement, but being around level 40-60 when you reach the crucial decision points (like the medallion and the potion) will ensure you can handle the enemies in the Village of the Albinaurics and other related areas.
6. Does Nepheli’s quest affect any other questlines?
Yes, Nepheli’s quest significantly intersects with Kenneth Haight’s quest. You need to complete aspects of his quest (retaking Fort Haight) to progress hers. It can also indirectly affect Ranni’s questline if you choose to interact with Seluvis, so be very careful.
7. How do I trigger Kenneth Haight’s quest?
Kenneth Haight is found in Limgrave atop the ruins of Fort Haight on the eastern side. Simply speak with him, and he will task you with retaking the fort. Clear out the fort, and then speak with him again.
8. What are the different endings to Nepheli’s quest?
The main branching point involves the medallion and the potion:
- Best Ending: Do not give the medallion to Gideon. Do not give Nepheli the potion. Complete Kenneth Haight’s quest. Find Nepheli in Stormveil Castle with Kenneth and Gostoc. Nepheli becomes ruler of Limgrave.
- Seluvis Puppet Ending: Give Nepheli Seluvis’s potion. She becomes a puppet and her quest ends abruptly.
- Gideon Medallion Ending: Give the medallion to Gideon. This muddies the questline and makes the “best” ending inaccessible.
9. Can I complete Nepheli’s quest after beating the game?
Yes, you can complete Nepheli’s quest after beating the final boss, as long as you haven’t progressed to New Game Plus. The world state remains relatively unchanged until you initiate the next playthrough.
10. Where do I find the Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone after Nepheli is crowned?
After Nepheli is crowned as the rightful ruler of Limgrave in Godrick’s throne room, speak to her and she will give you the Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone as a reward.
11. What is the significance of Gatekeeper Gostoc in Nepheli’s quest?
Gatekeeper Gostoc, the NPC who initially locks you out of Stormveil Castle, plays a minor but important role. He appears alongside Nepheli and Kenneth Haight in Godrick’s throne room. If you spared Gostoc and allowed him to stomp on your corpse when you died in Stormveil, he will become a valuable asset to Nepheli.
12. Does Nepheli Loux have any unique weapons or armor?
Nepheli Loux doesn’t drop any unique weapons or armor upon defeat (which shouldn’t happen if you’re following her quest). The primary reward is the Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone. However, her presence can influence the acquisition of other items or quest outcomes.
13. If I accidentally hit Nepheli, will she become hostile?
Like many NPCs, accidentally hitting Nepheli Loux once might not immediately turn her hostile. However, repeated attacks will trigger her aggression. If this happens, you can seek absolution at the Church of Vows using Celestial Dew.
14. Can I summon Nepheli Loux for boss fights?
Yes, Nepheli Loux can be summoned for the fight against Godrick the Grafted, provided you have spoken with her near the gate before the boss fight. She is a valuable ally during that encounter.
15. Is Nepheli Loux a Tarnished?
While Nepheli Loux possesses considerable combat skills and a strong will, the game doesn’t explicitly state whether she is a Tarnished or not. Her lineage and adoption by Gideon Ofnir are shrouded in mystery, leaving her true origins open to interpretation. However, her resilience and eventual role as a leader make her a compelling figure in the Lands Between, regardless of her status.
By understanding these intricacies and answering the common question of “Where did Nepheli go?“, you can navigate her challenging questline and guide her towards a fulfilling destiny in the world of Elden Ring. Remember to pay close attention to your dialogue choices and resist the temptation to rush through her quest, as careful consideration is key to unlocking the best possible outcome.