Where Does Alexander Go After Mt. Gelmir? A Tarnished Traveler’s Guide
After his fiery bath and pep talk amidst the lava flows of Mt. Gelmir, Alexander, the Iron Fist Jar Warrior, sets his sights on Crumbling Farum Azula. Speaking to him in Mt. Gelmir will grant you the Jar helmet, as well as reveal his plans to head eastward to his final location, Crumbling Farum Azula. This is where you’ll encounter him for the last time, ready to test his strength in a final duel.
Alexander’s Questline: A Journey of Self-Improvement
Alexander’s questline is one of the most endearing in Elden Ring, following his journey to become a great warrior. He’s not just a funny-looking jar; he’s got ambition! But tracking him down across the Lands Between can be tricky, especially with all the other distractions. Let’s break down his journey, highlighting what happens after his Mt. Gelmir stop.
From Fiery Forge to Final Fight
After you converse with Alexander in the lava pool near the Seethewater Terminus Site of Grace (south of Fort Laiedd) in Mt. Gelmir, he expresses his intent to travel to Crumbling Farum Azula to further test his skills. This is a crucial step in progressing his questline. Missing this conversation will prevent you from finding him in his final location.
Crumbling Farum Azula is where his journey culminates. You’ll find him on a flat piece of ruins, past the courtyard swarming with skeleton enemies. This is near the Dragon Temple Lift site of grace, accessible after using two Stonesword Keys to open a fog gate inside the Dragon Temple. He will challenge you to a duel. Win, and you’ll be rewarded with the Shard of Alexander and Alexander’s Innards. Lose, and you can try again!
Key Locations Revisited
Before reaching Mt. Gelmir and eventually Farum Azula, remember Alexander’s earlier locations are essential stepping stones:
- Limgrave: He’s initially stuck near the Saintsbridge Site of Grace. You need to smack him from behind to dislodge him.
- Gael Tunnel: Find him at the bottom. This is not an essential step for the quest.
- Redmane Castle: He’s present during the Radahn Festival.
- Liurnia of the Lakes: He’s stuck again south of the Carian Study Hall, near where you fought the Tibia Mariner. This time, you need an Oil Pot to free him.
Missing these encounters can affect the questline, but he should still appear at Redmane Castle even if you skipped his initial locations. However, it’s always best to be thorough!
Why Alexander’s Quest Matters
Beyond the humor and charm of a talking jar, Alexander’s quest offers significant rewards:
- Shard of Alexander: A talisman that boosts the power of your skills by 15%. This is a major boost for builds that rely on weapon skills.
- Alexander’s Innards: A key item required for Jar Bairn’s questline in Jarburg. Giving this item unlocks the Companion Jar talisman.
- A heartwarming story about self-improvement and a warrior’s pursuit of greatness.
Tips for Success
- Don’t rush: Take your time and explore each area thoroughly. Alexander isn’t always on the main path.
- Listen for him: He often calls out for help when he’s stuck.
- Talk to him every time: Make sure you exhaust his dialogue at each location to progress the quest.
- Prepare for a fight: His final duel is no joke! Bring your best weapon and armor.
- Consider summoning him for the Fire Giant: While optional, having Alexander as an ally during the Fire Giant fight can be a huge help. His summon sign appears after the boss fog gate.
The Importance of Questlines and Narrative
Character questlines like Alexander’s are crucial for the rich narrative tapestry of Elden Ring. They offer opportunities for player agency, exploration, and meaningful rewards that enhance the gameplay experience. Understanding these questlines can deepen your appreciation for the game’s world and its inhabitants. You might find that exploring the narrative and lore enhances your game playing experience. Check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more about how games can be tools for learning and how narratives are made meaningful for game players.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Alexander’s Journey
1. Can I completely miss Alexander’s quest?
Yes, it’s possible. Missing certain encounters, especially the one in Mt. Gelmir, can prevent you from progressing the questline and obtaining the Shard of Alexander.
2. What happens if I lose to Alexander in Crumbling Farum Azula?
No problem! You can challenge him again and again until you finally emerge victorious.
3. Where exactly is Alexander in Mt. Gelmir?
He’s in the lava pool south of Fort Laiedd, near the Seethewater Terminus Site of Grace. He’s behind a Magma Wyrm. You can speak to him from the safety of the rocks surrounding the lava.
4. What do I get for killing Alexander?
If you choose to kill Alexander at any point before his final duel, he will drop the Shard of Alexander talisman and Alexander’s Innards. However, this will lock you out of experiencing the final moments of his questline.
5. How do I free Alexander in Liurnia?
He’s stuck in a hole south of the Carian Study Hall. You need to throw an Oil Pot at him to lubricate the ground and free him.
6. Can I still do Alexander’s quest after defeating the Fire Giant?
Yes, you can usually still complete Alexander’s quest even if you’ve already defeated the Fire Giant.
7. Is the Shard of Alexander worth getting?
Absolutely! It’s one of the best talismans in the game for builds that heavily rely on weapon skills. The 15% boost is significant.
8. What do I do with Alexander’s Innards?
Give them to Jar Bairn in Jarburg after the village has been attacked by poachers. This is part of Jar Bairn’s questline.
9. Should I summon Alexander for the Fire Giant fight?
It’s a good idea! He can draw the Fire Giant’s aggro, giving you a valuable opportunity to attack. Plus, it’s just cool to fight alongside him.
10. What happens if I don’t talk to Alexander in Mt. Gelmir?
If you don’t speak to him in Mt. Gelmir, he won’t progress to Crumbling Farum Azula, effectively halting his questline.
11. Where is Alexander stuck the first time?
He’s in the northern section of Limgrave, near the Saintsbridge Site of Grace.
12. Can I get the Shard of Alexander without doing the entire quest?
No, you must complete his quest and defeat him in his final duel to obtain the Shard of Alexander.
13. What are the best weapons to use against Alexander?
Since he’s a warrior jar, weapons that deal strike damage, like hammers and clubs, can be effective. However, any weapon that you’re comfortable with and have upgraded should be sufficient.
14. Is there a way to save Alexander?
Unfortunately, there is no way to save Alexander. The culmination of his questline involves a duel, and regardless of the outcome, his vessel shatters. However, he dies fulfilled, having achieved his goal of becoming a strong warrior.
15. What is a Potentate?
In the context of Jarburg, becoming a Potentate is essentially agreeing to protect Jar Bairn and the other jars. It’s a role of responsibility and care within their unique society.