Ranni the Witch - How to Complete the Full Elden Ring Questline

Key Takeaways

Ranni the Witch is a central NPC in Elden Ring whose extensive questline unlocks the Age of Stars ending. To finish her story, players must serve her as a vassal, defeat Starscourge Radahn, explore the hidden city of Nokron, and eventually travel to the Moonlight Altar to claim the Dark Moon Greatsword.

Who is Ranni in Elden Ring?

In the vast, crumbling world of the Lands Between, few characters carry as much weight or mystery as Elden Ring Ranni. Initially introducing herself as Renna at the Church of Elleh, she is actually a Lunar Princess and an Empyrean—a being capable of succeeding Queen Marika. Unlike other characters who seek to mend the existing Golden Order, Ranni wants to cast it aside entirely, ushering in a thousand-year voyage under the guidance of the Moon and the stars.

Her physical form is also unique. The blue, four-armed doll body she inhabits is a vessel for her spirit; she discarded her original flesh long ago to free herself from the influence of the Greater Will. Understanding her motivations is key to grasping the overarching lore of the game, as her actions—specifically her role in the Night of the Black Knives—set the entire plot in motion.

Starting the Elden Ring Ranni Quest

The journey begins properly at the Three Sisters sub-region in Liurnia of the Lakes. After progressing through Caria Manor and defeating Royal Knight Loretta, you can access Ranni's Rise. Ascend the tower and speak with her. If you have already begun the festival of Radahn or spoke to her earlier as Renna, her dialogue might vary, but the goal remains the same: enter her service.

Once you agree to serve her, you will need to speak with her three spectral advisors on the lower floors: Iji the War Counselor, Blaidd the Half-Wolf, and Seluvis. This initiation is the gateway to the most complex and rewarding side story in the game.

The Hunt for Nokron and the Fingerslayer Blade

Ranni's fate is tied to the stars, which have been halted by General Radahn. To move her quest forward, you must participate in the Radahn Festival at Redmane Castle.

1. Defeat Starscourge Radahn: This is a mandatory milestone. His defeat triggers a meteor strike that opens a path to the Underground.
2. Enter Nokron, Eternal City: Head to the woods in East Limgrave and descend into the crater.
3. Find the Fingerslayer Blade: This item is located in a chest under a massive statue in the Night’s Sacred Ground area of Nokron.

Returning this blade to Ranni is a pivotal moment. She will reward you with the Carian Inverted Statue, which is used to access the Divine Tower of Liurnia, and then she will depart on her own journey, leaving the tower of Renna's Rise open for you to explore.

Journey to the Lake of Rot

After Ranni leaves, head to Renna's Rise and use the waygate at the top. This transports you to Ainsel River Main. Nearby, you will find a "Miniature Ranni" doll. This is where many players get stuck: you must sit at a Site of Grace and select the option "Talk to miniature Ranni" multiple times until she finally responds.

She will task you with defeating a Baleful Shadow further down the river. This path leads through the haunting Lake of Rot, a massive cavern filled with scarlet rot.

• Tip: Pack plenty of Preserving Boluses and keep your "Flame, Cleanse Me" incantation ready.

Once the Baleful Shadow is dead, Ranni gives you the Discarded Palace Key, which opens a locked chest in the Raya Lucaria Grand Library (near Rennala). Inside is the Dark Moon Ring, an essential item for the final stage of the quest.

The Moonlight Altar and the Dark Moon Greatsword

The climax of the quest takes place at the Moonlight Altar, a high plateau in Liurnia that is only accessible by defeating Astel, Naturalborn of the Void, at the end of the Grand Cloister.

Once Astel is defeated, use the lift to reach the surface and head to the Cathedral of Manus Celes. Drop down into the hole in the floor to find Ranni's physical puppet body. By placing the Dark Moon Ring on her finger, you complete the bond. As a reward, she leaves behind the Dark Moon Greatsword, a legendary weapon that has appeared in various forms throughout FromSoftware's history. According to the Official Elden Ring Wiki via Fextralife, this weapon scales heavily with Intelligence and is a staple for magic-focused builds.

Pros and Cons of Following Ranni

Practical Examples and Common Mistakes

Many players run into roadblocks because Elden Ring does not use traditional quest markers. Here are a few common pitfalls:

• The Silent Doll: As mentioned, players often pick up the Miniature Ranni and forget to talk to it at the Site of Grace. You must try to talk to it three times before she replies.
• The Seluvis Potion: While working for Ranni, the sorcerer Seluvis will give you a potion to give to Nepheli Loux. You do not have to do this to finish Ranni's quest. In fact, giving it to Nepheli can end her own questline prematurely.
• Missing the Church of Elleh: If you progress too far into the game without meeting "Renna" at the start, she won't appear at the church. You can still finish the quest, but you'll have to buy the Spirit Calling Bell from the Twin Maiden Husks at Roundtable Hold instead.

Step-by-Step Summary to Finish the Quest

1. Meet Ranni at Ranni’s Rise in Liurnia.
2. Talk to her three subordinates in the tower.
3. Meet Blaidd in Siofra River.
4. Defeat General Radahn to crash the meteor.
5. Retrieve the Fingerslayer Blade from Nokron.
6. Use the waygate in Renna’s Rise to reach Ainsel River.
7. Talk to the Miniature Ranni at a Site of Grace.
8. Kill the Baleful Shadow near the Lake of Rot.
9. Get the Dark Moon Ring from the chest in the Raya Lucaria Library.
10. Defeat Astel, Naturalborn of the Void.
11. Present the ring to Ranni at the Cathedral of Manus Celes.

Why Ranni is the Fan Favorite

Beyond the mechanical rewards, the community's fascination with Ranni stems from her agency. In a world where most characters are pawns of outer gods or stuck in cycles of decay, Ranni takes a proactive, albeit cold, stance to change the world's fundamental laws. Her ending is often discussed on platforms like IGN as the most distinct departure from the standard "become the Elden Lord" path.

FAQ

Can I still do Ranni's quest if I missed her at the start?

Yes. Even if you never met her at the Church of Elleh to get your Spirit Calling Bell, you can begin her questline by visiting her at Ranni's Rise in Liurnia.

Does finishing Ranni's quest lock me out of other endings?

Completing the quest gives you the option to choose her ending at the very end of the game, but it does not automatically force you into it. The only ending that "locks" you in is the Frenzied Flame, unless you use Miquella's Needle to reverse it.

Is the Dark Moon Greatsword good for a first playthrough?

It is widely considered one of the best weapons in the game for Intelligence builds. It has great stagger potential and a powerful ranged projectile skill that doesn't consume much FP.

Why did Ranni kill Godwyn?

Ranni stole a fragment of the Rune of Death to slay her own Empyrean flesh, allowing her soul to exist free from the Greater Will. To do this, another demigod—Godwyn—had to die in soul, while she died in body.

What happens to Blaidd at the end?

Unfortunately, Blaidd's story has a tragic conclusion. As a shadow created by the Two Fingers to serve Ranni, he is programmed to go mad if she ever defies the Golden Order. After you finish her quest, you will find him outside Ranni’s Rise in a hostile state.