Ainsel is the second underground river of the Lands Between, parallel to Siofra and accessible only through Carian sorceries that fold space at the Three Sisters. Its valley belongs to Nokstella, the Eternal City of the Night, twin of Nokron. The Nox of Nokstella sought to forge a lord of their own, and the attempt drew the ire of the Greater Will. The falling star that came answered no summons: Astel, Naturalborn of the Void, an alien being of insectile limbs and shattered glass, a star of ill omen that destroyed an Eternal City and took away its sky. The city was buried as punishment, and Astel was sealed in its abandoned chamber.

Ranni came to Nokstella hunting the Baleful Shadows, the Two Fingers' own assassins. Chosen as a candidate to succeed Queen Marika, she would not acquiesce to the Fingers: she stole the Rune of Death, slew her own Empyrean flesh, and cast it away, keeping a wooden doll for a vessel. The Tarnished who follows her quest descends through Ainsel to the Lake of Rot, and at its far shore meets Astel for the duel that defines Ranni's path: not crowning, but the murder of an outer god.

◆ Sources

Boss LoreRemembrance of the Naturalborn

Remembrance of Astel, Naturalborn of the Void, hewn into the Erdtree. A malformed star born in the lightless void far away. Once destroyed an Eternal City and took away their sky. An falling star of ill omen.

WeaponWing of Astel

Sword fashioned from a delicate wing, suffused with the magic of the stars. Strong attack unleashes a wave of enchanted light. Crafted from a relic of the Naturalborn of the Void who is said to have assailed the Eternal City.