Do you hear me? It is I, Latenna. We have reached the land of Miquella's Haligtree, where Lobo and I began our travels. It's entirely thanks to you that I'm so close to home. These great snow-laden lands stretch far to the north. And beyond the ancient bowers, and the liturgical town of Ordina, lies the place to which I must return. We have reached the land of Miquella's Haligtree. These great snow-laden lands stretch far to the north. And beyond the ancient bowers, and the liturgical town of Ordina, lies the place to which I must return. Ngh! Stop, now. And I'll consider that a simple mishap. Are all you Tarnished the same? Was taking my other half not enough for you? There is no meaning in a fight, lest it serve a greater duty. Ohh...Phillia Take...the birthing...droplet... Brave Tarnished, welcome to the Volcano Manor. I am Tanith, the proprietress of this house. Rya spoke well of you. "A warrior of promise," I believe she said. Perhaps you are prepared to make a commitment. Will you join us here at the Volcano Manor, and resist the tide? Why accept the burden of their grace, or be fooled by the dogmatic ramblings of the Fingers? Rise with us, against the Erdtree. Interesting. Your decision is most welcome. Now you belong to the Volcano Manor family. The drawing room lies down the hall. Make yourself comfortable. But be sure to earn your keep. Well. That is unfortunate. Rya will be disappointed, but I won't twist your arm. Now, time for you to leave, I should think. Let this intersection of our paths be the last. Aren't you precocious. We rarely receive visitors to the Volcano Manor without invitation. Fascinating. And not unlike another guest we had long ago… So, Tarnished, have you ever harboured doubts? About the burden of grace, and the dogmatic ramblings of the Fingers? If you have, why not join the Volcano Manor, and fight with us? Rise with us, against the Erdtree. Your decision is most welcome. Now you belong to the Volcano Manor family. The drawing room lies down the hall. Make yourself comfortable. I am Tanith, the proprietress of this house. An honour to have you. Well. That is unfortunate. Now, time for you to leave, I should think. Let this intersection of our paths be the last. Did you read the letter left for you? That is the task the Volcano Manor desires you enact. You will be compensated once the deed is done. Good luck. If you are loath to hunt your own kin, so be it. But you must leave this house at once. This is a war against the Erdtree. We have no place for the meek, nor the luxury of keeping clean hands. What's this? Have you reconsidered the prospect? Of rising with us, against the Erdtree? Very well. Your decision is most welcome. Now you belong to the Volcano Manor family. The drawing room lies down the hall. Make yourself comfortable. You've completed your task. I am pleased. Now you are a recusant true, and a full-fledged member of the Volcano Manor. This is your reward, as promised. Never forget. That the recusant fights to tread the path of the champion. The way is tainted, but for this very reason, it is the true path to valour. I see you've performed another task for us. Here is your usual reward. Please, take it. Now, perhaps the time has come to tell you. Of the true ruler of this manor, Lord Rykard. The Erdtree blessed the Tarnished with grace. But it was all too meagre, in the face of the enormity of their task. The Tarnished were forced to scavenge, squabbling for crumbs. Like the shardbearers, vying for power in the wake of the Shattering. Our Lord, indignant, has refused. To scurry about, fighting over what miserly scraps they allow us. If the Erdtree, and indeed the very gods, would debase us so, then we are willing to raise the banner of resistance, even if it means heresy. We at the Volcano Manor, under Lord Rykard, have sworn no rest until it is done. If you follow this heroic path, one day the Lord will see you. The Lord's visits with our champions are always a spectacle. It cannot come a day too soon! The letter describes the task the Volcano Manor desires you enact. You will be compensated once the deed is done. Good luck. If you follow this heroic path, one day the Lord will see you. It cannot come a day too soon! She said that, to you? I should have known something was wrong. The signs were clear enough. Well. Zorayas has placed her trust in you. All the more reason I must tell you. That some things are better left unknown. Besides, no-one should be blamed for their heritage. Think about it. We are resisting the ways of the Erdtree itself. What matters one's lineage in such a crisis? No, I haven't seen Zorayas anywhere. And she has no scouting duties now. Has she gone off in search of answers? Why won't she just listen... May I ask your aid? Not as the Manor's proprietress, but as Zorayas' mother. If she discovers the answer to her question, and it causes distress, have her drink this potion. To purge that which would cause her pain. Yes, I know. My wish is a grave disrespect to her. No different than the Erdtree's imposition. But I've no choice... It must be done. Thank you, for allowing me this. I will never be a good mother. My heart is too frail. Our Lord must have known this all along. My meekness is all too clear... Really, she is dead, then... My gratitude for your forthrightness. If you would...allow me some time alone. Please, allow me some time alone. I see that you've stayed the path of champions. This is your usual reward. Please, take it. Perhaps you are ready. Might you see our Lord? Our Lord will no doubt welcome you. Another kindred spirit, treading the path of champions. Yes, as it should be. Now, close your eyes for a moment. I will transport you to the Lord's chamber. Farewell, then. May your visit be fruitful. I see... Well, I cannot make you take the leap. But do know this. To follow the path of valour, an audience with our Lord is essential. In order to defy this debasement, and rise up against the Erdtree. Like a true recusant of the Volcano Manor. Won't you consider having an audience with our Lord? Our Lord will no doubt welcome you. Another kindred spirit, treading the path of champions. You... It's true then. You've defeated our Lord. No, I must thank you. Our Lord was yet weak. You have taught us that. Defeat is not the end. Our Lord is immortal, and will one day rise again, stronger. Until then, I must stay the path, and do my part. I will leave the Volcano Manor before long. I suggest you do the same. Here is my thanks. For allowing our Lord to be revived, even stronger than before. I will miss these encounters. The champion who walks the tainted path shines all the more. I always was an admirer. Oh, you... Allow me some time. Our Lord's carcass is vast, and not easily consumed. Dear Rykard, please find purchase within me, I wish to be your serpent; your family. One day, let us devour the gods together. Dear Rykard, please find purchase within me, I wish to be your serpent; your family. One day, let us devour the gods together. Now, time for you to leave, I should think. Let this intersection of our paths be the last. The drawing room is through the hall. Use the key I handed you, and make yourself comfortable. What's this? Have you reconsidered the prospect? Of rising with us, against the Erdtree? Tanith, Volcano Manor Proprietress Very well. Your decision is most welcome. Now you belong to the Volcano Manor family. The drawing room lies down the hall. Make yourself comfortable. Now, time for you to leave, I should think. Let this intersection of our paths be the last. The drawing room is through the hall. Use the key I handed you, and make yourself comfortable. Now you are a recusant true, and a full-fledged member of the Volcano Manor. I am pleased to have you on our side. Did you see her? The girl, Rya…with her true face. ... Well, if she confided in you the name Zorayas, then perhaps it is not my place to speak. But as her adoptive mother, I ask of you. Please, be kind to her. Look after young Zorayas. Her true visage belies the purity of her heart. …Honestly, I hardly deserve the sweet child. Please, be kind to her. Look after young Zorayas. Her true visage belies the purity of her heart. Zorayas has placed her trust in you. All the more reason I must tell you. That some things are better left unknown. Besides, no-one should be blamed for their heritage. My wish is a grave disrespect to her. But I've no choice... It must be done. Sweet Zorayas, have I earned your scorn? This is farewell. Perhaps we will meet again, along the path. What is it? I have no need of that. I must continue devouring my beloved lord... Oh, you... Allow me some time. Our lord's carcass is not easily consumed. Ngh! Ahh, my lord... Rykard... Oh, Rykard… Let me be your serpent… Oh, yes... Tarnished, are we? Come to the Lands Between for the Elden Ring, hmm? Of course you have. No shame in it. But I'm afraid you're plumb out of luck. You are maidenless. A bit player, fully divorced from the strength of runes. Feel free to go off and die in a ditch somewhere. Oh, can't seem to wrap your head around your predicament? It's no surprise. You poor have-nots are a stubborn lot. Fine, then. If you must have a go at it, maidenless as you are, you'll require an education. On the ways of the learned Tarnished. Are you familiar with grace? The golden light that gives life to you Tarnished. You may also behold its golden rays pointing in a particular direction at times. That is the guidance of grace. The path that a Tarnished must travel. It's nothing short of a miracle. That the guidance of grace can lead you, maidenless as you are, to the perfect place to die in obscurity. What's the matter? Shouldn't you be off proving yourself, or some such? Then go on, take the hint and follow the guidance of grace. To Castle Stormveil, on the cliff. And if, by chance, you do find your way to the castle, you may receive a summons. To the famed Roundtable Hold… Guidance will show the way, most certainly. To Castle Stormveil, over on the cliff. The home of the decrepit demigod, Godrick the Grafted. Although I'm afraid you'll never make it that far, hmm. Rest assured, I sympathise, deeply. There's no worse fate than to be maidenless. Oh, but if, by chance, you do find your way to the castle, you may receive a summons. To the famed Roundtable Hold… Oh, yes... Tarnished, are we? Come to the Lands Between for the Elden Ring, hmm? Of course you have. No shame in it. Unfortunately for you, however, you are maidenless. Without guidance, without the strength of runes, and without an invitation to the Roundtable Hold... You are fated, it seems, to die in obscurity. Luckily for you, however, there is one shining ray of hope for even the maidenless. Me. Varré. Take care to listen. Are you familiar with grace? The golden light that gives life to you Tarnished. You may also behold its golden rays pointing in a particular direction at times. That is the guidance of grace. The path that a Tarnished must travel. Mm, indeed. Grace's guidance holds the answers. It will lead you Tarnished to the path you are meant to follow. Even if it leads you to your grave. Grace's guidance will reveal the path forward, most certainly. To Castle Stormveil, over on the cliff. The home of the decrepit demigod, Godrick the Grafted. It's time you set off, I should think. To Castle Stormveil, on the cliff, where grace would guide you. If you seek the Elden Ring, maidenless as you are. Ohh, well done, well done indeed. You made it through that entire mess, all the way to Stormveil. And off you trotted to the Roundtable Hold… My sincerest congratulations. But, how did you find the Roundtable? Oh, you don't have to say it. Before, the Roundtable was chock full of venerated warriors, but now, it's home to puff-chests and has-beens. I fear you've been terribly disappointed. I don't blame you. But still, the Roundtable has its perks. Why not earn a seat? Fly straight and true, so to speak. Ahh, then you're interested? A wise choice indeed. To join the Roundtable proper, you must acquire a Great Rune, and request audience... ...with the Two Fingers, in the inner chamber. They are the purported masters of the grace that guides your kind, the Tarnished. Mm, yes, pay them a visit, so that you may see for yourself. Challenge Godrick the Grafted, lord of Stormveil, to acquire a Great Rune. Decrepit, he may be, but a demigod he remains. And of course, an inheritor of a Great Rune. Worse yet, I hear old Godrick's acquired a ferocious new toy to graft... So. Prepare for the worst. ... Yes, I see. Perhaps it's just as well. Besides, you are maidenless. One can only do so much with the materials provided. But then again, if you should realise the error of your ways, I'm always willing to hear you out. Oh, have you decided to have a go after all? At joining the Roundtable proper? What's the matter? Aren't you supposed to be earning your place at the Roundtable Hold? Then you must face Godrick the Grafted, lord of Stormveil, for without a Great Rune, you will not be granted audience. With the Two Fingers, in the inner chamber. Ohh, well done, well done indeed. You bested Godrick the Grafted, and claimed a Great Rune. You felled a demigod, and claimed a Great Rune. My congratulations. Now, visit the Roundtable Hold. For an audience with the Two Fingers, in the inner chamber. Go to the Roundtable Hold. For an audience with the Two Fingers, in the inner chamber. Ah, there you are. You claimed a Great Rune, and had your audience. With the Two Fingers, at the Roundtable Hold. You've had your audience. With the Two Fingers, at the Roundtable Hold. What was your impression? Ah-ha, your intuition serves you well. My doubts had been piling up, you see. ...The words of the Two Fingers cannot be trusted. Truly, naught but rambling, senile delusions. I believe, that when the Elden Ring was shattered, the Two Fingers were corrupted, their guidance; skewed. Even worse, the Fingers harbor no love for our kind. That's the part that irks the most. Oh, I have a gift for you, something fit only for the wise. A means for circumventing the draw of the Two Fingers. Give it a try, won't you? And if it please you, may we meet again. I've high hopes for you. My lambkin. You don't say. Well, what a relief that must be. You may go, then. My work here is done. May the wisdom of the Two Fingers guide you. Oh? Is something wrong? Be sure to try that finger I gave you. There's no reason to dither. The Tarnished were spurned by grace, forsaken by the Two Fingers. And now they ask you to mend their crumbling world? Hah, your loyalties are misplaced with them. Be sure to try that finger I gave you. I'm quite certain that you'll take to it. Oh, lambkin, so pleased you're here. I'm glad that you're enjoying my gift. Mmm, I knew it from the very start. You have a taste for noble blood. ... I wish to anoint you a proper inductee. A knight to serve Luminary Mohg, the Lord of Blood, and establish a new dynasty. Luminary Mohg has strength, vision, and of course, love. So, what do you say, my lambkin? Mm, yes, who would have it any other way? Now, take this. For your final trial. Soak the cloth with a maiden's blood. Normally, this ritual would involve killing one's own maiden, and recanting the wisdom of the Two Fingers. But since you are maidenless, the blood of anyone's maiden will do. Oh my, perhaps you misheard me. Nothing wrong with giving you a day or two. For your ears to clear out. Oh, it's you. Could you tell me once more? Your honest reply.