Quite the sleuth, aren't we. Indeed, I am the witch Ranni. I stole a fragment of the Rune of Death, and used it to forge the godslaying black knives through fearsome rite. I did it all. Wilt thou enter into my service? I am the witch Ranni. I stole Death long ago, and search now for the dark path. That I might one day upend the whole of it, and rid the world of all that came before. Eliminate the Baleful Shadows which prowl these lands. The name of Ranni the Witch is already sullied by thee. I will not brook disobedience in this matter. Perform for me a service, as recompense. Let us speak of the past, a while. O Shadow, thou'rt the last. Tell the Two Fingers, That Ranni the Witch cometh, to rend thy flesh. With a fateful wound, ne'er to heal. Beautifully fought.

Guide thy moon as thou wishest. Ranni, my little baby... I thank thee... Oh little Ranni, my dear daughter. Weave thy night into being... Where did ye flee, my sweetings? Blaidd, if you've forgotten. Glad to have you in the service of mistress Ranni. Well. Getting right to business... Good to finally meet. Name's Blaidd, sworn sword to mistress Ranni. Glad to have you aboard. Hmm... So Ranni's fate is kept in stasis by Starscourge Radahn... That reminds me of something I heard. There's a festival being held at the castle on the southern edge of the Caelid Wilds, east of Limgrave. And there's a festival of war being held at Redmane Castle in Caelid, where you can fight the man himself, once the strongest of the demigods. It's all coming together. Just don't you go dying on me. For Ranni's sake, too. Once more into the fray together, eh. Heh. You must have heard by now, right? That Starscourge Radahn holds Ranni's fate in stasis. But once he's out of the way, it will spring back into motion. So now, we stand against the demigod once known as the strongest of them all. And, the path has now been cleared. To Nokron, where Ranni's fate will be decided. Let's meet where the falling star bit the earth. We'll take up our swords once more. For mistress Ranni. And we'll go into battle again, side by side. My only purpose is to fight for Ranni's fate, sword and fang. The curtain's rising...on the final act. Hmph, what a sick way to fight, eh mate.

Old Iji trapped me here. Told me I'd bring nought but bale to Lady Ranni. But there's no chance that could happen. I'm part of her being. Why would Iji do this... I could never intend harm to Lady Ranni. What's he thinking... My thanks, friend. I'm going to see mistress Ranni, now. I don't know what came over old Iji, but even if the odds are slim, I need to check the mistress is safe. Now, Ranni can finally set in motion the fight against her fate she's dreamt of for so long. No. No matter what might happen... Ranni... She needs me... Oh? Better to put you down now. Before you trouble mistress Ranni. Hmph. Pathetic little man. Don't show your face again. Stay away from mistress Ranni. You're...you're strong of arm. But ask yourself... Fine. I am Ranni's shadow and it's for her that I fight. Whatever any of you might call me. I am no bringer of bale. I must return to Ranni's side. Tell...me... Why... Why am I...bale to Ranni? Didn't I say? No harm can befall a shadow. I...am shadowbound. Wherever mistress Ranni goes, I follow. You are a danger. You die here.

Oh, so you were the one. Lady Ranni has explained everything. Again, I am Iji. The Carian royal family's dedicated blacksmith, and Lady Ranni's war counsellor. I am told that you are searching for Nokron with Blaidd. I will give you whatever guidance I can. And pray, for your success. Oh, then you must be the one. The pleasure is mine. I am Iji. To be honest, I'm not sure where to go from here... Blaidd is Lady Ranni's stepbrother. Ranni's mother, Queen Rennala, approved of him, and they played like siblings from childhood. They were always happy to have me tag along, as well. When Lady Ranni renounced her flesh, and chose the dark path of the Empyrean, Blaidd and I swore allegiance as vassals, but none of us will ever forget our earliest days together. Promise to look after Blaidd for me, will you? The man is honest to a fault. The fate of the Carian royal family is guided by the stars. As is the fate of Lady Ranni, first heir in the Carian royal line. But General Radahn is the conqueror of the stars. Who stood up to the swirling constellations, halting their movement in a smashing victory. And so, if General Radahn were defeated, the stars would once again resume their movement. As would Lady Ranni's destiny. Perhaps, even, revealing the elusive path. That leads to Nokron. My apologies for the misleading words of warning. I never imagined that an audience, let alone service to Lady Ranni was in your fate. I, for one, should have seen it, but I did not. Do forgive me, my fellow. Let us give all that we can of ourselves. Together, for Lady Ranni. Well, my fellow. How may I serve you? There is no parallel to your achievement. Nor to Lady Ranni's acute judgement of character. Thanks to you, Lady Ranni's fate once again stirs, and the path to Nokron has opened. Descend underground where the fallen star struck Limgrave. And make it yours. The precious treasure of Nokron. So that Lady Ranni may tread the dark path of the Empyrean. Now the festival is over, and General Radahn is defeated... Jerren's duties are finally fulfilled. It's funny how things happen. Jerren and I parted ways long, long ago, yet here he is, playing his part in Lady Ranni's fate. I'm afraid I never saw it coming. And I thought myself a capable war counsellor...

There is something you should know. The Two Fingers gave Blaidd to Lady Ranni, as a faithful follower. Her very shadow, incapable of treachery. But if Lady Ranni, as an Empyrean, resists being an instrument of the Two Fingers, the shadow will go mad, transforming from a follower into a horrid curse. But such is his destiny. In such matters, Blaidd's own thoughts hold no weight. It pains me so, but he must be neutralised. For Lady Ranni's sake. Unthinkable, how could Blaidd... How did he break free from his cell? No, more importantly... Blaidd became a curse that plagued Lady Ranni, yet even in madness, gave himself to her. I've made a grave misjudgment. And I thought myself a capable war counsellor... Oh, so you were the one. Lady Ranni has explained everything. You've defeated General Radahn, unlocking the stars. A grand reward, justly procured by any measure. Again, I am Iji. The Carian royal family's dedicated blacksmith, and Lady Ranni's war counsellor. I welcome one of your calibre. A fellow champion in service of Lady Ranni. Thanks to you, Lady Ranni's fate once again stirs, and the path to Nokron has opened. Descend underground where the fallen star struck Limgrave. And make it yours. The precious treasure of Nokron. So that Lady Ranni may tread the dark path of the Empyrean. Oh, so you must be the one. I am Iji. Oh, there you are. Good of you to drop by. Have you heard? Lady Ranni has departed on her journey. Along the dark path of the Empyrean, from Renna's Rise, as she calls it. It would not have been possible without you. As Lady Ranni's war counsellor, and moreover, her childhood warden, I express my deepest gratitude. You, and only you, were Lady Ranni's true champion. My purpose is nearing its end. I've served Lady Ranni for as long as I can remember... It has been a long and wondrous journey. Now Lady Ranni is in your hands. I pray that you serve her well, unto the very end. Well, what's this? I'll save it for a quiet moment, that I might truly savour it. Ngh! Lady... Ranni... Agh. Cease this treachery at once. Lady Ranni will be devastated. This is a true shame. Don't ever show your face again. And not to my liege. ... ... Lady Ranni has seen enough. Go as you must, Lady Ranni... Along the path of darkness... Jar-Bairn Hallo coz, what are you doing here? Hallo coz, what are you doing here?

You passed my little test with flying colours. I was merely gauging your loyalty to Lady Ranni. Well done, I'm very proud of you. Let's both do our utmost in service of our Lady. Might you be interested after all? In a fine scheme to sport with Lady Ranni? Alright, enough of these games. Your test is well and truly over. The perfection of my draught, gleaming nectar-sweet. Give it to Ranni and ensure she drinks it. The dead-eyed doll lets down her guard in your presence, rather remarkably. Though she might dip her hands in the dirt, and feign that icy persona…she's a frail, gentle girl at heart. Now do it. Make Ranni drink my draught. You...understand, don't you? That once you have Ranni drink my draught, my scheme will come to fruition. And we, well, we'll be in a position to claim the very finest puppet ever crafted. Just imagine...the pure elation...

His twin, Malenia, the undefeated swordswoman. Lunar Princess Ranni, daughter to Rennala. And the one only known as the Lord of Blood. Ranni is said to have cast aside her Great Rune, so here at the Hold, we seek the whereabouts of the remaining three shardbearers. If you should learn anything of these matters, I'll trade your findings for a hidden treasure, or a long-lost rite, known only to me. We both desire to stand before the Elden Ring, and become Elden Lord. The person who orchestrated the Night of the Black Knives. Lunar Princess Ranni. One of the children born to King Consort Radagon and his first wife, Renalla. Demigod and sister to General Radahn and Praetor Rykard. But, if I might be so bold, I would also like to ask something more of you. If Ranni truly is the one who plotted that fateful night, then she should bear the cursemark of Destined Death somewhere upon her flesh. I would like you to procure it for me. And then all will be laid bare. If you seek to stand before the Elden Ring and become Elden Lord, The answers you find will surely bolster your chances. I have some idea of Ranni's potential whereabouts. There's a manor to the north of the Academy of Raya Lucaria. It is the familial home of the Carian royals from whom Ranni descends. There's been talk of the old royals' vassals gathering there in recent years Ranni's whereabouts since the Shattering are a well-kept secret. She hasn't been seen even once. But I suspect she might have returned to the manor in which she was born... If Lunar Princess Ranni truly is the one who plotted that fateful night, then she should bear the cursemark of Destined Death somewhere upon her flesh. Would you be willing to procure it for me? She may have returned to the manor that is her home.

I see... When Ranni shed her flesh, she shed the cursemark, too. You know, not everyone would trust such a tale... But, if she in her current form is nothing more than the living doll you profess... Forgive the bluntness of the notion, but... How would you like to become one of Ranni's vassals? Ah, only in order to get what we want, of course. The location of the body which bore the cursemark, which right now I haven't the faintest. I've seen it. Can you become Ranni's vassal to advance our agenda? While in her service, you'll be able to take a poke around on the sly. And determine the location of her original body that bears the cursemark.