Once again, the pleasure is mine. I am the warrior jar known as Alexander. Iron Fist Alexander, in fact. I journey to the east, where I intend to further my education in the ways of war. Beyond these lands lie the scarlet rot-blighted Caelid Wilds. And upon their southern edge is Redmane Castle, in which a festival of combat is being held. The other end! I'm heading eastward. To Redmane Castle on the southern edge of the scarlet rot-blighted Caelid Wilds. I've heard there's to be a festival held there. Oh, no need to be coy with me. Judging by the fine wallop you gave the old backside earlier, I would venture you're something of a warrior yourself. The mere thought of such a festival gets the blood pumping, eh! Now, now, according to my calculations, passing through this road should lead us to the Caelid Wilds. It seems my calculations must have been off... I was created to be a warrior vessel. Many great warriors reside within me, ever dreaming of becoming a great champion. It's my destiny. And the reason for which I quest. Heh heh... Ah, if it isn't a Tarnished warrior. Are you travelling my way? I'm heading to the festival at Redmane Castle, on the southern edge of the scarlet rot-blighted Caelid Wilds. Ah, yes, the mere thought of such a festival gets the blood pumping, eh! I am the warrior jar, Iron Fist Alexander. And according to my calculations, passing through this road should lead us to the Caelid Wilds. But however you slice it, it seems we've reached a dead end. A door, from thin air! Well, stranger things happen at sea, or so I'm told, but onward! To the Caelid Wilds. I suppose my calculations were right all along. The esteemed warrior. Where did you spring from? This was supposed to be a dead end, I'm sure of it. Gosh, that dead-end had me rather stumped! Well, stranger things happen at sea, or so I'm told, but onward I shall go. I was heading to Redmane Castle on the southern edge of the scarlet rot-blighted Caelid Wilds. Where a festival is being held. Well, it is none other than General Radahn himself! To think, I could face a great champion of the Shattering, a demigod in the flesh... In truth I quiver at the thought, such is his frightful repute. But! I, Iron Fist Alexander, do hereby vow to unflinchingly brave this ordeal. The pleasure is mine. Do you know for whom this festival is being held? One hit was all it took to crack me, and for my insides to come spilling out... After that, I hid like a coward. And as such, I can hardly stand to face one such as you. ...But don't you think I've given up just yet. As luck would have it, there's a veritable mountain of warriors' bodies right here. If I can just squeeze this bunch down inside me, I'll be a mighty warrior again in no time. And you know... The bodies found here are exceedingly fine. Who could expect any less from the very warriors who fought in the Shattering, the greatest of all wars! Just you wait and see, friend. I'll grow even stronger! Wouldn't you know it, I was perfectly stuck in that blasted hole. I can feel the warriors inside admonishing me for my mawkishness. To walk the path of champions, one cannot cleave to the past! I'm headed to the fiery mount in the north. Take it, I'm sure it'll suit you to a tee. But oh, it's hardly more than lukewarm here. I won't be able to temper my body such that it'll never crack again. Perhaps I'll head eastward. There's an old saying I've caught wind of. "Above the lofty clouds, the icy giant's peak doth soar, here lieth the flame of ruin, which ever burning roars." Perhaps I'll head eastward. There's an old saying I've caught wind of. "Above the lofty clouds, the icy giant's peak doth soar, here lieth the flame of ruin, which ever burning roars." Ah, I see you've finally made it here yourself. The city hanging in the air is slowly crumbling. Come and tell me when you're ready. I've been longing to fight a warrior as accomplished as you. You are ready then, I take it? Then let us begin! I am the great jar warrior, Iron Fist Alexander! Lend me strength, O warriors within! Let us become one champion, together! Ah, I see you've finally made it here yourself. As I suspected... Victory...was impossible. All vessels are destined to one day break. But the great Alexander lived as a warrior to his last! Ha ha ha ha! Good sir, I can't believe your heart was in it at all. I am Iron Fist Alexander! The great jar warrior! A finer battle was never witnessed. How do you fancy joining the lads inside, eh? Master, my apologies. Your wardrobe includes the garb of old demigods, and I'm afraid I can't make adjustments to them. My mum told me once. That a royal seamster would do them up in a jiffy.

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? 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? 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. 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. 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. I see that you've stayed the path of champions. This is your usual reward. Perhaps you are ready. 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. 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. 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.

There's one by the name of Ordovis, and I must find him. He's an old hero of the Shattering, but there's a grudge out against him. The Lands Between are brimming with those who cannot die. It makes for a cesspool of vengeance. ...Gives me a shiver just thinking about it... Godrick must know. That of all the grudges born of the Shattering, Malenia the Rotted is the object of the most profound. Ahh, my head is throbbing, everything is bright red... Master Radahn, is this how it feels to ferment with vengeance? (OKテイク, v303902000_ALT_3) What're you playing at? ... This is a little awkward. There's no revenge to be had in this killing. Not too sharp, are you? Come now, the pretence of comprehension becomes you not. Bend over backwards any further and you're apt to break. Well, well. You're asking me about that, are you? And once each's predilections are known to you, the better you'll be able to love them. Oh yes, you have much to look forward to, further down this road. You're proving to be quite the puppeteer. I've not had an apprentice for…a very long time indeed.

Ah, there's a face I've not seen before. I'm Edgar, warden of this castle as ordained by Lord Godrick himself. But you can see how things have turned out. The menials have all rebelled. I am Jerren. Foolish old warrior, and witness. Incidentally, do you like a good festival, from time to time? Well, it's true, this fortress houses only the vanquished. But when the stars align, we celebrate. A war festival honoring the last battle and death of General Radahn, the mightiest demigod of the Shattering, and bearer of a Great Rune. Well, good. As you should. The festival affords glory to warriors. Then all you need is a little patience. When the stars align, the festival will be declared. One day you will see. That true warriors bask in glory at the festival. Have patience, mm. One day you will see, chum. Go on, now. This old geezer hasn't any use for you just yet. The festival is nigh! General Radahn, mightiest demigod of the Shattering, awaits you! Champions, prepare for battle! Defeat the General, claim glory, and grab that Great Rune! A celebration of war! The Radahn Festival! Are you good and prepared, young chum? O gathering of champions, the revels begin! The celebration of war! You will find the field of battle past the church ahead, upon the shore under the fort. When you are ready, come to me again. At last, the war festival has ended. Brave champion, you have our gratitude. The celebration was spectacular. Well, I must be leaving now. Brave warrior, if the fates deign it... No, we shall indeed meet again, at the next glorious tourney. You...are a menace... Iji...beware... Sellen, Graven Witch, enemy of Caria. I vow this time to crush both your frame and your primal glintstone. I need someone to retrieve it. I would be sure to provide ample reward. Only... He, too, is Tarnished. I am Rya, in the service of Lady Tanith of the Volcano Manor. I seek stalwart Tarnished who might join our house. You are very brave yourself. Not only a steady hand, but a steady heart, merciless, even to your own kind. But I hardly hold him in high regard. He seems to bear animosity toward the Volcano Manor. Perhaps it is to be expected, only... his intent, while vicious, is also tenuous, as if his heart is not in it. Doesn't really seem like champion material, to me...

There you are. You warded off my blessing. Despite the curse stirring within you. No one has succeeded in that before. His castle lies upon the cliff to Limgrave's northwest. ...but I suspect you know that well enough already. General Radahn, the famed Red Lion and scourge of the stars, is a ferocious warrior. He fought Malenia and her rot to a standstill in the Caelid Wilds to Limgrave's east. And now Caelid has been engulfed by the scarlet rot, even approaching the region is no mean feat. Gelmir, lies in the west of the Altus Plateau; the realm of the Erdtree. It was the stage of the most appalling battle in the entirety of the Shattering. Rykard has committed the grave sin of blasphemy. Marking himself as an enemy, never to be forgiven. Find your way to the Elden Ring. And by my reckoning Radahn remains there, even now. The information you've shared is of great value. As promised, your reward: A hidden treasure, known only to me. A secret rite known only to me. You are a true fellow. As that famed night of assassination is known. It happened during the Golden Age of the Erdtree, long before the shattering of the Elden Ring. Someone stole a fragment of the Rune of Death from Maliketh, the Black Blade. And on a bitter night, murdered Godwyn the Golden. And it became the catalyst. Soon, the Elden Ring was smashed, and thus sprang forth the war known as the Shattering. I once wished to become a scholar, you see. I've spent many an hour scouring the archives for knowledge of that fateful plot. 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...

We refuse to become your pawns. Consider this fair warning. Who are you? And what in heaven's name are you doing here? I welcome you, to the Church of Vows. I am Miriel, steward of this sacred chamber. My apologies, for the unseemly state of affairs. Do you know the origin of this place? But who can blame you? The Shattering has caused us - all of us - to lose sight of something very dear. It is here, at the Church of Vows, that the great houses of the Erdtree and the Moon were joined. By the matrimonial bond between red-haired Radagon and Rennala of the Full Moon. Radagon once cleansed himself with celestial dew, repented his territorial aggressions, and swore his love to Rennala. The Order of the Erdtree and the fate of the moon were conjoined, and all the wounds of war forgiven. This miracle blesses the church to this day. And so, you need only follow Radagon's example, to restore any bond, however strained or severed, to its rightful state of harmony. Allow me to introduce myself. Miriel, steward of this sacred chamber.

Only, its doors have been closed for quite some time now. After they declared they wouldn't interfere with the Shattering, the academy cast repelling seals on the east gate leading to the Capital and the south gate leading here. As you might have guessed, the seals are still active, making entry to the academy impossible without a glintstone key. And so I'm stuck here. Oh, one more thing... Beware the Albinaurics... ...accursed souls born of a forbidden rite of the Eternal City. The curse withered the legs of the old, and silenced the tongues of the Frogs. And now they hold deep grudges for anyone left untouched.

Nevertheless, it's rather nippy in these lands, eh. But there's nothing like a good drink to warm the cockles... Did you need something else? Oh it's, good, good to see you. So far, in fact, that it cannot be further marred by your touch. The Shattering caused a great many fools to overstep their bounds. Their impudence led to insurgency against Morgott, Lord of Grace. They raised an army, and sought to lay siege to this sacred ground. This Shanehaight heirloom has been held for generations. It is yours now, a reward for your fearless execution of my request. I'm afraid its worth might be lost on a Tarnished, but... For everything, there is a first.

I am of a nomadic people. Selling wares as I travel. The land has been tainted by madness since the shattering of the Elden Ring. It's only Tarnished like yourself who keep things from drying up entirely. Let's say you're a very welcome customer. Every customer counts, after all. I'm glad you took my warning to heart. You've made an excellent choice. There are others of my people who yet survive in these lands. Which is why we cannot settle, but instead are forced into this pitiful, unceasing journey. But thanks to that, things are not so different for us now, though the Elden Ring is shattered. I think this makes us kindred spirits of sorts. Your people, the Tarnished, and mine. And I was willing to pay whatever was needed. Your reward, as promised. So, about the letter you brought me... It's just as I suspected, it features a cryptogram of my people. I was not... a suitable home. Unknown warrior... You, who reached the Three Fingers' abyss... Tell the one...

I am of a nomadic people. Selling wares as I travel. The land has been tainted by madness since the shattering of the Elden Ring. It's only Tarnished like yourself who keep things from drying up entirely. Let's say you're a very welcome customer. Every customer counts, after all. I'm glad you took my warning to heart. You've made an excellent choice. There are others of my people who yet survive in these lands. Which is why we cannot settle, but instead are forced into this pitiful, unceasing journey. But thanks to that, things are not so different for us now, though the Elden Ring is shattered. I think this makes us kindred spirits of sorts. Your people, the Tarnished, and mine. And I was willing to pay whatever was needed. Your reward, as promised. So, about the letter you brought me... It's just as I suspected, it features a cryptogram of my people.