Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC has several questlines that aren’t directly tied to the main story. They’re nonetheless rich with opportunities. You’ll have to search for a long time to find some of their objectives, though.
Count Ymir’s Position
If you have already found the ruins, and are looking for how to ring the bell, or have completely forgotten where the quest started, know that Count Ymir is in the Cathedral of Manus Metyr, east of Altus occulte. To reach him, you must go through the hole, in the ruins east of Altus, in order to reach the village of pots below. Then simply follow the main road going around the cathedral to the east.
By speaking to Ymir in the cathedral, he will give you the Ruins Map, as well as the Engraved pendant. This pendant is required to ring the Ruins Bell.
Position of the first sacred ruins
The map can’t be said to be very clear, since there is no cross indicating the position you are looking for. The ruins are symbolized by the concentric finger circles. Be aware that there are two places with this appearance on the world map, you probably spotted this place in the North of the map, but these are not the ruins you are looking for. You have to go South.
Start some Burial Plains (the starting area), then go down the gorges and the river towards the southin order to reach a new area covered with blue flowers. A new map fragment is located in the area, this will help you find the way forward.
Ruins of the Fingers of Rhia
Follow the beach to the east. You will come across giant hands. Use a giant stone coffin to climb up to the sacred ruins, a huge area covered in titanic stone fingers. The bell is in the center of the area. Don’t worry, there is no boss at the moment. You will even get a +1 purple seed talisman.
You can return to speak to Ymir at the cathedral afterwards. He will give you a Cherished Stardust talisman as a reward, as well as a Ruins Map (2). The Night Knight in the Cathedral will also agree to help you face Messmer, if you speak to her.
How to reach the sacred ruins in the north?
Things are even more complicated for the second part of Ymir’s quests. We’ll proceed in stages, since there are several obstacles to overcome. Start by collecting the emote below.
Emote required to open passage
If you don’t have it already, go get the emote “Oh, mother“North of Bonny Village, in Altus Occulte. You’ve already passed nearby to reach the cathedral.
Flooded religious quarter
Enter the Black Castle through the East Gate, north of the Cathedral. After a very long corridor, you will reach the flooded religious district. Jump from roof to roof until you reach the floodgate valve, which will allow you to evacuate the water from the area. This should bring back memories for those who played the first Dark Souls.
Head down to the neighborhood, then use the elevator to the second section of the Seed Tank, which can’t be reached through the main gate and the Golden Hippo. There are several elevators in the area, so explore carefully.
Walk on the beams above until you reach a hole in the wall, allowing you to exit the tower, and reach an elevator leading to the back door of the Black Castle, with a Grace Site. One door leads to the fearsome boss Commander Gaius, while the other opens to a statue of Marika, which hides a secret passage.
Open access to the North of the map
Stand in front of the statue, then use the “Oh, Mother” emote, which you should have in your possession.
Dheo Finger Ruins
Several Tree Sentinels will stand in your way, as well as giant hands, not to mention strange snakes, capable of casting spells at you from very long distances. Once in the center of the ruins, blow into the bell, you will receive a Cerulean Seed Talisman +1. Return to the Manus Metyr Cathedral to speak to Ymir afterwards.
Where to find the third Ruins?
Once again, Ymir will unlock new spells, and he will give you a new Ruins Map (3). As you can see, the drawing has changed. The solution is closer than you might think.
Reload the Manus Metyr Cathedral area by quitting the game, or by resting at the nearest Grace Site. Ymir has disappeared, allowing you toinspect his throne. This will open a secret passage revealing a ladder.
Going down the ladder will take you to the famous ruins. You will also be invaded by Anna, the knight of the night. Kill her to earn her Night Claws.
Metyr, the mother of fingers
Like the previous two times, blow into the bell. But this time, you will be teleported to a boss arena: Metyr, the mother of all fingers. He’s not a very difficult boss at this point in the game, you should be able to defeat him without much effort, normally. You will get his memories when he dies.
Jolàn and Ymir, mother of fingers
The quest is not over, however. Return to the Manus Metyr Cathedralthen inspect the throne once more. You will be invaded by the night swordsman Jolan, then by Count Ymir, mother of fingers.
Beware of Jolan’s sword combos, they really hurt.
Ymir isn’t very dangerous, he’ll summon hands, and cast a few offensive spells, but the only difficulty is catching him every time.
After killing them, you will get a fairly large amount of equipment, including Jolan’s set, Ymir’s Cinerary Pearl, and all of his equipment.
Yuri’s Grave, Little Hand Gone Too Soon
The last step is to go to the small cemetery adjacent to the cathedral. You probably already spotted Yuri’s grave there.
An object can now be picked up in front of his grave, witchcraft Protective fingersthe spell Ymir used during the fight.
Jolàn: Iris of Grace or Iris of Occultation?
By reloading the area once more, after the fight, Jolàn will appear in the same place as before, but dying. The situation is completely identical to Queelign’s.
The reward you will get depends on the item you choose, at least if you have both in stock.
- Iris of grace : Jolàn will transform into Spirit Ashes that you can summon in battle.
- Occultation iris : Jolàn dies, and you receive his katana as a reward, the Night Sword.
