Elden Ring Guide: How to Get Ranni's Questline
The Moonlight Greatsword - or as it's known in Elden Ring, the Dark Moon Greatsword - is one of the most iconic weapons in FromSoftware's legacy, appearing in nearly every Souls game. Not only is it a powerful Intelligence-scaling greatsword, but acquiring it also means completing one of the richest questlines in the game: Ranni the Witch's story. The good news? You can start and finish this quest surprisingly early in your journey, as long as you've beaten a few key bosses. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to get the Moonlight Greatsword and complete Ranni's quest.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, you should have:
·Defeated Margit, the Fell Omen
·Defeated Godrick the Grafted
·Defeated Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon (Raya Lucaria)
·Reached the Caria Manor in northwest Liurnia of the Lakes
Step 1: Caria Manor and Ranni's Rise
Head to Caria Manor in northwestern Liurnia. Fight your way to the top and defeat Royal Knight Loretta. Once she's dead, a path will open to the Three Sisters area behind the manor.
You'll see three towers. The one you care about now is Ranni's Rise. A dragon named Adula will try to stop you, but you can run past him and enter the tower.
Talk to Ranni the Witch. She'll ask if you wish to serve her. Choose "Yes," and then exhaust her dialogue. Afterward, speak with her allies: War Counselor Seluvis, Warrior Blaidd, and Preceptor Seluvis. This will formally begin Ranni's questline.
Step 2: Defeat Starscourge Radahn
Once you've progressed through the game to the Altus Plateau or have access to Caelid, you'll be able to reach Redmane Castle.
Trigger the Festival of Combat and fight General Radahn. After defeating him, a cutscene will play - a star falls to the Lands Between, opening a crater in the southern Mistwood. Blaidd will say he's headed there next.
Step 3: Enter Nokron, the Eternal City
From Fort Haight West, near the Mistwood, go to the newly formed crater. This leads you to Nokron, a sprawling underground city.
Navigate the rooftops and buildings until you reach the boss fight with the Mimic Tear. After defeating it, continue forward until you find a chest containing the Finger Slayer Blade - the Elden Ring Items Ranni needs.
Step 4: Give Ranni the Blade
Return to Ranni's Rise. She will now be gone. Giving her the Finger Slayer Blade triggers the next part of her quest.
This opens up Renna's Rise, a tower that was previously sealed. Inside, you'll find the Discarded Palace Key - important for the next step.
Step 5: Use the Discarded Palace Key
Travel to Raya Lucaria Grand Library, the site of your fight with Rennala. Behind her is a locked chest. Open it with the Discarded Palace Key to receive the Dark Moon Ring, essential for the quest's final phase.
Step 6: Ainsel River and Miniature Ranni
Use Renna's Rise teleport to reach Ainsel River Main. Rest at the site of grace, and you'll find a Miniature Ranni Doll. Speak to it several times until she finally replies.
Now defeat the Baleful Shadow nearby. Ranni will thank you and leave behind an item called the Discarded Palace Key (if you hadn't already picked it up earlier), and new dialogue will unfold.
Step 7: Lake of Rot and Grand Cloister
Continue exploring Ainsel River, making your way to the Lake of Rot. You'll need to buy Elden Ring Items, which include healing items or Scarlet Rot resistance. Cross the lake and find the Grand Cloister grace.
From there, go down the river of corpses to a coffin. Interact with it to be transported to a new boss fight. Defeat Astel, Naturalborn of the Void.
IMPORTANT: You can't enter the final area without the Dark Moon Ring from earlier. If you skipped that step, go back to Rennala's chest and get it!
Step 8: The Moonlight Altar
After Astel, proceed through the barrier using the Dark Moon Ring and take the elevator to the Moonlight Altar Plateau. This final area is stunning and features the Cathedral of Manus Celes.
Inside, you'll find Ranni's lifeless body holding the Dark Moon Greatsword.
Equip it, and you now wield the legendary Moonlight Greatsword - scaling with Intelligence and dealing heavy Frost and Magic damage.
Optional Steps and Rewards
·Ranni's quest also unlocks a unique alternate ending to the game, the Age of Stars ending.
·Completing her story earns you powerful Spirit Ashes, access to unique gear, and more lore-rich areas like Deep Ainsel River and Nokstella.
Final Thoughts
This questline is one of Elden Ring's most rewarding - both narratively and mechanically. With minimal main story progression, you can secure one of the strongest and most iconic weapons in the game. Whether you're roleplaying as a sorcerer knight or just love cool greatswords, the Dark Moon Greatsword is well worth the journey.
So gear up, serve Ranni, and swing that celestial blade with style.
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