Ranni’s questline is the most complex hidden storyline in Elden Ring and unlocks the secret “Age of the Stars” ending, one of the game’s true alternate finales. Many players miss crucial steps, optional areas, and hidden triggers. This guide walks you through every stage, every location, and every secret required to complete Ranni’s full quest and reach her hidden ending without missing anything.
How to Start Ranni’s Quest
Step 1: Reach Caria Manor
Travel to northern Liurnia and enter Caria Manor. Defeat Royal Knight Loretta to access the Three Sisters.
Step 2: Meet Ranni at Ranni’s Rise
Enter Ranni’s Rise to speak with:
– Ranni
– Blaidd
– Seluvis
– Sellen / Seluvis connection later
Accept Ranni’s service to begin the questline.
Full Walkthrough for “Age of the Stars” Route
Phase 1: Unlocking Nokron, Eternal City
– Speak to Blaidd at Siofra River
– Visit Seluvis
– Ask Sellen about Radahn
– Defeat Starscourge Radahn → This opens the sky and unlocks Nokron
Phase 2: Explore Nokron
Find the Fingerslayer Blade in Nokron’s Night’s Sacred Ground.
Return to Ranni and give her the blade. She disappears, starting Phase 3.
Phase 3: Accessing Ainsel River
Step 1: Rena’s Rise
With the blade delivered, Rena’s Rise becomes unlocked.
Inside, you’ll find:
– Miniature Ranni Doll
– Waygate to Ainsel River Main
Step 2: Talk to the Doll
Rest at any Site of Grace and choose “Talk to miniature Ranni” until she responds.
This triggers the Baleful Shadow encounter later.
Phase 4: Ainsel River Walkthrough
Follow the tunnel system until you reach the Baleful Shadow.
– Weak to Holy
– Drops the Discarded Palace Key
Continue deeper until you reach Nokstella, Eternal City.
Phase 5: Nokstella → Lake of Rot → Astel
Nokstella:
– Fight Silver Tears
– Collect loot
– Activate elevators to reach Rot Lake
Lake of Rot:
– Use platforms to cross
– Apply Preserving Boluses
– Reach the Grand Cloister
Grand Cloister Boss: Astel, Naturalborn of the Void
– Weak to Slash & Pierce
– Roll diagonally through its grab attack
– Stay under its body for punish windows
Defeating Astel opens the path to the hidden ending.
Phase 6: Dark Moon Ring & Cathedral of Manus Celes
Before entering the locked door after Astel, use the Dark Moon Ring from the key item chest in Raya Lucaria Academy.
Past the seal lies the Cathedral of Manus Celes.
Descend the hole inside the cathedral to find Ranni.
Interact with her to finalize the “Age of the Stars” path.
How to Trigger the Hidden Ending
After defeating the Elden Beast at the end of the game:
– A new option appears: “Summon Ranni”
Selecting this results in the secret Age of the Stars ending.
Optional Secrets You Shouldn’t Miss
Hidden Item: Dark Moon Greatsword
– Reward for finishing Ranni’s quest.
– High Intelligence scaling.
– Unlocks frost moonlight skill.
NPC Quest Crossovers:
– Blaidd’s storyline
– Seluvis’s puppet secrets
– Sellen’s fate intertwined with Seluvis
– War Counselor Iji’s involvement
Hidden Maps & Loot:
– Ainsel River maps
– Nokstella rare items
– Rot Lake Somber Stones
Completing these extras ensures the full lore context.
Full Checklist
– Meet Ranni ✔
– Defeat Radahn ✔
– Clear Nokron ✔
– Deliver Fingerslayer Blade ✔
– Enter Rena’s Rise ✔
– Defeat Baleful Shadow ✔
– Clear Ainsel River ✔
– Explore Nokstella ✔
– Cross Lake of Rot ✔
– Defeat Astel ✔
– Visit Cathedral of Manus Celes ✔
– Unlock Age of the Stars ending ✔
Conclusion
Ranni’s quest is the deepest side storyline in Elden Ring, filled with hidden lore, secret areas, and unique rewards. Completing it unlocks one of the game’s best endings and offers some of the most memorable moments in the Lands Between.
GGC