Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, stands as a significant milestone in Elden Ring. Defeating her in the Academy of Raya Lucaria’s grand library not only grants you a Great Rune but also the invaluable ability to respec your character’s build. For many Tarnished, Rennala is the second major demigod felled after Godrick. This victory opens up vast new possibilities and directions, and it’s natural to wonder, “Where To Go After Rennala?”.
This guide is tailored for players aiming to experience the full breadth of Elden Ring, delving into optional questlines, hidden areas, and maximizing their power before facing the next major challenges. If you’ve conquered Liurnia and Godrick, prepare yourself – there’s a wealth of content waiting before you even think about heading to the next mandatory boss.
Continue Crucial NPC Questlines
Hyetta beside a fire in Elden Ring
With Rennala defeated, the world of Elden Ring evolves, and so do the narratives of its intriguing NPCs. Taking time to revisit and advance NPC questlines is a rewarding venture after conquering the Academy. Many characters you’ve encountered in Limgrave, Liurnia, and even Caelid have storylines that progress after this point in the game.
Before venturing further, make it a point to check in with key NPCs like Varre, Yura, and Diallos at their initial locations in Limgrave and Roundtable Hold. Meeting them in these starting areas is often a prerequisite for their questlines to advance and for them to relocate to new spots in Liurnia and beyond, unlocking further stages of their individual stories and potential rewards. Engaging with these questlines enriches your understanding of the Lands Between and often leads to unique items, weapons, and even endings.
Face General Radahn and Other Demigods
General Radahn boss fight in Elden Ring
For many players, Rennala is the second Great Rune holder they defeat. While Godrick is typically the first due to the game’s natural progression, obtaining Rennala’s Great Rune and the ability to respec are incredibly beneficial early on. This point in the game offers a crucial choice: which demigod to tackle next?
General Radahn, located in Caelid, is a formidable and arguably the most feared of the remaining Shardbearers. However, Elden Ring provides flexibility. Only two Great Runes are required to enter Leyndell, the Royal Capital. This means you could alternatively pursue Morgott, the Omen King, in Leyndell itself. Radahn, in this context, becomes an optional boss if your primary goal is simply main story progression. Defeating Morgott grants access to the Mountaintops of the Giants and the Forge of the Giants, pushing you further along the critical path. However, Radahn’s fight is a spectacle and defeating him unlocks Starscourge Radahn’s Great Rune, a powerful asset, and access to Nokron, Eternal City, a vast and rewarding secret area.
Thoroughly Explore Liurnia of the Lakes
Before setting your sights on the Altus Plateau, a comprehensive exploration of Liurnia of the Lakes is highly recommended. If you focused primarily on reaching Raya Lucaria, you might have missed significant portions of this vast region. Returning to Liurnia after defeating Rennala allows you to experience it at a more comfortable power level, as enemies that once posed a challenge will now be more manageable.
Liurnia is brimming with content beyond Raya Lucaria. It hosts Caria Manor, another Legacy Dungeon, numerous smaller dungeons, and a wealth of intriguing locations ripe for discovery. Exploring Liurnia thoroughly will reward you with valuable loot, crucial upgrade materials, and breathtaking vistas. Prioritize these locations in Liurnia after defeating Rennala:
- Caria Manor: Located in the northwest of Liurnia, this Legacy Dungeon offers a unique environment and challenging encounters, culminating in a boss fight that unlocks access to a significant sub-region.
- Village of the Albinaurics: Venture to the southwest corner of Liurnia to this hidden village. Search carefully to find the Haligtree Secret Medallion (Right), a key item required to access a late-game secret area.
- Lakeside Crystal Cave: Complete this dungeon, but resist using the teleporter immediately. A nearby NPC questline is linked to this location, offering further rewards and story progression.
Venture into Caelid
Once Liurnia’s secrets are unearthed, Caelid, situated east of Limgrave, beckons. You can reach this region via two primary paths: a road winding along Limgrave’s northern edge or by using the teleporting chest located in Limgrave’s Dragonburnt Ruins, which deposits you in the Sellia Crystal Tunnel.
Be warned: the overland route is guarded by aggressive wildlife, while the teleporting chest plunges you directly into the Aeonian Swamp, the heart of Scarlet Rot. Despite its dangers, Caelid is rich in adventure. If you haven’t defeated Godrick, Radahn in Caelid may be your next Great Rune target. Caelid offers numerous points of interest:
- Gael Tunnel: Located in west Caelid, this tunnel is crucial for advancing Alexander the Iron Fist’s questline. He can be found inside, though the entrance can also be accessed from the other side.
- Sellia, Town of Sorcery: Navigating Sellia unlocks access to upper Caelid areas, including the Church of the Plague and Dragonbarrow, revealing more of Caelid’s diverse landscapes and challenges.
- Millicent’s Questline: Begin this questline by visiting Gowry’s Shack, east of the Aeonia Swamp. Millicent’s quest unfolds across multiple locations in Caelid and beyond, offering a compelling narrative and valuable rewards.
- Fort Faroth: Travel to Fort Faroth in Dragonbarrow, a sub-region of Caelid, to acquire the Dectus Medallion (Right), another key item needed for progression to the Altus Plateau via the Grand Lift of Dectus.
- Bestial Sanctum: Located in the northeast corner of Dragonbarrow, the Bestial Sanctum is most easily accessed through D’s questline, which teleports you there from Limgrave, providing a shortcut to this otherwise challenging area.
Explore the Depths of Ainsel River and Siofra River
Before confronting the third demigod in the next Legacy Dungeon, consider venturing into two significant underground realms. These areas offer a change of pace and environment, packed with unique challenges and rewards.
First, explore the Ainsel River, accessed via the Ainsel River Well north of the Study Hall in east Liurnia. While much of Ainsel River and its connected areas are reserved for later in the game, the initial section is brimming with valuable crafting materials, unique weapons and armor, and a memorable, visually striking boss encounter.
Next, descend into the Siofra River, reached through the Siofra River Well near the Minor Erdtree in Limgrave’s Mistwood. If you’ve initiated Ranni the Witch’s questline, ensure you locate Blaidd within Siofra River. Many players consider Siofra River one of the most visually stunning locations in Elden Ring. Take your time to appreciate its beauty while navigating its dangers, including its notorious archers. Exploring these underground areas adds depth to your Elden Ring journey and prepares you for the challenges ahead.
Elden Ring is available now on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
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