Elden Ring is an expansive, richly detailed game that draws players into a world filled with lore, mysteries, and challenging battles. One of the most intriguing storylines in the game revolves around Ranni the Witch, a character whose deep, interwoven questline can lead you to some of the most rewarding and exciting content in the game, including the Eternal City of Nokstella.

With the upcoming Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, there's renewed interest in Ranni's questline, which players will likely revisit or encounter for the first time. This guide will walk you through how to start Ranni's questline, outlining the key steps, challenges, and story beats necessary to align yourself with one of Elden Ring's most pivotal characters.

 Understanding Ranni's Role in Elden Ring

Ranni, also known as Ranni the Witch or Lunar Princess Ranni, plays a central role in Elden Ring's lore and offers one of the game's many endings, known as the Age of Stars ending. By embarking on her questline, players delve deep into the complexities of the world and uncover secrets about the Lands Between, including the nature of the Two Fingers, the Eternal City, and the Outer Gods.

Unlike many other questlines in the game, Ranni's story is intricate and long, filled with challenging bosses, sprawling dungeons, and narrative depth. To understand her motivations is to understand the larger universe of Elden Ring, making her questline a must for lore enthusiasts and players seeking a full game experience.

 Step 1: Finding Ranni in Ranni's Rise

The first step in starting Ranni's questline is locating her at Ranni's Rise, a tower located in the Three Sisters region, west of the Liurnia of the Lakes area. However, you won't be able to simply walk up to Ranni's tower. First, you'll need to traverse the dangerous Caria Manor to unlock access to this region.

 Navigating Caria Manor

Caria Manor is a labyrinthine structure filled with traps, magicwielding enemies, and hidden secrets. You'll encounter spectral knights and haunting spirits that will test your combat skills and perseverance. As you make your way through this haunted castle, you'll also get a sense of the magic and lore tied to this area, which holds strong connections to Ranni and her family.

Once inside, you'll be faced with your first major boss: Royal Knight Loretta.

 Defeating Royal Knight Loretta

Royal Knight Loretta guards the path to Ranni's Rise, and defeating her is a critical part of progressing through the manor. This boss battle serves as an introduction to the more difficult challenges ahead. Loretta is a magicuser who combines ranged attacks with devastating melee strikes. Her use of spells, particularly sorceries, can make this fight tricky for players unfamiliar with the game's magical mechanics.

Here are a few tips for defeating Loretta:

 Dodging and Timing: Loretta uses both melee and ranged sorceries, making it important to stay agile. Time your dodges carefully to avoid her soul arrows and glintstone projectiles.

 Close Combat Strategy: If you're a melee fighter, try to get in close when she's about to cast spells, as her melee defense is weaker compared to her ranged attacks. Be cautious of her polearm, which she uses for sweeping attacks.

 Ranged Attacks: For magic users, keeping distance and casting quick spells can allow you to dodge her attacks while dealing consistent damage.

Once you defeat Loretta, the path to the Three Sisters region and Ranni's Rise will be unlocked.

 Step 2: Meeting Ranni the Witch

After defeating Loretta, you can proceed to Ranni's Rise, where you'll find Ranni herself at the top of the tower. Upon engaging in dialogue with her, you'll learn more about her goals and the reasons she requires your assistance.

 Pledging Your Allegiance to Ranni

Ranni will ask you to pledge your allegiance to her cause. By accepting her offer, you'll embark on one of the most extensive and loreheavy questlines in Elden Ring. This questline eventually leads you to powerful items, unique NPC interactions, and access to hidden areas like Nokron, the Eternal City, and Nokstella.

It's important to note that once you align with Ranni, you'll be involved in her journey towards defying the Greater Will and the Two Fingers. Your loyalty to Ranni will also put you at odds with some other questlines, so choose wisely when starting this path.

 Step 3: Retrieving the Broken Finger Blade

One of Ranni's earliest requests will be to retrieve the Broken Finger Blade, an item deeply tied to her quest for autonomy and power. The Broken Finger Blade is hidden in Nokron, the Eternal City, a location you'll only be able to reach after significant progression through Ranni's questline.

To access Nokron, you'll first need to defeat General Radahn, one of Elden Ring's major demigod bosses. Radahn's defeat triggers the opening of a massive crater, leading you into the ruins of Nokron. Once inside, you'll find the Broken Finger Blade, which serves as a key item for continuing Ranni's quest.

 Step 4: Preparing for the Journey to Nokron

Ranni's questline will take you to some of the most challenging locations in the game. As you venture into Nokron and later Nokstella, you'll face formidable enemies, including spectral warriors, ancient spirits, and terrifying bosses. Here are some tips to help you prepare for these challenges:

 Upgrade Your Gear

Before heading to Nokron, ensure that your weapons and armor are upgraded to an appropriate level. Nokron's enemies are tough, and being undergeared can make progression extremely difficult. Visit Smithing Master Hewg or use smithing stones to improve your equipment and prepare for battle.

 Stock Up on Resources

Nokron is a dangerous place, filled with enemies capable of dealing massive damage. Make sure you're wellprepared with healing flasks, crafting materials, and status ailment cures like Boluses for bleeding or poison. Being resourceful is crucial for survival in the lategame areas tied to Ranni's quest.

 Familiarize Yourself with the Lore

While it's possible to breeze through the questline, understanding the lore surrounding Ranni, her lineage, and the Eternal City will greatly enrich your experience. Elden Ring is a game that rewards those who take the time to explore item descriptions, talk to NPCs, and connect the dots between the world's mysteries. Doing so will make your journey alongside Ranni much more immersive.

 Step 5: Confronting the Glintstone Dragon Adula

After pledging allegiance to Ranni, you'll encounter Glintstone Dragon Adula, a formidable opponent guarding Ranni's path. The dragon's size and power can be intimidating, but with the right strategy, you can overcome this challenge.

 Battle Tips for Adula

 Ranged Combat: Since Adula's breath attacks cover large areas, consider using ranged weapons or magic to maintain a safe distance. The dragon's large size can make it difficult to avoid getting cornered.

 Wait for Openings: Adula periodically lands or repositions itself, giving you opportunities to strike. Use these moments to deal heavy damage to the dragon's head or wings.

 Fire Resistance: Given that Adula's attacks often involve glintstone breath, equip items that boost your magic resistance. This will reduce the damage you take from its breath attacks.

Once defeated, you'll gain access to Ranni's Rise and further your progression in the questline.

 Final Thoughts: The Immersive Journey of Ranni's Questline

Embarking on Ranni's questline in Elden Ring is more than just a means to an end—it's an immersive, lorerich experience that deepens your understanding of the game's world. By pledging your allegiance to Ranni, you gain access to hidden areas, powerful items, and some of the most intriguing story content Elden Ring has to offer.

As you prepare to venture into Nokron and eventually Nokstella, remember that every step of the journey uncovers new layers of mystery and discovery. Ranni's questline is both a narrative cornerstone of Elden Ring and a testament to the game's sprawling, interconnected world.

With the release of Shadow of the Erdtree, this questline will likely become even more significant, adding new dimensions to an already fascinating storyline. Whether you're a newcomer to Elden Ring or a seasoned veteran, Ranni's questline is an essential part of the game that no player should miss.