Should You Join Volcano Manor Complete Quest Guide
Navigating the treacherous terrain of Mt. Gelmir eventually brings players to the imposing gates of Volcano Manor in Elden Ring. Inside, Lady Tanith offers an invitation to join their faction in rebelling against the Erdtree. Many players hesitate at this junction, wondering whether aligning with this shadowy covenant carries irreversible narrative consequences or locks them out of specific endings.
The Immediate Benefits of Joining Volcano Manor
Pledging your allegiance to Lady Tanith is completely safe for your overall campaign progression. Joining immediately unlocks the Drawing-Room Key, granting access to the manor's interior rooms and various side quests. Players who accept the offer gain access to unique assassination contracts that reward powerful weapons, armor sets, and talismans unavailable anywhere else in the Lands Between.
Furthermore, taking the pledge does not prevent you from achieving any of the major game endings. The narrative flexibility allows Tarnished warriors to reap all faction benefits while maintaining their chosen path for the Elden Throne. Choosing not to join simply locks you out of several rich character questlines, including those involving Rya, Bernahl, and Diallos.
How to Complete the Assassination Contracts
Once you acquire the Drawing-Room Key, you can pick up red letters from the dining table to receive your targets. Each letter marks a specific Tarnished NPC on your world map, instructing you to invade their world and eliminate them. Completing these hunts rewards you with rare equipment like the Scaled Armor set and Crepus's Vial.
The final assassination contract takes players to the Mountaintops of the Giants to face Juno Hoslow. Eliminating him awards the prestigious Hoslow's Armor Set along with the Petal Whip. Returning to Lady Tanith after these tasks unlocks direct audience access to the domain's ultimate master.
Confronting Rykard and Legacy Dungeon Exploration
If you prefer not to perform assassinations, you can still explore the manor as a legacy dungeon. By rolling through an illusory wall hidden inside one of the unlocked drawing rooms, players can navigate subterranean lava paths leading to the Prison Town Church. This alternative exploration path lets you reach the local boss without completing a single contract.
At the end of either route lies Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy, a major boss who drops a Great Rune and Remembrance. Defeating Rykard effectively ends the Volcano Manor questline, causing the remaining inhabitants to disperse from the hall. Therefore, players should complete all target letters and NPC conversations before slaying the serpent lord to ensure no rewards are missed.