Leyndell, Royal Capital walkthrough

Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital is a labyrinthine Legacy Dungeon, populated by tenacious adversaries led by a boss skilled in swordplay. In this Leyndell, Royal Capital walkthrough, we’ll show you how to defeat every enemy, find every item, and defeat Morgott, the Omen King.

Entering the capital

outer wall battleground site of grace facing the ramparts approach gates Elden Ring Leyndell

Although you can enter the capital by completing most of Ranni the Witch’s extended quest line (which requires you to defeat a powerful boss and explore numerous dangerous regions throughout the world), it’s more direct to pass through the gates not far from the Capital Ramparts site of grace on the Altus Plateau.

Approach the Capital Ramparts site of grace from the west by traveling east from the Outer Wall Battleground site of grace. Pass some ruined siege weapons in that direction to reach crumbling steps ascending along a cliffside.

From the top of the steps, follow the main path past some weaker enemies and through a trio of giants with bows and an ax to finally arrive at a guarded main gate. Defeat the challenging Draconic Tree Sentinel, who is weak to poison-based attacks. When he falls, you will receive the Dragon Greatclaw and Dragonclaw Shield. Then you should pass through the doorway he guarded to access a walkway leading to the Capital Ramparts site of grace.

Continuing directly ahead from the site of grace, you need to use two activated Great Runes, likely already in your possession. The rune for Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon activates automatically once you defeat and talk to her in the Academy of Raya Lucaria. After vanquishing Godrick the Grafted in Stormveil Castle, you can activate his rune in the Divine Tower of Limgrave.

With both runes activated, head through the main gates to arrive in the capital.

Capital Ramparts site of grace

Standing in front of a lift in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital

Head through the door from the Capital Ramparts site of grace, and ascend some stairs to the left. Ride a lift to the upper level, and then start along that corridor. There is some Magic Grease resting on a corpse along the right. Beyond that point, you’ll reach a cathedral with a corpse resting on an altar to the left. Check it for the Furlcalling Finger Remedy, and then head right and up some stairs.

Standing in front of a sand mount in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital outskirts — The East Capital Rampart site of grace are near this mound of sand.

From the top of the stairs, as you start forward, watch for a weak Commoner enemy to attack from the grass to the left, and then look for another near a torch to the right. Past them, you’ll reach a sand mound looking toward a large segment of collapsed wall. To the right, you’ll shortly reach the East Capital Rampart site of grace and a summoning pool.

East Capital Rampart site of grace

East Capital Rampart summoning pool in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital

Head through the next doors and descend some stairs. You are now at a sandy mound overlooking the capital. The door to your right is locked, so start by heading left and descend while dealing with a series of conspicuous white enemies. Among them, a larger enemy lurks in a flat area atop some short stairs. Defeat that foe and check the corpse to the left for a Golden Rune [10].

A statue near the East Capital Rampart site of grace in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital — Note the statue in the distance.

Continue along the main walkway and take out enemies as necessary, and watch ahead for an enormous statue ahead of a doorway. Defeat him with ranged attacks if possible. Check the corpse for the Golden Rune [7]. Through the door the statue guarded, you’ll find an enemy you should defeat quickly with melee attacks. It’s possible to hit him from behind while he descends some stairs.

Heading stealthily up the stairs past the East Capital Rampart up the stairs in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital

At the base of the stairs, the path splits. Check to the left behind a screen to find a corpse holding the Cave Moss x10. Looking out from there, you’ll see a door to your left and another one directly ahead (it was on your right as you descended the steps). Proceed straight ahead and eliminate three more of the white bulbous enemies. One is on the left and two are on the right.

Climb the stairs past them and defeat another enemy, and then pass through the door to the right while holding your shield at the ready in preparation for an ambush. Defeat that soldier and check the corpse in the chair for the Smithing Stone [4]. Exit through the door on the room’s far side, and head up some stairs to arrive along the route you’ve already cleared. Return to the room with the fork in the path, where you found the Cave Moss. This time, head directly forward from the base of the steps.

A group on slumbering commoners past East Capital Rampart site of grace in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital

Through that doorway, you’ll see a yellowish roof with a balcony ahead of you. You are on a lift, which you can ride to the lower level. Directly ahead, there are two slumbering commoner enemies. Take care of them. There is a room ahead, which you will return to in a moment by an alternate route. For now, look back toward your left to spot a low rooftop next to the balcony. Jump over the balcony onto that rooftop, and then walk to its edge. Ahead, there is an enemy with his back to you. Kill it from afar if you can, and then drop down and deal with a nearby soldier who was asleep.

Head next toward the left, passing underneath where the lift descended and proceeding toward the left along an alleyway. There is another knight here, and there are some commoners. Past them, you can enter a doorway to find Miranda Powder x10 on a corpse. Also notice some crates and barrels you can destroy to pass through another open door.

A forking path

Here, the path splits in several ways. You can proceed up some stairs, or pass through a doorway leading to a large room to your right, or head past the base of the stairs to find another doorway.

Up the stairs

For now, head up the stairs at the fork. At the top, there is a sleeping commoner to your right. Defeat him, and pass along another corridor with sand and a couple more commoners. Then the next room is the one you ignored after descending the lift. Here, you can sneak up on and stab a crouching enemy from behind, and then check a nearby corpse to obtain Preserving Boluses.

The room to the north

A room crowded with commoners in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital — The Warming Stone is in this room, which is filled with enemies.

Return to the room with the multiple branches, now approaching it by descending the stairs you climbed a moment ago. There’s a room that branches to your left, just past the base of the stairs. You can see a corpse with a glowing point, which holds the Warming Stone. The enemies here are powerful. Attacking one of them alerts the others and even triggers an ambush. You may wish to come back to this room later, depending on how badly you want the stone.

The hallway (the critical path)

The critical path in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital past the stairs on the left — The hallway is the critical path.

When you’re ready to return to the main event, head along the narrow hallway leading past the base of the stairs to reach a sandy courtyard with a single enemy ahead of you. You can sneak up on him and stab him from behind if you like. Then check the nearby corpse for the Smithing Stone [6].

A fence to jump over past the East Capital Rampart in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital — Hop over the fence (or railing) here.

Just past where you looted that corpse, there is a low fence looking toward a narrow alley. You can hop over the fence and proceed along the walkway, where you’ll see some canines. Two are positioned directly ahead of you, eating a corpse, and a third lurks to the left. Defeat the enemies and check the corpse for the Old Fang x3.

Continue along the alleyway, and you’ll approach a long lane. Directly across the way, there is a corpse resting on some steps. You can check it for the Gold Firefly x3, but that’s not a priority just yet because there is a powerful enemy patrolling left and right along the lane. Let that enormous fellow shuffle past you and toward the right as you make use of available cover. Then run left past an overturned carriage.

The corpse leaning out that carriage’s window holds the Holy Grease, which you can get by climbing the nearby stairs and circling back along the rooftop. Defeat several enemies waiting there, and check behind the sculpture for the Smithing Stone [4]. Then, when the patrolling monster is out of range, drop over the edge of the balcony to land on the carriage and grab your loot.

There is a site of grace nearby, so you may wish to head there directly. Otherwise, drop from the carriage and return to the balcony area. Once there, climb some stairs to the left to find two enemies standing near the corner of a building. Kill them and check the back of the alley to find a corpse with the Golden Rune [8].

Crouching through the sandy streets of Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital.

Head back along the alley and now veer right through some sand-lined streets. There are several more enemies in this direction, including one of the fire-spewing statues at a dead end. Near that adversary, there are several bodies you can check for the Golden Rune [11], another Golden Rune [8], and a Somber Smithing Stone [5]. Grab that loot and then head back the way you came, to the overturned carriage.

Avenue Balcony site of grace

From the overturned carriage, look across the street and to the left to spot a low opening with burning torches and flags. Head through that opening and descend some steps to find the Avenue Balcony site of grace. Now you can more safely backtrack to grab any loot you might have left untouched, including the Golden Rune [9] located on the back side of a coach on the far end of the street.

A large staircase near the Avenue Balcony site of grace in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital — Climb the stairs here to find loot above.

Return to the Avenue Balcony site of grace once again because this is a good opportunity to make a quick run for some easily missable, heavily guarded loot. Head up the steps in the direction of the lane, then veer right past the overturned coach. Proceed along the alley to the left of the stairs, and ascend the stairs beyond. Numerous heavily armored enemies are posted here, and the path essentially splits in three directions: right, left, and directly ahead.

The right path

A dead end area with a fountain in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital. — Get a Golden Rune [10] and a Hero’s Rune [2] by the fountain.

To the right, there is an open fountain area, guarded by a cloaked enemy and his powerful beast companion. There also are two corpses nearby, plainly visible with loot. The nearest corpse as you approach holds a Golden Rune [10]. The second corpse holds a Hero’s Rune [2]. Beyond them, there is a broken bridge, meaning this area is a dead end.

The left path

Pillaging a corpse for a golden rune in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital.

To the left from the fork in the path, there are two corpses near the balcony rails. The first one on the left holds the Golden Rune [13], while the one further along the way to the right holds an item.

The path directly ahead

A corpse holding a Stonesword Key on the roof of a gazebo in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital — A rare Stonesword Key is on this corpse.

Directly ahead of the fork in the path, there is a low balcony guarded by several weaker enemies. One of those enemies stands near a low point in a fence. You can run at the gap in the fence and leap through it to land on the rooftop of a gazebo below, where a corpse waits. Check the corpse for a Stonesword Key. If you neglect to defeat the enemies on the overhead balcony before making your jump, some of them may follow you and fire arrows at you or drop down to join you.

Now you are done looting this particular area, which connects with other buildings and walkways you have already explored or will soon explore from other directions.

Near the end of the lane

Standing in front of a fountain in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital. — The path splits here again at this fountain.

When you are done gathering local loot, return to the Avenue Balcony site of grace. Head back upstairs and work your way along the lane leading to your left, where the giant enemy patrolled. Pass the large carriage near the end of the street and continue until you find stairs descending left to a plaza with a fountain. Head through the door to the left to find a lift and ride to the lower level.

Looking down a staircase in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital, where you can jump onto the surrounding roofs.

From the base of the lift, head through the door to arrive at the top of some stairs. To your right, there are low rooftops to your right. Hop to the nearest one, and then run and jump along several more to reach an area with a corpse you can check for the Black Bow. Then descend to street level and check a nearby corpse in the square not far from the base of the stairs to find a Golden Rune [9]. Your looting will attract several skeletons.

Looking at a corpse in the distance that holds a Stonesword Key in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital — Pillage this body for a Stonesword Key.

Head back to the base of the stairs and head through the plaza while veering left to reach an alley with a corpse at the end. Grab the Gravel Stone, defeat the skeletons, and then continue exploring in that general vicinity. You will find a tree with a body near its base. Grab the Smithing Stone [4], and then defeat the enemy that attacks. Off to the side, you should also see a tombstone with a corpse resting against it that holds the Stonesword Key.

Standing at the top of a set of stars that leads down to a pathway parallel to a canal in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital

Return to the base of the stairs, and then head along the plaza again but this time veer right to find a narrow alley leading to the top of a short set of stairs. Ahead, a walkway leads along the left side of a canal. Follow that walkway and watch for a place where you can head right. There, a skeleton is kneeled ahead of you with its arms lifted into the air. Defeat it, and then look down along the canal and you should see a corpse against one end, in the shadows. Drop down and check that corpse to find the Guilty Hood.

A room filled with rats in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital

Head back along the sewage canal and enter the covered tunnel area, where rats await. As you advance, you’ll find one body in the corner you can loot for a Golden Rune [8] and another one further along that holds a Hefty Beast Bone. Watch the ceiling as you advance to target an enemy you can hit with a projectile.

These stairs lead to a ladder. Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon
Climb the ladder. Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon
The Lower Capital Church site of grace is in the distance. Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon
Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon

Continue past where you dropped that enemy, and then climb the stairs to your left to reach higher ground. At the top of the steers, turn right and follow a short ledge to reach the base of a ladder. Climb it to reach the edge of a church courtyard, where an enemy is patrolling. He sometimes drops the Omensmirk Mask, plus the nearby corpse holds the Smithing Stone [6]. You can rush past the enemy for now to enter the church to access the useful Lower Capital Church site of grace.

Lower Capital Church site of grace

Once you arrive at the Lower Capital Church site of grace, loot the immediately available treasure. Two glowing points rest on nearby corpses. One point of light holds Lionel’s equipment set, which includes Lionel’s Helm, Lionel’s Armor, Lionel’s Gauntlets, and Lionel’s Greaves. The other one rewards you with the Deathbed Dress.

Return outside and head back downhill and down the ladder. Follow the ledge past the head of the steps you recently ascended and through the doorway to find an armored enemy that rushes as you approach, along with a corpse against the far wall that yields a Cracked Pot. Through the door to its left, you will find yourself back in the square where you recently killed the skeleton that was kneeling with its arms in the air.

Crouching near a gigantic enemy in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital

Left through that open area, a giant monster attacks. Kill it (with frost attacks or arrows) for a Golden Seed and check a nearby corpse for the Golden Arrow x15. There is an additional corpse in this area, which holds the Smithing Stone [6].

To the left

Return to the base of the ladder near the church and drop down into the sewage canal, and then make your way forward to a fork where there are rats to your left and right. For now, head left. In this direction, there are some of the clinging hand-shaped enemies on the ceiling, so defeat them with projectile magic. Then head to the end of the passage and check the corpse for the Poisonbone Dart x8.

Through the corridor on your right

Head back the way you came, but now you should pass through the opening to your right and proceed along that corridor. You’ll find a few more enemies hanging from the ceiling here. If you need to farm Sober Smithing Stone [4], note that a lot of enemies of this type will drop it when defeated, so this is a terrific farming area. Past the second such foe, an especially large and powerful enemy hangs from the ceiling. He is best taken out with a series of quick melee strikes while you avoid his grip. Defeat him, and then check the corpse for the Lost Ashes of War.

Back to the sewage canal

Standing in the sewage canal in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital

Return to the ladder near the church yet again for any necessary recovery. Then drop back into the sewage canal and make your way to the fork in the path where you previously went left. This time head right. In that direction, there is a corpse you can loot for String x4. Continuing in that direction to find another hand-shaped foe on the wall. Blast it from afar, and then head down the tunnel to the right but watch out from an ambush from behind. You need to be ready to eliminate some enemies with melee attacks. There are Nascent Butterfly smithing resources at the end of that tunnel.

Backtrack to the main corridor and continue along it to find a large enemy you can stab from behind. Beyond it, three corpses rest along the floor. Defeat the enemy, and then drop down and check the corpses for the Fan Daggers x5, Erdsteel Dagger, and Holyproof Dried Liver. Then cross to the back wall and climb the ladder. From its top, jump over the low wall and head up some stairs to the left to find a corpse holding the Dragonwound Grease.

Standing next to a dragon wing in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital

Look back down the steps and ahead you will see a small building and a large dragon wing of stone. There is a stationary enemy with a bow who has his back to you, just past the building on its right side. Another knight patrols to the left. You can surprise attack the one on the right fairly easily, provided his fellow to the left isn’t patrolling nearby. Past him another one lurks behind some rubble to the right. If you like, rush straight forward, through a door, and up some stairs ahead to find yourself back at the Avenue Balcony site of grace. Coming from the direction of the church, note that engagement with these enemies is optional and the rewards are minimal.

In the area with those three knights, check a corpse along the balcony rail where the one knight patrolled. It contains the Golden Rune [9]. Collect that, and then return to the stone dragon wing and ascend it. Along one point, you can grab the Gravel Stone material. Continue up the carcass and look left to spot a corpse you can loot for a Rune Arc.

A ladder near a corpse in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital

Near that corpse, there is a ladder leading to an upper level. Along the corridor, climb some stairs and tend to the knight that is waiting, and then check the corpse near where he was standing for Gravel Stone x5. Next, head through the doorway but be prepared for a soldier to ambush you. Kill him and check the nearby corpse for Golden Rune [11], and then keep going to find the West Capital Rampart site of grace.

Backtracking and exploring

If you’ve followed this walkthrough closely, you’ve gathered most items available by the time you reach the West Capital Rampart site of grace. However, there are a few treasures that require some backtracking to reach them.

Down to the cellar (Lower Capital Church site of grace)

Stairs leading to the cellar in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital

It’s easiest to start your hunt by returning to the Lower Capital Church site of grace, descending the ladder, and then heading through the room guarded by a knight to where the skeleton is on his knees with his arms raised. Head up the steps to the right from there (across the canal) to reach a fork in the path. Then start right again where there are some stairs visible through a doorway.

A cellar room full of enemies in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital — In this cellar room, collect Clarifying Boluses and a Stonesword Key.

Pass through that opening but be ready for a fight in an enclosed cellar area. The enemies here lob flame bursts your way, and there are quite a few of them. Many are positioned on upper platforms, so you have to move quickly to them. Clear the area, and then check the corpse dangling from the upper scaffolding for Clarifying Boluses. On ground level, look to the room’s side to spot a gate you can open to reach a treasure chest that holds a Stonesword Key.

Up the ladder

A ladder in a celler in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital — Take the ladder up from the basement (cellar).

Also on the ground level in the cellar, there is a ladder leading to an upper ledge. There, open the door to produce a shortcut that takes you to the Avenue Balcony site of grace. Also check near the far end of the balcony near the site of grace to find the Smithing Stone [6] hiding on a corpse in some brush.

A makeshift graveyard full of skeleton corpses in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital — Head through the skeleton graveyard toward a fountain.

Unlock a shortcut

Return to the cellar the way you just came. Exit that chamber and cross the skeleton-filled graveyard to reach the lift at the top of the stairs on the far side. Ride the lift to reach the familiar plaza with a fountain, and cross the plaza to enter the room on the far side. Here, you can battle a powerful armored enemy, who you find standing near an altar. If you prefer, you can instead sneak past him.

A lift in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital, which leads to a shortcut. — Take the lift, which leads to a shortcut.

You can check the corpse that the enemy guards to obtain the Hero’s Rune [5]. To the left of the room’s entrance, there’s another corpse with the Golden Rune [9]. Just to the right of that corpse, there’s a door you can pass through to reach a short hallway that leads to a lift. Ride it to the next floor and open the door to create a shortcut to the East Capital Rampart site of grace (after going through the door, the site of grace is up the stairs to your left).

A sandy vista

A set of stairs near a fountain in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital — Take the stairs to the left of the fountain.

After activating the shortcut, ride the lift back down and return to the fountain in the plaza. Head up the stairs to your left and then look left again, where there are two high doors against a wall. Head to the doors and open them to produce an opening to the adjoining area.

A sand-filled area of Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital, full of items. — In and around this sandy area, collect Beast Blood x3, Golden Rune [9], Lightningproof Dried Liver, Perfume Bottle, and lots of Miquella’s Lily.

This sandy area features a variety of enemies and loot. Ahead, you will see some stairs ascending. To the right from the base of those stairs, defeat some enemies and check a glowing point for the Beast Blood x3. As you continue through this sandy lower area, you’ll find more enemies, as well as the Golden Rune [9], Lightningproof Dried Liver, and Perfume Bottle. There also are numerous Miquella’s Lily materials you can gather from the glowing yellow flowers.

Back the stairs

Ascending a rocky area in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital

Once you clear out the enemies in that lower area, return to the stairs near where you first entered this area and begin your ascent. As possible near the top of the first group of steps, veer left up the cliff and defeat the enemy that descends toward you. There are more enemies in a graveyard area here, along with a corpse holding the Soporific Grease x2. Continue along the high ground, back toward the head of the stairs. Look nearby and you’ll see a statue at the base of a slope, with a corpse behind it and an enemy. The corpse holds the Somber Smithing Stone [6].

Head up the slope after killing the enemy, and you will find more like him. Defeat the mob in this area in the manner that works best for you, while keeping in mind a powerful enemy with a long-reaching sword strike that tears through armor. If you descend from there to the top of the stairs, you can check the corpse that rests there for the Nascent Butterfly x3. The corpse dangling over the side of the nearby ledge holds the Exalted Flesh.

Up the lift

A large lift in Elden Ring Leyndell, Royal Capital

At the very top of the stairs, you can enter a building to find a large lift, with a podium that you can activate to ride it to a high chamber. Proceed through the opening and you’ll find a few last enemies, as well as a corpse. Check the corpse for the Flamedrake Talisman +1. You can check the door also, but it is sealed by Morgott the Grace-Given so that you can’t pass through it quite yet.

Avenue Balcony site of grace (again)

Fast travel to the Avenue Balcony site of grace, and head upstairs directly ahead of you upon arrival, and then pass through the open doors and start to the right. There are some soldiers and a knight in this direction. Defeat them and check the nearby corpses for Golden Rune [8], Golden Rune [12], and Lightningproof Dried Liver x2.

A path that leads to the left of the stairs by the Avenue Balcony site of grace in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital

Since you can’t open the door the enemies were guarding, descend the steps and head around their base toward an alleyway. There are enemies ahead, but you should veer right toward the base of some steps at the end of the alley. Ahead of those steps, head left again and along a narrow alley that leads to an enemy you can ambush from behind with a critical attack. Take him out so he doesn’t sound his horn and raise the alarm.

A ladder leading down in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital. — Yet another ladder.

Next, head back to the base of those steps you avoided a moment ago and head around their right side to discover a corpse in the foliage that holds a Golden Rune [8]. Return along the alley where you recently executed the guard, but this time watch for an opening to the right. There, an enemy guards a small building. Defeat him with projectile magic if you can, without alerting a nearby knight. Then head left from where he was standing to enter a building’s opening and arrive at the top of a ladder.

Walking along a ledge over the sewer in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital

You now find yourself on a ledge with shallow troughs of water ahead of you. Follow that ledge to the door at the far end to arrive at a ladder looking down on the building that houses the Lower Capital Church site of grace. You can kick the top of the ladder to make it drop and create another shortcut. If you’ve been following our walkthrough up to this point, you’ve already explored this area while following steps outlined in the previous section, so you should go ahead and fast travel to the West Capital Rampart site of grace to resume your journey.

West Capital Rampart site of grace

From the West Capital Rampart site of grace, head forward to reach the top of some stairs. Descend them and wrap around their base to the right to find a corpse at the end of a corridor. Check the corpse for the Cane Sword. Then head back to the base of those stairs and continue through the arch. Defeat the enemies to the left and right, and check the corpse the enemies on the right were guarding for a Golden Rune [9] . Near to it, there is a lever you should also pull.

A golden seed by a golden tree near the West Capital Rampart site of grace in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital — A Golden Seed!

Head back upstairs and continue along the rampart to find a powerful stone gargoyle enemy. Defeat it to acquire the Gargoyle’s Halberd. To the left of where the gargoyle was positioned are several white enemies standing around a glowing tree. Defeat them and pick up the Golden Seed. Then look back the way you came and you’ll see the top of some stairs that descend to a lower door. As you descend, watch for an enemy that attacks from your left. Then look ahead through the arches to see a corpse you can loot for a Smithing Stone [6].

Looking at a large root in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital

After grabbing the item, drop down from the roof, and head to the left. There are some roaming hounds here, as well as the base of a large root leading to the upper balcony. To the right from that root, you’ll see a body resting on the roof of a low building you can climb from a sand dune to the left. It holds a Golden Rune [9]. Look along the roof to your left from there to find a low gap in the wall, allowing access to an archway.

Head through the archway and then the next door to reach a treasure room of sorts. There are two glowing points in plain view. One is the Sanctified Whetblade and the other is the Hammer. Through the next room on that level, you’ll find a bedroom with two more glowing points that are the Hero’s Rune [1] and the Be My Sword gesture.

Return to the previous room and pass through the opening to your left. You’ll see a large round table with chairs around it, like the one in Roundtable Hold. There is a Rune Arc resting on that table. Exit to the balcony to find a corpse hanging from the railing that holds a Smithing Stone [5]. Then return to the room with the table and enter the next door, then cross to the far chamber to reach a fireplace where a corpse holds the Furlcalling Finger Remedy.

Double doors that lead to a staircase in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital

Head back out through the door and veer left. Proceed in that direction to reach a room at the end, where a corpse rests in a chair. It holds the Seedbed Curse. Then backtrack to the room with the round table. Enter the double doors and cross to the throne to grab the Coded Sword. Then return to the previous room and head back toward the room with the suits of armor, from which you made your initial approach. There are some stairs there that you should now descend toward the lower level.

Halfway down those stairs, check the corpse for a Smithing Stone [6]. Then drop down to the lower area and double back to find a hallway leading into a dining area. Check in this chamber to find two glowing points to investigate. Near the fireplace, you’ll find the Two Fingers’ Prayerbook. The point at the base of some pillars to the room’s side holds Black-Key Bolt x20. You can kill the enemies in the next room for some runes, though they aren’t hiding any treasure. Then head back in the direction of the ruined stairs you descended a short time ago, where you’ll find doors leading left.

Head left through this room. Examine the corpse seated ahead of some statues to receive the various pieces of Alberich’s armor: Alberich’s Pointed Hat, Alberich’s Robe, Alberich’s Bracers, and Alberich’s Trousers. Through the opening to the right from that corpse, first head immediately right and check behind some racks to find a Smithing Stone [5]. Then cross the room and enter the next door. At the end of that chamber, the door leading right leads to the Fortified Manor, First Floor site of grace.

Fortified Manor, First Floor site of grace

In the room with the Fortified Manor, First Floor site of grace, examine the painting to receive the “Flightless Bird” Painting. Then return the way you came until you reach the wide corridor with open doors leading outside.

Ahead of the doors leading outside, a set of double doors lead left. Continue through yet another set of doors, already opened. In this area, two roaming enemies attack. You can backtrack through the opened doors to the previous corridor and the enemies will ram up against the opening without being able to pass through it. Lure your foes to that place one at a time, and safely pelt them with projectile magic to eliminate them.

Facing a room with a lift near the Fortified Manor, First Floor site of grace in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital — The lift is in this room.

With those dangerous enemies out of the way, you should explore the yard they guarded. Head around the outer corridor the enemies patrolled and check against the dead end to find a Somber Smithing Stone [6]. Then head to the central area. Against one wall, check a corpse for the Stormhawk Axe. On another corpse in the brush near the center of that same yard, find Nascent Butterfly x3. Cross to the edge of the open area to find a chamber with a lift you can ride up one level.

Divine Bridge site of grace

After riding the lift, head forward and up some stairs to reach the Divine Bridge site of grace. Activate it, then head back to the manor grounds and proceed through the doorway that leads outside.

To the left

As you exit the manor, you arrive at the edge of a lane leading left and right. Start by exploring to the left, where an armored knight patrols. You can sneak behind the stables to the right to find a corpse at the end, which holds the Old Fang x5. Keep advancing from there and follow the soil path left to ascend over where another knight with a bow is positioned. From there, you can climb over a stony ledge and find an area with a glowing point where you can acquire the Gravel Stone x3.

Next, turn around and look down the street. There is a giant stone claw formation you can ascend along. From its tip, you can jump to the roof of a building to the right, and then leap from that building to the next one. Timing is crucial, and you have to run. Inside the upper room, there are two glowing points where you can acquire a Smithing Stone [6] and a Stonesword Key. Then you should return along the street until you arrive back at the manor entrance.

Continue along the street to reach the base of a giant root at its far end with some patrolling hounds. You need to ascend that root while battling many enemies. Along the way, follow an extension leading to cliffs to the right. Near some poison flowers, you can check a corpse for a Smithing Stone [6]. Then, near the very top, follow a branch to a rooftop to the left and check along its side to find a body that holds Holy Grease x3. Then return to the main portion of the root and ascend to its highest point for a boss battle with the lethal Godfrey, First Elden Lord.

Preparing for the Godfrey, First Elden Lord boss fight

The fight with Godfrey after climbing Leyndell’s tree roots won’t be your last encounter with the First Elden Lord, and it’s really just a warm-up for the boss battle that will follow soon afterward. Nevertheless, the Golden Shade of Godfrey can stymie even experienced Souls players with unpredictable combos and a difficult-to-dodge stomp attack.

That means you’ll want to make sure you’re prepared. If you followed our guide to defeating Draconic Tree Sentinel on the way into Leyndell, you’ve already explored the Altus Plateau. But if not, you should — there’s plenty of loot that can help you in the fight.

Gearing up in Altus Plateau

First off, you want your healing Flasks to be as effective as possible at this point, so make sure to grab all the Golden Seeds and Sacred Tears you can find in Altus Plateau. Without venturing too far and encroaching onto Mt. Gelmir to the west, you can grab two Sacred Tears in Altus Plateau at the following locations:

Second Church of Marika, on the western edge (accessible from the north)
Stormcaller Church, near the Rampartside Path site of grace

Elden Ring’s map, showing the location of Altus Plateau flask upgrades

Meanwhile, Golden Seeds can be found in the following locations:

Beside the Erdtree Gazing Hill site of grace
Roadside East of 1
Inside the Capital wall past the two Tree Sentinels
North of 3
Near the road heading north from 4, outside the Capital wall
Near the Minor Erdtree (watch out for the wormface enemies)

Elden Ring’s map showing the location of flash upgrades in Leyndell, Royal Capital

And within the capital city itself, you can find two more Golden Seeds:

The Ulcerated tree Spirit that spawns in the courtyard near the Avenue Balcony site of grace drops one
One is guarded by a group of envoys and a large gargoyle enemy on a balcony just outside the West Capital Rampart site of grace room (it’s hard to miss on your way to Godfrey fight)

With your flasks upgraded, you’ll want to grab the Arsenal Charm +1 from the Altus Tunnel dungeon, which you can see on your map — it’s a roundish discoloration just south of the Altus Plateau Minor Erdtree. In addition, if you somehow missed the extra Margit fight on your way to the Draconic Tree Sentinel, follow the road north/northeast from the Outer Wall Phantom Tree site of grace and fight the boss again for the Viridian Amber Medallion +1. These two talismans raise your maximum equip load and maximum stamina, respectively, and should be useful no matter what kind of build you’re running.

Elden Ring’s map, showing the location of Sainted Hero’s Grave — Get the Dragoncrest Shield Talisman +1 in the Sainted Hero’s Grave.

However, the Brass Shield, Boltdrake Talisman, and defensive incantations you may have looted for the Draconic Tree Sentinel fight won’t be much use here. Despite appearing to be a big golden ghost, Godfrey uses purely physical attacks. And a shield is basically useless for this fight, as we’ll explain shortly. One thing you will want to grab, though, is the Dragoncrest Shield Talisman +1, a charm that boosts physical damage negation. You’ll find it behind a stone sword key fog gate in the Sainted Hero’s Grave dungeon in the central area of the Altus Plateau.

Godfrey, First Elden Lord boss

— By Mike Rougeau

The Golden Shade of Godfrey uses entirely physical attacks, so your elemental defense talismans and incantations are useless. And surprisingly, using a shield during this battle is hard to pull off, thanks to Godfrey’s aggressive and powerful moves. His combos often include five or six successive attacks, which will leave you stance-broken and vulnerable if you try to block them all. Instead, you’ll have to either keep your distance from Godfrey, or learn how to dodge his attacks.

Dodging to live, living to dodge

Thankfully, Godfrey’s attacks are fairly predictable. This Golden Shade only has one phase, and he never changes his combos up, even as he approaches death. Spend some time getting to know his move set; putting down your summoning sign by using the Tarnished’s Furled Finger item outside the boss fog is a great way to get some practice in.

Without a doubt, Godfrey’s most dangerous move is his stomp attack, which sends spikes jutting up from the floor in a cone outward in front of him. It might seem counterintuitive at first, but it actually is quite easy to dodge this attack. The trick is waiting until his foot starts coming down, then dodging toward the boss. You’ll be safe from damage and firmly in melee range, ready for a counterattack.

However, you’re still not quite free to get some swings in. Godfrey nearly always follows up the stomp with several powerful melee swings. This post-stomp combo often involves one powerful swing followed by the boss dragging his axe in a circle behind him before unleashing another overhead attack. Dodging this can be tricky, as you’ll be tempted to roll far too early; instead, let the axe complete its circle and begin to come down before you roll.

The other possibility involves a combo of up to five attacks that begins with two rapid-fire overhead swings. If Godfrey begins to unleash these, make sure you’re ready to dodge all five swings before trying to get your own hits in.

The range option

Of course, if you’re a magic or faith user, there’s no need to get close to Godfrey’s Golden Shade at all. Simply back away from him continuously, dodging when necessary, and unleash spells whenever you have an opening. Godfrey can be staggered, so the Rock Sling sorcery is a particularly good choice (it can be found in a chest in the Street of Sages ruins in Caelid). For faith users, Stone of Gurranq is another great option, though it’s less easily accessible, since it requires giving six deathroots to the Beast Clergyman in eastern Caelid.

Of course, the same timing tricks will apply — Godfrey’s attacks have surprising reach, so you want to wait for him to finish his combos before you start casting. In fact, the best strategy is probably a combination of melee and magic attacks; either way, you’ll have to learn how to avoid Godfrey’s attacks.

Summoning for Godfrey, First Elden Lord

Just like with other boss fights in Elden Ring, you can summon help by opening your multiplayer menu and using the Furlcalling Finger Remedy item to enable you to see other players’ summon signs. And don’t forget that you can use the Tarnished’s Furled Finger item to place your own summon sign, allowing you to help other players beat the boss in their own world, while getting to practice the fight without risking your runes.

With a summoning pool effigy and a Stake of Marika right next to the boss fog, summoning help or offering your own help for Godfrey’s Golden Shade is easy. However, keep in mind that the more players or NPCs you summon for the fight, the more health the boss will have. With that in mind, you might want to opt for a Spirit Ash instead — using one doesn’t increase the boss health.

With these strategies, the Golden Shade of Godfrey, the First Elden Lord, should soon dissipate, netting you a much-appreciated extra talisman slot — and access to the Capital’s real final boss fight, Morgott, the Omen King.

After defeating Godfrey, you will receive a Talisman Pouch. Make sure to activate the Erdtree Sanctuary site of grace in the vicinity and look for a body along the side of the main chamber that you can loot for the Somber Smithing Stone [5] x3. Then follow the lift to reach the capital’s lower reaches once again as you plan your approach to Morgott, the Omen King.

The Erdtree Sanctuary

From the Erdtree Sanctuary site of grace, you can advance in two new directions. Start by heading down the short steps and following a wide corridor to reach an outside area. Descend the steps and enter the building. Then catch a ride on the lift to the lower level and descend more steps before heading toward a statue against a far wall. Ahead of the statue, steps descend toward the left and a couple of enemies near a corpse. Defeat the enemies and check the corpse for the Holy Grease x5.

A statue near a railing in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital, near the Erdtree Sanctuary. — Note the statue near the railing.

Next, turn around and start along the balcony past where the two enemies were positioned. There is a statue ahead of you. As you approach it, look for an invisible enemy to start running away to your right. Follow its golden steps and defeat it with a suitable spell to receive the Barrier of Gold incantation. If the enemy gets away from your early efforts, it follows a course along the walkway ahead, which is guarded by a powerful enemy. Be mindful of that trap.

Back to the Erdtree Sanctuary site of grace

An elusive treasure sits in the distance in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital, near the Erdtree Sanctuary. — Climb along the root to find the loot.

You are then ready to return to the Erdtree Sanctuary site of grace near where you fought Godfrey and to head outside in the opposite direction of the one you just explored. You’ll soon reach a fork in the path. First, follow the path winding along the building to the right. In a gazebo at the end of that path, you’ll find Holy Grease x6. Then, backtrack and head along the path that led left from the balcony. Climb along a root that forms an arc over that path to reach a higher balcony. To the left is a glowing point on a hanging bit of rubble that you can’t reach quite yet.

Head through an opening to the right to arrive at the edge of an outdoor walkway curving toward the right. Drop left here to access a lower platform and the roof beyond it. Climb the eave and pass through an open window to return to the chamber you just left, except this time on the other side of the large root. Follow the balcony to the right to find a treasure chest you can open for the Erdtree Bow.

A corpse sitting next to a ladder in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital, near the Erdtree Sanctuary.

Near that treasure chest is another opening. Pass through it to find a corpse hanging over a ledge, along with the top of a ladder. Kick the ladder to create a convenient shortcut to the balcony. Check the body for the Celestial Dew. Then return to the previous room and head along the balcony to reach the root, which you can jump to and walk along. Follow it to find yourself closer to the hanging debris you saw previously. You can acquire the Golden Order Principia by searching while standing on the nearby root.

Standing on a walkway looking at a door in the distance in Elden Ring’s Leyndell, Royal Capital, near the Erdtree Sanctuary. — Follow the walkway instead of dropping down.

Return to the outdoor balcony you initially reached by climbing the root to the left of the site of grace (it’s to your left as you stand facing the hanging debris that held the Golden Order Principia). This time, instead of dropping left to the rooftop, proceed along the walkway. As you do, you’ll see an enemy sitting on the steps. When you step within range, he will attack using a powerful projectile spell, or by rushing you and dazzling you with swift swordplay. Defeat him quickly with melee attacks.

Head through the wide opening your swift foe guarded and climb some stairs to reach and activate the Queen’s Bedchamber site of grace. There is a glowing point in plain view on the tarped stone sculpture that you can check for the Blessing of the Erdtree.

Once you are ready to face the area’s boss, proceed along the steps that ascend from the Queen’s Bedchamber site of grace to reach that confrontation with Morgott, The Omen King.

Morgot, the Omen King boss fight

— By Mike Rougeau

The self-proclaimed “last of all kings” is no slouch, and this battle is significantly more chaotic and difficult than earlier fights with Margit. Thankfully, there’s a lot you can do to make it easier. If you checked out our guides for the Draconic Tree Sentinel and Godfrey’s Golden Shade, some of this will look familiar. If not, you have some exploring to do. Get ready to get the most out of Altus Plateau.

Gearing up in Altus Plateau

Second Church of Marika, on the western edge (accessible from the north)
Stormcaller Church, near the Rampartside Path site of grace

Altus Plateau flask upgrade map locations in Elden Ring

Meanwhile, Golden Seeds can be found in the following locations:

Beside the Erdtree Gazing Hill site of grace
Roadside East of 1
Inside the Capital wall past the two Tree Sentinels
North of 3
Near the road heading north from 4, outside the Capital wall
Near the Minor Erdtree (watch out for the wormface enemies)

An Elden Ring map of Leyndell, Royal Capital showing Flask upgrade locations the Ulcerated Tree Spirit spawn point and on a balcony. — Flask upgrade locations the Ulcerated Tree Spirit spawn point and on a balcony.

And within the capital city itself, you can find two more Golden Seeds:

The Ulcerated Tree Spirit that spawns in the courtyard near the Avenue Balcony site of grace drops one
One is guarded by a group of envoys and a large gargoyle enemy on a balcony just outside the West Capital Rampart site of grace room (it’s hard to miss on your way to Godfrey fight)

Elden Ring map showing the location of the Sainted Hero Grave dungeon — Get the **Dragoncrest Shield Talisman +1** at the Sainted Hero Grave dungeon.

Another thing you’ll want to grab is the Dragoncrest Shield Talisman +1, a charm that boosts physical damage negation. You’ll find it behind a stone sword key fog gate in the Sainted Hero’s Grave dungeon in the central area of the Altus Plateau.

Elden Ring’s map, showing the location of the Seaside Ruins dungeon — Get the **Haligdrake Talisman** starting from the Seaside Ruins site of grace, and you’ll negate some Hold damage.

In addition, unlike the previous boss, Godfrey, Morgott does Holy damage as well as Physical. So go pick up the Haligdrake Talisman too if you don’t already have it. From the Seaside Ruins site of grace in Limgrave, jump down the ruins directly south and alight on the beach by jumping into the whirling spirit spring. Defeat the enemy there for an unrelated Ash of War, then head into the cliffside cave to pick up this talisman, which improves holy damage defense.

Alternatively, if you’re feeling even more adventurous and have already begun delving into the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds underneath Leyndell, you can pick up the slightly more effective Haligdrake Talisman +1 in the Leyndell Catacombs dungeon. To reach the dungeon, head beneath the Capital by dropping down a well in the shadow of the large stone dragon, and then continue navigating downward until you reach a large room full of meandering pipes. Sneak past the giant lobsters at the bottom and the dungeon is through the next passage.

Elden Ring’s map showing the location of the Cathedral of Dragon Communion. — You can get **Rotten Breath** from the the Cathedral of Dragon Communion in southwest Called.

Lastly, Morgott is quite susceptible to status effects like Poison, Frost, Bleed, and even Scarlet Rot. Faith users can cast Rotten Breath, a dragon incantation purchased at the Cathedral of Dragon Communion in southwest Caelid.

Elden Ring’s map showing the location of the Smoldering Church in north Caelid. — Get the **Nomadic Warrior’s Cookbook [14]** from the Smoldering Church in north Caelid, and you can craft **Poisonbone Darts** and **Poison Pots**.

Poisonbone Darts and Poison Pots are easy to craft, as long as you’ve looted the Nomadic Warrior’s Cookbook [14] from the Smoldering Church, also located in Caelid. For Frost, magic users can purchase Glintstone Icecrag from Preceptor Seluvis after giving his potion to either Nepheli or Gideon in the Roundtable Hold.

Elden Ring’s map, showing the location of the Hoarfrost Stomp Ash of War near Caria Manor in Liurnia of the Lakes. — Get the **Hoarfrost Stomp Ash of War** in this swamp near Caria Manor in Liurnia of the Lakes.

Alternately, Hoarfrost Stomp — an Ash of War looted from an invisible scarab in the small body of water east of Caria Manor — is still a powerful option, despite getting slightly nerfed in the 1.03.1 patch.

Elden Ring’s map showing the location of Murkwater Cave in Limgrave, where you’ll find Patches. — Find Patches in Murkwater Cave to get **Margit’s Shackle**.

Lastly, it’s a very good idea to bring Margit’s Shackle into this fight. Despite Morgott changing his loadout and his name, the shackle still works to pin him to the ground during the battle’s first phase, making for a very good opportunity to lay on some damage. If you never got this item, go meet Patches in the Murkwater Cave in eastern Limgrave, and be sure to spare him when he begs for mercy.

Learn the Morgott fight

This new-and-improved version of Margit has a much bigger and more threatening arsenal. His attacks are varied and unpredictable, and even come loaded with status effects in his second phase. Trying to predict Morgott’s attacks is usually a losing strategy; he mixes things up far too effectively. Instead, you’ll want to keep your distance and look for openings during which you can get some damage in.

Phase 1: Let’s get this over with

Morgott waits until his second phase to unleash his bleed and fire attacks, which can easily kill you if he catches you off guard with a combo. That’s when you’ll need all your flasks and FP for abilities and magic; as such, it’s a good idea to get through phase 1 as quickly as possible.

Luckily, that’s fairly easy to do if you’ve summoned Melina outside the fog gate (or summoned other players using a Furlcalling Finger Remedy), have Margit’s Shackle in your hotbar, and are using bleed and/or frost status effects. Even post-nerf, using a katana imbued with the Cold Affinity does massive damage by stacking frost and bleed. Basically, as soon as the battle begins and you get within range of the boss, use the shackle, then get in close and attack him as much as you can before he gets up. Then do it again. If you’re effective, you can get him nearly or even all the way down to phase 2 right from the start.

Otherwise, you’ll have to try your luck dodging and blocking Morgott’s attacks and trying to get in a swipe here or there. This is where magic or Hoarfrost Stomp can really come in handy, although Morgott will still catch you off guard with fast, unpredictable attacks like his holy daggers and his spinning hammer move. On the other hand, his jumping hammer slam and holy spear throw are extremely easy to dodge, and should give you an opening to punish him with some damage.

Likewise, when Morgott charges at you with his spear, roll toward him and then turn around to attack his back as he charges past you (don’t try to block this, as he’ll likely break your guard). And the large-area attack that sends holy swords falling from the sky is a great time to heal, or punish the boss with distance attacks or even status items like throwing pots or darts.

Phase 2: Holy moly

The second phase is where things really get crazy. You can get some attacks in as Morgott kneels on the ground, but watch out for the considerable explosion that quickly follows. This is when Morgott begins imbuing his weapons with status effects, including bleed and fire. Random explosions occur throughout the arena, and the boss’s combos get even meaner. Watch out in particular for the deadly thrust after Morgott coats his blade in blood; the wind-up is painfully small, and it can easily one-shot you.

Luckily, the same general strategies apply. Keep your distance from Morgot as much as possible, watching out for easily dodged moves like the high-flying hammer slam. Use those opportunities to get one or two attacks in, or spam a highly damaging move like Hoarfrost Stomp, then back off again before Morgott gets his next attack off. If you summoned Melina, feel free to hang by her, as she’ll cast powerful healing spells that you can take advantage of.

Even in this dangerous second phase, it’s possible to break Morgott’s stance, though you’ll have to be dangerously aggressive to do so. Luckily, Morgott will still do his easily avoided raining-holy-swords attack, leaving you enough openings to get damage or status effects in from a distance.

Maidenless no more

Summoning Melina for the fight with Morgott is a very good idea. She uses powerful attacks and can even heal you with incantations, which might make you wonder why she doesn’t help out more often. Alternatively, if you’ve leveled up your Spirit Jellyfish ash summon, the poison might come in handy.

And just like with other boss fights in Elden Ring, you can summon help by opening your multiplayer menu and using the Furlcalling Finger Remedy item to enable you to see other players’ summon signs. And don’t forget that you can use the Tarnished’s Furled Finger item to place your own summon sign, allowing you to help other players beat the boss in their own world, while getting to practice the fight without risking your runes. However, keep in mind that the more players or NPCs you summon for the fight, the more health the boss will have.

Lay on the status effects and keep your distance while you patiently wait for openings to attack, and Morgott will wind up in the dirt where he belongs eventually. Just keep in mind that your journey is far from over, and keep checking here for more guides as you go.

Once you defeat Morgott, you receive Morgott’s Great Rune and Remembrance of the Omen King. Then you are ready to explore the areas beyond Leyndell by exiting through its eastern gate, which is no longer blocked by the powerful sorcery you encountered on any previous visits.

Elden Ring Leyndell, Royal Capital walkthrough

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Table of contents

Entering the capital

Capital Ramparts site of grace

East Capital Rampart site of grace

A forking path

Up the stairs

The room to the north

The hallway (the critical path)

Avenue Balcony site of grace

The right path

The left path

The path directly ahead

Near the end of the lane

Lower Capital Church site of grace

To the left

Through the corridor on your right

Back to the sewage canal

Backtracking and exploring

Down to the cellar (Lower Capital Church site of grace)

Up the ladder

Unlock a shortcut

A sandy vista

Back the stairs

Up the lift

Avenue Balcony site of grace (again)

West Capital Rampart site of grace

Fortified Manor, First Floor site of grace

Divine Bridge site of grace

To the left

Preparing for the Godfrey, First Elden Lord boss fight

Gearing up in Altus Plateau

Godfrey, First Elden Lord boss

Dodging to live, living to dodge

The range option

Summoning for Godfrey, First Elden Lord

The Erdtree Sanctuary

Back to the Erdtree Sanctuary site of grace

Morgot, the Omen King boss fight

Gearing up in Altus Plateau

Learn the Morgott fight

Phase 1: Let’s get this over with

Phase 2: Holy moly

Maidenless no more

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