Embark on a mystical journey in Elden Ring as you assist the beleaguered sorcerer Thops in his quest to reclaim his place at the prestigious Academy of Raya Lucaria. Located at the Church of Irith, Thops is desperate for a second Glintstone Key—a task that will lead you through treacherous rooftops and formidable foes. Will you rise to the challenge and unlock the secrets of his questline, or will Thops remain forever stranded in his pursuit of knowledge? Discover the intricacies of this captivating side quest and the rewards that await those brave enough to venture forth.
Location
Thops is located at the Church of Irith, situated in the southern region of Liurnia of the Lakes. This small church serves as the starting point for his questline, where players can first interact with him. To initiate his quest, players must speak to Thops and donate 10 Runes, which unlocks his role as a sorceries vendor. He expresses a desire to return to the Academy of Raya Lucaria but requires an Academy Glintstone Key to do so. After obtaining this key and returning it to him, players will continue on Thops’ journey, ultimately leading to significant rewards and further interactions in the Academy.
In Liurnia of the Lakes, not far beyond Stormveil Castle, there is Church of Irith. This is where you will find Thops.
How to proceed with the quest?
To proceed with Thops’ quest in Elden Ring, start by locating him at the Church of Irith in Liurnia of the Lakes. Engage him in conversation to learn about his desire to return to the Academy of Raya Lucaria, which requires an Academy Glintstone Key. You’ll need to find this key yourself, as Thops will not accept the one you initially obtain from Glintstone Dragon Smarag. After acquiring the second key, return to Thops and give it to him, which will reward you with the Erudition gesture and allow him to leave for the Academy. Follow him to the Schoolhouse Classroom where you can collect items from his corpse, concluding the questline.
When you talk to Thops for the first time, he will ask you for a favor – donate 10 runes.
After helping Thops, he will reveal that he is from the Raya Lucaria Academy . He would like to return to resume studies at the Academy, but this is not possible without the Glintstone Key .
You must go to the Debate Parlor . As you leave the room, you’ll find yourself in a courtyard. On the left, there are enemies that are digging in the rubble and wizards. There is a railing to the left of the wizards. Jump over it, defeat the wizard, and then jump over the railing again.
Then you have to walk on the roofs of various buildings until you finally find yourself near the wooden logs supporting the roof. Jump on them, then jump onto one of the chandeliers, where the Glintstone Key is on.
Now go back to the Church of Irith, talk to Thops and give him the key. Then you have to go to the Schoolhouse Classroom . Behind the school class you will find Thops and complete his task.
Reward for completing the quest
Completing Thops’ quest in Elden Ring rewards players with several valuable items that enhance gameplay. After successfully retrieving the Academy Glintstone Key and delivering it to Thops, players receive the Erudition gesture, which is essential for solving certain puzzles throughout the game. Additionally, upon returning to the Schoolhouse Classroom, players can loot Thops’ corpse to obtain the Academy Glintstone Staff, Thops’ Bell Bearing, and the Thops’ Barrier spell. These rewards not only boost magical abilities but also provide access to new spells and items, making this quest a worthwhile endeavor for aspiring sorcerers in the game.
What are the key challenges in Thops’ questline
Thops’ questline in Elden Ring presents several key challenges that players must navigate to assist the beleaguered sorcerer:
- Finding Two Glintstone Keys: The primary challenge involves locating two Academy Glintstone Keys. The first key is necessary for the player to access the Raya Lucaria Academy, while the second key must be retrieved from within the Academy itself to complete Thops’ quest. Players must defeat the Red Wolf of Radagon to progress far enough in the Academy to find the second key, which adds a layer of difficulty due to the boss fight and subsequent exploration required .
- Navigating Complex Rooftop Areas: Retrieving the second Glintstone Key involves traversing a series of rooftops filled with enemies, including Glintstone Sorcerers and Marionette Soldiers. Players must carefully navigate these rooftops, avoiding ambushes and managing combat while executing precise jumps and movements to reach the key .
- Timing and NPC Interaction: After delivering the second key, players must ensure they interact with Thops correctly. If they kill him before completing his quest, they can still loot valuable items from his body, but this would end his questline prematurely. Additionally, if players provoke Thops after giving him the key, he may not move to Raya Lucaria Academy, complicating the quest’s conclusion .
Successfully overcoming these challenges rewards players with useful items such as the Erudition Gesture, which is essential for solving certain puzzles in the game, as well as access to Thops’ spells and items upon his eventual demise .
What makes the Academy Glintstone Key so difficult to obtain
The Academy Glintstone Key in Elden Ring poses a significant challenge for players due to several factors:
- Hidden Locations: The key is not easily found; it requires players to explore specific areas in the Liurnia of the Lakes region. The first key is located near a dragon’s lair, specifically behind the Glintstone Dragon Smarag, which can be intimidating for players who may not be prepared for a potential confrontation.
- Complex Navigation: To reach the key, players must navigate through tricky terrain and enemy encounters. The area is filled with enemies, and players must often employ stealth or careful maneuvering to avoid alerting the dragon or other foes. Additionally, the need to access a specific outcropping of rocks adds to the complexity, as players must interpret a somewhat vague Meeting Place Map to pinpoint their destination.
- Requirement of Two Keys: Players need to obtain two Academy Glintstone Keys to fully engage with Thops’ questline and access the Academy. The second key is located within the Academy itself, requiring further exploration and overcoming additional challenges, including defeating bosses like the Red Wolf of Radagon.
These elements combine to make acquiring the Academy Glintstone Key a multi-layered challenge that tests players’ exploration skills, combat readiness, and ability to decipher clues in the game world.
