Embark on a haunting journey through the intricate world of Elden Ring with Fia, the enigmatic Deathbed Companion. This guide unravels her questline, a tapestry woven with mystery and pivotal choices that can alter the fate of your adventure. From your first encounter at the Roundtable Hold to the climactic battles in the depths of the Erdtree, discover how to navigate Fia’s intricate storyline, unlock powerful rewards, and ultimately shape your destiny in the Age of Duskborn. Prepare for a blend of lore, strategy, and emotional depth as you embrace the shadows of this unforgettable quest.
Location
Fia, the Deathbed Companion, can initially be found in the Roundtable Hold, a central hub for players in Elden Ring. Upon your first visit, she is located in a bedroom adjacent to Smithing Master Hewg, where she offers a hug that grants the player a beneficial buff. As the quest progresses, players will encounter her again in various significant locations, including the Altus Plateau and the Deeproot Depths, where key events unfold. The Deeproot Depths, an expansive underground area beneath the Erdtree, serves as a crucial battleground for Fia’s champions and is pivotal for advancing her storyline. Players must navigate these diverse environments to complete her questline and unlock unique endings in the game.
You will meet Fia for the first time in the Roundtable Hold. She is in a room with a mirror that changes your character’s appearance. You can get to the Hold after defeating Margita or after exploring other regions.
How to proceed with the quest?
To proceed with Fia’s quest in Elden Ring, players should start by speaking to her at the Roundtable Hold, where she will ask for a hug. This initial interaction unlocks the questline, but further progress requires defeating two Shardbearers, such as Godrick or Rennala. Afterward, return to Fia after reaching the Altus Plateau and embrace her again to receive the Weathered Dagger. The next crucial step involves progressing through Ranni’s questline to obtain the Cursemark of Death from the Divine Tower of Liurnia. Once you have the Cursemark, return to Fia in the Deeproot Depths, defeat her Champions, and then give her the Cursemark to continue unfolding her story, ultimately leading to a significant boss fight and the opportunity for a unique ending in the game.
Aside from hugging Fia, there’s not much you can do to move her quest further. You can learn what to do next after you unlock the first Site of Grace in the Altus Plateau region.
After you’ve unlocked the Site of Grace in the Plateau, head back to the Roundtable Hold and hug Fia. Then choose the option that will allow you to hear a new dialogue. You will receive a key item, a dagger, which you must hand over to an NPC called D, Hunter of the Dead.
After resetting the location, a room in the Hold will unlock. It is in front of the blacksmith and Roderika. Go there, then talk to Fia. After a short conversation, Fia will disappear. You will be able to pick up D’s bell, which will re-unlock the purchase of its incantation and his Twinned Set.
Then, you have to go to the coffin, which is located in the boss arena of the Valiant Gargoyle, located in Nokron, Eternal City. A cut-scene will then start. After it, you will find yourself in a new location, Deeproot Depths.
You will mainly fight giant ants, both on the ground and in the air. Fia is at the very end of the location. It’s not too big, but you have to watch out for the numerous enemies.
Then, when you reach the very end of the location, you will have to fight Fia’s Champions. It is a boss fight. The fight itself looks like the raids of other NPCs on your world.
After defeating the champions, Fia will sit near the Site of Grace and portal. Talk to her and then hug her if you want to move the quest.
Then you will receive a quest to find the Cursemark of Death. This item is related to Ranni’s quest. After receiving the inverted statue from her, you must go to the Carian Study Hall in Liurnia of the Lakes.
At the entrance to the Carian Study Hall, you must place the inverted statue next to the globe. This will make the entire library turn 180 degrees. After using the elevator, you will get to the top of the Divine Tower of Liurnia. That’s where you will find the Cursemark of Death.
After returning to the location where Fia is, you can now give her the Cursemark of Death. Then, after resetting the location again, Fia will fall asleep. By touching her, you will move to a location that will lead to a fight with a secret boss, Fortissax.
After defeating Fortissax, he will give you the Mending Rune of Death-Prince, which is required to unlock the alternate game ending.
You can end the quest here, gaining the opportunity to unlock a new ending, or go back to the Site of Grace called Great Waterfall Crest and go back to the place where the scared NPC was.
You can give him the Twinned Set that fell from D, Hunter of the Dead in the Roundtable Hold.
Spoiler alert! The frightened NPC is actually D’s younger brother. If you hand him the Twinned Set, he will get to the Deeproot Depths and kill Fia, to avenge his older brother’s death. However, the decision to hand over the set does not affect the fate of Fia.
Reward for completing the quest
Completing Fia’s quest in Elden Ring rewards players with significant benefits, including the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince and access to the Age of Duskborn ending. After navigating through a series of challenges, including defeating Fia’s Champions and retrieving the Cursemark of Death, players will engage in a pivotal boss fight against Lichdragon Fortissax. Successfully defeating this formidable foe not only grants 90,000 Runes but also the Remembrance of the Lichdragon, which can be exchanged for powerful spells and abilities. Additionally, players can obtain Fia’s armor set, enhancing their character’s capabilities and aesthetics, making this questline both rewarding and essential for those seeking a deeper narrative experience in the game.
The reward for completing the entire quest related to Fia is, among other things, unlocking an alternative ending to the game.
Moreover, only by completing Fia’s quest you can fight Fortissax and get his remembrance.
What are the key challenges in completing Fia’s questline
Completing Fia’s questline in Elden Ring presents several key challenges that players must navigate to unlock its intricate storyline and rewards:
- Interconnected Questlines: Fia’s quest is deeply intertwined with Ranni’s questline, requiring players to progress through Ranni’s story to obtain essential items like the Carian Inverted Statue, which is necessary to access the Divine Tower of Liurnia and retrieve the Cursemark of Death.
- Navigating Complex Areas: Players must traverse challenging regions such as the Deeproot Depths, an underground area filled with formidable enemies and intricate pathways. Getting there often involves defeating tough bosses like the Valiant Gargoyle duo or navigating hidden routes, which can be daunting for less experienced players.
- Boss Battles: The questline culminates in a significant boss fight against Lichdragon Fortissax within the Deathbed Dream. This encounter can be particularly challenging, especially for melee characters, as it requires strategic combat skills and preparation to overcome a powerful foe.
- Multiple Choices and Outcomes: Players face critical choices throughout the quest that can affect the storyline and outcomes, including interactions with characters like D and decisions regarding the Cursemark of Death. These choices can lead to different endings, adding layers of complexity to the quest.
- Time-Consuming Steps: The questline involves numerous steps that may require extensive exploration and backtracking, making it a lengthy endeavor. Players need to be patient and thorough to ensure they complete all necessary tasks without missing crucial elements.
Successfully overcoming these challenges not only enriches the gameplay experience but also unlocks unique rewards, including Fia’s outfit and the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince, which significantly influences game endings.
What are the best strategies to defeat Fia’s Champions
Defeating Fia’s Champions in Elden Ring requires strategic planning and adaptability, as players face a challenging multi-phase boss fight against five NPC invaders. Here are the best strategies to ensure victory:
General Strategies
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Understand the Phases:
- The fight consists of three phases: the first two involve one enemy each, while the final phase unleashes three invaders simultaneously. Managing your resources in the initial phases is crucial for surviving the intense final wave.
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Summon Spirit Allies:
- Utilize Spirit Ashes, especially those that can absorb damage or distract enemies, such as Finlay or Greatshield Soldiers. This allows you to focus on one enemy at a time during the chaotic third phase.
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Focus on One Target:
- In the third phase, prioritize defeating one enemy before moving on to the next. This approach minimizes the number of attackers you face at once, making it easier to manage your health and positioning.
Class-Specific Tips
For Melee Users:
- Aggressive Playstyle: Engage aggressively in the first two phases to quickly dispatch enemies without wasting resources. Use heavy weapons to stagger foes and maximize damage.
- Positioning: Be mindful of your surroundings; avoid getting cornered as the arena can become cramped with multiple attackers.
For Magic and Ranged Users:
- Use Area of Effect Spells: Spells like Agheel’s Flame or Gavel of Haima can deal significant damage to multiple targets, especially in the third phase.
- Night Spells: Consider using spells like Night Comet or Ambush Shard, which are harder for NPCs to dodge and can quickly eliminate enemies from a distance.
Specific Enemy Strategies
- Lionel the Lionhearted: He is particularly dangerous due to his powerful thrust attacks and death magic. Avoid engaging him directly until other champions are defeated; focus on dodging his attacks and countering when safe.
- Sorcerer Rogier: He relies on quick spells and can be taken down relatively easily with heavy melee attacks that stagger him. Keep your distance if he starts casting powerful spells.
Additional Tips
- Magic Resistance: Build up resistance to magic damage since some champions use powerful spells that can quickly deplete your health.
- Healing Items: Bring Rejuvenating Boluses to counteract any status effects like Death Blight inflicted by Lionel’s attacks.
- Patience and Adaptability: Each encounter may require adjustments based on your build and playstyle; remain flexible in your approach to counter different champions effectively.
By employing these strategies, players can enhance their chances of overcoming Fia’s Champions and progressing through Fia’s questline successfully.
