The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC for Elden Ring introduces players to the enigmatic questline of Count Ymir and Swordhand of Night Jolan, set amidst the haunting backdrop of the Cathedral of Manus Metyr. Packed with cryptic dialogue, perilous ruins, and choices that shape your rewards, this journey unravels secrets tied to ancient bells and mystical talismans. Will you align with Ymir’s ambitions or uncover Jolan’s hidden motives? Dive into this walkthrough to navigate the treacherous paths and unlock powerful artifacts like the Sword of Night or rare Spirit Ash summons.
Ymir is a mysterious figure who sits on the throne in the Cathedral of Manus Metyr. Together with his faithful helper, Jolan, they give the player a number of different tasks.On this page of the guide, we tell you how to complete the of Ymir and Jolan questline, how to get to the locations on the maps – Finger Ruins of Rhia and Finger Ruins of Dheo, and how to get to the location in the Cathedral of Manus Metyr. Finally, we present the consequences of all possible choices.
Where can you meet Ymir and Jolan for the first time?
You first encounter Ymir and Jolan in the Cathedral of Manus Metyr, located in the Scadu Altus region. Ymir is seated on an imposing throne in the apse of the cathedral, ready to initiate his questline. After speaking with him, Jolan appears near a pillar on the western side of the cathedral. At first, Jolan is reserved and warns you not to cross Ymir, but engaging her dialogue will gradually unlock more details about their intertwined questlines.
Ymir and Jolan are in the Cathedral of Manus Metyr, which is located north of Bonny Village. It is surrounded by water on which you can safely walk.
Location from Ymir’s first map – Finger Ruins of Rhia
The Finger Ruins of Rhia, a key location in Count Ymir’s questline in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, are situated east of the Cerulean Coast. To reach them, begin at the Cerulean Coast Cross Site of Grace and follow the beach eastward. Along the way, you will encounter broken stones leading toward the shore. Continue until you find a massive chasm marking the ruins. At the center of the ruins, you will find a horn that must be blown to progress Ymir’s quest. Completing this step rewards players with the Crimson Seed +1 Talisman and unlocks further quest objectives.
After the first conversation with Ymir and after exhausting his dialogue lines, you will receive a Hole-Laden Necklace and a map that will suggest where the Finger Ruins of Rhia are located. You can get there from the southern part of the Cerulean Coast. The quickest way will be to go there from the Cerulean Coast Cross Site of Grace.
Head towards the monument with many fingers. Inside it you will notice a large bell (which looks similar to the necklace you just received). Interact with it and return to the Cathedral of Manus Metyr. You will then receive a map of the second ruins and a Beloved Stardust necklace.
How to find O Mother gesture?
How to Find the O Mother Gesture
The “O Mother” gesture is a key element in Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, unlocking access to the Hinterland and advancing Ymir and Jolan’s questline. To obtain it, head to Bonny Village in the Scadu Altus region. Start at the Moorth Ruins Site of Grace and proceed eastward into a cave network. Navigate through this area until you find a ladder leading up to Bonny Village. Once there, head north past broken bridges and a shack until you locate a withered tree with a headless statue nearby. Interact with the statue to acquire the “O Mother” gesture.
After talking to Ymir, you will receive the second map of the ruins, however, to get to them, you will first need to have the O Mother gesture. We wrote about where to find it on the page: Where to find the O Mother gesture?.
Location from Ymir’s second map – Finger Ruins of Dheo
The Finger Ruins of Dheo are located in the easternmost part of Scaduview, a hidden area in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. To access this location, players must first reach the Shadow Keep, Back Gate Site of Grace, and use the “O Mother” gesture in front of a statue of Marika to unlock the path. From there, follow the route eastward, passing through challenging terrain filled with enemies such as Tree Sentinels and spider-like creatures. The ruins feature a Hanging Bell that must be rung to progress Ymir’s questline and contain valuable items like the Cerulean Seed Talisman +1. Additionally, players can duplicate boss Remembrances at a stone coffin near the ruins.
Once you receive the second map from Ymir, you must go to the Shadow Keep, Back Gate Site of Grace. Then, from there, go right, towards Marika’s sculpture and use the O Mother gesture. If you don’t know how to get there, first start your journey from the Church District Entrance Site of Grace. You should get there by jumping on the roofs of the buildings.
After using the O Mother gesture, the sculpture will move and you will get to a new area, Scaduview. Run again, avoiding or killing enemies along the way, and interact with the bell. Finally, return to the Cathedral of Manus Metyr.
Location from the third map – Finger Ruins of Myir
The Finger Ruins of Miyr, the third location in Count Ymir’s questline, can be found beneath the Cathedral of Manus Metyr. To access this area, players must first exhaust Ymir’s dialogue and rest at a nearby Site of Grace to make him leave his throne. Interacting with the throne reveals a hidden passage leading to the underground Finger Birthing Grounds. Upon entering, players will face an invasion by Swordhand of Night Anna, who drops the Claws of Night weapon upon defeat. Progressing further leads to a hanging bell that, once rung, teleports players to the boss arena of Metyr, Mother of Fingers. Defeating her is crucial to completing this stage of the questline and unlocking further progression.
After talking to Ymir, you will receive another map – this time the ruins are located under the Cathedral of Manus Metyr. First, talk to Jolan, who is in the cathedral, and exhaust her dialogue lines. Then ask Ymir about everything. When there are no more lines of dialogue, travel to another location and then return to Manus Metyr.
In the distance you will notice that Ymir is no longer sitting on the throne and is not in the cathedral. Approach his throne and interact with it. After a while, a special passage will open. Climb down the ladder and go forward.
Downstairs you will be invaded by Swordhand of Night Anna. Defeat her and then interact with the final bell again. You will then be transported to the boss battle arena with Metyr, Mother of Fingers (more information about your fight can be found on the How to defeat the boss Metyr, Mother of Fingers? guide page).
After defeating her, when you return to Cathedral of Manus Metyr, you will be attacked again by Swordhand of Night Jolan. You must defeat her to advance this quest.
However, after defeating Jolan, you will start fighting Count Ymir. Finally, when you defeat both of these opponents, you will complete their tasks and receive rewards. In Jolan’s case, a lot depends on your choice.
Important choices and rewards
Important Choices and Rewards
The Ymir and Jolan questline in Shadow of the Erdtree offers significant branching choices, each leading to unique rewards. Players must decide whether to give Jolan the Iris of Grace or the Iris of Occultation. Offering the Iris of Grace results in obtaining the Swordhand of Night Jolan Spirit Ash, while the Iris of Occultation leads to her death, granting the Sword of Night weapon instead. Additionally, completing Count Ymir’s tasks unlocks powerful items such as the Beloved Stardust Talisman, Maternal Staff, and exclusive sorceries like Fleeting Microcosm. These choices not only impact the narrative but also determine which rare equipment and abilities players can acquire.
Once you have defeated Jolan and Ymir, rest in the Cathedral of Manus Metyr and then approach the injured Jolan. If you have any iris, you can then give it to her to earn additional rewards:
- Iris of Occultation – you will receive Jolan’s weapon, Sword of Night.
- Iris of Grace – you will receive Swordhand of Night Jolan spirit ashes.
Moreover, when you leave the Cathedral of Manus Metyr through the exit on the right side and approach one of the graves, you will get a spell – Cherishing Fingers.
What are the key differences between Ymir and Jolan’s questlines
The questlines of Ymir and Jolan in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree differ significantly in their narrative focus, gameplay elements, and rewards. Below are the key distinctions:
Narrative Focus
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Ymir: Ymir’s quest centers on his ambitious plans to harness the power of the Erdtree for his own ends. It involves uncovering ancient ruins, interacting with mystical artifacts like the “O Mother” gesture, and delving into his motivations to reshape the world15.
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Jolan: Jolan’s quest is more personal, focusing on her loyalty to Ymir and her hidden motives. Her storyline explores themes of sacrifice, transformation, and redemption, culminating in choices that affect her fate as a Spirit Ash2.
Gameplay Differences
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Ymir: His questline requires extensive exploration across areas like Cerulean Coast and Hinterlands. Players must solve puzzles involving Finger Ruins and defeat challenging bosses such as Metyr, Mother of Fingers158.
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Jolan: Jolan’s path intertwines with Ymir’s but includes additional steps for transforming Spirit Ashes (e.g., Swordhand of Night Jolan into Jolan and Anna Spirit Ash). Her quest also includes unique combat encounters tied to her loyalty35.
Rewards
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Ymir:
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High Priest Armor Set
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Maternal Staff
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Beloved Stardust Talisman
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Ymir’s Bell Bearing5
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Jolan:
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Swordhand of Night Jolan Spirit Ash (can be upgraded to Jolan and Anna Spirit Ash)
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Sword of Night (alternative reward based on player choice)13
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In essence, Ymir’s questline emphasizes ambition and power, while Jolan’s focuses on loyalty and transformation. Both offer distinct challenges and exclusive rewards that cater to different playstyles.
Which questline offers better rewards, Ymir’s or Jolan’s
The choice between Ymir’s and Jolan’s questlines in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree depends on your priorities, as both offer unique and powerful rewards:
Ymir’s Questline Rewards
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Beloved Stardust Talisman: Boosts magical abilities.
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Maternal Staff: A powerful weapon for sorcery builds.
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High Priest Armor Set: Ideal for defensive and magical stats.
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Ymir’s Bell Bearing: Unlocks rare items at merchants.
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Remembrance of Mother of Fingers: Can be traded for unique items.
Jolan’s Questline Rewards
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Sword of Night: One of the best katanas in the game, suited for dexterity and magic builds.
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Swordhand of Night Jolan Spirit Ash: Can be upgraded to the legendary Jolan and Anna Spirit Ash, offering exceptional combat support.
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Claws of Night Weapon: A unique melee weapon.
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Golden Braid Talisman: Enhances faith-based abilities.
Key Differences
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Ymir’s rewards cater to players focused on sorcery and defensive playstyles, offering versatile gear for magic users.
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Jolan’s rewards shine for those seeking powerful offensive tools, particularly the Sword of Night or the Spirit Ash summon, which is considered one of the best in the game12.
Ultimately, Jolan’s questline is often preferred due to the exceptional utility of the Jolan and Anna Spirit Ash summon or the Sword of Night katana126.
