Unveil the Secrets of the Land of Shadow: In the vast expanse of Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, a mysterious and hidden world awaits. Charo’s Hidden Grave, nestled above the Cerulean Coast, beckons adventurers with its promise of ancient treasures and untold dangers. But how do you uncover this elusive sanctuary? Dive into our guide to navigate the treacherous paths and uncover the secrets that lie within Charo’s Hidden Grave.
How to get to the Dragon’s Pit?
To reach the Dragon’s Pit, start at the Castle Front Site of Grace near Castle Ensis. From there, head southeast along the main path until you encounter glowing worms on the ground. Take a right turn when the path divides, and you will see an NPC crying on the ground. Continue past them through the statues without heads, which will lead you to the entrance of Dragon’s Pit. Alternatively, you can also approach from the Pillar Path Waypoint Site of Grace by heading south and taking the lower path through destroyed statues and pillars.
The first step on the way to Charo’s Hidden Grave will be to find the entrance to the Dragon’s Pit. A good orientation point will be to start from the Site of Grace called Pillar Path Waypoint. It is located south of Castle Ensis.
Look south and move along the designated road. You will recognize the correct route thanks to the headless dragon statues that decorate the roadside.
Continue along the path until you reach a cave entrance lit by a torch. Step inside and get ready to cross the underground passage.
Dragon’s Pit
To reach Charo’s Hidden Grave in Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, you must first navigate through the Dragon’s Pit dungeon. Located in the eastern cliffs of the Gravesite Plain, Dragon’s Pit is an essential stop on your journey. Start by heading southeast from the Castle Front Site of Grace, climbing up towards the Suppressing Pillar until you reach the Pillar Path Cross Site of Grace. Continue along this path to find Dragon’s Pit at the end of the cliff inside a cave. Defeating the Ancient Dragon-Man within is crucial for accessing the areas beyond, including Jagged Peak and ultimately Charo’s Hidden Grave.
There are plenty of undead, respawning enemies waiting for you in the dragon’s lair. You can fight them, but if you want to quickly traverse the cave system, it is also possible to avoid these battles. In this case, do not take your finger off the sprint button and do not stop until the very end of the cave.
In the first cave, feel free to jump down the slope and follow the corridor to the left. Be careful, because around the corner there is another enemy who will try to jump at you. You can avoid it with a quick roll.
Keep running until you reach a room lit by bonfires on pillars. Head to the hole in the wall opposite the abyss.
Jump down to the room below (you will take some damage in the process). Run up the stairs into the darkened cave.
A large enemy will be waiting for you in the cave. You can fight the beast or run away from it. Head to the hole in the floor in the right corner of the room. Jump into the room below.
Keep heading down (to the left) until you reach a large room with an altar.
Approach the gaping chasm in front of the altar and then… jump down. You will not take fall damage. You will find yourself in a tunnel leading outside.
Before leaving the caves, however, you must fight a boss – the Ancient Dragon Man. The arena with this enemy is located directly in front of the landing area after the leap of faith.
Head straight ahead through the tunnel and activate the Site of Grace (Dragon’s Pit Terminus) along the way. A dozen or so meters further, you will leave the cave system and enter an open space.
The Road to Charo’s Hidden Grave
To reach Charo’s Hidden Grave in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, begin by accessing the Dragon’s Pit dungeon, located in the eastern cliffs of the Gravesite Plain. Start from the Castle Front Site of Grace near Castle Ensis, and head southeast to reach the Dragon’s Pit. After defeating the Ancient Dragon-Man, exit the cave and proceed to the Foot of the Jagged Peak. Sneak past the sleeping dragons and continue south until you encounter a massive dragon corpse, where the Grand Altar of Dragon Communion Site of Grace is situated. Climb over the dragon’s body, heading southwest, and drop down into a field of red flowers. From there, follow the path to enter Charo’s Hidden Grave.
Jump on your horse and follow the road straight ahead. Carefully go down the sharp rocks until you reach a shallow lake below . On your first visit, you will encounter a boss here – the Ghostflame Dragon . It is an identical beast to the one you will encounter on the Graveyard Plain. More about this enemy can be found on the How to defeat the Ghstflame Dragon boss? page of our guide
The open nature of the arena means that if you don’t feel like fighting, you can try to escape from the dragon.
Take the path south. After driving along a route full of electric sheep, you will come to another interesting place – a giant corpse of a dead dragon. Activate the Site of Grace in front of them (Great Altar of Dragon Communion). You can also talk to the NPC here, the Dragon Priestess.
Run over the dead beast’s body, heading west. A little further you will notice characteristic red flowers growing around and you will finally have reached the location you are looking for – Charo’s Hidden Grave.
What secrets can I find in Charo’s Hidden Grave
Charo’s Hidden Grave in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is a treasure trove of secrets and challenges. Here are some of the intriguing discoveries you can make in this mysterious area:
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Unique Bosses: The grave is home to several formidable bosses, including the Tibia Mariner, Death Rite Bird, Furnace Golem, and Lamenter. Each presents a unique challenge, with the Furnace Golem requiring a specific strategy involving the Furnace Pot.
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Important Items and Loot: You can find valuable items like the Jail Lower Level Key, Living Jar Shards, and a Hefty Cracked Pot. Additionally, there’s a Shadow Maron 4 and a new type of torch called the Lamenting Visage hidden behind an illusionary wall6.
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Hippopotamus Scadutree Fragment: By defeating a hippopotamus found on a path to the right of a Miranda flower, you can obtain a Scadutree Fragment.
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Enigmatic Creatures: At the beginning of the area, you’ll encounter three horned animals—a turtle, an eagle, and a deer—covered in yellowish fur.
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Scenic Landscapes: The grave is set amidst a breathtaking field of blood-red flowers, making it a visually stunning location to explore.
What is the history behind Charo’s Hidden Grave
The history behind Charo’s Hidden Grave in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is not explicitly detailed in the game, but it can be inferred through its design and cultural references. Here are some insights into its background:
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Location and Setting: Charo’s Hidden Grave is situated in the southeast corner of the Land of Shadow map, beyond the Jagged Peak subarea and preceding the Cerulean Cove. It is a small, visually striking area filled with red flowers, which are reminiscent of the Japanese Spider Lily (also known as Higanbana). These flowers are traditionally associated with death and the afterlife in Japanese culture, often planted on graves to deter animals from disturbing them.
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Cultural Significance: The use of red flowers in Charo’s Hidden Grave mirrors the cultural significance of Spider Lilies in Japan and China, which are believed to guide the dead to the next reincarnation. This theme aligns with the game’s broader exploration of death, the afterlife, and spiritual realms.
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Gameplay and Lore: The area is home to several formidable bosses and unique items, suggesting it is a place of ancient power and mystery. The presence of Death Rite Birds and other undead creatures reinforces its connection to themes of mortality and the supernatural.
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Design Inspiration: The inclusion of such detailed cultural references suggests that the developers, FromSoftware, drew inspiration from various cultural and mythological sources to create a rich and immersive environment. This is consistent with their approach in other games, where cultural motifs are often woven into the narrative and setting.
While the specific history of Charo’s Hidden Grave is not explicitly outlined in the game, its design and cultural references provide a deep and intriguing backdrop for exploration and discovery.
