Liurnia of the Lakes is the first major region where Elden Ring stops giving players a clear path. After defeating Godrick, the map opens wide and the game asks you to figure out your own route.
If you are wondering where to go after Godrick, the best Liurnia route is:
South Liurnia → Academy Gate Key → Raya Lucaria Academy → Caria Manor → Ranni Quest → Altus Plateau.
This walkthrough covers the full progression route, every major boss, map fragment locations, the most important quests, the best loot, and the hidden secrets that most players miss.
Before planning your build for Liurnia, use the Elden Ring Build Calculator to optimize your stats.
Liurnia Progression Route
Follow this route for the smoothest progression from Limgrave to Altus Plateau.
| Step | Area | What to Do | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake-Facing Cliffs | Unlock East Liurnia map, collect early items | Unlocks the western half of the region |
| 2 | South Liurnia | Explore lakeside grace, begin Thops quest | Cheapest sorceries available, early Intelligence options |
| 3 | Academy Gate Key | Defeat sleep dragon Ornel, grab key | Only way to enter Raya Lucaria |
| 4 | Raya Lucaria Academy | Clear to Red Wolf, continue to Rennala | Unlocks respec system |
| 5 | Caria Manor | Clear manor, unlock Three Sisters | Sword of Night and Flame, Ranni quest progress |
| 6 | Ranni Quest | Speak to Ranni at Three Sisters | Moonveil, Age of Stars ending setup |
| 7 | Bellum Highway | Clear to Altus Plateau | Main story continuation |
| 8 | Altus Plateau | Continue main path | Next major region |
Boss Checklist
These are the key bosses in Liurnia. Most are optional except Rennala and the Academy dragon gatekeeper.
| Boss | Location | Required? | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ornstein (sleep dragon) | West of Academy | Yes | Academy Gate Key |
| Red Wolf of Radagon | Raya Lucaria Academy | Yes | Memory Stone |
| Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon | Raya Lucaria Academy | Yes | Respec unlocked |
| Royal Knight Loretta | Caria Manor | Optional | Loretta's Knight Armor |
| Astel, Naturalborn of the Void | Lake of Rot | Optional | Great Rune (Ranni quest) |
| Dragon Smarag | Temple Quarter | Optional | Dragon Tear +1, rune drop |
| Raya Lucaria Crystalians | Academy side path | Optional | Crystal weapons |
| Elder Dragon Greyoll | North Liurnia cliffs | Optional | 2x Dragon Hearts |
Map Fragment Locations
Liurnia is split into multiple map fragments. Unlocking them reveals the full region and enables fast travel.
| Fragment | Location | Route | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Liurnia | Near the lake, south of Academy Gate | From Lake-Facing Cliffs, follow the path west | Unlocks the southern half of Liurnia |
| Central Liurnia | Temple Quarter | From Academy, explore north | Unlocks the center and major sorcery shops |
| North Liurnia | Bellum Highway, north of manor | After completing Caria Manor | Unlocks the path to Altus Plateau |
| West Liurnia | Lake of Rot entrance | From Academy, west through Gael Tunnel | Unlocks Gael Tunnel and Moonveil area |
Important NPC Questlines
Liurnia is the hub for Elden Ring's most important questlines. Starting these early prevents missing rewards permanently.
| NPC | Quest | Liurnia Trigger | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ranni the Witch | Age of Stars questline | Caria Manor → Three Sisters → Speak to Ranni | Age of Stars ending, Radagon's Scarseal |
| Hyetta | Blind maiden questline | First at Church of Inhibition (south Liurnia) | Fingerslayer Blade, Ranni quest continuation |
| White-Faced Varre | Maidenless questline | Speak to him at Rose Church | Varmlo's Bloodflame, Mohgwyn Palace access |
| Thops | Academy student quest | At South Liurnia Lakeshore grace | Thops's Bell Bearing (sorceries) |
| Latenna | Pacifist companion quest | Near Bridge of Sacrifice (northeast Liurnia) | Latenna's Arrow Summon Ashes |
Best Items to Get Before Leaving Liurnia
These items are worth the detour. Most cannot be obtained again if you skip them.
| Item | Location | Best For | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moonveil katana | Gael Tunnel (west of Academy) | INT/DEX builds | Best katana in early-mid game, Compressed Mist |
| Larval Tears (3) | Village of the Albinaurics | All builds | Respec material, respec is unlocked at Rennala |
| Carian Knight Armor set | Raya Lucaria Academy | INT builds | 11 INT bonus, high defense |
| Academy Glintstone Staff | Raya Lucaria Academy | Mage builds | Early Intelligence staff, affordable |
| Sword of Night and Flame | Caria Manor side room | INT/FTH builds | High damage, scales both stats |
| Memory Stone | Red Wolf of Radagon | All builds | Extra spell slot |
| Smithing Stone [7] | Various locations in Academy | All builds | Mid-game weapon upgrade |
| Fanged Imps' Ashes | Caria Manor | All builds | Fast attack speed, great for grinding |
Caria Manor: Step by Step
Caria Manor is accessed from the Three Sisters area. It is not strictly required, but the rewards make it worth clearing.
Key Routes
- Manor Main Path: Enter through the front, clear to the elevator. Enemy types shift from knights to magic-using ghosts.
- Loretta Boss: Royal Knight Loretta is a high-difficulty optional boss. She is one of the hardest early optional bosses.
- Sword of Night and Flame: Hidden in a chest in the upper manor. Requires no boss kill.
- Ranni Meeting: After clearing the manor, go to the Three Sisters. Speak to Ranni at the Moonlight Altar.
When to Visit
- After defeating Rennala for respec access
- Or before Rennala if you are ready for Loretta
- Either order works, but Loretta is harder without respec
Village of the Albinaurics
An optional area north of Raya Lucaria that contains 3 Larval Tears and critical quest items.
How to Access
- From the Roundtable Hold, teleport to the Third Church of the Plague
- Walk north toward the village
- Avoid the Albinauric poison traps on the main path
- Clear the village and collect all Larval Tears
Key Rewards
- 3x Larval Tears (one from each of three NPCs)
- White Mask (from the first Albinauric NPC)
- Albinauric Bloodclaw (from the second)
- White Mask talisman for physical builds
Quest Value
- Triggers part of the Hyetta questline
- Triggers part of the Ranni questline if missed earlier
Common Liurnia Mistakes
Mistake 1: Rushing directly to Rennala
Most players miss Caria Manor, Albinauric Village, and all the quests. Take the full route.
Mistake 2: Fighting Ornel the Dragon
The Academy Gate Key is right next to the sleeping dragon. Run past it. Do not fight.
Mistake 3: Leaving Liurnia before collecting Larval Tears
Larval Tears are only available here and in Limgrave. Respec flexibility is worth the detour.
Mistake 4: Skipping NPC conversations
Several NPCs in Liurnia start questlines that reward powerful items. If you leave before talking to everyone, you miss them permanently.
Mistake 5: Ignoring Gael Tunnel
Moonveil is one of the best weapons in the game, hidden in Gael Tunnel, accessible only through Liurnia. Do not skip it.
Liurnia 100% Checklist
Before leaving Liurnia, check off these boxes:
- ☑ Academy Gate Key obtained from Ornel
- ☑ All 4 map fragments unlocked (East, Central, North, West)
- ☑ Raya Lucaria Academy cleared to Rennala
- ☑ Red Wolf of Radagon defeated
- ☑ Rennala defeated, respec unlocked
- ☑ Caria Manor cleared, Three Sisters unlocked
- ☑ Ranni quest started at Moonlight Altar
- ☑ 3x Larval Tears from Albinauric Village
- ☑ White Mask talisman collected
- ☑ Moonveil katana obtained (Gael Tunnel)
- ☑ Sword of Night and Flame obtained
- ☑ Sorcery from Thops purchased
- ☑ All NPC conversations completed
- ☑ Smithing Stone [7] collected from Academy
- ☑ Bellum Highway cleared, ready for Altus Plateau
FAQ
What should I do first in Liurnia?
Start at Lake-Facing Cliffs, unlock the East Liurnia map fragment, collect early Smithing Stones, and follow the path to the Academy Gate Key.
Can you skip Raya Lucaria Academy?
No. Raya Lucaria Academy and Rennala are required for main story progression. You cannot reach Altus Plateau without defeating Rennala.
What level should I be before Altus Plateau?
Level 60–70 is comfortable. Weapon at +7 or higher, Vigor 35, and at least 2 major questlines started.
Where is the best weapon in Liurnia?
Moonveil katana is in Gael Tunnel, west of the Academy. Sword of Night and Flame is in Caria Manor.
Where is Moonveil in Liurnia?
Gael Tunnel is west of Raya Lucaria Academy. It is hidden behind a cliff path accessible only from Liurnia. Use the Moonveil Build Guide for full details.
How do I get to Caria Manor?
From the Three Sisters area. The entrance is in the northern Liurnia region, accessible via the Bellum Highway or directly from the Roundtable Hold grace.
Do I need to defeat Ornel to get the Academy Gate Key?
No. Ornel is a sleeping dragon. The key is right next to him. Run past Ornel, grab the key, and leave immediately.
Is Caria Manor required?
No, but it contains the Sword of Night and Flame and is required for Ranni's questline. If you want the Age of Stars ending, it is mandatory.
What is the best first quest to start in Liurnia?
Thops at the South Liurnia Lakeshore grace. He offers sorceries immediately and his quest gives the best early Intelligence reward.
Should I do Albinauric Village before or after Rennala?
Either works, but before Rennala is better if you want to respec after getting the 3 Larval Tears from the village.