In the sprawling, perilous world of the Lands Between, legendary armaments stand as coveted trophies, each a unique key to power for any Tarnished aspiring to claim the title of Elden Lord. Among these fabled weapons, the Marais Executioner's Sword carves its own distinct legacy, a blade that hums with a deadly, arcane melody. Forged from a warrior's ambition and a cursed lineage, this greatsword is not merely a tool of destruction but an artifact of profound history, demanding respect and a significant investment of its wielder's attributes. To claim it, one must possess 24 Strength for a one-handed grip or 16 for two-handed mastery, alongside 14 Dexterity and a formidable 23 Arcane, a testament to the occult forces woven into its steel.

The sword's true terror lies in its duality and its signature skill. It deals a brutal combination of physical and magical damage, making it a versatile nightmare for foes resistant to a single damage type. Its unique Ash of War, Eochaid's Dancing Blade, is where the weapon truly sings. Upon activation, the blade is thrust forward, spinning in a piercing, corkscrew motion that drills through defenses with relentless force. To a seasoned sword-wielder, acquiring this weapon is less of an option and more of a rite of passage, a step as crucial as finding a lost constellation in a starless sky.

🗺️ The Path to the Shaded Castle

The journey begins not at the castle gates, but on the windswept heights of the Altus Plateau. Your beacon is the Bridge of Iniquity Site of Grace, a lonely outpost in the northern reaches. From this vantage point, the path forward is one of daring leaps rather than paved roads.

1. From the grace, approach the edge of the vast ravine that separates you from your goal.

2. You will see a massive, solitary stone spire jutting from the chasm. Summon your spectral steed, Torrent.

3. With a running leap, guide Torrent onto the spire, then immediately jump again towards the opposite ridge below. This perilous shortcut, like threading a needle in a hurricane, deposits you safely on the path to the castle.

4. Follow the northern trail, and the foreboding silhouette of the Shaded Castle will soon loom into view.

For those who prefer a more grounded approach, an alternative route exists from the Erdtree-Gazing Hill Site of Grace, involving a long but direct sprint along the main road, skirting the edges of the swamp that cradles the castle.

🏰 Navigating the Castle's Decay

The Shaded Castle is a location of oppressive beauty and hidden danger, its architecture a crumbling maze of poison pits and guarded walkways. It is a place that rewards thorough exploration, hiding treasures in its many shadowed corners.

Your objective is the highest point: the boss's tower. The ascent is vertical, requiring you to:

• Traverse rotting rooftops.

• Climb precarious ladders.

• Navigate past or defeat the castle's ghostly and pest-ridden inhabitants.

Your landmark is a large, central tower fronted by a lift. This lift is guarded by a towering, formidable knight—a silent sentinel standing watch. Defeating or bypassing this guardian and activating the lift is the final step before confronting the sword's keeper. Adventurers should note that a formidable mini-boss patrols the castle's outer walls, offering valuable rewards for those brave enough to challenge it.

⚔️ The Confrontation: Elemer of the Briar

Beyond the golden mist lies a medium-sized, solemn hall, dominated by a painting of Malenia, Blade of Miquella. Here, waiting in grim silence, is Elemer of the Briar, the Bell Bearing Hunter who has claimed the Marais Executioner's Sword as his own.

Despite his legendary status, Elemer can be a manageable foe. His attacks, though powerful, are deliberate and telegraphed, his movements as methodical as a glacier carving stone. This allows for multiple strategies:

Strategy	Approach	Advantage
Ranged Assault	Use sorceries, incantations, or a bow.	Exploit his slow movement to whittle down his health from safety.
Summon & Spell	Engage with Spirit Ashes (like Mimic Tear or Greatshield Soldiers) while casting.	The spirits act as a living bulwark, drawing his aggression.
Melee Dance	Stay close, learn his patterns, and dodge through his sweeping strikes.	High-risk, high-reward; allows for critical hits after successful dodges.

His most dangerous attack is a variant of the very skill you seek: a lunging, drilling thrust that can catch the unwary. Maintaining spacing or using pillars in the room for cover is key. Once his health is depleted, the message "Great Enemy Felled" will flash, and your reward will be granted.

🏆 Claiming Your Prize

With Elemer of the Briar defeated, the legendary armament is yours. You will receive:

• The Marais Executioner's Sword: Your primary goal, a greatsword whose unique skill, Eochaid's Dancing Blade, can tear through even the sturdiest shields and stagger colossal foes. Its charged attacks become a whirlwind of devastation, a dance of death that feels like conducting a symphony of ruin.

• The Briar Greatshield: A sturdy shield that not only blocks but also damages foes who attack it, its thorny surface a passive deterrent.

This weapon is more than just a stat boost; it is a tool that can define a playstyle. It excels in builds that leverage Arcane for status effects or spellcasting, and its skill deals damage that scales with consecutive hits, encouraging aggressive, precision play. Wielding the Marais Executioner's Sword is to hold a shard of a tragic, violent history, its power flowing into your hands as you continue your inexorable march toward the Erdtree and destiny.