Alright, fellow Tarnished, strap in. Let's rap about a quest that, for my money, is one of the most memorable (and deliberately awkward) journeys in Elden Ring. We’re talking about the White Mask Varre. Remember the first friendly-ish face you saw after waking up at The First Step? Yeah, that guy. Well, he’s got a lot more going on beneath that ceramic smile, and his path leads to some wild places. What really got folks talking back in the day was the requirement to dive into PvP to see it through. That was a real pain point for a lot of solo players who just want to mind their own business in the Lands Between. I know I felt that way at first. The good news? As of 2026, the path is clearer and more accessible than ever, thanks to some crucial patches from a few years back. Let me break it down for you, from his first words to the final bloody bouquet, and show you how to tackle this quest completely on your own terms.

The Bloody Basics: Meeting Varre & Getting the Quest Rolling

The journey starts like any other in an FromSoftware game: with a slightly unsettling conversation. Varre greets you as a "fellow maidenless" and is your first real tutorial on how things work. He’s weirdly nice for a guy in a mask. The real kicker comes after you reach the Roundtable Hold and chat with the gnarled old Finger Reader Enia. Next time you’re in Liurnia, swing by the Rose Church on the lake's north shore. You’ll find your 'buddy' Varre there, and the tone shifts. ✨No more Mr. Nice Guy.✨ He starts talking smack about the Two Fingers, planting seeds of doubt. If you agree with him (or at least nod along), he rewards your disillusionment with Festering Bloody Fingers.

Now, here’s the part that made everyone groan initially. He basically says, "Go kill some fellow Tarnished." The classic way to progress was to use those fingers to invade three other real players’ worlds. You didn’t even have to win! Just invade three times, succeed or fail. But for folks who play offline or just have zero interest in PvP, this felt like being locked out of content. And for about five months after the game's launch, that’s exactly what it was. Can you believe that? A whole chunk of the game felt almost off-limits. Thankfully, the devs heard the cries of the solo community and dropped a game-changer.

Your Offline Lifesaver: Magnus the Beast Claw & The Writheblood Ruins

Here's the 411 for 2026: You do NOT need to go online. Seriously, it's all good. The offline path opens up once you reach the Altus Plateau. This is the crucial bit of info you need. Make your way over to the Bridge of Iniquity Site of Grace, then head east to a place called the Writheblood Ruins. Keep your eyes peeled on the ground, and you’ll find a red Invasion Sign. This isn’t for another player; it’s specifically for an NPC named Magnus the Beast Claw. Activating it will cost you one of Varre’s Festering Bloody Fingers.

What happens next is the best part of this whole offline workaround. You have two choices, both of which work:

1. Fight Him: Go all out and defeat Magnus.

2. Bail on Him: You don't have to win! ✨The key is to invade his world three times.✨ You can get your butt handed to you, or you can use the Finger Severer to flee immediately after spawning. Do this ritual three times, and it counts exactly as if you'd invaded three real players. It’s the perfect no-pressure alternative. This NPC and mechanic were added in the legendary Patch 1.06 back in August 2022, and honestly, it was one of the most pro-player changes they ever made.

Continuing the Crimson Path: Pleasing Mohg

Once you’ve done your three invasions (or invasions-turned-retreats), report back to Varre at the Rose Church. This is where he drops the mask entirely (figuratively, he keeps the real one on). He reveals his allegiance to the vile Mohg, Lord of Blood, and gives you the next, truly grizzly task: the Lord of Blood’s Favor. This is a white cloth you need to soak in the blood of a slain Finger Maiden.

Now, let’s be clear: This and every step that follows is a purely offline experience. No more multiplayer gimmicks. Your targets are pre-placed, silent NPCs. You have two primary options, and the choice is yours:

• The Church of Inhibition: Located in the frenzy-flame-infested northeast of Liurnia. A Maiden's body lies here.

• The Chapel of Anticipation: Your literal starting point! You can take a sending gate back from the Four Belfries in Liurnia. Another Maiden's corpse awaits.

Soak the cloth, return to Varre, and he’ll be so impressed he gives you the Pureblood Knight’s Medal. This item, my friends, is the real reward for the entire quest.

The Grand Prize: A Palace, a Boss, and a Shortcut to the Future

Using the Pureblood Knight’s Medal teleports you instantly to Mohgwyn Palace. This is HUGE. Reaching this hidden, end-game area normally involves a convoluted trek through a late-game teleporter in the Consecrated Snowfield. Varre’s quest gives you a VIP ticket, allowing you to access its secrets, its farming spot, and its boss incredibly early.

And here’s why this is more relevant than ever in 2026. To access the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, you must defeat specific bosses, including Mohg, Lord of Blood. Varre’s questline is the express lane straight to challenging him. Talk about a payoff! It transforms a seemingly side quest into a mainline strategic shortcut.

The Final Confrontation & Bittersweet Rewards

Your journey with Varre ends in the land you helped him reach. Once in Mohgwyn Palace, travel to the Mausoleum Dynasty Midpoint Site of Grace. Nearby, you’ll find a final red sign. This time, it’s a duel invitation against Varre himself. Accept the challenge and defeat him.

Your rewards for finishing his bloody story?

• The unique Varre’s Bouquet weapon (yep, it’s a bouquet of roses that you smack people with).

• More Festering Bloody Fingers.

• The immense satisfaction of closing a loop that started with his condescending welcome.

Final Thoughts for the Solo Maidenless in 2026

Looking back, Varre’s quest is a masterclass in FromSoftware’s evolving design. They created a narrative that intentionally blurred the line between NPC interaction and forcing player-versus-player conflict. Initially, it was a divisive choice, no cap. But by listening to the community and adding Magnus the Beast Claw, they turned it into one of the game’s most complete and accessible side stories. It proves you can have a deep, rewarding multiplayer-adjacent experience entirely on your own.

So, whether you’re a grizzled veteran or a fresh-faced Tarnished in 2026, don’t skip this quest out of fear of PvP. The path is there, paved in optional blood, leading you straight to one of the game’s greatest challenges and most useful shortcuts. Now go on, get out there and get that bouquet. You’ve earned it, and the way is clear as day (or as clear as a blood-red sky gets). 😉