FromSoftware's Elden Ring is a masterpiece of intricate design, a vast world brimming with secrets so well-hidden that even the most dedicated Tarnished might miss them on their first, or even second, journey. From the gloomy depths beneath the capital to the deceptively serene forests of Limgrave, the Lands Between is a tapestry of hidden paths, obscure items, and cryptic quests. With the expansive Shadow of the Erdtree DLC adding a whole new Land of Shadow to explore, the list of easily missed content has only grown longer. What treasures and shortcuts have you overlooked in your quest to become Elden Lord?

15. The Frenzied Flame Beneath The Capital

Throughout the narrative, the Frenzied Flame is spoken of in hushed, fearful tones. It's not merely an evil flame, but a manifestation of pure chaos, a desire to burn all distinction away into a world of madness. But where does this ominous force reside? The answer lies in one of the game's most hidden areas. Deep beneath the Royal Capital of Leyndell, behind the formidable Omen known as Mohg, lies a shocking secret: the mass grave of the traveling merchants who first summoned this flame. Venturing even deeper, past perilous drops and through a labyrinth of ruins, a Tarnished will find a sealed door. This door only opens under very specific, obscure conditions, and behind it waits the source of the chaos—the wicked, grasping entity known as the Three Fingers.

14. Defeating Morgott Removes Margit

Every player remembers their first major roadblock: Margit, the Fell Omen, guarding the gates of Stormveil Castle. This tremendously difficult fight serves as a harsh skill check. But what if the game's design allowed you to circumvent him entirely? Elden Ring's philosophy of open exploration means you can often find alternative paths. More curiously, if you do defeat Margit and later progress to the heart of Leyndell to face its ruler, Morgott, the Omen King, a strange thing happens upon your victory. Returning to the entrance of Stormveil Castle reveals that Margit has vanished. This undeniable link raises profound questions about identity and power in the game's lore. Were they the same being, or was Margit merely a projection? The game never explicitly confirms it, leaving it as one of its many environmental storytelling secrets.

13. Talking To The Ranni Doll

The mysterious witch Ranni is central to one of Elden Ring's most elaborate questlines. First encountered as the one who gifts you the spectral steed Torrent, her full story unfolds deep within the Liurnia region. A critical, yet easily missed, step occurs later. In the depths of the Ainsel River, players can find a Miniature Ranni Doll. It's easy to dismiss this as a simple key item or trinket and stash it away. However, this doll is the key to progressing Ranni's story. The secret? You must select the "Talk to Ranni's doll" option repeatedly at three very specific Sites of Grace within the Ainsel River area. If you don't rest at these exact spots and exhaust the dialogue, this massive questline grinds to a permanent halt, locking you out of an entire ending.

12. Margit's Shackles

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Struggling with the formidable Margit? There is a secret tool designed to help, but finding it requires navigating a tricky encounter. The item, Margit's Shackles, is sold by the untrustworthy merchant Patches. To find him, you must venture to Murkwater Cave, hidden in a narrow inlet at the top of Agheel Lake. Inside, opening a chest triggers a boss fight with Patches himself. The crucial, missable step comes mid-fight: when his health gets low, he will surrender and beg for mercy. You must spare him. If you defeat him, the opportunity is lost. Once spared, he sets up shop, and among his wares are the Shackles. This unique tool can be used a limited number of times during the fights against both Margit and Morgott to temporarily bind them to the ground, creating a precious opening for attacks.

11. Secret Path Past Stormveil Castle

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Given Margit's imposing presence, most assume conquering Stormveil Castle is mandatory. But the game's design offers a clever secret for those who explore. From the Stormveil Shack site of grace, instead of turning toward the castle gate, continue straight down the main road. After speaking with an old woman, you'll find a broken bridge. Here, you can carefully drop down and discover a path that winds along the cliffside, completely bypassing Stormveil Castle and Margit altogether. This route, guarded only by wolves and minor enemies, leads directly to Liurnia of the Lakes. It's a perfect example of how Elden Ring rewards curiosity and offers solutions beyond sheer combat prowess.

10. Mistwood Ruins: The Bear And The Howling

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The Mistwood is a deceptively sleepy area, famously infested with a monstrous Runebear. But listen closely—amidst the forest sounds, you might hear a distinct, echoing howl. This is not a random ambient noise; it's an NPC calling for attention. To solve this mystery, you must return to the Church of Elleh and speak to the merchant Kalé. He will teach you the "Snap" gesture. Returning to the Mistwood Ruins and using the gesture when you hear the howl summons the half-wolf warrior Blaidd from the ruins' peak. He can be summoned as a ally for the fight against Bloodhound Knight Darriwil. If you've already defeated the knight, he will instead direct you to the giant blacksmith Iji, opening up new services and lore.

9. Sorceress Sellen

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In Western Limgrave, the Waypoint Ruins sit innocently by the road. Inside, a Giant Poison Flower and its offspring seem to be the main attraction, but fighting them is a distraction. The real secret lies deeper. Sprint past the flora to the back of the ruins to find a staircase leading underground. Here, you'll face the Mad Pumpkin Head, a slow but powerful enemy vulnerable to attacks from behind. Defeating him reveals a hidden chamber containing Sorceress Sellen, a key NPC. She is not only a merchant selling powerful Glintstone Sorceries but also the starting point for one of the game's most significant and branching questlines, essential for any magic-focused build.

8. Flask Of Wondrous Physick Location

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One of the most valuable tools in any Tarnished's arsenal is the Flask of Wondrous Physick, a customizable consumable that can turn the tide of battle. Yet, its location is not explicitly marked. It can be found early in Limgrave at the Third Church of Marika, just east of Mistwood. Inside the church, alongside a Sacred Tear, sits the flask. After obtaining it, resting at any Site of Grace unlocks the 'Mix Wondrous Physick' option. However, the flask starts empty. To use it, you must find Crystal Tears scattered throughout the world—one of the earliest is in a well at the foot of the Minor Erdtree in western Limgrave. Missing this flask means missing out on crucial buffs like temporary infinite FP, damage negation, or health regeneration.

7. Walking Mausoleums

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Stomping across certain regions of the Lands Between are the colossal, bell-bearing Walking Mausoleums. Their purpose is not immediately obvious. The secret to accessing them is to attack the white, skull-like barnacles covering their legs. After enough damage, the mausoleum will kneel, allowing you to enter its chapel. Inside, you can interact with a coffin to duplicate the remembrance of any major boss you have defeated, allowing you to obtain both of their remembrance rewards. This is an invaluable way to collect all boss weapons, spells, and armor. However, each mausoleum can only be used once, so the choice of which remembrance to duplicate must be considered carefully.

6. Ghost Turtles

At Oridys's Rise in the Weeping Peninsula, a magical seal blocks the door, demanding you "Seek three wise beasts." This cryptic clue points not to monsters, but to three semi-transparent, glowing turtles—ghost turtles—hidden in the immediate environment. They are not marked on the map and require keen observation to find:

• One is on a rocky ledge near the tower.

• Another is camouflaged in some bushes.

• The third is perhaps the most devious, floating in the air high above the tower, requiring a ranged attack or careful positioning to hit.

Once all three are defeated, the barrier falls, granting a Memory Stone, a permanent upgrade that increases your spell memory slots. It's a perfect example of Elden Ring's love for environmental puzzles.