Let me tell you, the feeling of finally putting Godrick the Grafted in the ground is absolutely unparalleled. I stood there, amidst the gore and the glory, my heart pounding like a war drum as the glorious runes washed over me. But then... silence. The echoes of battle faded, and a profound, exhilarating question echoed in the vast chamber of my mind: What in the Lands Between do I do now? The game had held my hand all the way to the gates of that wretched castle, and now it just... let go. I was free. And let me tell you, freedom in Elden Ring is as terrifying as it is magnificent.

First things first, I wasn't about to let those hard-earned Runes go to waste! I sprinted back to a Site of Grace faster than a Tarnished fleeing a Rune Bear and pumped those levels up. Strength, vigor, endurance—I needed it all. I even went back to see old Gostoc, that creepy gatekeeper, kicking Godrick's sorry corpse. A fitting end for a grafter of limbs, I'd say! But with my newfound power, I realized Stormveil was just a tiny, gothic-themed speck on the map of Limgrave. I had barely scratched the surface!

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So, I turned my back on the castle and embarked on a grand tour of my own starting region. And oh, what wonders I had missed while being shepherded by Grace! 😲

  • The Mistwood: This isn't just any forest. It's a sprawling, mysterious realm where I heard strange howling. Following the sound led me to a merchant named Kale, who taught me a special gesture. Using it beneath a giant, half-wolf warrior named Blaidd unlocked one of the game's most epic questlines—Ranni's! This quest is legendary for its rewards and is a gateway to a fantastic ending.

  • The Weeping Peninsula: To the south lies a land perfect for honing my skills. It's slightly easier but packed with minor dungeons, NPCs, and crucial upgrade materials. It was here I truly stocked up.

  • Secret Treasures: Scattered everywhere were Sacred Tears and Golden Seeds. Finding these and upgrading my Flasks was a game-changer. More healing? Yes, please! I wasn't going anywhere without them.

The biggest shocker? An elevator. A simple, unassuming elevator in the middle of nowhere that descended... and descended... and descended into the breathtaking Siofra River. Guys, my jaw hit the floor. A whole underground world with a starry sky, ancient ruins, and new bosses? This game is insane!

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Eventually, I remembered that tunnel behind Godrick's throne. It led me out to the Lake-Facing Cliffs, and before me stretched the shimmering, flooded expanse of Liurnia of the Lakes. This was it—the obvious next step. A vast, shallow lake to traverse on my trusty steed, surrounded by cliffs hiding secrets.

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My goals in Liurnia were clear:

  1. Find the Academy: The only structure not submerged is the towering Raya Lucaria Academy, home of my next target, Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon. But I knew better than to charge in. That place is a maze protected by two bosses!

  2. Continue Ranni's Quest: This led me to the spooky Caria Manor in the northwest, a place full of lore and the next steps in her grand story.

  3. Gear Up: I hunted for magic-resistant armor and more Flask upgrades. I even found a legendary weapon rumored to be one of the best—the Sword of Night and Flame!

  4. Secret Villages: To the south, the Village of the Albinaurics held a mysterious item called the Haligtree Secret Medallion (Right), which I tucked away for later.

But wait, there's more! My thirst for adventure (or perhaps madness) drew my gaze east, to the lands stained a hellish scarlet—Caelid. I'd been there once before, thanks to a devious trapped chest that teleported me while I was still in my starter rags. The memory still haunts me.

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Caelid is a nightmare. The red sky, the toxic swamps, the monstrous, rotting creatures... it's a zone that screams "COME BACK LATER." And you should listen! But for a brave (or foolish) Tarnished like me, there were treasures to be snatched from the jaws of death. I tip-toed around, grabbing Map Fragments and some unique items, placing my summon sign to help others and explore safely. I wisely avoided its demigod for the time being.

And then, a thought struck me. The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC awaits! I could start preparing for that right now. The prerequisites are clear:

Step Requirement How to Achieve It
1 Defeat Starscourge Radahn Journey to Caelid, unlock the festival at Redmane Castle, and beat the legendary general.
2 Defeat Mohg, Lord of Blood Find White Mask Varré at the Rose Church in Liurnia, complete his questline for the Pureblood Knight's Medal, and teleport to Mohgwyn Palace.

These are not easy tasks, but knowing the path is half the battle!

So, what did I learn from my post-Stormveil odyssey? Liurnia is the gentle suggestion, the logical next step. But Elden Ring doesn't have rules, only possibilities. 🗺️✨ You could:

  • Fully conquer Limgrave and the Weeping Peninsula.

  • Descend into the magical wonder of Siofra River.

  • Brave the horrors of Caelid for early loot.

  • Start the epic journey to unlock the DLC.

  • Follow the stars with Ranni's questline.

That's the true magic. The world is vast, terrifying, and utterly inviting. My advice? Do whatever makes your Tarnished heart beat faster. Explore every ruin, talk to every weird NPC, fight every boss that looks at you funny. With enough grit and determination, you can tackle anything—even the DLC's challenges—sooner than you think. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a date with a Full Moon Queen. Wish me luck!