Alright, Tarnished, gather 'round the Site of Grace and let me tell you the tale of my most recent misadventure in the Lands Between. We're talking about the legendary, the optional, the utterly majestic Regal Ancestor Spirit lurking in the upper reaches of Nokron, Eternal City. Now, I'm no stranger to FromSoftware's idea of a good time (read: brutal punishment), but this particular spectral stag required a bit more than just showing up and swinging a big sword. Oh no, this fella is a bit of a diva and demands a specific pre-show ritual: lighting all six of Nokron's enigmatic flame pillars. Let me tell you, finding these braziers was a journey filled with more wandering goats and confused Shamans than I ever bargained for.

Before we dive into the pillar pilfering, let's get our bearings. Getting to Nokron itself is its own little escapade. You've got to find that massive, world-shattering crater south of Mistwood in Limgrave. One wrong step and you're taking the express elevator down to the underground—no grace required. Once you're in this eternal city, your destination is the Ancestral Woods up north. But of course, the path is blocked by a giant overpass guarded by a Mimic Tear. You know, just a casual shapeshifting blob of silver that perfectly replicates all your bad habits and poor equipment choices. Good times.

The Great Pillar Pilgrimage: A Six-Stop Tour of Confusion

Compared to the archer-infested nightmare of lighting the pillars for its lesser cousin in Siofra River, Nokron's braziers are supposedly easier. "Fewer enemies," they said. "No formidable archers," they promised. They failed to mention the legions of Ancestral Followers, their shamanic choir directors, and the occasional wolf pack that seems to have a personal vendetta against my torch.

Here’s the breakdown of my glorious, stumbling tour to summon a ghost deer:

Pillar Number	My "Expert" Directions & Hazards
Pillar 1	Location: Right off the main path from the overpass. The Experience: "Oh, this one's easy!" Famous last words. Just descend, turn right, and try not to fall off the cliff it's awkwardly perched near. A scenic start.
Pillar 2	Location: Southwest of the first, hidden in the woods. The Experience: Ventured into the trees, circled a big rock, and found it. Also found two very tall, very angry Ancestral Followers and their pet goat brigade. Diplomacy failed.
Pillar 3	Location: Westward along the road. The Experience: This one has its own personal bard! An Ancestral Follower Shaman was singing a haunting tune right next to it. I opted for the stealthy approach, scaling the hill behind it like a clumsy thief to light the fire without interrupting his concert. He did not appreciate the new lighting for his stage.
Pillar 4	Location: Way out west on a rocky stage. The Experience: This was the party pillar. The platform was packed with creatures and Followers all seemingly entranced by another Shaman's hit single. The real kicker? A Lesser Red Wolf of Radagon and its wolf pack were chilling there too. You can't sneak this one; the brazier faces the crowd. Lighting it is like flipping on the lights at a rowdy house party—everyone immediately hates you. I learned the hard way that fighting the mini-boss first is the only sane option.
Pillar 5	Location: Far northwest, past broken ruins. The Experience: Found this one guarded by a delightful colony of Frenzied rats and not one, but two Shamans. Because one magical maestro wasn't enough. This area felt forgotten and eerie, perfect for a final pillar... but it wasn't the final one. The disappointment was real.
Pillar 6	Location: East toward the bridge, hidden behind a giant rock in a ruined plaza. The Experience: After all that wandering, the last brazier was playing hide-and-seek! A Shaman, more Followers, and a serene herd of deer were milling about in a clearing. The pillar itself was coyly tucked behind a massive stone, as if embarrassed by the whole elaborate summoning ritual.

The Grand Finale: Summoning the Spectral Stag

Once all six pillars were finally blazing (and my patience was thoroughly extinguished), the real destination revealed itself. You need to head just a bit further east from that last, shy pillar to the Hollowhorn Grounds. It's a set of ruins that sounds more important than it looks. There, amidst the usual ambient Ancestral Followers, lies the key: a large, ornate deer carcass in the eastern corner.

Interacting with it feels... morbidly ceremonial. And then, the magic happens. The arena transforms, the music swells, and the Regal Ancestor Spirit descends. This isn't just a fight; it's a ballet of light and antlers. It's an optional boss, sure, but defeating it grants you its unique Remembrance, which can be exchanged for some seriously powerful gear or a mountain of runes. For us completionists and loot goblins, it's a non-negotiable rite of passage.

Why Bother? The Loot & The Lore

Let's be real, in a game as vast as Elden Ring, why go through this hassle for an optional spirit beast? Well, apart from the sheer spectacle of the fight—which is one of the most beautiful and melancholic in the entire game—the rewards are nothing to sneeze at.

• The Remembrance of the Regal Ancestor: This bad boy can be taken to Finger Reader Enia at the Roundtable Hold. Your choices?

  • Aspect of the Crucible: Horns: An Incantation that lets you charge forward with a brutal headbutt. Very thematic.

  • Ancestral Spirit's Horn: A talisman that gradually restores FP after defeating enemies. Incredibly useful for spell-slingers.

• The Runes: A hefty sum to level up or splurge on smithing stones.

• The Bragging Rights: You lit six finicky braziers and fought a ghost deer. That's a good story for the Roundtable Hold fireplace.

So there you have it, my fellow Tarnished. The path to the Regal Ancestor Spirit is a test of exploration, a little combat, and a lot of not getting lost in the eerily beautiful Ancestral Woods. Just remember your torch, watch out for singing Shamans and their fan clubs, and maybe bring a snack. It's a longer trek than you think. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a Remembrance to trade. I'm thinking the headbutt spell. It seems like a cathartic way to deal with my lingering frustration toward those flame pillars. Happy hunting, and try not to get gored!