So, here I was, deep into 2026, still utterly captivated by the Lands Between in Elden Ring. I'd been building a Faith-focused character, a Tarnished truly devoted to the Erdtree's light, but my casting felt... lacking. I needed a proper focus, a true conduit for my incantations. That's when I heard the whispers among other players about the legendary Erdtree Seal. They called it an S-tier treasure, the ultimate sacred seal for any Faith build. The hunt was on, and let me tell you, getting it was quite the pilgrimage.

First things first, I had to get to Volcano Manor. Sounds simple, right? Ha! The game offered me two paths, each with its own flavor of peril. The first, and slightly less treacherous, involved a quest. I found myself in the misty Liurnia of the Lakes, near that familiar map monument. A woman named Rya was there, distressed about a stolen necklace. Feeling helpful (and curious about her invitation), I tracked down the thief, a fellow named Blackguard Big Boggart, who was oddly charming despite being a thief, just cooking up some prawns. I bought the necklace back from him—honestly, a small price to pay for what was to come—and returned to Rya at the Grand Lift of Dectus. Her gratitude was genuine, and she handed me a personal invite to the manor. A word of warning, though: if you've already blazed your way to the Altus Plateau before meeting her, she won't be there. The invitation route closes, and you're left with Plan B.

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Plan B was the hard way: climbing Mount Gelmir myself. Let's just say it's not a leisurely hike. Starting from the Altus Plateau, I headed south towards the Shaded Castle to find the Bridge of Iniquity. Crossing that rickety thing was nerve-wracking enough, but it was just the appetizer. Beyond it lay the First Mt. Gelmir Campsite, and the real climb began. Ladders upon ladders, guarded by all sorts of horrors. I'll never forget the sight of those Abductor Virgins on the horizon, or the frenzy-maddened Leyndell Soldiers waiting to pounce. There was even a Grafted Scion mini-boss guarding a crucial ladder! I chose to sprint past that one—some fights aren't worth the flasks.

The climb felt endless. Up a third ladder, then a fourth, passing a lonely merchant clinging to the cliffs. Finally, after navigating through more soldiers, I saw it from a wooden bridge spanning a terrifying drop: the foreboding exterior of Volcano Manor itself. A true "are we there yet?" moment. I rested at the Ninth Mt. Gelmir Campsite, gathered my courage, and used a Spirit Spring to launch Torrent and myself into the volcano's heart. What a ride!

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Finally inside the manor, I met Tanith, the lady of the house. To get the key I needed, I had to play along and join their... unique family. She gave me the key to the Painting Room. Now, this part felt like a classic FromSoftware secret. In a corridor, the first door on the right opened into a room with a large painting on the wall. I gave it a smack, and just like that, a hidden path swung open. Descending through this clandestine route led me down a staircase and through an iron door into a decrepit church—the Prison Town Church Site of Grace. This was my new starting point.

The real treasure hunt began here. Leaving the church, I took an immediate sharp right and followed a cliffside path that wrapped around the town. A giant snake creature decided I looked tasty, so I had to deal with that first. Pro tip: clear it out unless you want company on the rooftops. From the path, I jumped onto the roof of the first house on my right. The architecture here is all about verticality. I shimmied up the roof to the left, walked along the edge, and looked down. Below was a grim scene: a pile of corpses, a hulking Omenkiller patrolling, and a set of stairs leading to some jail cells.

Timing my jump from the roof, I landed, sprinted past the Omenkiller (who was thankfully slow to react), and bolted straight up the stairs. My target was the nearest open jail cell. And there it was, waiting on a forgotten body against the back wall: the Erdtree Seal. After all that climbing, sneaking, and fighting, holding it felt monumental.

So, was it worth it? Absolutely. Let me break down why this seal is the crown jewel for Faith builds:

  • Unmatched Scaling: This isn't a seal that's good from the start. It demands investment, and it rewards you gloriously. It starts with a modest C scaling in Faith, but just watch it grow:

    • +1 Upgrade: Scaling jumps to B.

    • +3 Upgrade: Scaling leaps to A.

    • +5 Upgrade: It achieves the coveted S-tier scaling.

    Only five upgrades to hit S-grade! For a dedicated Faith build, the incantation scaling becomes insane.

  • The Lore & The Look: It's described as a "formless sacred seal decorated with an Erdtree crest," the very focus of the old religion. Even with the Shattering and the Erdtree's dimmed light, it represents unwavering faith. It just feels right for a pious Tarnished.

  • Versatility: While some seals boost specific schools of incantations, the Erdtree Seal is a pure, raw power boost for all of them. Whether you're hurling lightning, healing allies, or summoning dragon breaths, this seal amplifies it all.

My journey to get the Erdtree Seal was a perfect Elden Ring experience: a mix of exploration, puzzle-solving, tense platforming, and that incredible payoff. If you're walking the path of Faith, consider this pilgrimage a mandatory rite of passage. Your incantations will thank you for it. 🙏