Ah, the Dark Moon Ring, or as many a confused Tarnished has tearfully called it, the 'Ring of Oath'—a tiny, crucial piece of jewelry that stands between you and completing one of Elden Ring's most epic and convoluted questlines. Ever felt like you're on a wild goose chase orchestrated by a blue, four-armed doll with cosmic ambitions? You're not alone. This guide is here to navigate you through the cryptic steps, the hidden chests, and the shadowy foes that guard Ranni's path to destiny. Let's be honest, who hasn't wandered the halls of Raya Lucaria, staring longingly at a locked chest, wondering just what magical key you've forgotten to loot from which god-forsaken corner of the Lands Between?

Location of the Ring of Oath: The Library Lockbox

The treasure hunt begins, ironically, at a place you've likely already cleared: the Raya Lucaria Grand Library. You know, the scenic spot where you had a magical duel with Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon. Remember that serene, scholarly atmosphere? Well, the key to Ranni's future is chilling in a chest just north of where Rennala now eternally contemplates her eggs. But here's the kicker: you can't just waltz in and pop it open. No, that would be far too straightforward for a FromSoftware quest. The chest is sealed tighter than a Grafted Scion's grip, requiring a very specific key. So, you can gaze upon it, but you cannot touch. Frustrating, isn't it?

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The Key to It All: Hunting the Baleful Shadow

To get that chest open, you need the Discarded Palace Key. And to get that, you must undertake a side quest worthy of a fantasy epic: hunting the Baleful Shadow. This involves progressing Ranni's quest to the point where you bypass the magical seal at Ranni's Rise and use a portal to the Ainsel River. Once there, the real fun begins.

Here’s your step-by-step checklist for shadow-hunting:

  1. Find the Doll: First, retrieve the Miniature Ranni doll from a coffin. Yes, a talking doll. Just go with it.

  2. Have a Chat: Rest at the Ainsel River Main site of grace and select the "Talk to miniature Ranni" option. And keep talking! You might need to select it a few times before she wakes up and gives you your mission: defeat the Baleful Shadow.

  3. Navigate the Depths: From that grace, head southwest to find the Nokstella, Eternal City site of grace.

  4. Follow the River: Travel west from Nokstella along the river until you find an elevator. Take it down to the Nokstella Waterfall Basin.

  5. Face the Shadow: Proceed south from the basin, through a tunnel. There, you'll meet your target—the Baleful Shadow, a formidable foe that suspiciously resembles everyone's favorite half-wolf, Blaidd. Defeat it to claim your prize: the Discarded Palace Key!

Pro-Tip: Before you leave the area, take the elevator south from the battle site to activate the Lake of Rot site of grace. You'll thank yourself later.

the-elusive-ring-of-oath-a-lighthearted-guide-to-ranni-s-lunar-larceny-in-elden-ring-image-1 That's it! The Discarded Palace Key is yours.

Claiming Your Prize and the Road Ahead

With the key finally in your possession, it's time for a triumphant return to the Raya Lucaria Grand Library. Unlock that previously taunting chest, and voilà! The Dark Moon Ring (a.k.a. the Ring of Oath) is yours. But what now? Your journey is far from over; in fact, it's about to get much wetter and more rot-filled.

Your next destination is back at the Lake of Rot. Fast travel there and head south to the Grand Cloister site of grace. A word of warning: the Lake of Rot is not a swimming pool. Tread carefully, or you'll be building up Scarlet Rot faster than you can say "Malenia." Pack some Preserving Boluses or have the Flame, Cleanse Me incantation ready—your immunity bar will thank you.

From the Grand Cloister, platform down and continue south until you find a coffin at the edge of a rot-waterfall. Climb in (because why not?) for a ride to a stunning, star-filled arena where you must face one of the game's most spectacular and terrifying bosses: Astel, Naturalborn of the Void. Defeat this cosmic horror, and the path forward is yours.

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Equipped with the Dark Moon Ring, you can now pass through the tunnel in Astel's chamber, ride an elevator up to the breathtaking Moonlight Altar, and continue the final leg of Ranni's grand, lunar conspiracy. So, was all that running around for a single ring worth it? For the chance to serve a witch princess and challenge the very order of the world? For most Tarnished, the answer is a resounding yes. Now go on, that Age of the Stars isn't going to usher itself in! 🪐✨