Stuck in the mysterious depths of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree? Embark on the captivating questline of Count Ymir, a charismatic sorcerer who will send you across shadowy ruins and secret passageways, ringing ancient bells and facing fierce invaders. From unlocking hidden paths beneath the Cathedral of Manus Metyr to battling the formidable Mother of Fingers, this quest offers rare gear, powerful sorceries, and a choice that shapes your rewards. Dive into our step-by-step walkthrough to uncover every secret and claim the legendary treasures of Count Ymir’s saga.
Located in Manus Metyr cathedral alongside another NPC, Jolán, Ymir can not only teach you unique sorceries, but give you a series of tasks which ultimately reward in special gear, exclusive spells, and a strong spirit summon. Ymir’s quest also includes in a major optional boss battle with a boss Remembrance.
Before we begin, know completing Ymir’s quest requires having access to much of Shadow of the Erdtree’s map, including the Hinterlands and Cerulean Coast area. Additionally, you’ll want to acquire the “O Mother” gesture and either an Iris of Grace or Iris of Occultation in order to fully see out the quest and obtain its rewards.
Count Ymir questline steps in Elden Ring DLC
Count Ymir’s questline in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree involves multiple steps that take you across the expansive Land of Shadow. You begin by speaking to Count Ymir at the Cathedral of Manus Metyr, where he gives you a Ruins Map and the task to ring the Hanging Bell at various Finger Ruins scattered throughout the region. Alongside his protector, Swordhand of Night Jolán, you explore locations such as the Finger Ruins of Rhia, Dheo, and Miyr, defeating bosses like Metyr, Mother of Fingers, and eventually confronting both Jolán and Ymir themselves. The quest includes optional dialogues, obtaining the “O Mother” gesture, and making a critical choice between the Iris of Grace or Iris of Occultation, which affects your rewards. Completing the quest grants unique sorceries, special gear, and a powerful spirit summon, with some challenging areas and backtracking involved to fully complete the storyline.
Here’s a list of all the steps you need to go through in order to complete Ymir’s quest:
- Meet Ymir in Manus Metyr
- Receive the Hole-Laden Necklace and Ruins Map, which “charts the site of a hallowed ruin”, and speak to Jolán
- Complete the first Ruins Map by travelling to Finger Ruins of Rhia and sounding the Hanging Bell
- Return to Manus Metyr and speak to Ymir to get Ruins Map (2nd), and speak to Jolán
- Complete Ruins Map (2nd) by travelling to Finger Ruins of Dheo via the Shadow Keep Back Gate and sounding the Hanging Bell
- Return to Manus Metyr and speak to Ymir to get Ruins Map (3rd), and speak to Jolán
- Complete Ruins Map (3rd) by travelling to Finger Ruins of Miyr and sounding the hanging bell
- Battle Metyr, Mother of Fingers
- Return to Manus Metyr and confront Ymir (and Jolán)
Count Ymir location and how to get to Manus Metyr cathedral
Count Ymir, the High Priest, is located inside the Cathedral of Manus Metyr in the Scadu Altus region of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. To reach the cathedral, players must first get through Castle Ensis and defeat its boss, Rellana, Twin Moon Knight, or alternatively use the Sealed Spiritspring behind the Fort of Reprimand to bypass the castle. From the Highroad Cross Site of Grace, head north to a crossroads, then take the eastern road to the Moorth Ruins Site of Grace. At the southern corner of Moorth Ruins, descend carefully into a large hole by hopping across narrow ledges and rooftops, then proceed past enemies to climb a ladder to Bonny Village. From there, cross two rope bridges eastward and follow the road north to the Church District Highroad Site of Grace; the Cathedral of Manus Metyr lies just south in a wooded area. Inside the cathedral, Count Ymir can be found sitting on a throne in the apse, where he offers unique sorceries and begins his questline.
Manus Metyr cathedral can be accessed after defeating Rellana, Twin Moon Knight at Castle Ensis and entering Scadu Altus. Note that these are technically optional locations, and can be skipped if you prefer, as shown in this video.
However you get to Scadu Altus, from the Highroad Cross Site of Grace, head north to the guide stele and acquire the Scadu Altus Map Fragment. Further north, at the fork in the road, turn right and head southeast to head toward another site of grace at Moorth Ruins.
At the southern end of the ruins, you’ll see a hole in the ground that leads to an underground cavern. You can safely jump down there using various ledges and rooftops, and take a tunnel pathway toward a new location, Bonny Village.
From the Bonny Village site of grace, head east, over a small ravine and across two bridges, to reach another site of grace, Bridge Leading to the Village. From there, take the road north (past many wolves and a Furnace Golem) to yet another site of grace, Church District Highroad. The road then takes a southward turn, and terminates at Cathedral of Manus Metyr.
Where to find and speak to Count Ymir
Count Ymir, High Priest, can be found sitting quietly on the throne in the apse of the Cathedral of Manus Metyr, located in Scadu Altus within the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. If he is not at his throne, you may find him in a small graveyard connected to the cathedral on its west side. Speaking to Ymir there or at his throne will advance his questline and allow you to receive key items like the Hole-Laden Necklace and Ruins Map, which are essential for progressing his quest. He also sells unique glintstone sorceries and can sometimes be found moving around the cathedral grounds, so resting at the site of grace can help reset his location if needed.
Ymir will be quietly sitting on the throne in the apse of Manus Metyr. Speak to him, and he’ll give you the Hole-Laden Necklace item and Ruins Map that points toward your first destination: Finger Ruins of Rhia, west of Jagged Peak.
When he’s not at his throne, Ymir can be found in a small graveyard connected to Manus Metyr on its west side.
Speak to him there or at his throne to advance his dialogue and quest, resting at the cathedral’s site of grace to progress.
Ymir will also teach you new glintstone sorceries. Check his stock to see if there’s anything new.
Head to the Finger Ruins and sound the Hanging Bells
To progress in Count Ymir’s questline in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, head to the Finger Ruins of Rhia and use the Hole-Laden Necklace given by Ymir to sound the Hanging Bell located at the center of the ruins. Be cautious as the area is filled with hostile Fingercreepers and sorcery-casting worms, but you should be able to reach the bell without too much trouble. Interacting with the hanging finger to ring the bell will reward you with the Crimson Seed Talisman +1. Afterward, return to Count Ymir to receive the second Ruins Map and continue the quest.
From here, you have a series of Ruin Maps to help you find a series of hallowed ruins, where you must sound a Hanging Bell. Our Ruins Map locations guide breaks these down into more detail, otherwise the broad locations are as follows:
- Ruins Map: Finger Ruins of Rhia, west of Jagged Peak
- Ruins Map 2nd: Finger Ruins of Dheo, east of the Hinterlands in Scaduview
- Ruins Map 3rd: Finger Ruins of Miyr, which lies underneath Manus Metyr
After each step, you need to return to Manus Metyr and speak to Ymir. Be sure to check in with Jolán while you are there, too.
As part of exploring the Finger Ruins of Miyr in the Ruins Map 3rd, you will be invaded by Swordhand of Night Anna, and have a battle against Metyr, Mother of Fingers on your hands.
Metyr, the Mother of Fingers is a Remembrance boss. You can cash in her Power of Remembrance with Finger Reader Enia at Roundtable Hold to receive either the Staff of the Great Beyond, a catalyst used for casting both sorceries and incantations; or the Gazing Finger, a club with a unique skill known as Kowtower’s Resentment, a charge attack that will cause an explosion.
Once Metyr, the Mother of Fingers has been felled, return to Manus Metyr.
Kill the invader Swordhand of Night Jolán
After progressing through Count Ymir’s questline in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, you will face an invasion by Swordhand of Night Jolán at the Cathedral of Manus Metyr. This intense battle is a key moment where you must kill the invader Jolán, a formidable swordswoman wielding a black sword that penetrates guards and can inflict bleed damage. Defeating her allows you to continue the questline, leading to a final confrontation with Count Ymir himself. Afterward, you have a crucial choice to make: give Jolán either the Iris of Grace, which rewards you with the powerful Swordhand of Night Jolán spirit summon, or the Iris of Occultation, which ends her questline but grants you the unique Sword of Night katana. This decision shapes the conclusion of Jolán’s story and the rewards you receive.
If you’ve been conversing with the curt swordswoman Jolán, you’ll know by now she’s not a nice person. After defeating Metyr, Mother of Fingers, return to Ymir’s throne to inspect it.
You’ll immediately be invaded by Swordhand of Night Jolán. Kill the invader.
Kill Count Ymir, Mother of Fingers
Count Ymir, Mother of Fingers is the final optional boss in the Count Ymir questline in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, fought inside the Cathedral of Manus Metyr. To reach this battle, players must first defeat Metyr, Mother of Fingers, then face an invasion by Swordhand of Night Jolán before Ymir himself appears. Ymir’s attacks are primarily magic-based, including summoning fingercreepers and casting Glintstone Nails projectiles, but his melee threat is low. The fight involves dodging his spells, interrupting his summons, and chasing him as he teleports around the arena. Defeating Count Ymir rewards players with Ymir’s Bell Bearing, the Maternal Staff, and the High Priest Armor Set, marking the culmination of his questline.
After the battle with Jolán, Ymir will spawn at his throne and attack you, now as Count Ymir, Mother of Fingers. Kill him to receive the following items:
- Ymir’s Bell Bearing (which you can take to the Twin Maiden Husks at Roundtable Hold to access his shop)
- Maternal Staff
- High Priest Hat
- High Priest Robe
- High Priest Gloves
- High Priest Undergarments
Return to the cemetery to the west, where you’ll receive the Cherishing Fingers sorcery, one of the spells Ymir used during your fight against him.
Should you use Iris of Grace or Iris of Occultation?
When deciding whether to use the Iris of Grace or the Iris of Occultation in the Count Ymir questline in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, it largely depends on the rewards you want from Swordhand of Night Jolán. Offering the Iris of Grace to Jolán grants you powerful Spirit Ashes, which are highly valuable for summoning allies in combat. On the other hand, giving her the Iris of Occultation rewards you with the Sword of Night Katana, a weapon that suits specific builds but may not be as universally useful. Since using either item on Jolán ends her questline, most players prefer the Iris of Grace for the broader utility of the Spirit Ashes, unless the katana fits their character’s playstyle better.
Jolán clings to life when you’ve spoken to her in Manus Metyr. Talk to her, and you’ll be presented with a choice, to use either an Iris of Grace or an Iris of Occultation to decide her final fate. (You can also give an iris to Fire Knight Queelign.)
- Using the Iris of Grace will reward you with the Swordhand of Night Jolán spirit ashes, which will let you summon Jolán in battle.
- Using the Iris of Occultation will reward you with Jolán’s katana, the Sword of Night.
There’s just one more task involving Jolán.
Should you usher Anna into Swordhand of Night Jolán?
When deciding whether to usher Anna into Swordhand of Night Jolán in the Count Ymir questline in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, consider that this choice occurs after defeating Swordhand of Night Anna, who is Jolán’s sister. You are presented with the option to tell Jolán about Anna’s attack or say nothing. This decision influences the quest’s progression and the relationship between the characters. Choosing to inform Jolán aligns with the quest’s narrative and can lead to further developments involving Jolán, including obtaining unique rewards such as the Swordhand of Night Jolán spirit ashes or her katana, the Sword of Night, depending on other choices made. Ultimately, ushering Anna into Jolán is part of completing the intertwined questlines of Ymir and Jolán, which reward you with rare gear and spells, making it a worthwhile step for players aiming to fully experience the DLC’s content.
If you chose the Iris of Grace option and have the Swordhand of Night Jolán Spirit Ashes, you should teleport back to the Hinterland Site of Grace in Scaduview, then head east to the Shaman Village. This quiet, flower-covered peak abuts Rabbath’s Rise in Scadu Altus below. From the east corner of Shaman Village, you’ll need to jump down a handful of ledges, then jump to a balcony on Rabbath’s Rise, where you’ll find Anna’s puppet – the physical manifestation of Swordhand of Night Anna.
Interact with Anna’s puppet and you’ll see the prompt “Usher Anna into Swordhand of Night Jolán’s spirit ashes?” Selecting “Yes” will transform the Swordhand of Night Jolán Spirit Ashes into the Jolán and Anna spirit ashes – meaning, you’ll summon two Swordhand of Night spirits when using the ash. You’ll also have the option to revert this Spirit Ashes upgrade, if you prefer.
What secrets does Count Ymir’s questline reveal about Elden Ring’s lore
Count Ymir’s questline in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree reveals profound secrets about the game’s cosmology and lore, particularly concerning the Greater Will and the Two Fingers. Ymir, a Glenstone sorcerer and former lunar priest, aspires to become the new Mother of Fingers, a pivotal figure who once communicated the Greater Will’s will to the world. His quest uncovers that the Mother of Fingers, Metyr, has long been out of contact with the Greater Will, indicating a severed connection between the divine authority and the Lands Between.
This disconnection implies that the commonly accepted Age of Fracture ending-where the Tarnished restores the Elden Ring under the Greater Will’s mandate-is hollow, as the Greater Will no longer influences the world. Ymir’s ambition to usurp Metyr’s role and become the “only mother” highlights a struggle for divine authority and control over the remnants of the cosmic order. The questline also explores the origins of the Two Fingers and their cryptic guidance, suggesting that their messages may be misinterpreted or meaningless without true contact with the Greater Will.
Ultimately, Ymir’s questline exposes the fragility and possible futility of the Tarnished’s quest, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the established divine order and revealing a deeper cosmic fracture at the heart of Elden Ring’s world.
What does Ymir’s desire to become the Mother of Fingers reveal about Elden Ring’s divine hierarchy
Count Ymir’s desire to become the Mother of Fingers reveals a fractured and desperate divine hierarchy in Elden Ring’s world. Ymir, a former human-divine intermediary, seeks to usurp Metyr-the current Mother of Fingers-hoping to restore a broken cosmic order by becoming the “only mother” who can truly commune with the Greater Will. This ambition underscores that the established divine intermediaries, including Metyr and the Two Fingers, have long been abandoned by the Greater Will and no longer receive its guidance.
Ymir’s quest exposes the collapse of the traditional divine chain of command, where the Greater Will’s messages have ceased, leaving the Fingers and their mothers isolated and ineffective. His tragic attempt to replace Metyr and “birth” new fingers symbolizes a yearning to mend this divine disconnect, but ultimately highlights the futility and loneliness of the role. This reveals a divine hierarchy that is not only broken but also built on illusions of authority, with Ymir’s tragic figure embodying the cosmic abandonment and the loss of true divine communication.
