Blaidd's Quest

Key takeawaysSpoilers

These are the points most likely to matter when deciding whether to follow Blaidd's storyline and when checking why his next appearance has not triggered.

• Start in Mistwood Investigate the howl at Mistwood Ruins, speak with Merchant Kale, use Finger Snap beneath the ruins, and then speak to Blaidd above.
• The opening is linked to Darriwil After meeting Blaidd, enter Forlorn Hound Evergaol and speak with him near the seal so that he can assist against Darriwil.
• The quest merges with Ranni's path Blaidd's later meetings are connected to Ranni's Rise, Siofra River, Seluvis, Sellen, Redmane Castle, and the route opened by Starscourge Radahn.
• The Radahn battle changes the map Defeating Starscourge Radahn causes the stars to move and makes the route to Nokron, Eternal City available.
• The ending is hostile After sufficient progress through Ranni's questline, Blaidd appears outside Ranni's Rise as an enemy. Defeating him is required to obtain his end-of-quest equipment.

Blaidd's Quest overviewSpoilers

Blaidd's Quest follows the half-wolf warrior Blaidd from his first appearance in Mistwood through his connection to Ranni, the Radahn Festival, and the end of his service to Ranni.

Blaidd's Quest begins when the player hears a distinctive howl in Mistwood and investigates the source rather than treating it as ordinary ambient sound. The howl leads to a meeting with Blaidd in the Mistwood Ruins, but the player cannot simply start a conversation from the ground. The nearby merchant Kale explains that the sound belongs to a half-wolf and teaches the Finger Snap gesture, which is used to call Blaidd down from the ruins. This opening is easy to overlook because the game does not initially identify the howling figure as a quest character.

Blaidd's storyline is not a completely separate chain with a single uninterrupted sequence. It intersects with Ranni's Quest, Seluvis's storyline, Sellen's role in the Radahn Festival, and the battle against Starscourge Radahn. Blaidd's early investigation concerns Darriwil, the Bloodhound Knight imprisoned in Forlorn Hound Evergaol, while his later purpose is tied to Ranni's search for a way forward after the fate of the stars has been halted. As a result, some Blaidd encounters appear only after the player has advanced a related storyline or reached the relevant area.

The most important progression point is the Radahn Festival. Blaidd joins the player and other warriors at Redmane Castle, and defeating Starscourge Radahn releases the stars and opens the route toward Nokron, Eternal City. This battle is the major gameplay contribution of Blaidd's Quest: the player is not merely following dialogue, but helping Blaidd complete the investigation that has been blocked by Radahn's control of the stars. The quest therefore acts as a character-focused guide through several major transitions in Elden Ring.

Blaidd's final appearances are deliberately tied to the consequences of Ranni's path rather than to a conventional celebratory reward scene. After the player advances Ranni's questline, Blaidd can be found outside Ranni's Rise in a hostile state. Defeating him ends his story and provides his equipment, while Smithing Master Iji's later fate reinforces the tragedy surrounding Ranni's loyal retainers. Because the final encounter contains major character and questline spoilers, players who want Blaidd's dialogue should complete his available conversations before resolving the events at Ranni's Rise.

Where this sitsSpoilers

Requirements and preparation

The first encounter requires access to Mistwood and the ability to use the Finger Snap gesture. Later encounters depend on progression through Ranni's route and the Radahn Festival.

• RequiredReach MistwoodTravel into eastern Limgrave and investigate Mistwood Ruins until the howl can be heard.
• RequiredSpeak with Merchant KaleAsk Kale about the howl after hearing it. He provides the Finger Snap gesture needed to bring Blaidd down from the ruins.
• RequiredFinger Snap gestureUse Finger Snap beneath Mistwood Ruins after obtaining it from Merchant Kale; ordinary attacks or jumping do not start the intended conversation.
• RecommendedAccess to Forlorn Hound EvergaolThe first combat follow-up takes place at the evergaol associated with Darriwil. Blaidd can assist from within the encounter if the player speaks to him before entering the fight.
• RequiredProgress through Ranni's QuestThe Siofra River, Radahn Festival, Nokron, and final Blaidd encounters are connected to Ranni's storyline and may not appear in the opening sequence.
• RecommendedPreparation for Starscourge RadahnThe Radahn Festival leads to a major boss battle. Bring a build and supplies suitable for a large open-area fight; the quest does not require a particular weapon type.

ObjectivesSpoilers

1. Investigate the howl in MistwoodFind out who is making the sound at Mistwood Ruins.
2. Meet BlaiddObtain Finger Snap from Merchant Kale and use it beneath the ruins.
3. Help Blaidd confront DarriwilEnter Forlorn Hound Evergaol and defeat its imprisoned Bloodhound Knight.
4. Find Blaidd after joining RanniAdvance Ranni's Quest and look for Blaidd in Siofra River.
5. Reach the Radahn FestivalFollow the investigation toward Redmane Castle and participate in the festival.
6. Defeat Starscourge RadahnComplete the battle that releases the stars and opens the route to Nokron, Eternal City.
7. Complete the relevant Ranni progressionContinue Ranni's Quest through its underground stages before returning to the location of Blaidd's final appearance.
8. End Blaidd's hostile encounterDefeat Blaidd outside Ranni's Rise to finish his storyline and collect his equipment.

WalkthroughSpoilers

1. 01

   Identify the source of the howl

   Listen for Blaidd's howl in Mistwood

   Enter Mistwood and approach Mistwood Ruins until Blaidd's howl can be heard. The sound is the clue for this quest; if it is not present, leave the area and return after resting or continue exploring nearby before assuming the quest is broken.

   Location: Mistwood Ruins

   TipSearch the ruins for the source of the sound rather than trying to attack every enemy in the area.

   Watch outDo not expect Blaidd to begin a normal ground-level conversation before the gesture step.

2. 02

   Learn how to call Blaidd down

   Ask Merchant Kale about the howl

   Return to the Church of Elleh and speak with Merchant Kale after hearing the howl. Select the dialogue option concerning the sound, then obtain the Finger Snap gesture from him.

   Location: Church of Elleh

   TipIf the dialogue option does not appear, make sure the howl was actually heard at Mistwood Ruins before speaking to Kale again.

3. 03

   Meet Blaidd and learn his immediate goal

   Use Finger Snap beneath the ruins

   Go back to Mistwood Ruins and stand beneath the elevated section where Blaidd is waiting. Use Finger Snap to bring him down, then speak with him to learn that he is hunting Darriwil.

   Location: Mistwood Ruins

   TipThe gesture must be used in the correct area below Blaidd; using it elsewhere does not summon him.

   Watch outMoving on without speaking to Blaidd leaves the Darriwil conversation and optional assistance unresolved.

4. 04

   Enter Darriwil's prison

   Travel to Forlorn Hound Evergaol

   Go to the evergaol containing Darriwil and interact with its central seal to enter. Before committing to the fight, use the summon sign for Blaidd near the evergaol entrance if it is available.

   Location: Forlorn Hound Evergaol

   TipBlaidd's summon sign is an unusually useful way to experience the encounter as part of the quest because it places him directly into the battle.

   Watch outThe summon sign is tied to the preceding Blaidd interaction; if it is absent, revisit the Mistwood conversation rather than repeatedly reloading the evergaol.

5. 05

   Defeat Darriwil

   Defeat Darriwil

   Fight Darriwil inside Forlorn Hound Evergaol, using the arena's limited space to avoid being trapped against the edge. Blaidd's assistance can draw attention away from the player and create openings, but the player must still survive the encounter and collect the reward afterward.

   Location: Forlorn Hound Evergaol

   TipUse the pauses after Darriwil's lunges to heal or punish him instead of chasing every retreating movement.

   Watch outDo not leave the evergaol before completing the battle if the goal is to advance this part of Blaidd's story.

6. 06

   Begin the Ranni-linked section

   Visit Ranni's Rise and enter Ranni's service

   After reaching the Three Sisters area, speak with Ranni at Ranni's Rise and accept service when the conversation allows it. Blaidd is then encountered as one of the figures connected to Ranni's household, and this shifts the quest from the Darriwil investigation into the larger search involving the stars.

   Location: Ranni's Rise

   TipSpeak to the available residents in the tower after accepting service so that the next stage of the group conversation is completed.

   Watch outSome early Blaidd meetings can be skipped or repositioned if Ranni's Quest has already been advanced substantially.

7. 07

   Continue Blaidd's investigation

   Find Blaidd in Siofra River

   Travel into Siofra River and locate Blaidd in the underground region. Speak with him to continue the investigation and learn that the search for a way to challenge the stalled stars requires information from elsewhere.

   Location: Siofra River

   TipExplore the accessible ledges and structures around Siofra rather than searching only along the main ground path; Blaidd is positioned away from the first entrance route.

   Watch outThe dialogue at this stage depends on the Ranni-linked progression being active, so an empty location can indicate that the prerequisite conversations have not been completed.

8. 08

   Establish the route to Radahn

   Consult Seluvis and Sellen as the investigation develops

   Continue the associated sequence through Seluvis and Sorceress Sellen when the storyline directs the player toward knowledge about Starscourge Radahn. These conversations explain why Radahn's defeat is necessary for the stars to move and for the route toward Nokron to open.

   Location: Three Sisters and Witchbane Ruins

   TipExhaust the relevant dialogue before leaving each character so the next objective is clear; this chain is spread across separate regions.

   Watch outThe exact order can vary once the player has already triggered the Radahn Festival, so do not treat every dialogue transition as a separate mandatory Blaidd step.

9. 09

   Join the festival

   Travel to Redmane Castle for the Radahn Festival

   Reach Redmane Castle in Caelid after the festival has been activated. Blaidd is present among the assembled warriors, and speaking with the festival participants leads to the entrance for the Starscourge Radahn encounter.

   Location: Redmane Castle

   TipUse the festival's gathering as a chance to speak with Blaidd before entering the boss arena if you want his available dialogue.

   Watch outThe castle's state changes around the festival, so ordinary castle exploration and the festival route may not look identical at every point in the game.

10. 10

    Release the stars

    Defeat Starscourge Radahn

    Enter the arena and defeat Starscourge Radahn. The encounter is fought across an open field with multiple summon signs, and using the available allies can help maintain pressure while the player avoids Radahn's ranged attacks and mounted charges.

    Location: Starscourge Radahn's arena

    TipKeep moving across the arena and use the summon signs when allies are defeated or disappear; the battle is designed around repositioning rather than holding one fixed distance.

    Watch outThis is a major story transition for Blaidd's investigation. Do not expect the next underground route to be available before Radahn has been defeated.

11. 11

    Follow the route opened by Radahn's defeat

    Enter Nokron, Eternal City

    After Radahn falls, observe the changed world state and travel to the newly opened route into Nokron, Eternal City. Continue the Ranni-linked objective there; Blaidd's role in this stage is connected to the consequences of the stars moving, even when he is not continuously beside the player.

    Location: Nokron, Eternal City

    TipIf the entrance is not obvious, return to Limgrave and inspect the area affected by the falling star rather than searching Caelid for another castle entrance.

    Watch outDo not assume that every Nokron objective is a separate Blaidd conversation; this portion belongs primarily to Ranni's Quest.

12. 12

    Complete the Ranni-linked progression

    Advance Ranni's Quest through its underground stages

    Continue the required parts of Ranni's Quest, including the search for the hidden treasure and the route that eventually returns the player to the Three Sisters. Blaidd's storyline progresses through these events even when his physical appearances become less frequent.

    Location: Nokron, Eternal City and the underground regions

    TipFollow Ranni's named objectives and preserve key quest items rather than abandoning the chain after obtaining the first major Nokron reward.

    Watch outAdvancing this storyline can move Blaidd toward his final state, so complete any desired conversations with him before resolving the end of Ranni's route.

13. 13

    Resolve Blaidd's fate

    Return to Ranni's Rise for the final encounter

    After the relevant Ranni progression is complete, return to Ranni's Rise. Blaidd is outside the tower and is hostile; defeat him to end Blaidd's Quest and collect the equipment he leaves behind.

    Location: Ranni's Rise

    TipPrepare for a close-range duel and use the open area outside the tower to create space for healing or ranged attacks.

    Watch outThis encounter is not a normal optional dialogue scene. Attacking or defeating Blaidd ends his remaining conversations and is the final irreversible step in his personal storyline.

Mission mechanicsSpoilers

Blaidd's Quest uses world-state triggers instead of a conventional quest log. The opening depends on an audio cue at Mistwood Ruins, followed by a gesture taught by Merchant Kale. Later stages are primarily driven by Ranni's Quest and the Radahn Festival, so the player may encounter Blaidd in a different order or find that an earlier meeting has been skipped after progressing too far.

Blaidd can function as a temporary ally in the Darriwil encounter, while the Radahn Festival uses a broader group of summon signs in the boss arena. These are different forms of assistance: the first is tied directly to Blaidd's personal investigation, whereas the second is part of the festival's large-scale battle structure. The player should speak to Blaidd before entering the relevant fights when dialogue is the priority.

The quest also demonstrates how Elden Ring separates narrative completion from reward collection. Blaidd's story reaches its conclusion through a hostile encounter outside Ranni's Rise, and the equipment obtained there is not presented as a conventional quest-board reward. Players pursuing this quest for dialogue should treat the final fight as a permanent cutoff for Blaidd's remaining interactions.

What works and what does notSpoilers

Key encountersSpoilers

1. 1

   Darriwil in Forlorn Hound Evergaol

   Starts: Enter the evergaol after speaking with Blaidd in Mistwood and use Blaidd's summon sign if available.

   Darriwil is a fast Bloodhound Knight fought in a confined evergaol arena. Blaidd can draw aggro and provide melee pressure, giving the player time to heal or attack from a safer angle.

   • Bloodhound Knight melee sequenceTell Darriwil closes distance rapidly and chains slashing attacks around his movement bursts.Answer Keep enough space to avoid being cornered, then attack after the sequence ends rather than trading through it.
   • Bloodhound step movementTell Darriwil vanishes into a quick repositioning movement before reappearing near the player.Answer Delay the dodge until his reappearance and use the recovery window after the movement to counterattack.
   • Blaidd's summon sign is available only when the preceding interaction has been properly activated.
   • The arena is small, so prioritise escape routes and avoid healing directly beside the evergaol boundary.
2. 2

   Starscourge Radahn

   Starts: Enter the arena at the Radahn Festival in Redmane Castle.

   Radahn is fought in an open desert arena with multiple summon signs. The encounter alternates between long-range pressure, mounted movement, and close combat, so the recommended approach is to keep moving and repeatedly use the battlefield's available allies.

   • Opening ranged pressureTell Radahn begins the encounter by firing powerful projectiles across the open field.Answer Ride or sprint laterally, use terrain when available, and close distance only when the projectile pattern gives an opening.
   • Mounted chargesTell Radahn traverses the arena rapidly and can cover large distances while attacking.Answer Do not remain directly in his path; reposition across the field and summon allies while he is occupied.
   • Meteoric returnTell During the later battle, Radahn can leave the immediate fight and return with a devastating impact.Answer Watch the sky and keep moving when he disappears; avoiding the landing is more important than maintaining a current attack.
   • The open arena allows the player to resummon allies as signs reappear or allies fall.
   • Blaidd is one of the figures associated with the festival, but the battle's summon pool is broader than Blaidd alone.
3. 3

   Blaidd outside Ranni's Rise

   Starts: Complete the relevant later progression in Ranni's Quest and return to Ranni's Rise.

   Blaidd appears outside the tower as a hostile NPC. This is a direct duel rather than a large boss encounter, and the area around the tower provides more room than the evergaol.

   • Greatsword melee attacksTell Blaidd uses his large sword in sweeping close-range attacks with substantial reach.Answer Stay just outside the widest swings, punish the end of his combo, and avoid assuming that a single retreat creates complete safety.
   • Leaping attackTell Blaidd can close distance with a jumping strike from beyond normal melee range.Answer React to the launch rather than rolling early, then attack during his landing recovery if the spacing is safe.
   • Finish any desired Blaidd dialogue before starting this fight.
   • The equipment obtained after victory is the practical reward for resolving this final encounter.

Major boss encounter: Starscourge RadahnSpoilers

• Location
  Redmane Castle festival arena in Caelid
• Health
  Not specified

Enter the arena, avoid the opening ranged attacks while closing distance, and use the summon signs distributed across the field. Keep moving during Radahn's mounted attacks and watch for his later return from the sky; the safest general approach is to prioritise survival and re-summoning over greedily extending a damage window.

Choices and consequencesSpoilers

• Use Finger Snap after asking Merchant Kale about the howl

  Blaidd comes down at Mistwood Ruins and explains that he is searching for Darriwil. Skipping this interaction can prevent the intended early Blaidd assistance at Forlorn Hound Evergaol.

• Speak with Blaidd before entering Forlorn Hound Evergaol

  A summon sign for Blaidd can appear near the evergaol, allowing him to join the Darriwil fight.

• Advance Ranni's Quest before completing every early Blaidd conversation

  Some Blaidd meetings may be skipped or repositioned, although the larger storyline can still continue through its later stages.

  Spoiler
• Defeat Starscourge Radahn

  The stars move, the route toward Nokron, Eternal City opens, and the Ranni-linked portion of Blaidd's story advances.

  Spoiler
• Attack Blaidd outside Ranni's Rise

  The final hostile encounter begins. Blaidd's remaining dialogue is lost, and victory provides his end-of-quest equipment.

  Spoiler

Blaidd's Quest checklistSpoilers

• Hear the howl at Mistwood RuinsDo this before looking for Blaidd elsewhere.
• Ask Merchant Kale about the howlThe dialogue unlocks Finger Snap.
• Obtain Finger SnapThis gesture is the required interaction for the opening meeting.
• Use Finger Snap beneath Mistwood RuinsSpeak with Blaidd after he comes down.
• Enter Forlorn Hound EvergaolLook for Blaidd's summon sign before entering the fight.Optional
• Defeat DarriwilThis completes the first combat objective.
• Speak with Ranni at Ranni's RiseAccept the Ranni-linked progression.
• Find Blaidd in Siofra RiverExhaust his dialogue there.
• Follow the investigation through Seluvis and SellenThese conversations point toward Radahn.
• Attend the Radahn Festival at Redmane CastleSpeak with Blaidd before entering if his dialogue matters.
• Defeat Starscourge RadahnThis releases the stars.
• Continue through Nokron, Eternal CityFollow the relevant Ranni objective.
• Complete the later Ranni progressionThe final Blaidd state depends on it.
• Return to Ranni's RiseCheck outside the tower after the appropriate progression.
• Defeat BlaiddCollect the equipment left after the final encounter.

Quest-related equipmentSpoilers

• 01
  Blaidd's Armor

  Where: Outside Ranni's Rise after defeating Blaidd

  The main body piece associated with Blaidd's distinctive half-wolf warrior outfit. It is obtained from the final hostile encounter rather than from the opening meetings.

• 02
  Blaidd's Gauntlets

  Where: Outside Ranni's Rise after defeating Blaidd

  The hand armor associated with Blaidd's set and collected from the same final encounter.

• 03
  Blaidd's Greaves

  Where: Outside Ranni's Rise after defeating Blaidd

  The leg armor associated with Blaidd's set and collected after the final duel.

• 04
  Royal Greatsword

  Where: Outside Ranni's Rise after defeating Blaidd

  A greatsword obtained after resolving Blaidd's storyline. It is a separate weapon reward from the armor pieces.

Failure conditions and missable progressSpoilers

• Fail to investigate the Mistwood howlThe opening meeting does not begin until the player hears the howl and follows the Merchant Kale conversation sequence.
• Use Finger Snap in the wrong placeThe gesture must be used beneath Mistwood Ruins while Blaidd is positioned above; using it elsewhere does not advance the meeting.
• Enter Forlorn Hound Evergaol without activating Blaidd's interactionBlaidd's intended summon sign may be absent if the player has not met him at Mistwood and spoken with him about Darriwil.
• Advance Ranni's Quest past an earlier Blaidd meetingBecause the chain is state-based, a later progression point can move the story forward without preserving every earlier conversation.
• Defeat Blaidd outside Ranni's RiseThis is the final irreversible encounter. Once Blaidd is defeated, his remaining dialogue and any peaceful return to his prior state are unavailable.

Rewards and dropsSpoilers

• Blaidd's Armor
  The body armor worn by Blaidd, obtained after defeating him outside Ranni's Rise.
• Blaidd's Gauntlets
  The matching hand armor from Blaidd's equipment set, obtained at the final encounter.
• Blaidd's Greaves
  The matching leg armor from Blaidd's equipment set, obtained at the final encounter.
• Royal Greatsword
  A greatsword rewarded after the final Blaidd encounter; it is the questline's principal weapon drop.
• Darriwil encounter reward
  Defeating Darriwil provides the encounter's normal reward and completes Blaidd's early investigation, but the precise item details are not specified here.
• Nokron access
  Defeating Starscourge Radahn releases the stars and opens the route toward Nokron, Eternal City. This is progression value rather than an inventory item.

Characters in this missionSpoilers

• Merchant KaleProvides the Finger Snap gesture
• Sorceress SellenProvides information connected to the route toward Radahn
• Starscourge RadahnThe major battle that releases the stars

AftermathEnding spoilers

Trivia

• The opening of Blaidd's Quest uses a howl and a gesture rather than a conventional quest marker, making it one of Elden Ring's more deliberately hidden character introductions.
• Blaidd's role changes from a hunter pursuing Darriwil to a participant in the Radahn Festival, reflecting the way his personal loyalty is folded into Ranni's larger objective.
• The Radahn Festival is both a character-story event and a world-state trigger: Starscourge Radahn's defeat changes access to Nokron, Eternal City.
• The final encounter outside Ranni's Rise changes the player's relationship with Blaidd from ally and quest companion to opponent, so it is best treated as the endpoint of the chain rather than an optional rematch.

Relationships