Count Ymir and Jolan's Quest

Key takeawaysSpoilers

The quest is easy to interrupt accidentally because its next objective is always tied to Ymir's maps and the cathedral throne.

• Start at the cathedral Speak to Count Ymir and Swordhand of Night Jolan at the Cathedral of Manus Metyr before pursuing the Finger Ruins. Ymir's Hole-Laden Necklace and maps establish the sequence of destinations.
• Ring each Finger Ruins bell The quest advances when the large bell at the relevant Finger Ruins is activated. Exploring the ruins without ringing the bell does not complete the objective.
• Open the Hinterland route The Finger Ruins of Dheo requires access to the Hinterland. The O Mother gesture opens the needed route at Shadow Keep's Back Gate.
• Save the final reward decision At the end, the Iris of Occultation gives Jolan's Sword of Night, while the Iris of Grace gives Swordhand of Night Jolan Spirit Ashes. Choose based on whether a weapon or a summon is more useful to the character.

Count Ymir and Jolan's Quest overviewSpoilers

Count Ymir and Jolan's Quest is one of the Shadow of the Erdtree's largest optional character questlines, combining exploration, hidden routes, invasions, and a major optional boss.

The quest begins at the Cathedral of Manus Metyr, where Count Ymir sits on a throne with Swordhand of Night Jolan nearby. Ymir presents himself as a high priest studying the cosmos and gives the Tarnished a Hole-Laden Necklace together with a map pointing toward one of the Finger Ruins. The quest is distinctive because its objectives are not conventional errands: the player must locate enormous ritual sites, find their hanging bells, and ring them before returning to the cathedral.

The first destination is the Finger Ruins of Rhia, reached in the southern part of the Realm of Shadow. After the first bell is sounded, Ymir provides another map and a reward, sending the player farther into the mystery of the Fingers. The second destination, the Finger Ruins of Dheo, is not available by simply following the main road; reaching it requires opening the route to the Hinterland through a gesture-based interaction at Shadow Keep.

The final portion changes the quest from exploration into a hostile confrontation. After the second Finger Ruins objective, Ymir's third map leads to a hidden area beneath the cathedral. The player encounters Swordhand of Night Anna, rings the final bell, and can fight Metyr, Mother of Fingers. Returning to the cathedral afterward leads to confrontations with both Ymir and Jolan, so the order of conversations and the final item choice matter.

The quest matters for players interested in Elden Ring's cosmology, but it also has practical rewards. Its conclusion provides the Maternal Staff and Ymir's equipment, while Jolan's ending can produce either the Sword of Night or Swordhand of Night Jolan Spirit Ashes. The quest also connects to Anna and to the Finger Ruins, making it one of the most important optional sources of lore about the Greater Will's envoys in the expansion.

Where this sits

Requirements

Reach the Cathedral of Manus Metyr in the Realm of Shadow and speak with its occupants.

• RequiredAccess to Shadow of the ErdtreeThe quest is contained in the expansion's Realm of Shadow and cannot be started in the base-game regions.
• RequiredCathedral of Manus MetyrTravel to the cathedral and speak with Count Ymir. Swordhand of Night Jolan is also present and provides additional dialogue.
• RequiredO Mother gestureObtain O Mother near Bonny Village to open the route from Shadow Keep's Back Gate toward the Hinterland and the Finger Ruins of Dheo.
• RequiredNight-time return to the cathedralThe final cathedral interaction requires returning after the earlier Finger Ruins objectives and examining Ymir's throne when the area has changed.

ObjectivesSpoilers

1. Meet Count Ymir at the Cathedral of Manus Metyr.Speak with Ymir to receive the Hole-Laden Necklace and the first map.
2. Ring the bell in the Finger Ruins of Rhia.Use Ymir's map to locate the southern Finger Ruins and activate the large bell at their center.
3. Return to Ymir for the next map.The quest does not advance until the cathedral conversation is completed after the first bell.
4. Reach the Finger Ruins of Dheo.Use O Mother at Shadow Keep's Back Gate to reach the Hinterland, then travel to the northeastern Finger Ruins.
5. Complete the final Finger Ruins objective.Return to the cathedral, use the third map, descend beneath Ymir's throne, defeat the invader, and ring the final bell.
6. Resolve the cathedral encounters.After the final objective, confront the hostile figures at the cathedral and decide Jolan's reward using an Iris.

WalkthroughSpoilers

1. 01

   Meet Count Ymir and Jolan.

   Find the Cathedral of Manus Metyr

   Travel through the Realm of Shadow to the Cathedral of Manus Metyr and approach the central structure. Count Ymir sits on the throne, while Swordhand of Night Jolan stands nearby; speak to both characters so their initial dialogue is exhausted.

   Location: Cathedral of Manus Metyr

   TipActivate the nearby Site of Grace before leaving, because the quest's later confrontations return to this location.

   Watch outDo not assume the cathedral is only a lore stop; Ymir's maps are the instructions for the entire quest.

2. 02

   Begin the first Finger Ruins investigation.

   Take Ymir's first map and necklace

   After speaking with Ymir, accept the Hole-Laden Necklace and inspect the map he provides. The map points toward the Finger Ruins of Rhia, which lie in the southern part of the Realm of Shadow.

   Location: Cathedral of Manus Metyr

   TipKeep the map in mind while travelling; the objective is the bell at the ruins, not merely reaching the visible rock formations.

   Watch outReturning to the cathedral without ringing the bell does not advance the quest.

3. 03

   Locate the large hanging bell.

   Reach the Finger Ruins of Rhia

   Follow the southern route toward the Cerulean Coast and enter the Finger Ruins of Rhia. The area is exposed and contains hostile Fingercreepers, so keep moving between cover and avoid being surrounded while searching for the central ritual structure.

   Location: Finger Ruins of Rhia

   TipUse the open terrain to create distance from Fingercreepers rather than fighting every creature in the ruins.

   Watch outThe bell is easy to overlook if you treat the area as a normal dungeon; search for the large central structure shown by Ymir's map.

4. 04

   Activate the bell in the first Finger Ruins.

   Ring the first bell

   Approach the bell at the heart of the Finger Ruins of Rhia and interact with it. The activation completes the first expedition and changes what Count Ymir can say when you return to the cathedral.

   Location: Finger Ruins of Rhia

   TipRest or fast-travel after activating the bell if you need to refresh the cathedral's state before speaking to Ymir.

   Watch outDo not leave the ruins before interacting with the bell; reaching the site alone is not the quest objective.

   Checkpoint
5. 05

   Receive the second Finger Ruins map.

   Return to Count Ymir

   Go back to the Cathedral of Manus Metyr and speak with Count Ymir again. He acknowledges the first bell and provides the next map, while Jolan's dialogue gives additional context about the task and the cathedral.

   Location: Cathedral of Manus Metyr

   TipSpeak with Jolan after each major return because her dialogue changes as the quest progresses.

   Watch outThe second destination is not reached by continuing south; wait for Ymir's next map before setting out.

6. 06

   Acquire O Mother.

   Obtain the O Mother gesture

   Travel to the area around Bonny Village and locate the gesture near the headless statue. Collect O Mother before attempting the second Finger Ruins objective, because it is needed at Shadow Keep's Back Gate to reveal the route to the Hinterland.

   Location: Bonny Village

   TipIf the Hinterland route appears sealed, check that O Mother is in the Gesture menu rather than trying to force a path through the blocked approach.

   Watch outSkipping this gesture leaves the Finger Ruins of Dheo inaccessible through the intended route.

7. 07

   Gain access to the Hinterland.

   Open the Hinterland route

   Reach Shadow Keep's Back Gate and interact with the statue in the area. Perform O Mother when prompted; the hidden route opens and allows passage toward the Hinterland and the northeastern region containing the second Finger Ruins.

   Location: Shadow Keep Back Gate

   TipThe Back Gate route is separate from the main Shadow Keep progression, so use the map and surrounding landmarks to avoid heading back into the keep.

   Watch outThe gesture must be used at the correct statue; performing it elsewhere does not open the route.

   Checkpoint
8. 08

   Activate the second bell.

   Ring the second bell

   Cross the Hinterland and enter the Finger Ruins of Dheo. Search the broad ruins for the central bell, then interact with it to complete Ymir's second expedition and unlock the next stage of his dialogue.

   Location: Finger Ruins of Dheo

   TipThe ruins are easier to traverse on Torrent because the distances between safe positions are large and the Fingercreepers can punish prolonged fights.

   Watch outReturn to the cathedral after the bell; the quest will not move to its final stage until Ymir's new dialogue is triggered.

   Checkpoint
9. 09

   Unlock the final descent beneath the throne.

   Receive the third map

   Speak with Count Ymir at the cathedral after ringing the second bell. He gives a third map associated with the final Finger Ruins and places the quest on its endgame path.

   Location: Cathedral of Manus Metyr

   TipTalk to Jolan as well, then rest at the cathedral Site of Grace before investigating the throne.

   Watch outThe final objective is not another ordinary trip across the surface; the cathedral itself becomes the entrance.

10. 10

    Enter the hidden passage.

    Investigate Ymir's throne at night

    Return to the cathedral after changing the time to night and interact with Count Ymir's throne when he is no longer occupying it. The throne opens a concealed passage leading below the cathedral and into the final Finger Ruins area.

    Location: Cathedral of Manus Metyr

    TipIf the interaction is unavailable, rest at the Site of Grace and check the cathedral again at night.

    Watch outEntering this stage changes the cathedral's state and begins the final sequence, so finish any dialogue you still want from the earlier stage first.

    Missable
11. 11

    Clear the invader blocking the final bell.

    Defeat Swordhand of Night Anna

    Descend into the hidden area beneath the cathedral and fight Swordhand of Night Anna. Her fast attacks make the confined space dangerous; create room before healing and punish the end of her attack strings rather than trading hits.

    Location: Finger Ruins of Miyr

    TipA shield, a summon, or attacks that stagger can reduce the pressure from Anna's rapid melee assault.

    Watch outDo not rush past the encounter expecting the bell to be immediately safe; Anna must be dealt with before the final interaction.

    Checkpoint
12. 12

    Complete the third Finger Ruins ritual.

    Ring the final bell and confront Metyr

    Continue through the Finger Ruins of Miyr and interact with the final bell. This summons or initiates the encounter with Metyr, Mother of Fingers, an optional boss whose large body and cosmic attacks cover much of the arena.

    Location: Finger Ruins of Miyr

    TipStay alert to the boss's area attacks and avoid standing directly in front of its largest attacks; openings are safest after its committed movements.

    Watch outThe final bell is the point that unlocks the quest's boss and cathedral aftermath, so prepare consumables and equipment before activating it.

    Missable
13. 13

    Complete Count Ymir's storyline.

    Return to the cathedral and resolve Ymir

    After the final Finger Ruins sequence, return to the Cathedral of Manus Metyr. The quest's final confrontation occurs there, and Count Ymir is no longer simply a passive quest giver; defeat the hostile encounter and collect the High Priest equipment and Maternal Staff afterward.

    Location: Cathedral of Manus Metyr

    TipSearch the throne area after the fight so that the equipment and bell bearing are not left behind.

    Watch outThis confrontation ends Ymir's role in the quest, so complete his available dialogue and any desired exploration around the cathedral first.

    Missable
14. 14

    Choose Jolan's final reward.

    Resolve Jolan's ending

    Speak with the wounded Swordhand of Night Jolan after the cathedral confrontation and use an Iris on her when the interaction becomes available. The Iris of Occultation grants the Sword of Night, while the Iris of Grace grants Swordhand of Night Jolan Spirit Ashes.

    Location: Cathedral of Manus Metyr

    TipChoose the Iris of Occultation for a unique weapon, or the Iris of Grace if the character benefits more from a powerful spirit summon.

    Watch outThe Iris choice determines the reward; do not consume an Iris before deciding which outcome you want.

    Missable

Mission mechanics

The quest uses maps as progression keys rather than as ordinary treasure maps. Each map directs the player to a Finger Ruins site, but the actual completion condition is interacting with the large bell found within that site. The ruins are open areas rather than conventional legacy dungeons, so Torrent is useful for covering ground and disengaging from Fingercreepers when a fight is not worth taking.

The second map introduces a route-gating mechanic. The Finger Ruins of Dheo sit beyond the Hinterland, and the path is opened by performing O Mother at Shadow Keep's Back Gate. This means the quest can appear stalled even when the player has the correct map; the missing requirement is environmental access, not another conversation with Ymir.

The third map changes the quest's structure. Instead of travelling to a distant surface landmark, the player must return to the cathedral at night and investigate the throne. The hidden descent leads to Swordhand of Night Anna and then to the final bell, making this the point at which exploration, invasion combat, and the optional Metyr encounter converge.

What works and what does not

Encounter phasesSpoilers

1. 1

   Swordhand of Night Anna

   Starts: Enter the hidden passage beneath Ymir's throne.

   Not displayed as a separate quest statistic.

   Anna invades in the confined area below the cathedral before the final bell can be completed.

   • Fast dual-blade melee stringsTell Anna closes distance quickly and chains several short-range strikes.Answer Create space, roll through the final swing, then retaliate during recovery.
   • Aggressive gap closingTell She advances rapidly when the player attempts to heal or retreat.Answer Heal after a missed attack rather than immediately after creating distance.
   • Staggering attacks and spirit support can interrupt Anna's pressure.
   • The confined arena makes panic-rolling especially dangerous; wait for the attack sequence to commit.
2. 2

   Metyr, Mother of Fingers

   Starts: Ring the final bell in the Finger Ruins of Miyr.

   Not displayed as a separate quest statistic.

   Metyr is a large optional boss with wide-reaching physical and cosmic attacks. Its size creates apparent openings, but attacks that cover the arena can punish players who remain close for too long.

   • Large sweeping attacksTell Metyr shifts its massive body before sending an attack across the nearby arena.Answer Stay near a safe flank when possible and roll through the committed sweep.
   • Cosmic area attacksTell The boss pauses and produces a large visual effect before the damaging zone or projectile sequence begins.Answer Prioritize distance and arena awareness over greedily adding another hit.
   • Body and finger strikesTell Close-range movement around the boss can trigger abrupt contact attacks.Answer Attack after the boss finishes a committed sequence, then disengage before the next animation.
   • The encounter is optional, so return with upgraded equipment and a prepared healing supply rather than treating the bell activation as a mandatory immediate fight.
   • A ranged build can exploit the arena's space, while melee characters should focus on short punish windows and avoid staying directly in front of Metyr.

Metyr, Mother of FingersSpoilers

• Location
  Finger Ruins of Miyr, reached through the hidden passage beneath Count Ymir's throne.
• Health
  Not included because the exact value depends on game conditions and is not supported by the source pack.

Prepare before ringing the final bell because the interaction begins the optional boss sequence. Ranged characters can use the arena to maintain separation, while melee characters should stay mobile around the boss's side, attack only after a sweep or body sequence ends, and retreat when a cosmic area attack begins. Do not rely on blocking every large attack; repositioning and avoiding the covered sections of the arena are more dependable.

Choices and consequencesEnding spoilers

• Give Jolan the Iris of Occultation.

  Jolan's reward becomes the Sword of Night, a unique weapon associated with the Swordhands of Night.

  Spoiler
• Give Jolan the Iris of Grace.

  Jolan's reward becomes Swordhand of Night Jolan Spirit Ashes, allowing the character to be summoned during compatible encounters.

  Spoiler
• Use the final map and interact with Ymir's throne at night.

  The hidden passage beneath the cathedral opens and the quest enters its hostile final sequence.

  Spoiler

Checklist

• Speak with Count Ymir at the Cathedral of Manus Metyr.Receive the Hole-Laden Necklace and the first map.
• Speak with Swordhand of Night Jolan.Exhaust her available dialogue before leaving the cathedral.
• Ring the bell in the Finger Ruins of Rhia.The bell interaction, not arrival at the ruins, advances the quest.
• Return to Ymir after the first bell.Collect the next map and reward.
• Collect O Mother near Bonny Village.This gesture is needed for the Hinterland route.
• Use O Mother at Shadow Keep's Back Gate.Open the route to the Hinterland.
• Ring the bell in the Finger Ruins of Dheo.Return to the cathedral afterward.
• Receive Ymir's third map.Speak with Ymir after the second bell.
• Investigate the throne at night.This opens the hidden descent.
• Defeat Swordhand of Night Anna.Clear the invader before attempting the final bell.
• Ring the final bell in the Finger Ruins of Miyr.This begins the Metyr sequence.Optional
• Choose the Iris for Jolan's reward.Iris of Occultation gives the Sword of Night; Iris of Grace gives the Spirit Ashes.Optional

Collectibles and secrets

• 01
  Hole-Laden Necklace

  Where: Count Ymir at the Cathedral of Manus Metyr

  Quest item received at the beginning of the chain and associated with Ymir's Finger Ruins investigation.

• 02
  O Mother

  Where: Near Bonny Village

  Gesture required to open the route at Shadow Keep's Back Gate.

  Missable
• 03
  High Priest's Hat

  Where: Cathedral of Manus Metyr after the final confrontation

  Part of Count Ymir's High Priest equipment set.

  Missable
• 04
  Maternal Staff

  Where: Cathedral of Manus Metyr after the final confrontation

  Staff associated with Count Ymir and the quest's final cathedral encounter.

  Missable

Failure conditionsSpoilers

• Leaving a Finger Ruins area without ringing its bellReaching the ruins does not complete the objective. Interact with the large bell before returning to Count Ymir.
• Failing to obtain or use O MotherThe Finger Ruins of Dheo route remains inaccessible until the gesture is used at Shadow Keep's Back Gate.
• Not checking the cathedral at nightThe hidden passage under Ymir's throne is tied to the changed night-time state of the cathedral.
• Choosing an Iris without checking the reward outcomeThe Iris of Occultation and Iris of Grace lead to different Jolan rewards, so the choice should be made only after deciding between the weapon and Spirit Ashes.
• Advancing the final cathedral sequence before exhausting dialogueThe final confrontation changes the state of the cathedral and can remove earlier opportunities to hear character dialogue.

RewardsEnding spoilers

• Hole-Laden Necklace
  Quest item from Count Ymir that begins the Finger Ruins investigation.
• Crimson Seed Talisman +1
  Talisman reward associated with the early Finger Ruins stage; it improves the value of Crimson Tears healing.
• Cerulean Seed Talisman +1
  Talisman reward associated with the later Finger Ruins stage; it improves the value of Cerulean Tears FP restoration.
• Maternal Staff
  A staff obtained after the final cathedral confrontation and tied to Count Ymir's role.
• High Priest's Hat
  Head equipment from Count Ymir's High Priest attire.
• High Priest Robe
  Body equipment from Count Ymir's High Priest attire.
• High Priest Gloves
  Hand equipment from Count Ymir's High Priest attire.
• High Priest Trousers
  Leg equipment from Count Ymir's High Priest attire.
• Ymir's Bell Bearing
  Bell Bearing obtained from Count Ymir's final encounter and usable with the appropriate merchant system.
• Sword of Night
  Jolan's weapon reward when the Iris of Occultation is used.
• Swordhand of Night Jolan Spirit Ashes
  Jolan's summon reward when the Iris of Grace is used.
• Remembrance of the Mother of Fingers
  Reward from Metyr, Mother of Fingers, if the optional boss is defeated.

Characters in this missionSpoilers

• Metyr, Mother of FingersOptional boss reached through the final bell.

AftermathEnding spoilers

Trivia

• The quest's three major destinations are all Finger Ruins, giving the optional chain a repeated ritual structure rather than a conventional sequence of NPC errands.
• The quest links its character drama to the expansion's wider interest in the Fingers, making the cathedral and its ruins important lore locations as well as quest destinations.
• The O Mother gesture is used as a world-interaction key, not merely as an emote for player expression.
• The quest's final choice reflects two different ways of preserving Jolan's role: as the Sword of Night weapon or as a summonable Spirit Ash.

Relationships