Dung Eater's Quest

Key takeawaysSpoilers

The quest is easy to derail because its NPCs and rewards occupy several regions.

• Start after Altus Plateau Dung Eater's meaningful Roundtable Hold dialogue requires the player to have reached Altus Plateau and found a Seedbed Curse. Starting point
• Protect Blackguard Big Boggart Keep Blackguard Big Boggart alive and advance his position to the Outer Moat before triggering the Dung Eater invasion if you want the additional Seedbed Curse from that encounter. Outer Moat setup
• Collect five Seedbed Curses Five Seedbed Curses are needed for the principal reward. They can be found across Leyndell, Royal Capital, Volcano Manor, and Miquella's Haligtree. Required collectibles
• Choose the ending reward carefully Giving five curses to Dung Eater produces the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse; using Seluvis's potion instead produces the Dung Eater Puppet and closes off the rune branch. Branching outcome

Dung Eater's Quest overviewSpoilers

Dung Eater's Quest is an optional Elden Ring questline about a condemned Tarnished who seeks to spread the Seedbed Curse through the world.

The quest begins at Roundtable Hold after the player reaches Altus Plateau and acquires a Seedbed Curse. Dung Eater is found in a previously inaccessible room near the Twin Maiden Husks, where he initially refuses ordinary conversation and displays a hostile interest in the player. Once the required curse has been found, his dialogue reveals that his physical body is imprisoned beneath Leyndell, Royal Capital.

The central route sends the player into the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds to release Dung Eater from his sewer cell, then back to the Outer Moat to confront his red phantom. Blackguard Big Boggart is important to this stage: if his related encounter is advanced correctly, Dung Eater's invasion can occur at the moat and produce another Seedbed Curse. Releasing Dung Eater before dealing with this encounter can change the timing of the invasion and put the Boggart reward at risk.

The final objective is to gather five Seedbed Curses and give them to Dung Eater's imprisoned body in the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds. The exchange rewards the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse, which can be selected at the end of the game to pursue the Blessing of Despair ending. The reward is therefore a major ending item rather than a conventional weapon or spell.

Dung Eater's Quest has a mutually exclusive alternate branch involving Seluvis's potion. Giving the potion to Dung Eater instead of completing the Seedbed Curse exchange converts him into a spirit summon, the Dung Eater Puppet, but prevents the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse from being obtained through this quest. Killing Dung Eater prematurely can also provide equipment but ends the questline before its ending-related reward.

Where this sitsSpoilers

Requirements

The quest has no stated level requirement, but its route requires access to several mid- and late-game areas.

• RequiredReach Altus PlateauDung Eater's important dialogue at Roundtable Hold is triggered after the player reaches Altus Plateau.
• RequiredFind a Seedbed CurseBring at least one Seedbed Curse to Roundtable Hold so Dung Eater will reveal the location of his imprisoned body.
• RequiredObtain the Sewer-Gaol KeyThe key opens Dung Eater's cell in the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds.
• RecommendedReach the Outer MoatThis area is needed for the Dung Eater invasion and the related Blackguard Big Boggart sequence.
• RecommendedReach late-game collectible areasThe five-currency route can require access to Volcano Manor and Miquella's Haligtree, depending on which Seedbed Curses have already been collected.

ObjectivesSpoilers

1. Find Dung Eater in Roundtable Hold.Locate him in the room near the Twin Maiden Husks after the Altus Plateau and Seedbed Curse triggers.
2. Obtain the Sewer-Gaol Key.Dung Eater gives the key after the player presents a Seedbed Curse and exhausts his dialogue.
3. Release Dung Eater from the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds.Find his cell beneath Leyndell and use the key at the door.
4. Defeat Dung Eater's red phantom at the Outer Moat.The invasion becomes available after the sewer release and appropriate Outer Moat setup.
5. Gather five Seedbed Curses.Search the capital, Volcano Manor, and Miquella's Haligtree for the required items.
6. Give the curses to Dung Eater.Return to his body in the sewer cell and complete the exchange.

WalkthroughSpoilers

1. 01

   Create the trigger for Dung Eater's quest dialogue.

   Reach Altus Plateau and find a Seedbed Curse

   Travel to Altus Plateau, then obtain any Seedbed Curse that is accessible to you. Bringing one back to Roundtable Hold is what changes Dung Eater from a silent figure into a quest NPC with actionable dialogue.

   Location: Altus Plateau and Roundtable Hold

   TipThe first Seedbed Curse found in Leyndell is a practical starting point because the capital is already tied to the next stage.

   Watch outDo not assume that merely reaching Roundtable Hold is enough; Dung Eater's required dialogue depends on the Altus Plateau and Seedbed Curse triggers.

   Checkpoint
2. 02

   Receive the Sewer-Gaol Key.

   Speak to Dung Eater in Roundtable Hold

   Enter the room near the Twin Maiden Husks and speak to Dung Eater. After presenting the Seedbed Curse and exhausting his dialogue, he gives the Sewer-Gaol Key and directs the player toward his real body beneath Leyndell.

   Location: Roundtable Hold

   TipContinue speaking until the dialogue repeats; leaving after only one line can make the next objective appear to be missing.

   Watch outHis hostile presentation is not itself a combat prompt. Attacking him here changes the quest before the intended sewer sequence is complete.

   Checkpoint
3. 03

   Keep Blackguard Big Boggart available for the invasion sequence.

   Advance Blackguard Big Boggart to the Outer Moat

   If you want the additional Seedbed Curse tied to Blackguard Big Boggart, progress his storyline from the Boilprawn Shack and make sure he is present at the Outer Moat. Speak with him there before setting up the Dung Eater invasion.

   Location: Boilprawn Shack and Outer Moat, Leyndell, Royal Capital

   TipComplete the Boggart interaction before killing him; the extra curse is valuable if you want to reduce the number of late-game areas you must search.

   Watch outKilling Blackguard Big Boggart before he reaches the Outer Moat can remove his Seedbed Curse from this quest route.

   Missable
4. 04

   Reach Dung Eater's prison cell.

   Enter the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds

   Use the sewer entrance in Leyndell, Royal Capital, descend through the underground passages, and follow the routes beyond the Underground Roadside area. The path includes narrow pipes, rats, Omens, ladders, and drops, so mark the cell route before committing to longer exploration.

   Location: Leyndell, Royal Capital and Subterranean Shunning-Grounds

   TipThe underground area is easier to navigate by opening nearby Sites of Grace before exploring side tunnels; several drops are one-way until the route is fully understood.

   Watch outDo not confuse the sewer cell with the lower areas leading toward the Forsaken Depths; the quest requires the locked cell containing Dung Eater's physical body.

   Checkpoint
5. 05

   Release Dung Eater's physical body.

   Open Dung Eater's cell

   Find the locked cell containing Dung Eater and use the Sewer-Gaol Key. Interact with the door, then speak to the prisoner and exhaust his dialogue so that he leaves the cell and the next stage can begin.

   Location: Subterranean Shunning-Grounds

   TipReload or return to Roundtable Hold after the release if the next message or dialogue does not appear immediately.

   Watch outThe physical Dung Eater must be released; defeating his red phantom at the Outer Moat before this stage is not a substitute for opening the cell.

   Checkpoint
6. 06

   Defeat the invading Dung Eater.

   Return to the Outer Moat

   Go back to the Outer Moat and look for the Dung Eater invasion. When the red phantom appears, defeat him in the open water and mud around the moat rather than allowing the fight to drift into nearby hazards or NPC positions.

   Location: Outer Moat, Leyndell, Royal Capital

   TipKeep distance during his aggressive approach, punish the end of his attacks, and use the moat's open space to avoid being cornered.

   Watch outIf Blackguard Big Boggart is alive at the moat, his death during this sequence affects the available dialogue and reward. Check his body after the invasion and collect the Seedbed Curse.

   CheckpointMissable
7. 07

   Reach a total of five Seedbed Curses.

   Collect five Seedbed Curses

   Search the available Seedbed Curse locations in Leyndell, Royal Capital, Volcano Manor, and Miquella's Haligtree. The items are placed on bodies in elevated, enclosed, or otherwise easy-to-miss positions, so inspect chairs, balconies, and side routes rather than following only the main path.

   Location: Leyndell, Royal Capital; Volcano Manor; Miquella's Haligtree

   TipThe Outer Moat item from Blackguard Big Boggart counts toward the total, but the quest can still be completed by using other available curses if that item was missed.

   Watch outThe Seedbed Curse in Leyndell, Royal Capital can become unavailable after the capital changes state, so collect capital items before the late-game transition whenever possible.

   Missable
8. 08

   Complete the curse exchange.

   Return to Dung Eater's body

   Go back to the sewer cell after collecting five Seedbed Curses. Dung Eater's body remains in the cell for the exchange; interact with him and give the curses one at a time until the quest dialogue is complete.

   Location: Dung Eater's cell, Subterranean Shunning-Grounds

   TipCount the items in your inventory before entering the sewer so you do not make the hazardous trip with an incomplete set.

   Watch outDo not use Seluvis's potion on Dung Eater if you intend to receive the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse.

   Checkpoint
9. 09

   Obtain the principal quest reward.

   Collect the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse

   After the fifth Seedbed Curse is accepted, reload the area or leave and return if necessary, then inspect Dung Eater's location to obtain the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse. The rune is used later at Fractured Marika rather than equipped like an ordinary talisman.

   Location: Subterranean Shunning-Grounds

   TipKeep the rune in your inventory until the ending choice; obtaining it does not force immediate use.

   Watch outThe rune is unavailable if Dung Eater was killed before the exchange or converted into the Dung Eater Puppet through Seluvis's branch.

   Checkpoint
10. 10

    Use the quest reward to determine the ending.

    Choose the ending option at Fractured Marika

    At the end of the game, interact with Fractured Marika and select the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse if you want to complete the Blessing of Despair ending route. This choice is made after the final battle and is separate from ordinary equipment selection.

    Location: Fractured Marika

    TipYou can carry the rune without selecting it, allowing you to decide among available ending options at the final prompt.

    Watch outSelecting the rune commits the ending for that playthrough; it is not a temporary buff or a reversible dialogue choice.

Mission mechanicsSpoilers

Dung Eater's Quest is driven by NPC state changes rather than a conventional quest marker. The player must repeatedly exhaust dialogue, reload areas, and revisit earlier locations after major actions. The important state transitions are the first Seedbed Curse discovery, the sewer release, the Outer Moat invasion, and the final five-item exchange.

Seedbed Curse is a key item for this quest rather than a consumable combat resource. Five are required for the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse, and the game does not require the player to obtain them in one fixed order. This flexibility lets the player substitute other curse locations when Blackguard Big Boggart's item has been lost, although capital access and late-game progression can make some alternatives unavailable.

The Outer Moat encounter is an NPC invasion rather than a traditional boss arena. Its value is both progression and collection: defeating the red phantom advances Dung Eater's story, while searching the encounter area afterward can provide another Seedbed Curse through Blackguard Big Boggart's fate. Treat the Boggart setup as a collection objective before treating the invader as the only target.

What works and what does not

Choices and consequencesEnding spoilers

• Keep Blackguard Big Boggart alive and advance him to the Outer Moat.

  Dung Eater's invasion can occur there, and Boggart's aftermath can provide an additional Seedbed Curse.

  Spoiler
• Kill Dung Eater in his sewer cell before completing the curse exchange.

  The quest ends early. This route can provide Dung Eater's equipment, but it prevents the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse reward.

  Spoiler
• Give Seluvis's potion to Dung Eater.

  Dung Eater becomes the Dung Eater Puppet spirit summon, while the Seedbed Curse exchange and Mending Rune of the Fell Curse route are lost.

  Spoiler
• Give five Seedbed Curses to Dung Eater's body.

  The player receives the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse and can select the Blessing of Despair ending at Fractured Marika.

  Spoiler

Quest checklistSpoilers

• Reach Altus Plateau.This enables the relevant Dung Eater encounter state.
• Find at least one Seedbed Curse.Bring it to Dung Eater at Roundtable Hold.
• Exhaust Dung Eater's Roundtable Hold dialogue.Obtain the Sewer-Gaol Key.
• Advance Blackguard Big Boggart to the Outer Moat.Do this before killing him if you want his Seedbed Curse.Optional
• Release Dung Eater in the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds.Use the Sewer-Gaol Key at his cell.
• Defeat Dung Eater's red phantom at the Outer Moat.Reload or revisit the area if the invasion does not begin immediately.
• Collect five Seedbed Curses.Use available copies from Leyndell, Royal Capital, Volcano Manor, and Miquella's Haligtree.
• Avoid giving Seluvis's potion to Dung Eater.This preserves the Mending Rune route.Optional
• Give all five curses to Dung Eater's body.Return to the sewer cell after collecting the complete set.
• Obtain the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse.Reload the area if the reward does not appear immediately.

Collectibles and secretsSpoilers

• 01
  Seedbed Curse

  Where: Leyndell, Royal Capital

  Several Seedbed Curses are found on corpses in the capital, including locations connected to elevated or enclosed sections of the city. Collect the capital copies before the capital's late-game transformation whenever possible.

  Missable
• 02
  Seedbed Curse

  Where: Outer Moat

  This copy is tied to Blackguard Big Boggart's fate after the Dung Eater invasion. It is the most directly missable copy because Boggart can be killed or removed from the required position.

  Missable
• 03
  Seedbed Curse

  Where: Volcano Manor

  A copy is placed along an off-route section of Volcano Manor. Search the manor's side rooms and routes beyond the main assassination progression.

• 04
  Seedbed Curse

  Where: Miquella's Haligtree

  Copies are found on bodies in the Haligtree and its Elphael section, including areas reached from the Prayer Room route.

• 05
  Mending Rune of the Fell Curse

  Where: Subterranean Shunning-Grounds

  This is the quest's principal collectible reward. It is obtained after giving five Seedbed Curses to Dung Eater's physical body and is used at Fractured Marika for the Blessing of Despair ending.

  Missable

Failure conditionsSpoilers

• Blackguard Big Boggart is killed before the Outer Moat sequence.The Seedbed Curse associated with Boggart's death may be lost, reducing the convenient supply of curses available for the final exchange.
• Dung Eater is killed in his sewer cell before receiving five Seedbed Curses.The NPC quest ends and the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse cannot be obtained through the normal exchange.
• Seluvis's potion is given to Dung Eater.Dung Eater becomes the Dung Eater Puppet, but the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse route is replaced by the puppet reward.
• Capital Seedbed Curse locations are left until after the capital changes state.Some Leyndell, Royal Capital collection opportunities can become inaccessible after the late-game transition, so search the capital before that point.
• Fewer than five Seedbed Curses are delivered.Dung Eater does not complete the exchange until the required total has been given.

RewardsEnding spoilers

• Sewer-Gaol Key
  Dung Eater gives this key during the Roundtable Hold stage. It opens the cell containing his physical body in the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds.
• Seedbed Curse
  The quest uses five of these key items as the currency for Dung Eater's final transformation. The additional copy connected to Blackguard Big Boggart is especially useful because it reduces the need to search late-game areas.
• Mending Rune of the Fell Curse
  The principal reward for giving five Seedbed Curses to Dung Eater. It is an ending item used at Fractured Marika and enables the Blessing of Despair ending.
• Dung Eater Puppet
  The alternate Seluvis branch turns Dung Eater into a spirit summon. This reward replaces the normal Mending Rune route for the playthrough.
• Omen armor set
  Killing Dung Eater in his sewer cell rather than completing the curse exchange can provide his distinctive Omen equipment, but this ends the ending-rune branch.

Characters in this missionSpoilers

• Dung EaterThe central NPC, imprisoned body, and Outer Moat invader.
• Twin Maiden HusksTheir location helps identify Dung Eater's room at Roundtable Hold.

AftermathEnding spoilers

TriviaSpoilers

• Dung Eater's quest is unusual because the player encounters his spirit-like presence at Roundtable Hold before reaching the physical body that drives the later stages.
• The quest's collectible requirement is distributed across both ordinary late-game exploration and NPC-dependent content, making Blackguard Big Boggart's survival more important than his apparent side-story role suggests.
• The Mending Rune of the Fell Curse is not an equipped gameplay item; it is a final-choice item that modifies the ending selected at Fractured Marika.
• The quest presents Dung Eater as both a hostile invader and a potential spirit summon, so the same character can occupy incompatible reward branches depending on the player's choice.

Relationships