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Thops's Quest

Thops's Quest is an optional Elden Ring side quest involving a sorcerer expelled from Raya Lucaria Academy. Find a second Academy Glintstone Key and return it to Thops to complete his story and obtain his sorcery-related rewards.

RoleOptional side quest connected to Raya Lucaria Academy and Thops
Statuscomplete
Importancesupporting
RewardThops's Bell Bearing, Thops's Barrier, and Academy Glintstone Staff
TimeShort, excluding time spent reaching Raya Lucaria Academy
  • Quest typeOptional side quest
  • Primary regionLiurnia of the Lakes
  • Main dungeonRaya Lucaria Academy
  • Key itemAcademy Glintstone Key
  • Starting NPCThops
  • Final locationSchoolhouse Classroom
  • Boss requiredNo
  • Quest stateMissable

The quest has no dedicated boss encounter or required combat objective; its difficulty comes from reaching the Academy rooftops and managing progression timing.

Key takeaways

Keep the first Academy Glintstone Key for yourself and treat the second key as the quest item for Thops.

  • Do not give Thops the first key The Academy Glintstone Key used to enter Raya Lucaria Academy is needed for the player's own access. Thops requires a separate copy found later inside the Academy.
  • Search above the Church of the Cuckoo The second key is located on a corpse above the Church of the Cuckoo. The approach uses the Academy rooftops rather than the church's ordinary ground-level entrance.
  • Reload after the hand-in After giving Thops the second key at the Church of Irith, reload the area or rest at a Site of Grace so his next position becomes available.
  • Check the Schoolhouse Classroom Thops's final location is the Schoolhouse Classroom in Raya Lucaria Academy. His rewards are obtained there after the quest advances.
  • Finish before pushing the Academy story too far The quest is missable because Thops can disappear or die as the Academy sequence progresses. Speak to him at the Church of Irith before completing the relevant progression.

Overview

Thops's Quest is a short optional quest that begins outside Raya Lucaria Academy and ends inside the Academy after Thops receives a second Academy Glintstone Key.

Thops can be found at the Church of Irith in Liurnia of the Lakes, where he explains that he was expelled from Raya Lucaria Academy and cannot pass through its sealed entrance without an Academy Glintstone Key. His request is easy to misunderstand: the key already used to enter the Academy is required by the player, so handing over that first key does not solve the quest and can prevent normal access to the area.

The quest's central task is to locate another Academy Glintstone Key within Raya Lucaria Academy. This requires the player to enter the Academy, explore beyond the initial gate, and reach the Church of the Cuckoo area by using the Academy's rooftop route. The key is not obtained by defeating Thops or by purchasing it; it is recovered from a corpse positioned above the church.

After the second key is delivered to Thops at the Church of Irith, the quest does not finish immediately in the same location. Reload the area or rest at a Site of Grace, then travel to the Schoolhouse Classroom inside Raya Lucaria Academy. Thops has moved there, and his final scene provides the quest's story resolution as well as his remaining rewards.

Thops's Quest matters because it connects a minor character's personal goal to Raya Lucaria Academy's exclusionary sorcerer culture. Its distinctive structure is also useful for completionists: the key is easy to overlook, the first Academy Glintstone Key must be retained, and the final rewards are collected from Thops's later location rather than from the initial hand-in.

Where this sits

  1. ●Church of IrithstartMeet Thops and learn that he needs an Academy Glintstone Key.
  2. 2Raya Lucaria Academy entrancerequirementUse the first Academy Glintstone Key to enter the Academy; keep it rather than giving it to Thops.
  3. 3Church of the Cuckoo rooftopsobjectiveReach the corpse holding the second Academy Glintstone Key.
  4. 4Church of Irith hand-inturn-inReturn the second key to Thops.
  5. 5Schoolhouse ClassroomresolutionReload the world, then find Thops's final position and collect the quest rewards.

The quest moves from Thops's request outside the Academy to a rooftop retrieval inside it, then concludes in the Schoolhouse Classroom.

Requirements

The quest requires access to Raya Lucaria Academy and a second Academy Glintstone Key. No specific character level, weapon, spell, or boss victory is required by the quest itself.

  • RequiredReach the Church of IrithThops must be spoken to at the Church of Irith before his quest dialogue can begin.
  • RequiredObtain the first Academy Glintstone KeyUse the first key to enter Raya Lucaria Academy. Do not surrender this key to Thops because it is the key needed for the player's own entry.
  • RequiredExplore the Academy rooftopsThe second key is inside the Academy and requires a route through the rooftops above the Church of the Cuckoo.
  • RequiredReturn to ThopsBring the second Academy Glintstone Key to Thops at the Church of Irith after recovering it.
  • RecommendedReload the areaRest at a Site of Grace or otherwise reload the area after the hand-in to update Thops's position.

Objectives

  1. Speak with Thops at the Church of IrithExhaust his dialogue so he explains his expulsion and request for an Academy Glintstone Key.
  2. Enter Raya Lucaria AcademyUse the first Academy Glintstone Key for the player's access and preserve it for this purpose.
  3. Recover a second Academy Glintstone KeyFind the key on the corpse above the Church of the Cuckoo by following the Academy rooftop route.
  4. Give the second key to ThopsReturn to the Church of Irith and select the dialogue option that hands over the spare key.
  5. Find Thops in the Schoolhouse ClassroomReload the area after the hand-in, then return to the Academy to resolve the quest and collect the rewards.

WalkthroughSpoilers

  1. 01

    Begin Thops's request

    Find Thops at the Church of Irith

    Travel to the Church of Irith in Liurnia of the Lakes and speak with Thops beside the church's Site of Grace. Continue speaking until he explains that Raya Lucaria Academy expelled him and that an Academy Glintstone Key would let him return.

    Location: Church of Irith

    TipRest at the nearby Site of Grace after speaking with him if his dialogue does not immediately advance; then speak to him again and exhaust the available conversation.

    Watch outDo this before advancing the Academy sequence too far. Thops's quest is missable, and waiting until later can remove him from the Church of Irith.

  2. 02

    Gain access to the Academy

    Keep the first Academy Glintstone Key

    Use the first Academy Glintstone Key to open the sealed entrance to Raya Lucaria Academy. Thops cannot use the key that the player needs for entry, so do not hand over the first copy when returning to the Church of Irith.

    Location: Raya Lucaria Academy entrance

    TipIf you have already entered the Academy, check your inventory before returning to Thops; the quest requires a spare key rather than the one used to open the entrance.

    Watch outGiving away the only key before securing Academy access can block your route into the Academy until another key is found.

  3. 03

    Reach the second-key area

    Reach the Church of the Cuckoo route

    Inside Raya Lucaria Academy, progress until you can access the rooftops around the Church of the Cuckoo. The required route is above the church, so search for the elevated path and roof openings instead of repeatedly checking the church floor.

    Location: Raya Lucaria Academy, Church of the Cuckoo

    TipMove carefully around the roof edges and elevated walkways. The route is more dangerous because a fall can kill the player or return them to the last checkpoint, not because the key itself is guarded by a dedicated boss.

    Watch outDo not leave the Academy after reaching this section without checking the corpse above the Church of the Cuckoo; the key is easy to miss if you only follow the main indoor path.

  4. 04

    Obtain the spare key

    Take the second Academy Glintstone Key

    Continue across the rooftops above the Church of the Cuckoo until you find the corpse holding the second Academy Glintstone Key. Loot the corpse, then verify that the spare key is in your inventory before making the return journey.

    Location: Rooftops above the Church of the Cuckoo

    TipUse the nearest safe platform before opening the inventory. Confirming the pickup while still in the Academy avoids an unnecessary return trip if the corpse was overlooked.

    Watch outThe important item is the second key, not a replacement for the key already used at the Academy entrance. Keep both the quest objective and your own access in mind.

  5. 05

    Advance the quest

    Return to Thops with the spare key

    Travel back to the Church of Irith and speak with Thops again. Choose the dialogue option to give him the second Academy Glintstone Key, then continue speaking until his dialogue is exhausted.

    Location: Church of Irith

    TipIf the hand-in option is absent, check that the key came from the corpse above the Church of the Cuckoo and that Thops's initial dialogue was completed.

    Watch outThe quest does not resolve at the moment of hand-in. Leaving the area without reloading can make it appear that no further step exists.

  6. 06

    Update Thops's position

    Reload the area

    Rest at the Church of Irith Site of Grace or perform another area reload after giving Thops the key. This updates the quest state and causes Thops to leave the church for his final location.

    Location: Church of Irith

    TipA Site of Grace reload is the simplest method. If Thops remains at the church, repeat the reload and verify that his hand-in dialogue was fully completed.

    Watch outDo not treat Thops's disappearance from the church as a failed quest by itself; after a successful hand-in, his next location is inside Raya Lucaria Academy.

  7. 07

    Complete Thops's Quest

    Find Thops in the Schoolhouse Classroom

    Return to Raya Lucaria Academy and travel to the Schoolhouse Classroom. Thops's final scene occurs there after the key hand-in and area reload; inspect the location afterward to collect the rewards associated with his quest.

    Location: Schoolhouse Classroom

    TipIf you cannot find Thops, confirm that you reloaded after giving him the key and that you are checking the Schoolhouse Classroom rather than the Church of Irith.

    Watch outThis final visit contains the quest's resolution and reward collection. Leaving the Academy without checking the classroom can leave the quest apparently unfinished.

Mission mechanics

Thops's Quest is an item-delivery quest with a progression gate: the player must obtain a second Academy Glintstone Key rather than surrendering the first. That distinction controls the entire route. The first key opens the Academy for the player, while the second key found above the Church of the Cuckoo is the one Thops can receive.

The retrieval route is vertically oriented. Once inside Raya Lucaria Academy, the player must reach the rooftops around the Church of the Cuckoo and search above the church for the corpse containing the key. Falling is the main traversal hazard, and the quest does not require a special movement ability or a dedicated boss victory.

Thops changes location only after the spare key is handed over and the area is reloaded. This means the quest has a hidden state transition: speaking to Thops once is not enough, delivering the item is not the final step, and the player must revisit the Schoolhouse Classroom to see the conclusion and obtain the rewards.

The quest has no branching dialogue choice that changes its reward set once the spare key is available. The meaningful decisions are timing-based: whether to speak with Thops before Academy progression removes him, whether to preserve the player's first key, and whether to return to the Academy after the hand-in.

What works and what does not

Strengths

  • Short route once Raya Lucaria Academy is open and the rooftop path is known.
  • Requires no dedicated boss fight, special weapon, or spell.
  • Provides sorcery-related rewards that are particularly relevant to characters using the Academy's magic systems.
  • The quest can be completed alongside normal Academy exploration rather than requiring a separate region-wide detour.

Weaknesses

  • The first Academy Glintstone Key cannot simply be handed to Thops because the player needs it to enter the Academy.
  • The second key is placed on an elevated rooftop route and is easy to miss when following the main interior path.
  • Thops's position changes only after an area reload, which can make a completed hand-in look stalled.
  • The quest is missable if the player delays speaking with Thops until after relevant Academy progression.

Best uses

  • Prioritize this quest during the first visit to Liurnia of the Lakes if you want Thops's sorcery-related rewards.
  • Use it as a compact completionist objective while already exploring Raya Lucaria Academy.
  • Treat the rooftop key retrieval as a route-planning task rather than a combat challenge.

Phases

  1. 1

    Academy rooftop traversal

    Starts: Entering the elevated route above the Church of the Cuckoo

    The quest's main danger is navigating narrow rooftops and elevated platforms while searching for the corpse holding the second Academy Glintstone Key.

    • Keep the camera angled toward the next landing area before jumping.
    • Use a nearby safe platform if you need to recover from a missed route.
    • The quest does not contain a dedicated boss phase or scripted duel.
  2. 2

    Schoolhouse Classroom resolution

    Starts: Returning after giving Thops the spare key and reloading the area

    The quest resolves through Thops's final scene in the Schoolhouse Classroom rather than through a combat encounter.

    • If the classroom appears empty, repeat the area reload and confirm that the key hand-in dialogue was completed.
    • Search the classroom after the scene to collect the rewards.

Boss encounter

  • Location
    No dedicated boss arena; the quest's key retrieval takes place on the rooftops above the Church of the Cuckoo.
  • Health
    Not applicable

Do not prepare for a boss fight. Concentrate on safe rooftop movement, locate the corpse holding the second Academy Glintstone Key, and return to Thops. Normal enemies encountered on the route are not the quest's required objective.

Choices and consequencesSpoilers

  • Give Thops the first Academy Glintstone Key

    This is the wrong key to surrender because the player needs the first key to enter Raya Lucaria Academy. Find and retain the first key for personal access, then use the second key for Thops.

    Spoiler
  • Delay speaking with Thops until after substantial Academy progression

    Thops's Quest can become unavailable because Thops may no longer remain at the Church of Irith. Speak with him before completing the relevant progression if you want his quest rewards.

    Spoiler
  • Give Thops the second Academy Glintstone Key

    Thops leaves the Church of Irith after the area is reloaded and appears in the Schoolhouse Classroom, where the quest reaches its resolution and rewards can be collected.

    Spoiler
  • Leave the Academy after the hand-in without reloading

    The quest state may not update immediately. Rest at a Site of Grace or reload the area before searching for Thops in the Schoolhouse Classroom.

Checklist

  • Speak with Thops at the Church of IrithExhaust his dialogue before moving the Academy storyline forward.
  • Use the first Academy Glintstone Key to enter Raya Lucaria AcademyKeep this key for the player's own access.
  • Reach the rooftops above the Church of the CuckooThe spare key is above the church, not on the ordinary ground-level route.
  • Loot the corpse holding the second Academy Glintstone KeyVerify the item is in the inventory before leaving the Academy.
  • Return the second key to ThopsUse the hand-in dialogue at the Church of Irith.
  • Reload the areaRest at a Site of Grace after the hand-in.
  • Visit the Schoolhouse ClassroomComplete the final scene and collect Thops's rewards.

Collectibles and secrets

  • 01
    Academy Glintstone Key

    Where: Corpse on the rooftops above the Church of the Cuckoo in Raya Lucaria Academy

    This is the spare key required for Thops's Quest. It should be delivered to Thops after the player has used the first key to enter the Academy.

    Missable
  • 02
    Thops's Bell Bearing

    Where: Schoolhouse Classroom, after Thops's final scene

    A Bell Bearing associated with Thops that can be used to expand the stock available from the Twin Maiden Husks.

    Missable
  • 03
    Thops's Barrier

    Where: Schoolhouse Classroom, after the quest resolution

    A sorcery that creates a magical barrier, making it a relevant reward for characters building around sorcery and defensive spell utility.

    Missable
  • 04
    Academy Glintstone Staff

    Where: Schoolhouse Classroom, after the quest resolution

    A staff associated with Raya Lucaria's glintstone sorcery tradition and obtained as part of Thops's final rewards.

    Missable

Failure conditionsSpoilers

  • Give away the only Academy Glintstone Key before entering the AcademyThe player loses the key needed for personal entry and cannot use that copy for Thops's request. The solution is to secure a separate key inside the Academy.
  • Advance the Academy sequence before speaking with ThopsThops's Quest is missable. If Thops is no longer at the Church of Irith, the normal opening and hand-in sequence may no longer be available.
  • Miss the corpse above the Church of the CuckooThe second key is placed on an elevated rooftop route rather than on the main indoor path. Return to the rooftops and search above the church if the quest item is missing.
  • Fail to reload after giving Thops the keyThops's relocation may not occur until the area state updates. Rest at a Site of Grace before concluding that the quest has stopped.
  • Leave the final location uncheckedThe quest's rewards are tied to the Schoolhouse Classroom resolution. Return there after the hand-in and reload instead of ending the quest at the Church of Irith.

On failure

The safest checkpoints are the Church of Irith Site of Grace before the hand-in, the Academy Site of Grace after collecting the spare key, and a reload immediately after giving Thops the key.

RewardsSpoilers

  • Thops's Bell Bearing
    A Bell Bearing obtained from Thops's completed quest state. It allows the Twin Maiden Husks to offer the relevant shop stock after the item is turned in.
  • Thops's Barrier
    A defensive sorcery that creates a magical barrier. It is the quest's most directly distinctive reward for a character interested in sorcery utility.
  • Academy Glintstone Staff
    A glintstone staff obtained at the quest's final location. It provides a staff reward in addition to the sorcery and Bell Bearing.

AftermathSpoilers

Where to collect the final rewards

After giving Thops the second Academy Glintstone Key, reload the area and return to the Schoolhouse Classroom in Raya Lucaria Academy. Thops's final scene occurs there, and the associated Bell Bearing, sorcery, and staff can be collected from the completed quest state.

Trivia

  • Thops's request reflects the Academy's exclusion of students who cannot meet its admission conditions, giving the quest a personal counterpart to Raya Lucaria Academy's broader institutional setting.
  • The quest uses two copies of the Academy Glintstone Key in practice: one for the player's entry and one for Thops. This is why the initial conversation can mislead players into trying to surrender an item they still need.
  • Thops's story is resolved in the Schoolhouse Classroom rather than at the Church of Irith, tying his final reward location to the Academy he wants to return to.

Relationships

characters

  • ThopsQuest giverThops gives the player the request at the Church of Irith and receives the second Academy Glintstone Key.

locations

  • Church of IrithStarting locationThe player first meets Thops and later returns here to hand over the spare key.
  • Raya Lucaria AcademyMain locationThe Academy contains the second key's rooftop route and Thops's final location.
  • Church of the CuckooKey routeThe rooftops above the church lead to the corpse holding the second Academy Glintstone Key.
  • Schoolhouse ClassroomResolution locationThops's final scene and quest rewards are found here after the area reloads.