Volcano Manor Contracts

Key takeaways

The important planning points are the order of the contracts, the locations of the invasion signs, and the point at which Volcano Manor’s contract content closes.

• Complete the letters before Rykard Defeat the available contract targets before entering the audience chamber and defeating Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy. Waiting preserves access to the assassination rewards and avoids ending the Manor’s contract sequence early. Before Rykard
• The targets move across the map Old Knight Istvan is in Limgrave, Rileigh the Idle is in Altus Plateau, and Juno Hoslow, Knight of Blood is in the Mountaintops of the Giants. The letters provide the relevant target information, while the red signs begin the scripted invasions. Target regions
• The rewards are build-relevant The questline grants armor, weapons, a sorcery, and talismans rather than a single uniform reward. Serpentbone Blade, Hoslow’s Petal Whip, Magma Shot, Crepus’s Vial, and Taker’s Cameo appeal to different equipment or playstyle choices. Reward types
• The invasions are scripted These encounters are fixed quest events rather than ordinary multiplayer invasions. The Tarnished activates each red sign in the target’s area and fights the named recusant inside that target’s world. Scripted invasions

Overview

Volcano Manor Contracts turns the Tarnished into a recusant assassin working for Tanith. Each contract identifies another Tarnished somewhere in the Lands Between; reaching the red invasion sign and defeating the target advances the Manor’s rewards.

Volcano Manor Contracts begins after the Tarnished reaches Volcano Manor and agrees to Tanith’s invitation. Tanith provides access to the drawing room and its contract letters, which identify the marked targets. The contracts are optional and can be completed alongside the wider exploration of Elden Ring, but they are tied to the Manor’s larger conflict with the Erdtree and the Tarnished who challenge it.

The first three contracts form a clear progression. Old Knight Istvan is found in Limgrave, Rileigh the Idle is found in Altus Plateau, and Juno Hoslow, Knight of Blood appears in the Mountaintops of the Giants. For each request, the Tarnished must inspect the letter, travel to the marked location, activate the red invasion sign, defeat the target, and return to Tanith for the next reward.

The questline matters because its rewards are not limited to runes or consumable items. The contracts provide the Scaled armor set, Crepus’s Vial, Hoslow’s armor set, Hoslow’s Petal Whip, Serpentbone Blade, Magma Shot, and Taker’s Cameo. Several of these rewards are obtained directly from the defeated targets, while others are handed over by Tanith after the corresponding assassination.

The contracts are also time-sensitive in practical terms. Entering the audience chamber and defeating Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy advances Volcano Manor’s story and causes the assassination-contract sequence to end, so players who want the target-specific rewards should complete the available letters first. The contracts do not require the Tarnished to invade other players; they use scripted red invasion signs in the target areas.

Where this sits

Requirements

Reach Volcano Manor, accept Tanith’s invitation, and use the drawing-room letters to begin the assassination requests.

• RequiredAccess to Volcano ManorThe Tarnished must reach Volcano Manor and speak with Tanith. This can be done by travelling to the Manor or by accepting Rya’s invitation route and later arriving at the Manor.
• RequiredTanith’s invitationAgree to join the Volcano Manor recusants. Without accepting the invitation, the drawing-room contract progression is not available.
• RequiredDrawing-Room KeyAfter joining, use the key Tanith provides to enter the drawing room and collect the contract letters from the table.
• RecommendedRegional accessThe targets occupy Limgrave, Altus Plateau, and the Mountaintops of the Giants, so the Tarnished needs access to each region to complete every listed contract.
• RequiredComplete contracts before RykardThis is not needed to start the questline, but it is required to preserve the assassination requests and their rewards. Defeating Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy first ends the available Manor contract progression.

Objectives

1. Join Volcano ManorSpeak with Tanith and accept the Manor’s recusant invitation.
2. Collect the first contractUse the Drawing-Room Key and take the letter identifying Old Knight Istvan.
3. Defeat Old Knight IstvanActivate the red invasion sign in Limgrave and defeat the scripted target.
4. Collect the second contractReturn to Tanith, receive the next reward, and take the letter for Rileigh the Idle.
5. Defeat Rileigh the IdleTravel to the red sign in Altus Plateau and complete the second invasion.
6. Collect the third contractReturn to the drawing room and take the letter for Juno Hoslow, Knight of Blood.
7. Defeat Juno Hoslow, Knight of BloodActivate the invasion sign in the Mountaintops of the Giants and defeat the final listed target.
8. Choose whether to continue to the Manor finaleAfter the contracts, the Tarnished can continue toward Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy or leave the Manor’s remaining content for later.Optional

WalkthroughSpoilers

1. 01

   Accept Tanith’s invitation.

   Reach Volcano Manor and speak with Tanith

   Find Tanith in Volcano Manor and speak with her until she offers membership in the recusant faction. Accepting the invitation is the action that turns the Manor from a location into the starting point for the contract questline.

   Location: Volcano Manor

   TipIf you have arrived through Rya’s invitation route, speak with Tanith again after the initial conversation so the membership choice and key progression are not overlooked.

   Watch outDo not leave after only speaking to Tanith once if the drawing-room access has not been granted; the contracts require the key and the room’s letters.

2. 02

   Collect the first letter.

   Use the Drawing-Room Key

   After joining, use the Drawing-Room Key on the locked drawing-room door inside Volcano Manor. The contract letters are placed on the table in this room, and reading or collecting the current letter starts the next assassination request.

   Location: Volcano Manor drawing room

   TipReturn to this room after every completed assassination. Tanith’s reward and the next letter are both part of the return trip.

   Watch outThe contract sequence is not advanced by simply exploring the Manor; inspect the letter and then return to Tanith when its target has been defeated.

3. 03

   Read the first contract.

   Take the letter for Old Knight Istvan

   Collect the first red letter from the drawing-room table. It identifies Old Knight Istvan and points the Tarnished toward a scripted invasion location in Limgrave.

   Location: Volcano Manor drawing room

   TipThe target is not defeated by finding a normal NPC summon sign or by starting a multiplayer invasion. Look for the red quest sign at the marked site.

   Watch outThe letter must be collected before the target’s invasion sign becomes the relevant contract objective.

4. 04

   Defeat Old Knight Istvan.

   Invade and defeat Old Knight Istvan

   Travel to the red invasion sign in Limgrave, in the area north of Warmaster’s Shack, and activate it to enter Old Knight Istvan’s world. Defeat Istvan, then return to your own world; the contract is completed when the scripted invasion ends successfully.

   Location: Limgrave, north of Warmaster’s Shack

   TipKeep enough distance to observe Istvan’s attacks and avoid committing to long animations while he is still able to punish. The encounter is an invasion duel, so controlling the space around the sign is safer than treating it like a stationary field boss.

   Watch outDying fails the invasion attempt but does not permanently fail the contract; recover your dropped runes and activate the sign again.

5. 05

   Claim the reward and next contract.

   Return to Tanith for the first reward

   Go back to Tanith in Volcano Manor after Old Knight Istvan has been defeated. Speak with her to receive the contract reward and unlock the next letter in the drawing room.

   Location: Volcano Manor

   TipCheck both Tanith and the drawing-room table before travelling onward; the quest advances through this Manor visit rather than automatically from the invasion area.

   Watch outIf the next letter is not present, confirm that the invasion ended with Istvan’s defeat and that Tanith’s dialogue has been exhausted.

6. 06

   Read the second contract.

   Take the letter for Rileigh the Idle

   Collect the second red letter from the drawing-room table. It names Rileigh the Idle and directs the Tarnished to the second scripted invasion in Altus Plateau.

   Location: Volcano Manor drawing room

   TipThe target is in a different region from Istvan, so use the map marker and the nearest discovered Sites of Grace rather than searching around Volcano Manor.

   Watch outDo not substitute an unrelated NPC encounter in Altus Plateau for the red contract sign; only the marked invasion advances this quest.

7. 07

   Defeat Rileigh the Idle.

   Invade and defeat Rileigh the Idle

   Travel to the red invasion sign near the Bridge of Iniquity area in Altus Plateau and activate it to invade Rileigh the Idle. Win the duel and return to your world to complete the second assassination.

   Location: Altus Plateau, near the Bridge of Iniquity

   TipApproach the fight as a duel rather than a crowd encounter: create room before healing, and avoid allowing the target to dictate the distance at which you exchange attacks.

   Watch outA failed invasion can be retried, but dying inside the invasion removes the immediate attempt and may leave your runes at the target location.

8. 08

   Claim the reward and third contract.

   Return to Tanith for the second reward

   Return to Volcano Manor and speak with Tanith after Rileigh’s defeat. She provides the second contract reward, and the third letter becomes available in the drawing room.

   Location: Volcano Manor

   TipUse this visit to restock healing and check your equipment before the Mountaintops contract; the final target is reached later in the game and is generally a more demanding duel.

   Watch outThe contract reward is tied to Tanith’s post-assassination dialogue, so do not assume the item was granted if you leave immediately after returning.

9. 09

   Read the third contract.

   Take the letter for Juno Hoslow, Knight of Blood

   Collect the third red letter from the drawing-room table. It identifies Juno Hoslow, Knight of Blood and sends the Tarnished to the Mountaintops of the Giants.

   Location: Volcano Manor drawing room

   TipFinish this contract before starting the Manor’s final boss if you want the complete target-reward sequence.

   Watch outDefeating Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy before this letter is completed ends the assassination-contract path and prevents the normal completion of this request.

10. 10

    Defeat Juno Hoslow, Knight of Blood.

    Invade and defeat Juno Hoslow, Knight of Blood

    Travel to the red invasion sign outside the Shack of the Lofty in the Mountaintops of the Giants and activate it. Defeat Juno Hoslow, Knight of Blood, whose aggressive melee pressure and bleed-oriented attacks make spacing and controlled punish windows especially important.

    Location: Mountaintops of the Giants, outside the Shack of the Lofty

    TipDo not chase every retreating movement. Let Hoslow commit to an attack, avoid the sequence, and answer during the recovery rather than trading into repeated close-range pressure.

    Watch outThe invasion can be retried after a death, but the entire contract chain can be lost if Rykard is defeated before this assassination is finished.

11. 11

    Claim the final reward.

    Return to Tanith and complete the contract sequence

    Return to Tanith in Volcano Manor after Juno Hoslow has been defeated. Claim the final contract reward and confirm that the three assassination requests are complete before deciding whether to enter the audience chamber.

    Location: Volcano Manor

    TipReview your inventory before leaving so you can confirm the armor, weapons, talismans, and sorcery obtained from the contract chain.

    Watch outOnce Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy is defeated, Tanith’s assassination requests are no longer available in their normal form.

12. 12

    Optional: defeat Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy.

    Decide whether to challenge Rykard

    After completing the contracts, the Tarnished may proceed through Volcano Manor toward Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy. This is the Manor’s major confrontation and should be treated as a separate step from the three scripted invasions.

    Location: Volcano Manor, audience chamber and legacy-dungeon route

    TipIf you still have an unread letter or an unfinished red invasion, complete it before entering the finale.

    Watch outDefeating Rykard closes the contract sequence and changes the state of Volcano Manor’s related quest content.

Mission mechanics

Each contract uses the same core loop: collect a red letter, locate the named target’s red invasion sign, activate the sign, defeat the target in the scripted invasion, and return to Volcano Manor. The target is not a conventional field encounter, and the invasion takes place in a separate version of the target’s area rather than as a normal open-world fight.

The first two letters are delivered sequentially through Tanith and the drawing-room table. After Old Knight Istvan is defeated, Tanith supplies the next reward and unlocks Rileigh the Idle’s letter; after Rileigh falls, the same process unlocks Juno Hoslow, Knight of Blood. This makes Tanith’s dialogue and the drawing room the central progression checks.

The target encounters are duels against named Tarnished with access to player-like weapons, healing, movement, and status effects. A shield-heavy or slow weapon setup can still work, but the safest general approach is to identify the target’s attack rhythm, avoid panic healing at close range, and punish recovery animations rather than trading through a full sequence.

The quest is missable because Volcano Manor’s final boss is also a progression trigger. The Tarnished can explore and complete other content before returning, but defeating Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy changes the Manor state and ends the ordinary contract-letter sequence. Players pursuing the complete reward set should treat the final unread letter as a priority before the boss.

What works and what does not

Contract encounter phases

1. 1

   Locate the red sign

   Starts: The relevant red letter has been collected from Volcano Manor’s drawing room.

   The invasion sign appears at the target’s named regional location. Activating it begins the scripted duel and transports the Tarnished into the target’s world.

   • Use the letter and map to identify the correct region before searching for the sign.
   • If the sign is absent, return to Tanith and confirm that the preceding assassination and dialogue progression are complete.
2. 2

   Open the duel

   Starts: The Tarnished activates the red invasion sign.

   The named target becomes hostile and uses a player-like combat style. Establish distance immediately instead of spending the opening moment in a long attack or unsafe heal.

   • Close-range weapon pressureTell The target advances with weapon attacks and may chain several swings before disengaging.Answer Roll through or away from the committed sequence, then punish the recovery rather than interrupting every swing.
   • Status-oriented pressureTell Some targets use attacks and equipment associated with bleed or other status buildup.Answer Avoid repeated trades, create space before healing, and use status-resistant equipment or boluses when appropriate.
   • The safest opening is to observe the target’s preferred range and punish a missed attack.
   • Do not assume that a normal field-enemy strategy will work; these are hostile Tarnished with flexible movement and attack timing.
3. 3

   Finish the invasion

   Starts: The named target’s health is depleted.

   The invasion ends when the target is defeated, returning the Tarnished to the normal world and marking the contract complete. A death sends the Tarnished back without completing the request, but the red sign can be attempted again.

   • Collect dropped runes only when the area is safe after a failed attempt.
   • Return to Tanith after victory; the next letter and reward are not obtained at the invasion site.

Manor finale: Rykard, Lord of BlasphemySpoilers

• Location
  Volcano Manor, audience chamber
• Health
  Not listed

The Serpent-Hunter is found in the boss arena and should be equipped for the fight. Keep distance from the lava and use its long-reaching attacks to interrupt and damage the God-Devouring Serpent and then Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy. Avoid treating the encounter like a normal melee boss fight; the arena weapon provides the intended reach and damage pattern. Complete all desired Volcano Manor Contracts before this battle because victory advances the Manor quest state and ends the ordinary assassination requests.

Choices and consequencesSpoilers

• Accept Tanith’s invitation to join Volcano Manor

  The Tarnished receives access to the drawing room and the red-letter contract progression. Refusing or postponing the invitation leaves the assassination chain unstarted.

• Complete all three contracts before entering the Manor finale

  The Tarnished preserves the full assassination route and can collect the rewards associated with Old Knight Istvan, Rileigh the Idle, and Juno Hoslow, Knight of Blood.

• Defeat Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy before completing the contracts

  Volcano Manor’s contract sequence ends in its normal form, leaving unfinished red-letter requests unavailable. This is the principal way to miss the contract rewards.

  Spoiler
• Leave the Manor after accepting a contract

  The quest remains available while the Manor’s contract state is active. The Tarnished can travel to the marked region and return later rather than completing the invasion immediately.

Completion checklist

• Speak with Tanith and accept the Volcano Manor invitation.Required to begin the contract path.
• Use the Drawing-Room Key.Open the contract room inside Volcano Manor.
• Collect the letter for Old Knight Istvan.First contract.
• Defeat Old Knight Istvan in Limgrave.Look near the area north of Warmaster’s Shack.
• Return to Tanith and claim the first reward.This unlocks the next letter.
• Collect the letter for Rileigh the Idle.Second contract.
• Defeat Rileigh the Idle in Altus Plateau.The red sign is near the Bridge of Iniquity area.
• Return to Tanith and claim the second reward.This unlocks the final listed letter.
• Collect the letter for Juno Hoslow, Knight of Blood.Third contract.
• Defeat Juno Hoslow, Knight of Blood in the Mountaintops of the Giants.The red sign is outside the Shack of the Lofty.
• Return to Tanith and claim the final contract reward.Confirm the questline is complete before entering the audience chamber.
• Defeat Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy only after finishing the contracts.Optional finale and contract cutoff.Optional

Quest rewards to collect

• 01
  Magma Shot

  Where: Volcano Manor, after defeating Old Knight Istvan

  A sorcery reward from Tanith after the first assassination. It uses magma-based projectiles and gives a spellcaster a Volcano Manor-themed offensive option.

• 02
  Scaled Armor Set

  Where: Old Knight Istvan’s invasion reward in Limgrave

  The armor set associated with Old Knight Istvan. It is a complete equipment set rather than a single armor piece, making the first contract especially relevant to players collecting armor.

• 03
  Serpentbone Blade

  Where: Volcano Manor, after defeating Rileigh the Idle

  A unique katana reward from Tanith after the second assassination. It gives the contract route a weapon reward for characters interested in a distinctive blade.

• 04
  Crepus’s Vial

  Where: Rileigh the Idle’s invasion reward in Altus Plateau

  A talisman obtained from the second contract encounter. Its effect suppresses the sound of the wearer’s footsteps, making it useful for players who value quieter movement and stealthier approach.

• 05
  Hoslow’s Petal Whip

  Where: Juno Hoslow, Knight of Blood’s invasion reward in the Mountaintops of the Giants

  A unique whip received from the third assassination. It is the signature weapon of the final contract target.

• 06
  Hoslow’s Armor Set

  Where: Juno Hoslow, Knight of Blood’s invasion reward in the Mountaintops of the Giants

  The armor set associated with Juno Hoslow. It is awarded through the final listed assassination and is missable with the contract sequence if the Manor finale is completed first.

• 07
  Taker’s Cameo

  Where: Volcano Manor, after completing the assassination sequence

  A talisman reward associated with the Manor contracts. It restores health after defeating enemies, making it more useful for exploration and repeated encounters than for a single isolated duel.

Failure conditions and missablesSpoilers

• Defeating Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy before finishing the lettersThis ends the ordinary Volcano Manor assassination sequence. Unfinished contracts and their associated rewards can no longer be completed through the normal progression.
• Dying during a scripted invasionThe current attempt fails and the Tarnished returns to the normal world. The contract is not permanently lost; recover runes if necessary and activate the red sign again.
• Leaving without speaking to Tanith after a victoryThe target may be defeated, but the next reward and letter require the Manor return and Tanith’s follow-up dialogue. Check the drawing room after speaking with her.
• Searching for a target without collecting the relevant letterThe red invasion sign is tied to contract progression. If it is not active, return to Volcano Manor and confirm that the correct letter has been collected.

Rewards and drops

• Scaled Armor Set
  Old Knight Istvan’s armor set, obtained after completing the first scripted assassination. It is a full armor collection for players who want the target’s equipment.
• Magma Shot
  A sorcery supplied by Tanith after the first contract. It gives intelligence-focused characters a magma-themed ranged spell.
• Crepus’s Vial
  A talisman from the Rileigh the Idle encounter that suppresses footsteps, supporting stealthier exploration and approach.
• Serpentbone Blade
  A unique katana supplied by Tanith after the second contract, offering a distinctive weapon option for characters using blades.
• Hoslow’s Petal Whip
  Juno Hoslow’s signature whip and the principal weapon reward from the third assassination.
• Hoslow’s Armor Set
  The final target’s armor set, obtained through the Juno Hoslow contract.
• Taker’s Cameo
  A talisman associated with completing the Manor’s assassination requests; it restores health after defeating enemies.

Characters in this mission

• Rykard, Lord of BlasphemyThe Manor’s final boss and the cutoff for the contract sequence.

AftermathSpoilers

Trivia

• The questline presents the Tarnished as a recusant, deliberately contrasting the usual role of gathering allies and restoring the Elden Ring with a faction that hunts other Tarnished.
• The three contracts are arranged as a geographic progression from Limgrave to Altus Plateau and then the Mountaintops of the Giants, mirroring the broader route through Elden Ring’s regions.
• The red-letter format and scripted invasion signs make these encounters resemble multiplayer invasions while keeping them part of the single-player quest structure.
• Several rewards are named for or directly associated with the defeated targets, including the Scaled Armor Set, Hoslow’s Petal Whip, and Hoslow’s Armor Set.

Relationships