Hey there, fellow Tarnished. So you've stumbled upon Volcano Manor in Elden Ring and you're stuck wondering, should I join Volcano Manor or not? I get it—it's a big deal. You might be halfway through the game, exploring Mount Gelmir, and suddenly this invitation pops up. Let me break it down for you, no fluff. I've played through it multiple times, and honestly, I've made mistakes. In my first run, I joined without thinking and regretted it big time. Why? Because killing innocent NPCs felt like a punch in the gut. But hey, that's just me. Your call might be different.
Volcano Manor is this hidden fortress run by Lady Tanith, nestled in Mount Gelmir's fiery peaks (reach it via the Mt. Gelmir campsite after clearing the Altus Plateau). It's not just some random spot—it's a faction that offers assassinations for rewards. But before you dive in, let's talk pros and cons. Because deciding to join Volcano Manor or not isn't simple; it affects your whole game, like endings and gear. Trust me, you don't want to mess this up.
What Exactly is Volcano Manor and Where You Find It
Alright, first things first. Volcano Manor is a key location in Elden Ring's mid-game, accessible once you hit the Altus Plateau. Head west from the Grand Lift of Dectus or take the ravine path from Liurnia. Specifically, you'll find it near the Seethewater River site of grace—look for the big, ominous castle on the cliffs. Inside, Lady Tanith runs the show, recruiting you for "contracts" to hunt down other Tarnished. The vibe is dark and secretive, almost like a cult. But that's Elden Ring for you—full of twists. When you first enter, she'll invite you to join Volcano Manor or not. Say yes, and you're in for a wild ride.
Now, why does joining Volcano Manor or not matter so much? It's tied to the game's lore. Tanith serves Rykard, this snake god thing, and it's all about betrayal and power. I remember thinking, "Cool, free gear!", but later I saw how it messes with other quests. For instance, if you've started Ranni's questline, joining here can complicate things. Location-wise, it's easy to miss—I almost walked past it on my second playthrough. Key spots include the drawing room where you get missions, and the prison town church for battles.
Getting There Step by Step
To reach Volcano Manor, start from Altus Plateau's outer wall battleground site of grace. Follow the path north, past the Minor Erdtree, and climb the rocks to Mt. Gelmir. It's a hike—watch out for enemies like Demi-Humans. Once inside, Tanith waits in the main hall. She'll ask if you want to join Volcano Manor or not. If you refuse, you can come back later (but why would you? More on that).
The Big Pros: Why Joining Volcano Manor Might Be Worth It
Let's cut to the chase. If you join Volcano Manor, you get access to exclusive gear and runes that are hard to find elsewhere. I mean, who doesn't love free stuff? In my runs, the rewards saved me tons of grinding. For example, completing contracts nets you weapons like the Serpent-Hunter spear, which is a beast against bosses. Plus, you unlock unique story content that adds depth to the world. But it's not all roses—more on cons later.
Here's a quick list of the top benefits if you decide to join Volcano Manor:
- Unique Weapons and Armor: Like the Raging Wolf Set—super stylish and offers solid defense (perfect for melee builds).
- Runes Galore: Each assassination gives 5,000-10,000 runes—great for leveling up fast.
- Early Access to Areas: Some contracts teleport you to spots like Leyndell, saving travel time.
- Cool Lore: Unravel Rykard's story, which ties into the main plot.
But the real kicker? Gear like the Serpent Hunter is only available through these quests. I used it to smash Godrick, and it felt awesome. That said, joining Volcano Manor or not isn't just about loot—it's about how you play. If you're aggressive and love combat, this faction suits you.
| Contract Target | Reward | Location to Find Them | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Knight Istvan | Runes (7,000), Furlcalling Finger Remedy | Limgrave, near the Stormhill Shack | Easy (good for beginners) |
| Rileigh the Idle | Runes (8,000), Magma Shot spell | Altus Plateau, by the Windmill Village | Medium (watch for ambushes) |
| Tarnished of the Roundtable | Serpent-Hunter Spear, Runes (10,000) | Volcano Manor's prison town church | Hard (boss-like fight) |
After finishing three contracts, you get the grand prize: the Raging Wolf armor set. It's a full set with solid stats—I still use it in PvP. But hold up, this comes with a cost. The targets are NPCs you might like, and killing them ends their quests. In my case, I offed Istvan and later realized he had a side story I missed. So while joining Volcano Manor gives sweet loot, it's not guilt-free.
The Downside: Cons of Joining Volcano Manor You Can't Ignore
Now for the ugly truth. Joining Volcano Manor means you're signing up for murder—specifically, assassinating friendly NPCs. And it sucks. Morally, it feels dirty. In my first playthrough, I killed Rileigh and felt awful because he was just chilling. Worse, it can lock you out of other content. For instance, if you're doing Nepheli Loux's questline, she might turn hostile if you join Volcano Manor. Or you miss out on her rewards like the Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone.
Seriously, think twice.
Here's a ranking of the biggest drawbacks (from my experience):
- Permanent NPC Deaths: Once you kill a target, they're gone for good—no do-overs. That means lost quests and items.
- Morality Hits: The contracts are straight-up evil. If you role-play a hero, this clashes hard.
- Ending Changes: Completing the questline can lock you into Rykard's path, altering the game's ending (e.g., you might not get the Age of Stars ending).
- Wasted Time: Some rewards aren't worth the effort—I spent hours on a contract for a spell I never used.
And let's not forget, joining Volcano Manor or not affects your multiplayer. If you invade other players for contracts, it can backfire with invasions against you. I got ganked multiple times—not fun. Bottom line: if you're a completionist who wants all NPCs alive, skip this. Or if you prefer stealth builds, Volcano Manor's aggressive style might not fit.
Personal rant: I joined early on and hated it. The missions felt repetitive, and I missed out on patches' quest because I killed his target. Total regret. Now, I only join on "evil" playthroughs.
How Joining Volcano Manor Actually Works
So you've decided to risk it. How do you join Volcano Manor? It's straightforward but has traps. First, reach Tanith at the manor (Mount Gelmir, as I said earlier). She'll give you the invite after a short chat. Accept, and you'll get your first contract letter on the table in the drawing room. Simple, right? But here's where it gets tricky.
Tasks involve finding targets across the map—like hunting Istvan in Limgrave. You use a red summon sign to invade and kill them. Succeed, and report back for rewards. Fail, and you can retry, but it drains resources. After three contracts, you unlock the Rykard boss fight. Win that, and the questline completes. But if at any point you change your mind, can you leave? Sort of—you can abandon contracts, but you'll lose access to rewards.
| Step | Action Required | Time Estimate | Risks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Join Decision | Accept Tanith's offer at Volcano Manor | 5 minutes | Permanent faction lock-in |
| First Contract | Kill Old Knight Istvan (Limgrave) | 15-20 minutes | Miss his quest rewards |
| Second Contract | Assassinate Rileigh (Altus Plateau) | 20-30 minutes | Triggers invasions from others |
| Final Showdown | Defeat Rykard in the boss arena | 30+ minutes | Alters game ending if completed |
Key tip: Don't rush it. I did, and burned through contracts without exploring. Take breaks to level up—recommended level is 60-70 for smooth sailing. Oh, and if you refuse to join Volcano Manor initially, you can usually return later. But why bother if you're not into it?
What Happens After You Join: Tasks and Consequences
Once you're in, the real work begins. Volcano Manor sends you on three main assassination contracts. Each one is a mini-quest with specific targets. For example, the first one is Old Knight Istvan—he's near Stormhill in Limgrave. You invade his world, fight him solo, and boom, he's dead. Report to Tanith, and she hands over runes and items. Repeat for others like Rileigh the Idle (find him dancing at Windmill Village—weird, right?).
It gets intense.
But here's the kicker: consequences pile up. Killing NPCs can anger other factions. In my game, after joining Volcano Manor, some merchants raised prices or attacked me on sight. Also, if you complete all contracts, you fight Rykard—a giant snake boss. Win, and you get epic loot but lock yourself into a specific ending path. Lose, and you respawn with penalties. Post-quest, Tanith might offer more, but it's mostly fluff. The big impact? You can't undo the deaths, so if you care about lore, it's messy.
Long-Term Game Effects
Deciding to join Volcano Manor or not ripples through your entire playthrough. For instance, if you join, you might miss out on the Frenzied Flame ending because it conflicts with Rykard's path. Or, in NG+, your choices carry over—I learned that the hard way. Plus, gear like the Serpent-Hunter is exclusive, so if you skip it, you lose a top-tier weapon.
On the flip side, not joining means you avoid the moral mess but forfeit rewards. You can still explore the manor later as a hostile area, but it's tougher. Honestly, for new players, I suggest holding off—experience the world first.
Should You Join Volcano Manor or Not? A Decision Guide Based on Your Playstyle
Let's get real. Whether you join Volcano Manor or not depends on what kind of player you are. Are you a loot-hungry warrior or a story-driven explorer? I've seen both sides. If you're all about power, join—the gear is unbeatable for builds like strength-focused characters. But if you savor quests and endings, skip it. Here's a quick cheat sheet:
- Join if: You want easy runes and weapons, don't mind evil acts, and are okay with altered endings.
- Don't join if: You're a completionist, hate killing NPCs, or aim for specific endings like Ranni's.
In my view, joining Volcano Manor is best for aggressive players. For example, if you're grinding levels early, the rune rewards speed things up. But for magic users? Meh—most spells aren't worth it. And if you're on your first playthrough, maybe wait. I didn't, and it ruined the immersion. What about you—what's your build?
Common Questions Answered: Joining Volcano Manor Explained
What happens if I don't join Volcano Manor?
You miss out on exclusive rewards like the Serpent-Hunter spear, but NPCs stay alive. Tanith remains friendly, and you can still explore the area later. However, you'll have to fight your way through instead of accessing safe zones.
Can I leave Volcano Manor after joining?
Sort of. You can abandon contracts by not completing them, but you'll lose access to future rewards. Once you kill a target, it's permanent—no undoing it. You can't formally "quit" the faction without consequences.
Does joining Volcano Manor affect the game's ending?
Yes, big time. Completing the questline can lock you into Rykard's ending path, overriding others like the Age of Stars. If you only do part of it, the impact is smaller but still there.
Are the rewards worth joining Volcano Manor or not?
For gear-heavy players, absolutely—things like the Raging Wolf armor are top-notch. But rune-wise, you can farm elsewhere. Personally, I'd say yes for min-maxers, no for story lovers.
What level should I be to join Volcano Manor?
Recommended level 60-70. Any lower, and contracts can be brutal. I tried at 50 and got stomped—waste of time.
Personal Tips and Final Thoughts from My Gameplay
After all this, where do I stand on join volcano manor or not? Honestly, I lean toward not joining unless you're doing an evil run. The cons outweigh the pros for most players. Volcano Manor offers cool stuff, but at the cost of ruining other quests. In my latest playthrough, I skipped it and had a richer experience—met more characters, enjoyed the story.
Give it a pass if you can.
But hey, if you do join, here are my top tips: Complete contracts early to avoid high-level invasions. Save-scum if you're unsure—back up your file before killing targets. And explore fully; the manor has secrets like hidden rooms with loot. Final word: Volcano Manor adds flavor, but it's not essential. Decide based on your gut. What's your take—join volcano manor or not?
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