Nokstella, Eternal City is one of the many hidden sub-regions of Elden Ring. This zone is filled with many valuable resources and rare items, but completing Ranni the Witch’s quest chain is also essential. Nokstella is brimming with secrets, but the first mystery that players must solve involves unlocking the region.

Elden Ring’s map is absolutely expansive, ranging from Limgrave to the Mountaintop of the Giants. Relatively few players ever discover the equally massive subterranean areas below. Nokstella, Eternal City, is one of several underground areas players can explore later in the game. Although some underground regions, such as the Siofra River Well , may be found by accident, finding Nokstella and the Lake of Rot requires very intentional steps by the player.

How To Start Ranni’s Quest In Elden Ring

To unlock Nokstella, Eternal City, in Elden Ring, travelers must speak with Ranni the Witch , the NPC who provides Tarnished with the Spirit Calling Bell and resides within her tower, Ranni's Rise. This tower is located within northwestern Liurnia, a portion of the map accessed through Caria Manor. To complete Caria Manor , adventurers must defeat Royal Knight Loretta, the Dungeon Boss of the manor. Afterward, Tarnished can enter the Three Sisters, the hilltop where Ranni's Rise is located.

Ranni's Rise sits west of the Three Sisters and is guarded by hidden treasure of Nokron, the Fingerslayer Blade.

Afterward, a magical barrier will surround Ranni's Rise and only vanish once the player has spoken to War Counselor Iji , Blaidd , and Preceptor Seluvis . If Blaidd is not present, the protagonist can speak with Iji and Seluvis. Return to Ranni to complete the dialogue chain and dispel the barrier outside.

How To Unlock Nokstella In Elden Ring

Nokron, Eternal City, becomes available through the fallen star crater south of Mistwood. This entrance will appear once Tarnished have defeated Starscourge Radahn in Caelid. After entering the city and fighting past Elden Ring's Mimic Tear, head to the Ancestral Woods in the north and complete the platforming challenge to reach the Night's Sacred Ground, where the Fingerslayer Blade can be found. Return the quest item to Ranni to receive the Carian Inverted Statue.

Next, reload the area and head to Renna's Rise, the tower northeast of Ranni's Rise. Ascend to the top to find an active Sending Gate. Use the portal to be transported to Ainsel River . From here, the player must go south through the Uhl Palace Ruins and west through a tunnel with Giant Ants. After emerging from the cave, Tarnished will find themselves in Nokstella, Eternal City.

How To Access Nokstella Without Ranni In Elden Ring

If you do not wish to pursue Ranni’s quest but still want to visit Nokstella, there is a way, albeit much more difficult, to still reach the Eternal City. After defeating Radahn, head through the Ancestral Woods and go east. Stay to the right along this path, and you will eventually reach a cliffside filled with Jellyfish. Keep left, jump off the cliff, and continue along the path until you reach the Siofra Aqueducts.

The Gargoyle Duo fight is extremely difficult. Finding the Mimic can help even the odds.

Eventually, you will reach a large, open arena where you have to face the Valiant Gargoyle Duo. This is an incredibly hard boss fight against two massive Gargoyles that move extremely fast and hit very hard. If you find a way to defeat these hulking creatures, you will earn a new Site of Grace and have access to a coffin that will transport you to the Deeproot Depths. By progressing north, you can find another coffin that sends you to the Ansel River Main, which gives access to both Nokstella and the Lake of Rot in Elden Ring.