The Carian Royal Family — Elden Ring Walkthrough
The Carian Royal Family, once rulers of Liurnia of the Lakes, are central figures in Elden Ring's lore, their legacy intertwined with sorcery, betrayal, and a tragic downfall. Understanding their history and their current fragmented state is crucial for piecing together the narrative and unlocking significant questlines and areas within the game.
The Carian Royal Family's story is primarily centered around Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, and her children: Ranni, Rykard, and Radahn. Rennala, a powerful sorceress, was once married to Radagon of the Golden Order. Their union produced Ranni, who would eventually reject her fate as a demigod and embark on a quest to defy the Greater Will. This rejection led to a schism within the family and the Golden Order, with Rykard siding with the blasphemous teachings of the Serpent God and Radahn becoming a formidable general, forever bound to his duty in Caelid.
Your primary interaction with the Carian Royal Family will be through Ranni's questline, which is arguably one of the most extensive and rewarding in Elden Ring. To begin this quest, you'll typically need to defeat Starscourage Radahn in Caelid, which then triggers a celestial event allowing access to Nokron, Eternal City. Within Nokron, you'll find the Fingerslayer Blade, a key item for Ranni's quest, and encounter various remnants of the Carian legacy.
The Carian Royal Manor, located in Liurnia of the Lakes, is a significant dungeon that serves as a stronghold for the Carian family's remaining loyalists. Here, you'll face the formidable Royal Knight Loretta, a powerful knight who guards the path deeper into the manor. Defeating her grants access to the upper reaches of the manor, where you can find valuable sorceries and items related to the Carian lineage. The manor itself is filled with Carian knights and sorcerers, making it a challenging but rewarding area to explore.
Further exploration of Liurnia will reveal other Carian-related locations, such as the Carian Study Hall, which holds a crucial item for Ranni's quest, and the Moonlight Altar, a high-level area accessible later in the game that is deeply connected to Rennala and the Moon. The Carian Royal Family's influence extends beyond their immediate domain, with their sorceries and artifacts scattered throughout the Lands Between. Engaging with their story offers not only a deeper understanding of Elden Ring's lore but also provides access to powerful spells, unique weapons, and ultimately, one of the game's major endings.