Elden Ring
Elden Ring

Thops

Follow Thops's sorcery quest in Elden Ring. Find the Academy Glintstone Key, learn Thops's Ballade, and uncover his fate.

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Thops

Thops is a somewhat eccentric sorcerer found in Elden Ring, initially encountered near the Church of Irith in the Liurnia of the Lakes. He is a scholar of sorcery and has a particular interest in the Carian Royal Family. His questline involves a search for a legendary sorcery and offers a unique perspective on the magical arts within the Lands Between.

Your first meeting with Thops will be at a Site of Grace near the Church of Irith. He is often found lamenting his inability to access the Academy of Raya Lucaria. He expresses a desire to learn the "Glintstone Pebble" sorcery, which he believes is the key to unlocking greater magical understanding. He may also mention his nephew, Gostoc, though their relationship is strained.

After speaking with Thops, he will eventually relocate to the Academy of Raya Lucaria itself, specifically near the Debate Parlor Site of Grace. Here, he will continue his studies and express his frustration with the Academy's gatekeepers. He will also mention his ongoing search for the legendary sorcery, "Thops's Ballade." This is the primary objective of his questline.

To progress Thops's quest, you will need to find the key item he seeks: the Academy Glintstone Key. This key is located in a guarded area within the Academy of Raya Lucaria. After obtaining it, you can give it to Thops, allowing him to finally enter the Academy and pursue his studies.

However, Thops's story takes a tragic turn. After you help him gain access to the Academy, he will eventually be found deceased within its halls. Upon his death, he will drop his Bell Bearing and the legendary sorcery he was searching for, "Thops's Ballade." This sorcery is a powerful, multi-hitting projectile spell that can be quite effective against groups of enemies.

The Bell Bearing he drops can be given to the Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold, allowing you to purchase certain items related to Thops's studies, such as his staff or armor, if you missed them or wish to acquire more. His questline serves as a poant reminder of the pursuit of knowledge and the often harsh realities of the Lands Between.

Here are the key steps to Thops's questline:

  1. Meet Thops: Find him near the Church of Irith in Liurnia of the Lakes.
  2. Encourage his studies: Speak with him and learn about his desire to enter the Academy.
  3. Find the Academy Glintstone Key: Obtain this key from within the Academy of Raya Lucaria.
  4. Give the key to Thops: Return to him and provide him with the key.
  5. Find Thops's remains: He will eventually be found deceased within the Academy.
  6. Collect his rewards: Obtain "Thops's Ballade" sorcery and his Bell Bearing.

Thops's questline is a somber but rewarding one for players interested in sorcery and the lore of the Academy. His dedication to learning, despite the obstacles, makes him a memorable character.