Count Ymir quest and steps in Elden Ring DLC Shadow of the Erdtree

The sorcerer Count Ymir is an NPC in Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC located in Manus Metyr cathedral. Not only will Ymir teach you unique sorceries, but he also has a big quest that will earn you special gear, exclusive spells, and a strong spirit summon. Ymir’s quest also includes in a major optional boss battle with a Boss Remembrance.

Completing Ymir’s quest requires having access to much of Shadow of the Erdtree’s map, including the Hinterlands and Cerulean Coast area. You’ll also need to acquire at least one of two items — an Iris of Grace or Iris of Occultation — to receive certain rewards from Ymir’s servant, Jolán.

In this Elden Ring guide, we’ll show you every step of Count Ymir’s quest, including whether you should use the Iris of Grace or Iris of Occultation.

Count Ymir questline steps in Elden Ring DLC

Here’s a list of all the steps you need to go through in order to complete Ymir’s quest.

1. Meet Ymir in Manus Metyr
2. Receive the Hole-Laden Necklace and Ruins Map, which “charts the site of a hallowed ruin”
3. Speak to Jolán
4. Travel to Finger Ruins of Rhia, west of Jagged Peak
5. Sound the Hanging Bell at Finger Ruins of Rhia
6. Return to Manus Metyr and speak to Ymir to get Ruins Map (2nd)
7. Speak to Jolán
8. Travel to Finger Ruins of Dheo, east of the Hinterland in Scaduview
9. Sound the Hanging at Finger Ruins of Dheo
10. Return to Manus Metyr and speak to Ymir to get Ruins Map (3rd)
11. Speak to Jolán
12. Travel to Finger Ruins of Miyr, beneath Manus Metyr
13. Sound the hanging bell
14. Battle Metyr, the Mother of Fingers
15. Return to Manus Metyr and confront Ymir (and Jolán)

Where to find to Manus Metyr cathedral

Graphic: Polygon | Source images: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon

Manus Metyr cathedral can be accessed after defeating Rellana, Twin Moon Knight at Castle Ensis and entering Scadu Altus.

Starting from the Highroad Cross Site of Grace, head north to the guide stele and acquire the Scadu Atlus Map Fragment. Further north, at the fork in the road, turn right and head southeast to head toward another site of grace at Moorth Ruins.

At the southern end of the ruins, you’ll see a hole in the ground that leads to an underground cavern. You can safely jump down there using various ledges and rooftops, and take a tunnel pathway toward a new location, Bonny Village.

From the Bonny Village site of grace, head east, over a small ravine and across two bridges, to reach another site of grace, Bridge Leading to the Village. From there, take the road north (past many wolves and a Furnace Golem) to yet another site of grace, Church District Highroad. The road then takes a southward turn, and terminates at Cathedral of Manus Metyr.

Where to find and speak to Count Ymir

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Ymir will be quietly sitting on the throne in the apse of Manus Metyr. Speak to him, and he’ll give you the Hole-Laden Necklace item and Ruins Map that points toward your first destination: Finger Ruins of Rhia, west of Jagged Peak.

When he’s not at his throne, Ymir can be found in a small graveyard connected to Manus Metyr. Speak to him there or at his throne to advance his dialogue and quest, resting at the cathedral’s site of grace to progress.

Ymir will also teach you new glintstone sorceries. Check his stock to see if there’s anything new.

Head to the Finger Ruins and sound the Hanging Bells

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Ymir’s first Ruins Map points you to Finger Ruins of Rhia, west of Jagged Peak. The Finger Ruins of Rhia location is accessible from the Finger Ruins of Rhia Site of Grace. To get there, head northeast from the Cerulean Coast Cross Site of Grace, riding along the coast westward until you reach a giant stone slab ramp, on the other side of which is the Finger Ruins of Rhia Site of Grace.

Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon

Finger Ruins of Rhia is a massive crater filled with Fingercreepers and Snakemen. Near the northern end of the crater is a ritual site of four standing stones shaped like fingers, with a Hanging Bell at its center. Simply walk up to the bell, where you’ll be prompted to “Sound the hanging bell.” You’ll receive the Crimson Seed Talisman +1.

Once completed, return to Ymir, who will give you another Ruins Map.

Ruins Map (2nd) points you to Finger Ruins of Dheo, east of the Hinterland in Scaduview. The Hinterland and Scaduview are accessible through Shadow Keep. From the Shadow Keep, Back Gate Site of Grace, walk north, where you’ll see a side passage to the east that leads to a headless statue of Marika. At this altar, you’ll need to use the “O Mother” gesture to open a secret passageway leading to the Hinterland site of grace.

Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon

From Hinterland, head east to the Fingerstone Hill Site of Grace, then southeast to another crater populated with Snakemen (including Snakemen who can paralyze you with a powerful spell). Near the southern end of the crater is a ritual site of four standing stones shaped like fingers, with a Hanging Bell at its center. Approach the bell, where you’ll be prompted to “Sound the hanging bell.” You’ll receive the Cerulean Seed Talisman +1.

Once completed, return to Ymir, who will give you another Ruins Map.

Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon

Ruins Map (3rd) points you to Finger Ruins of Miyr, which lies underneath Manus Metyr. To access this area, known as the Finger Birthing Grounds, Ymir cannot be on his throne. If he is, rest at a site of grace until he moves to the graveyard at Manus Metyr.

Approach Ymir’s throne, which has a secret switch underneath its seat. Interact with it to open a secret passageway leading to Finger Birthing Grounds. One more Hanging Bell awaits, with a battle against the boss Metyr, the Mother of Fingers on the other side of it.

However, as you enter the Finger Ruins of Miyr, you’ll be invaded by Swordhand of Night Anna. Defeat her, and you’ll be rewarded with a claw weapon, Claws of Night.

Having vanquished Anna, you are now free to battle Metyr, the Mother of Fingers.

Metyr, the Mother of Fingers is a Remembrance boss. You can cash in her Power of Remembrance with Finger Reader Enia at Roundtable Hold to receive either the Staff of the Great Beyond, a catalyst used for casting both sorceries and incantations; or the Gazing Finger, a club with a unique skill known as Kowtower’s Resentment, a charge attack that will cause an explosion.

Once Metyr, the Mother of Fingers has been felled, return to Manus Metyr.

Kill the invader Swordhand of Night Jolán

If you’ve been conversing with the curt swordswoman Jolán, you’ll know by now she’s not a nice person. After defeating Metyr, the Mother of Fingers, return to Ymir’s throne to inspect it.

You’ll immediately be invaded by Swordhand of Night Jolán. Kill the invader.

Kill Count Ymir, Mother of Fingers

After the battle with Jolan, Ymir will spawn at his throne and attack you, now as Count Ymir, Mother of Fingers. Kill him to receive the following items:

• Ymir’s Bell Bearing (which you can take to the Twin Maiden Husks at Roundtable Hold to access his shop)
• Maternal Staff
• High Priest Hat
• High Priest Robe
• High Priest Gloves
• High Priest Undergarments

Return to the cemetery to the west, where you’ll receive the Cherishing Fingers sorcery, one of the spells Ymir used during your fight against him.

Should you use Iris of Grace or Iris of Occultation?

Jolán clings to life when you’ve spoken to her in Manus Metyr. Talk to her, and you’ll be presented with a choice, to use either an Iris of Grace or an Iris of Occultation to decide her final fate.

• Using the Iris of Grace will reward you with the Swordhand of Night Jolán spirit ashes, which will let you summon Jolán in battle.
• Using the Iris of Occultation will reward you with Jolán’s katana, the Sword of Night.

There’s just one more task involving Jolán.

Should you usher Anna into Swordhand of Night Jolán?

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If you chose the Iris of Grace option and have the Swordhand of Night Jolán Spirit Ashes, you should teleport back to the Hinterland Site of Grace in Scaduview, then head east to the Shaman Village. This quiet, flower-covered peak abuts Rabbath’s Rise in Scadu Atlus below. From the east corner of Shaman Village, you’ll need to jump down a handful of ledges, then jump to a balcony on Rabbath’s Rise, where you’ll find Anna’s puppet — the physical manifestation of Swordhand of Night Anna.

Interact with Anna’s puppet and you’ll see the prompt “Usher Anna into Swordhand of Night Jolán’s spirit ashes?” Selecting “Yes” will transform the Swordhand of Night Jolán Spirit Ashes into the Jolán and Anna spirit ashes — meaning, you’ll summon two Swordhand of Night spirits when using the ash. You’ll also have the option to revert this Spirit Ashes upgrade, if you prefer.

Looking for more Shadow of the Erdtree guides? Check out our guides on new Elden Ring DLC weapons, armor, map fragments, and sites of grace. We’ve also got location guides on where to find Scadutree Fragments and Revered Spirit Ashes, and an interactive Elden Ring DLC map.