Count Ymir and Jolán questline walkthrough in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

The Count Ymir questline is an optional but lengthy NPC quest in Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.

Located in Manus Metyr cathedral alongside another NPC, Jolán, Ymir can not only teach you unique sorceries, but give you a series of tasks which ultimately reward in special gear, exclusive spells, and a strong spirit summon. Ymir’s quest also includes in a major optional boss battle with a boss Remembrance.

Before we begin, know completing Ymir’s quest requires having access to much of Shadow of the Erdtree’s map, including the Hinterlands and Cerulean Coast area. Additionally, you’ll want to acquire the “O Mother” gesture and either an Iris of Grace or Iris of Occultation in order to fully see out the quest and obtain its rewards.

Count Ymir and Jolán 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”, and speak to Jolán
3. Complete the first Ruins Map by travelling to Finger Ruins of Rhia and sounding the Hanging Bell
4. Return to Manus Metyr and speak to Ymir to get Ruins Map (2nd), and speak to Jolán
5. Complete Ruins Map (2nd) by travelling to Finger Ruins of Dheo via the Shadow Keep Back Gate and sounding the Hanging Bell
6. Return to Manus Metyr and speak to Ymir to get Ruins Map (3rd), and speak to Jolán
7. Complete Ruins Map (3rd) by travelling to Finger Ruins of Miyr and sounding the hanging bell
8. Battle Metyr, Mother of Fingers
9. Return to Manus Metyr and confront Ymir (and Jolán)

Count Ymir location and how to get to Manus Metyr cathedral

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Manus Metyr cathedral can be accessed after defeating Rellana, Twin Moon Knight at Castle Ensis and entering Scadu Altus. Note that these are technically optional locations, and can be skipped if you prefer, as shown in this video.

However you get to Scadu Altus, from the Highroad Cross Site of Grace, head north to the guide stele and acquire the Scadu Altus 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.

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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 on its west side.

Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon

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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From here, you have a series of Ruin Maps to help you find a series of hallowed ruins, where you must sound a Hanging Bell. Our Ruins Map locations guide breaks these down into more detail, otherwise the broad locations are as follows:

• Ruins Map: Finger Ruins of Rhia, west of Jagged Peak
• Ruins Map 2nd: Finger Ruins of Dheo, east of the Hinterlands in Scaduview
• Ruins Map 3rd: Finger Ruins of Miyr, which lies underneath Manus Metyr

After each step, you need to return to Manus Metyr and speak to Ymir. Be sure to check in with Jolán while you are there, too.

As part of exploring the Finger Ruins of Miyr in the Ruins Map 3rd, you will be invaded by Swordhand of Night Anna, and have a battle against Metyr, Mother of Fingers on your hands.

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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, 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 Jolán, 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. (You can also give an iris to Fire Knight Queelign.)

• 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 Altus 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.

If you’re looking for more NPC quests, we have guides for Needle Knight Leda, Hornsent, Moore, Dryleaf Dane, Hornsent Grandam, Fire Knight Queelign, Thiollier and St. Trina, Sir Ansbach, Igon, and Redmane Freyja. You can see their starting locations, and more, with our Elden Ring DLC map.