Dryleaf Dane questline walkthrough for Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

Dryleaf Dane is an NPC you’ll meet while exploring Scadu Altus in Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. Technically, you can meet him a little earlier — as a summon sign during the Rellana, Twin Moon Knight boss fight in Castle Ensis.

Our Elden Ring DLC Dryleaf Dane questline guide will walk you through where to find Dryleaf Dane, and all the steps you’ll need to take to complete his questline.

Dryleaf Dane location

You’ll find Dryleaf Dane as you explore Scadu Altus. You’ll find him at the Moorth Ruins Site of Grace.

Dryleaf Dane summon sign

Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon

Technically, your first encounter with Dryleaf Dane is just outside of the Rellana, Twin Moon Knight boss fight. Both Dryleaf Dane and Needle Knight Leda can be summoned to help you fight.

Pick up the `May the Best Win` Gesture and Monk’s Missive

Your next step on Dane’s questline is the Highroad Cross Site of Grace that you’ll find just north of Castle Ensis — your first stop in the Scadu Altus region. When you approach the site of grace, you’ll be able to pick up two items related to Dryleaf Dane: the Monk’s Missive and the “May the Best Win” Gesture.

Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon

The Monk’s Missive is a short note that just says that a monk somewhere to the east wants you to challenge them to a bout without words.

Challenge Dryleaf Dane at Moorth Ruins

Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon

When you arrive at the Moorth Ruins Site of Grace, Dryleaf Dane will be standing nearby. He won’t speak with you, though — he is the monk from that missive, so you have to challenge him without words. Perform the “May the Best Win” Gesture in front of him, and you’ll start a fight.

Once Dane is defeated, he’ll disappear and you’ll find the Dryleaf Arts weapon and Dane’s Hat helmet on the ground nearby.

If you’re looking for more NPC quests, we have guides for Needle Knight Leda, Count Ymir, Hornsent, Moore, 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.