Bernahl Questline and Location
Bernahl is an NPC in Elden Ring located in Limgrave. Read on to learn more about Bernahl's location, a full questline guide, lore and more!
List of Contents
Bernahl Character Profile
| Bernahl | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Description | An old warrior who has stayed faithful to the Guidance of Grace despite the Shattering. |
| Initial Location |
Limgrave Can be found inside the Warmaster's Shack in Stormhill. |
| Merchant | Yes |
| Items Dropped |
・2000 Runes (NG) |
Where to Find Bernahl
Limgrave
| Map Location |
|---|
 |
| World View |
 |
Bernahl can be found standing inside the remains of the Warmaster's Shack in Limgrave's Stormhill region.
Bernahl Questline
How to Complete Bernahl's Quest
Bernahl is an NPC that claims he is a knight of the Golden Order. Expose the dark truth behind his noble facade by completing his questline. Upon completion, players will get his Beast Champion armor set as well as the legendary Devourer's Scepter as rewards.
Speak to Bernahl at the Warmaster's Shack
Speaking to Bernahl will prompt him to ask you if your Faith holds firm in the Guidance of Grace despite the collapse of the Golden Order. Answering yes unlocks him as a merchant of various Ashes of War.
Join the Recusants of Volcano Manor
| Map Location |
|---|
 |
| World View |
 |
If players reach Volcano Manor and join the Recusants, they will find Bernahl inside the manor's Drawing-Room. Speak to him to find out that he also kills fellow Tarnished to become stronger.
| Steps to Complete |
|---|
 Help Rya in Liurnia (Optional) |
| Go to the Altus Plateau |
| Go to the Volcano Manor on Mt. Gelmir |
| Speak to Tanith and Join the Recusants |
| Speak to Bernahl Inside the Drawing-Room |
Help Rya in Liurnia
| World View | Map Location |
|---|---|
 |
 |
Rya is a recruiter for the Volcano Manor Recusants. Help her retrieve her necklace from Blackguard Big Boggart in Liurnia to have her give you an invitation to Volcano Manor.
While optional, helping Rya out will have her appear in the Altus Plateau when you first arrive. Speaking to her will give you the option to teleport directly to the Volcano Manor without having to explore Mt. Gelmir.
Go to the Altus Plateau
| Exploration Options | |
|---|---|
| Ruin-Strewn Precipice | Grand Lift of Dectus |
To reach the Volcano Manor, players will first need to reach the Altus Plateau. This can be done by either braving the Ruin-Strewn Precipice or reactivating the Grand Lift of Dectus.
Of the two, reactivating the lift will be easier as braving the ruins will have you fight Magma Wyrm Makar in order to reach the Altus Plateau.
Go to the Volcano Manor on Mt. Gelmir
After you arrive at the Altus Plateau, head over to Mt. Gelmir in the western portion of the region. Explore it until you reach the famed Volcano Manor. Alternatively, players who helped out Rya can simply speak to her and she will teleport you to the Volcano Manor.
Note: Rya will appear in different locations depending on which method you used to get to the Altus Plateau. If you went via the Ruin-Strewn Precipice, Rya will be at the Lux Ruins. If you used the Grand Lift of Dectus, she will be at the top of the lift after you first arrive.
Speak to Tanith and Join the Recusants
Once at the Volcano Manor, speak to Tanith and join the Recusants. She will give you the Drawing-Room Key needed to speak to the other NPCs in manor.
Speak to Bernahl Inside the Drawing-Room
Head to the Drawing-Room and use the key to open the heavy double doors. Bernahl can be found sitting on one of the chairs wearing his full Beast Champion armor set.
During your initial introduction, he will not yet reveal that he is Bernahl. Tell him I understand when he asks whether or not you know what you're getting into by joining the Recusants.
Complete Two Volcano Manor Contracts
To progress Bernahl's quest, players will need to complete 2 Volcano Manor contracts. Defeat OId Knight Istvan and Rileigh the Idle before returning and speaking to Bernahl.
Note: You can return to Bernahl after defeating Old Knight Istvan to get him to welcome you to the Recusants. During this conversation, he will again become an available Ash of War merchant, adding Eruption and Assassin's Gambit to his inventory.
| Steps to Complete |
|---|
| Defeat Old Knight Istvan |
| Defeat Rileigh the Idle |
Defeat Old Knight Istvan
| World View | Map Location |
|---|---|
 |
 |
Your first contract for the Volcano Manor will be to kill Old Knight Istvan in Limgrave. His invasion sign can be found in front of the large coliseum to the north of the Warmaster's Shack.
Defeat Rileigh the Idle
| World View | Map Location |
|---|---|
 |
 |
The next target on the Volcano Manor's hit list is Rileigh the Idle in the Altus Plateau. His invasion sign can be found in the narrow road leading to the Shaded Castle.
Speak to Bernahl Inside the Drawing-Room
After completing your first two Volcano Manor contracts, return to Bernahl in the Drawing-Room. Speak to him and he will hand you the Letter to Bernhal item. To progress his questline, aid him during his contract to kill two powerful Tarnished warriors in Leyndell.
Go to the Fortified Manor in Leyndell
In order to reach Bernahl's contract location, players will need to enter Leyndell, Royal Capital. If you haven't already, defeat any two Shardbearers and obtain their Great Runes to unlock Leyndell for exploration.
| Steps to Complete |
|---|
| Defeat the Draconic Tree Sentinel |
| Reach the West Capital Rampart |
| Reach the First Floor of the Fortified Manor |
Defeat the Draconic Tree Sentinel
Once you have 2 Great Runes in your possession, head over to the eastern side of Leyndell and defeat the Draconic Tree Sentinel guarding the entrance to the city. This is the only way to unlock the legacy dungeon and progress Bernahl's questline.
How to Beat Draconic Tree Sentinel
Reach the West Capital Rampart
Explore legacy dungeon, unlocking sites of grace until you reach the West Capital Rampart. To get here, head down the stairs from the Avenue Balcony site of grace and climb up the dragon's wing next to the Leyndell Knight shooting a great bow.
Leyndell, Royal Capital Legacy Dungeon Walkthrough and Location
Reach the First Floor of the Fortified Manor
From the West Capital Rampart, run past the Valiant Gargoyle and go up the large tree branch. Turn right after climbing it and head for the sandy area patrolled by dogs. Climb the stables and enter the structure whose interior resembles the Roundtable Hold.
Defeat Vargram the Raging Wolf and Errant Sorcerer Wilhelm
| Map Location |
|---|
 |
| World View |
 |
The invasion sign of Vargram the Raging Wolf and Errant Sorcerer Wilhelm can be found in the first floor of the Fortified Manor. Activate it and help Bernahl defeat both Tarnished warriors to complete the contract.
Once both are defeated, you will get the Raging Wolf Armor, the Raging Wolf Helm, the Raging Wolf Gauntlets, and the Raging Wolf Greaves as a reward.
How to Beat Vargram the Raging Wolf & Errant Sorcerer Wilhelm: Boss Fight Guide
Complete the Volcano Manor Questline
This step is optional as players can simply explore the Volcano Manor legacy dungeon and find their way to Rykard's boss room by themselves.
However, if you do decide to finish the Volcano Manor questline by defeating Juno Hoslow, Tanith will offer to immediately teleport you to Rykard's boss room once you return to her.
How to Beat Juno Hoslow, Knight of Blood
Defeat Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy
To progress Bernahl's questline, you will need to defeat Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy. Use the Serpent-Hunter found in the boss room to make short work of this Shardbearer.
Warning: Defeating Rykard will progress the quests of Tanith, Rya, Diallos, and Patches. Make sure to have done their quests as they will all leave the Volcano Manor after Rykard is killed.
How to Beat Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy
Speak to Bernahl after defeating Rykard
With Rykard dead, speak to Bernahl inside the Drawing-Room one last time. Exhaust his dialogue (and the dialogue of other NPCs) before reloading the area to get him to move out of the Volcano Manor.
Still Available as an Ashes of War Merchant
Despite Bernahl's departure, he will still be available as merchant if you return to where he sat in Volcano Manor's drawing room. Interact with the large claymore to open the buy menu for Bernahl's available Ashes of War.
Reach Crumbling Farum Azula
Your last few interactions with Bernahl will be at Crumbling Farum Azula. To reach this late game location, players will need to progress the main story and burn the Erdtree.
| Steps to Complete |
|---|
| Progress the Main Story |
| Defeat the Fire Giant |
| Burn the Erdtree |
Progress the Main Story
To reach Crumbling Farum Azula, players will need to progress the main story and reach the Mountaintops of the Giants. Defeat the Main Story Bosses in Leyndell and get the Rold Medallion from Melina to access this snowy region.
Defeat the Fire Giant
The last boss standing between you and Crumbling Farum Azula is the Fire Giant. Defeat it to unlock the way to the Forge of the Giants where you can burn the Erdtree.
Burn the Erdtree
With the Fire Giant dead, head up the large linked chain to arrive at the lip of the Forge of the Giants. Rest at the site of grace and select the option to Speak to Melina or Listen to the sounds of the flame (the latter option appears if you inherited the Frenzied Flame). Watch as the Erdtree burns before being teleported to Crumbling Farum Azula.
Summon Bernahl during the Godskin Duo Boss Battle
| Map Location |
|---|
 |
| World View |
 |
Bernahl will be available as a gold summon for the Godskin Duo boss battle. To find his gold summon sign, head up the stairs beside the Dragon Temple Transept site of grace and look to your right.
Note: During your first encounter with the Godskin Duo, there will be no fog gate blocking the boss room. This makes it a bit difficult to spot the gold summon sign during your first try against the boss.
How to Beat Godskin Duo: Boss Fight Guide
Defeat Recusant Bernahl's Invasion in Crumbling Farum Azula
| Map Location |
|---|
 |
| World View |
 |
Bernahl will invade your world in Crumbling Farum Azula. He can be encountered by approaching the tower to the south of the Beside the Great Bridge site of grace. Defeat him in order to get his Beast Champion Armor Set, the Devourer's Scepter, and the Blasphemous Claw.
Warning: Bernahl will not invade if you defeat Maliketh before going to his location. If players progress the story to the Capital of Ash, the only way to retrieve Bernahl's armor and weapon is by starting a New Game Plus save.
How to Use the Blasphemous Claw
The Blasphemous Claw tool that Bernahl drops is used to deflect a certain attack of Maliketh the Black Blade. During the 2nd Phase of this boss battle, some of Maliketh's attacks will glow gold. When his sword glows during the final attack of the chain, you can use the Blasphemous Claw to parry his swing and stun him momentarily.
How to Beat Maliketh, The Black Blade
Bernahl Shop Items
| Items Sold | Price |
|---|---|
| Ashes of War: Stamp (Upward Cut) | 1500 Runes |
| Ashes of War: Kick | 800 Runes |
| Ashes of War: Endure | 600 Runes |
| Ashes of War: War Cry | 800 Runes |
| Ashes of War: Spinning Slash | 1200 Runes |
| Ashes of War: Impaling Thrust | 1000 Runes |
| Ashes of War: Quickstep | 800 Runes |
| Ashes of War: Storm Blade | 1800 Runes |
| Ashes of War: Parry | 600 Runes |
| Ashes of War: No Skill | 600 Runes |
| Ashes of War: Eruption * | 8000 Runes |
| Ashes of War: Assassin's Gambit * | 6500 Runes |
Eruption and Assassin's Gambit only become available for purchase if you join the Volcano Manor.
Lore and Trivia
The Tarnished Knight
- Bernahl is an old Tarnished Knight who still believes in the benevolence of the Guidance of Grace. Despite the events of the Shattering, he continues to fight in the Lands Between.
- Later on, players will find out he is in fact a Recusant of the Volcano Manor - a killer of fellow Tarnished on a journey to become the strongest.
- When Rykard is slain in the bowels of Volcano Manor, Bernahl departs, claiming that he will now take the fight to the Erdtree and the Greater Will.
- In the end, the Tarnished will have to kill him in Crumbling Farum Azula. True to his word, he drops the Blasphemous Claw upon death. This relic is imbued with the power to resist Maliketh - the shadow of Queen Marika and holder of the rune of Destined Death.
Trivia
- Bernahl's Devourer's Scepter is one of the weapons needed to get the Legendary Armaments achievement. Players can get this by either killing him at the Warmaster's Shack or defeating him during his invasion in Crumbling Farum Azula.
- According to Bernahl's armor descriptions, he was a champion worthy of becoming a lord. However, his fall from the guidance of grace would happen when his maiden burns herself alive.
- The Blasphemous Claw that Bernahl drops has significant weight when examined form a lore perspective. According to its description, it was given to Praetor Rykard by Ranni the Witch on the Night of the Black Knives as a reward.
Bernahl Quotes
| "Not seen you before. Name's Bernahl. Tarnished, just like you. Let me ask you something. Are you here in the Lands Between to take up the fight? Does your faith in the guidance of grace hold firm, despite the collapse of the Golden Order?" |
|---|
| "Yes, you're a Tarnished through and through. Takes me back, but that's a quality needed now more than ever. Any interest in bearing the torch, of my battle arts?" |
|---|
| "So. You killed Rykard? I harbour you no ill will. The strong take. Such is our code. Even he was prepared to meet a wretched end when he first took blasphemy unto his very flesh." |
|---|
| "But anyroad, the Volcano Manor is no more. Though we may yet fulfill an old promise. We hunted our own kind, and took what was theirs. And with everything in hand, the time has come to rise, against the Erdtree." |
|---|
| "O Greater Will, hear my voice. I am the recusant Bernahl, inheritor of my brother's will, and you will fall to my blade. We refuse to become your pawns. Consider this fair warning." |
|---|
Elden Ring Related Guides
All Elden Ring NPCs
Other NPC Guides
| NPCs Guides | |
|---|---|
| All Merchant Locations | All Nomadic & Isolated Merchants |
| How to Make Hostile NPCs Friendly | |
