After Ranni (Renna) says her goodbyes in Elden Ring, players will receive the Discarded Palace Key. While it might seem like Ranni’s questline has come to an end, this key unlocks the item needed for the next (and most annoying) part. Here’s what to do with the Discarded Palace Key and where players must take the Dark Moon Ring.
What does the Discarded Palace Key unlock in Elden Ring?
Luckily, the Discarded Palace Key is one of the less cryptic items in Elden Ring. Its description tells players exactly what it does:
“A key discarded by Lunar Princess Ranni alongside her very flesh.
Opens a treasure chest passed down to Carian Princesses.
It is said to be found in the Grand Library of Raya Lucaria with her mother Rennala.”
So, all players need to do is fast travel to the Grand Library of Raya Lucaria Academy Site of Grace. Near Rennala, players will find a chest that the Discarded Palace Key unlocks. Inside is the Dark Moon Ring.
Where do I use the Dark Moon Ring?
On the flip side, the Dark Moon Ring gives hardly any clue as to where players are supposed to use it. Its description is interesting, but not very helpful:
“Ring depicting a leaden full moon. Symbolic of a cold oath, the ring is supposed to be given by Lunar Princess Ranni to her consort.
Ranni is an Empyrean, meaning her consort would by rights earn the title of lord.
A warning is engraved within; “Whoever thou mayest be, take not the ring from this place, the solitude beyond the night is better mine alone.”
So, to find where to use the Dark Moon Ring, players will need to return to where they obtained the Discarded Palace key. Past this area is the absolutely dreadful Lake of Rot. It’s filled with Scarlet Rot, and walking through it will quickly infect players with that dreaded status effect. So, players will want to ensure they have at least a few Preserving Boluses or a spell that removes negative status effects.
Players need to make their way to the structure on the far side of the Lake of Rot. There are switches that players can hit at the base of pillars throughout the lake which will raise some platforms on which to rest. Most of the enemies can be ignored, and there’s a Site of Grace just inside the temple.
Now, proceed through the temple until it forks into a way further inside the building and a path to the left that ends in a cliff. Balancing perilously on the cliff is a coffin that players can get into. The coffin will take players to one of the tougher bosses, Astel, Naturalborn of the Void. This thing is a huge pain, and it took us many attempts to take it out, so players should make sure they’re prepared.
Once Astel is down, players can make their way into the Moonlight Altar. Players can find the Cathedral of Manus Celes by proceeding through this new area. There’s a hole here that players can jump down using a series of ledges until they find a path.
Down the path, players will find Ranni and a very interesting plot development. Putting the Dark Moon Ring on her finger will revive her. Then, she’ll share a last moment with the player before dropping the grand prize of her questline, the Dark Moon Greatsword. Many players will recognize this variation of the Moonlight Greatsword from Dark Souls. It’s a great sword, but most importantly (for some), it’s one of the nine weapons needed for the Legendary Armaments achievement.
