Count Ymir questline walkthrough and steps in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
The Wizard Count Ymir is an NPC in Elden Ring‘S Shadow of the Erdtree DLC in Manus Metyr Cathedral. Not only does Ymir teach you unique sorceries, but he also has a major quest that allows you to earn special equipment, exclusive spells, and a powerful spirit summon. Ymir’s quest also includes a big optional boss battle with a Boss Remembrance.
To complete Ymir’s quest, you’ll need to have access to a large portion of Shadow of the Erdtree‘s map, including the hinterland and the Cerulean Coast area. You must also purchase at least one of two items: a Iris of Grace or Iris of occultation – to receive certain rewards from Ymir’s servant, Jolan.
In this Elden Ring guide, we’ll show you every step of Count Ymir’s quest, including whether to use the Iris of Grace or Iris of Occultation.
Count the steps of the Ymir questline in the Elden Ring DLC
Here is a list of all the steps you need to go through to complete Ymir’s quest.
- Meet Ymir in Manus Metyr
- Receive the Hole-laden Necklace and Ruin Map, which “maps the location of a sacred ruin”
- Talk to Jolan
- Travel to Finger Ruins of Rhia, west of Jagged Peak
- Ring the hanging bell at Finger Ruins of Rhia
- Return to Manus Metyr and talk to Ymir to get Ruins Map (2nd).
- Talk to Jolan
- Travel to Finger Ruins of Dheo, east of the hinterland in Scaduview
- Sound the suspension at Finger Ruins of Dheo
- Return to Manus Metyr and talk to Ymir to get Ruins Map (3rd).
- Talk to Jolan
- Travel to Finger Ruins of Miyr, beneath Manus Metyr
- Sound the hanging bell
- Fight Metyr, the mother of fingers
- Return to Manus Metyr and confront Ymir (and Jolán)
Where to find Manus Metyr Cathedral
The Manus Metyr Cathedral can be accessed after defeating Rellana, Twin Moon Knight at Castle Ensis and entering Scadu Altus.
Start from the Highroad Cross Site of Grace and head north to the guide stele and obtain the Scadu Atlus Map fragment. Further north, at the fork in the road, turn right and head southeast to reach another place of grace Moorish ruins.
On the south side of the ruins you will see a hole in the ground that leads to an underground cave. You can safely jump down there via various ledges and roofs, and take a tunnel path to a new location. Bonny village.
From the place of grace in Bonny Village, head east, over a small ravine and over two bridges, to reach another place of grace. Bridge leading to the village. From there, take the road north (past many wolves and a Furnace Golem) to another place of mercy, Highroad Church District. The road then turns south and ends at Cathedral of Manus Metyr.
Where to find and speak to Count Ymir
Ymir will sit quietly on the throne in the apse of Manus Metyr. Talk to him and he’ll give you the Hole-Laden Necklace item and the Ruins Map that point to your first destination: Finger Ruins of Rhia, west of Jagged Peak.
When not on his throne, Ymir can be found in a small graveyard connected to Manus Metyr. Talk to him there or on his throne to advance his dialogue and quest, while resting in the cathedral’s place of grace to progress.
Ymir will also teach you new glintstone sorcery. Check his inventory to see if there’s anything new.
Go to the finger ruins and ring the hanging bells
Ymir’s first Ruins map points to you Rhia’s Finger Ruins, west of Jagged Peak. The Finger Ruins of Rhia site can be accessed from the Finger Ruins of Rhia Site of Grace. To get there, head northeast from the Cerulean Coast Cross Site of Grace and drive west along the coast until you reach a giant stone escarpment, on the other side of which lies the Finger Ruins of Rhia Site of Grace.
Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon
Finger Ruins of Rhia is a huge crater filled with Fingercreepers and Snakemen. On the north side of the crater is a ritual site of four standing stones in the shape of fingers, with a hanging bell in the center. Simply walk up to the bell, where you will be prompted to “Ring the Hanging Bell.” You will receive the Crimson Seed Talisman +1.
Once completed, head back to Ymir, who will give you another Ruin Card.
Ruin Map (2nd) points to you Finger Ruins of Dheo, east of the backcountry in Scaduview. The hinterland and Scaduview are accessible via 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 must use the ‘O Mother’ gesture to open a secret passage leading to the place of grace in the hinterland.
Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon
From Hinterland, head east to the Fingerstone Hill Site of Grace, then southeast to another crater populated with Snake Men (including Snake Men who can paralyze you with a powerful spell). On the south side of the crater is a ritual site of four standing stones in the shape of fingers, with a hanging bell in the center. Go to the bell, where you will be asked to “Listen on the hanging bell.” You will receive the Cerulean seed Talisman +1.
Once completed, head back to Ymir, who will give you another Ruin Card.
Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon
Ruin Map (3rd) points to you Finger Ruins of Miyr, which lies beneath Manus Metyr. To access this area, known as the Finger Birthing Grounds, Ymir cannot sit on his throne. If so, rest in a place of grace until he moves to the cemetery of Manus Metyr.
Approach Ymir’s throne, which has a secret switch under the seat. Interact with it to open a secret passageway leading to Finger birth grounds. Another hanging bell awaits, with a battle against the boss Metyr, the Mother of Fingers, on the other side of it.
However, when you enter the Finger Ruins of Miyr, you will be attacked by Sword Hand of Night Anna. Defeat her and you’ll be rewarded with a claw weapon. Claws of the night.
After defeating Anna, you are now free to battle Metyr, the Mother of Fingers.
Metyr, the Mother of Fingers, is a Memory Boss. You can redeem her Memorial Power with Finger Reader Enia during Roundtable Hold to get the Staff of the Great Beyond, a catalyst used for casting both sorceries and incantations; or the Staring fingera club with a unique ability known as Kowtower’s Resentment, a charge attack that will cause an explosion.
Once Metyr, the Mother of Fingers, is felled, return to Manus Metyr.
Kill the invader Swordhand of Night Jolán
If you’ve had a conversation with the short-sighted swordsman Jolán, you know by now that she’s not a nice person. After defeating Metyr, the Mother of Fingers, return to the throne of Ymir to inspect it.
You will immediately be invaded by Swordhand of Night Jolán. Kill the intruder.
Kill Count Ymir, Mother of Fingers
After the battle with Jolan, Ymir will spawn on 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 gain access to his shop)
- Motherly staff
- High priest hat
- High priest robe
- High Priest Gloves
- High priest underwear
Return to the cemetery to the west, where you will find the Cherish fingers sorcery, one of the spells Ymir used during your fight against him.
Should you use Iris of Grace or Iris of Occultation?
Jolán is clinging to life if you talked to her in Manus Metyr. Talk to her and you’ll be given the choice of using an Iris of Grace or an Iris of Occultation to determine her ultimate fate.
- The habits Iris of Grace will reward you with the Sword hand of Night Jolán’s spirit axiswhich allows you to summon Jolán into battle.
- The habits Iris of occultation will reward you with it Jolán’s katana, the Sword of the Night.
There is one more task that Jolán is involved in.
Should you lead Anna to Swordhand or Night Jolán?
Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon
If you chose the Iris of Grace option and have the Swordhand of Night Jolán Spirit Ashes, you will need to teleport back to the Hinterland Site of Grace in Scaduview and then head east to the Shaman Village. This tranquil, flower-covered peak is adjacent to Rabbath’s Rise in Scadu Atlus below. From the eastern corner of Shaman Village, you’ll need to jump down a handful of ledges and then jump to a balcony on Rabbath’s Rise, where you’ll find Anna’s doll – the physical manifestation of Swordhand of Night Anna.
Interact with Anna’s doll and you’ll see the prompt “Anna in Swordhand of Night bring Jolán’s spirit ashes?” Selecting ‘Yes’ will change the Swordhand of Night Jolán Spirit Ashes to the Jolán and Anna spirit ashes. This means that you summon two Swordhand of Night spirits when you use the ash. You also have the option to reverse 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 places of mercy. We also have location guides on where to find Scadutree Fragments and Revered Spirit Ashes, and an interactive Elden Ring DLC map.