Liurnia of the Lakes is a vast and intriguing area in Elden Ring that players encounter after progressing through Stormveil Castle. It’s a region characterized by its expansive lakes, mystical academy, and diverse terrain filled with unique enemies, dungeons, and quests. Here’s a comprehensive guide to navigating Liurnia of the Lakes, its points of interest, and what to expect.
Overview of Liurnia of the Lakes
•Location: Situated to the north of Limgrave and accessible after defeating Godrick the Grafted or bypassing Stormveil Castle entirely via a hidden mountain path.
•Environment: Liurnia is a vast region dominated by a large, shallow lake surrounded by forests, cliffs, and ruins. It is home to the magical academy, Raya Lucaria, and several smaller settlements.
•Main Boss: Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, found in Raya Lucaria Academy.
Key Areas in Liurnia
South Liurnia
The southern part of Liurnia is often the first area players explore after exiting Stormveil Castle. Here, you'll find several NPCs, merchants, and hidden locations.
Notable Locations:
•Laskyar Ruins: An ancient, semi-submerged ruin with treasure and dangerous enemies.
•Purified Ruins: Contains a hidden underground area with a useful treasure.
•Liurnia Highway North Site of Grace: A key waypoint that provides a rest stop and allows you to venture deeper into Liurnia.
Academy Gate Town
The flooded town below the Academy of Raya Lucaria. It serves as a waypoint for those trying to access the academy.
•Academy Gate Town Site of Grace: Useful for navigating the central part of Liurnia.
•Enemies: Many spectral enemies haunt this area, as well as traps and ambushes.
Raya Lucaria Academy
The main landmark of Liurnia, located in the center of the lake. This academy is a massive dungeon filled with magic-wielding enemies, puzzles, and traps.
•Boss: Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon. Defeating her gives you access to rebirth, allowing you to respec your character's stats.
•How to Enter: To enter the academy, you need the Academy Glintstone Key, which can be found on a corpse behind a dragon west of the academy.
East Liurnia
Known for its high cliffs, secret paths, and connections to underground areas.
•Notable Locations:
•Carian Study Hall: Connected to a late-game quest; contains magical enemies and puzzles.
•Artist’s Shack: A secluded spot with an NPC and items.
•Bellum Church: Offers a Sacred Tear to upgrade your flasks.
West Liurnia
This area features more natural beauty, with forests, cliffs, and hidden caves.
•Notable Locations:
•Village of the Albinaurics: A village under attack, offering quests and lore related to the Haligtree.
•Carian Manor: A large manor occupied by the Carian royal family, filled with traps and dangerous knights. Defeating the boss here will lead you to meet Ranni the Witch, opening up a significant questline.
•Four Belfries: A unique area with portals that lead to various parts of the world. You can use Imbued Sword Keys to unlock them.
Lake of Rot and Ainsel River
Underground areas connected to Liurnia, which are crucial for certain quests, including Ranni's. Lake of Rot: A dangerous area filled with rot-inducing water, requiring careful navigation and planning. Ainsel River: Contains hidden treasures, powerful enemies, and is essential for certain questlines.
Notable NPCs and Quests
Ranni the Witch
Found in Ranni's Rise after completing Carian Manor. She gives you a key questline that unlocks new areas, items, and endings. Completing her quest will lead you to important locations and offer some of the best loot in the game.
Thops
An NPC you’ll encounter near the Academy who seeks entry to Raya Lucaria. Giving him an extra Glintstone Key will progress his story. His questline offers minor rewards and some interesting lore about the academy.
Preceptor Seluvis
Found at Seluvis’s Rise, part of Ranni’s questline. He will offer you unique spells and potions. Engaging with his story will affect how Ranni's quest plays out.
Tips for Exploring Liurnia 
•Use Your Map: The area is vast, so regularly update your map by finding map fragments scattered across Liurnia. This will help you navigate the region and mark points of interest.
•Get the Academy Glintstone Key: Without it, you won’t be able to enter the academy, so make sure to grab it early on. Look for the dragon guarding the key west of the academy.
•Prepare for Magic-Based Enemies: Many of the enemies in this area use magic, so consider equipping gear that has good resistance to magic damage.
•Don’t Rush the Academy: While Raya Lucaria is the focal point of Liurnia, the surrounding areas are full of interesting side quests, NPCs, and items that can aid you. Explore thoroughly.
•Watch for Ambushes: Liurnia’s landscape is filled with fog, ruins, and marshes, which are perfect for enemies to hide in. Always be on guard.
Important Bosses
Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon
The main boss of Raya Lucaria Academy. Defeating her unlocks the ability to respec your character. She has two phases: the first involves dealing with her magical minions, and the second is a more traditional boss fight with spellcasting and AoE attacks.
Royal Knight Loretta
Found in Carian Manor. Defeating her allows access to Ranni's Rise, starting one of the game’s major questlines. Loretta is a challenging boss that uses a combination of physical attacks and powerful sorceries.
Magma Wyrm Makar
A dragon-like boss located near the Ruin-Strewn Precipice. Defeating Makar opens up a new path leading to the Altus Plateau. Prepare for a tough fight involving magma and melee attacks.
Conclusion
Liurnia of the Lakes is one of the most expansive and diverse areas in Elden Ring, with a mix of exploration, challenging dungeons, and deep lore. It serves as a hub for many quests, and uncovering its secrets can lead to new areas and unlock powerful rewards. Take your time to explore, discover hidden paths, and engage with the various NPCs to fully experience all that Liurnia has to offer.
