Unraveling the Mysteries of Sir Ansbach: A Pureblood Knight's Redemption in Elden Ring

In the vast and enigmatic world of Elden Ring, the quest of Sir Ansbach, a former Pureblood Knight Captain, stands out as a captivating narrative that delves into the intricate web of Miquella's plans and the consequences of his actions. This detailed guide will lead you through the complex and perilous journey that Sir Ansbach embarks upon, shedding light on the lore and offering valuable insights to enhance your experience in the Shadow of the Erdtree.

Uncover the Secrets of a Fallen Knight's Redemption

Encountering Sir Ansbach: A Pureblood Knight's Transformation

Your first encounter with Sir Ansbach takes place at the Main Gate Cross Site of Grace in Gravesite Plain, near Belurat. Here, the once-formidable knight stands contemplating Miquella's enigmatic intentions, his days of combat now behind him. As you approach, Ansbach reveals that his fighting days are over, and he now seeks to understand the true nature of Miquella's plans. This initial interaction sets the stage for a quest that will uncover the intricate tapestry of the Land of Shadow.

Tracing Miquella's Footsteps: Uncovering the Hidden Crosses

Ansbach's quest takes an intriguing turn as he tasks you with locating Miquella's hidden crosses, which serve as central points for the game's lore. This optional objective provides a deeper understanding of Miquella's journey and the significance of the locations he has left his mark upon.Venturing to the Cerulean Coast Cross, you discover that Miquella shed a part of himself there, leaving behind the enigmatic St. Trina in his quest for godhood. Exploring the Scaduview Cross, situated on a cliff above the Fort of Reprimand in Scadu Altus, reveals further insights into Miquella's golden eyes and his transformative journey.These discoveries not only deepen your understanding of Miquella's motivations but also unlock additional dialogue with Ansbach, allowing you to delve further into the former knight's own reflections and concerns.

Breaking Miquella's Charm: Freeing the NPCs from Their Bonds

To progress Sir Ansbach's questline and other NPC quests in the Shadow Realm, you must first break Miquella's charm. This pivotal event is triggered when you reach one of three specific locations for the first time: the Shadow Keep, the Rauh Base, or Eastern Scadu Altus (beyond Bonny Village). As you approach these areas, a message will appear, indicating that a great rune has been broken and a powerful charm has been shattered, freeing the NPCs from their bonds.

Navigating the Shadow Keep: Uncovering Ansbach's Past and Miquella's Plans

With Miquella's charm broken, return to Ansbach at the Main Gate Cross and exhaust his dialogue. This will prompt him to move to the Shadow Keep, where you'll find him on the first floor of the Specimen Storehouse. Here, Ansbach shares his concerns about Miquella's intentions and delves into his past relationship with Mohg.To advance the quest, you must locate the Secret Rite Scroll, which is hidden on the fourth floor of the Specimen Storehouse. This scroll holds the key to understanding Miquella's plans to use Mohg's body to resurrect Radahn, a revelation that deeply unsettles Ansbach.

Interacting with Freyja: Aligning Quests and Securing Allies

Before delivering the Secret Rite Scroll to Ansbach, it is crucial to find Redmane Freyja on the seventh floor of the Specimen Storehouse. Speak with her to advance both her and Ansbach's quests. Freyja is puzzled by a tablet's meaning and requires the information from the scroll. By completing this step, you ensure that Freyja's questline progresses smoothly and that she receives the letter from Ansbach.Once you have the scroll, return to Ansbach and provide him with the information. He will then entrust you with a letter to deliver to Freyja, presenting you with a choice: give the letter to Freyja, which will lead to her joining the fight in Enir-Ilim, or keep the letter and avoid facing her in battle, later finding her shield at the Seventh Floor Site of Grace.

Leda's Suspicions and the Crucial Choice: Ansbach or Leda?

Sir Ansbach's questline is intricately tied to Leda's quest in Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree. If you haven't spoken to Leda after the breaking of Miquella's Great Rune, return to the Highroad Cross and help her choose who to investigate for the potential betrayal of Miquella.Regardless of your answer, Leda will always be suspicious of Hornsent, triggering an invasion at the Shadow Keep that forces you to choose between helping Leda or Hornsent. If you choose to assist Leda, she will then target Ansbach, fearing his potential threat to Miquella.However, if you helped Hornsent defeat Leda during the invasion, she will no longer invade Ansbach, ensuring that he becomes a valuable gold summon for the Enir-Ilim NPC fight and the final boss encounter.

The Decisive Moment: Ansbach or Leda, the Final Showdown

The culmination of Sir Ansbach's questline comes when you return to his room in the Specimen Storehouse and find two summon signs: a red one for Leda and a gold one for Ansbach. Your choice here will determine the outcome of the quest.Assisting Ansbach (Gold Sign): Leda is defeated, and you receive Leda's Rune (worth 40,000 Runes) and Ansbach's Longbow. Ansbach can then be summoned as a valuable ally for the Enir-Ilim and final boss fights.Assisting Leda (Red Sign): Ansbach is defeated, and you obtain his gear and the Retaliatory Crossed-Tree Talisman. In this scenario, you may instead get Sanguine Noble Nataan as a summon for the Enir-Ilim fight.

The Final Encounter and Rewards: Honoring Ansbach's Legacy

If you've chosen to side with Ansbach, you can summon him for the Cleansing Chamber Anteroom fight in Enir-Ilim. After defeating Leda and her allies, speak to Ansbach one last time before the final boss fight. He'll acknowledge your role in Mohg's death but holds no grudge, recognizing your actions as necessary.Summon Ansbach for the final boss battle, where his assistance can be crucial in tipping the scales in your favor. Upon the boss's defeat, loot Ansbach's corpse to obtain the Obsidian Lamina, the Furious Blade of Ansbach (Incantation), and Ansbach's Full Armor Set, a testament to the former knight's legacy.If you have also completed Thiollier's questline, he will join Ansbach as a gold summon for the final boss fight, providing an even greater advantage in the ultimate confrontation.By following the intricate path of Sir Ansbach's questline, you uncover a wealth of lore, unlock powerful allies, and acquire a trove of valuable equipment, all while navigating the complex and perilous landscape of the Shadow of the Erdtree. This captivating narrative stands as a testament to the depth and richness of Elden Ring's storytelling, inviting players to delve deeper into the mysteries that lie within.