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Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree

Somewhere a Great Rune Has Broken Meaning

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★Check Out Our Elden Ring Nightreign Wiki!★
★ Scadutree Fragments | Revered Spirit Ashes
☆ Scadutree Blessing Scaling Explained
★ Best DLC Weapons | Best DLC Builds
☆ Best Weapons Tier List

Somewhere a Great Rune Has Broken Meaning

The Somewhere a Great Rune Has Broken prompt appears when players approach the Shadow Keep for the first time in the Elden Ring DLC Shadow of the Erdtree. Learn what it means, what aspects of the game it affects, and which NPCs react to it here!

List of Contents

Somewhere a Great Rune Has Broken Meaning

A Great Rune Has Broken Summary
CheckmarkScripted to Happen Near the Shadow Keep
CheckmarkMakes Changes to Some NPC Quests
CheckmarkUnlocks the Stone Coffin Fissure Area

Scripted Trigger When Approaching the Shadow Keep

Elden Ring - Somewhere a Great Rune has Broken

When approaching the Shadow Keep for the first time, players will hear a global sound similar to glass breaking, then a prompt that says Somewhere a Great Rune has broken... and so too has a powerful charm will pop up.

This is a scripted event and it is part of the DLC's main story. Miquella, by leaving behind parts of himself across the Land of Shadow (courtesy of Miquella's Crosses), has finally shed his Great Rune, leading to it breaking.

Shadow of the Erdtree DLC Walkthrough

Dispels the Charm Influencing Miquella's NPC Followers

Elden Ring - Ansbach

Before the Great Rune breaks, most of these NPCs can be described as almost devout followers of Miquella, revering him with names such as Miquella the Kind and Kindly Miquella.

Once the spell breaks however, these same NPCs will have different insights on Miquella and their own backstory when you speak to them again.

Opens a Sealed Tunnel Leading to the Stone Coffin Fissure

Elden Ring - The Fissure Gate

In the southern part of the Cerulean Coast, specifically at the end of a deep hole that the player must descend, there lies a sealed door that has Miquella's symbol on it. Upon interacting, the player is denied entry.

Later on when the Great Rune breaks, returning to this place reveals that the path is now clear, allowing the player to venture into the depths of the Stone Coffin Fissure - a new area where you meet St. Trina.

Does the Great Rune Breaking Affect NPC Quests?

It Changes the Stance of Several NPCs

Elden Ring - Miquella

Needle Knight Leda Remains loyal to Miquella and sees it as an opportunity to cull the weak followers.
Hornsent Is indifferent to the spell being broken.
Freyja Remains loyal to Miquella, but wishes to investigate his vow with General Radahn on her own.
Thioller Becomes disillusioned and is haunted with memories of St. Trina.
Ansbach Becomes hostile to Miquella upon regaining his clarity.
Moore Is disillusioned by the Spell being broken but remains loyal to Miquella.

As a scripted trigger, it completely alters the dialogues and future progression of NPCs now that they are no longer bound to Miquella's spell.

Some NPCs will opt to stay loyal to Miquella, while others will pull away from it for various reasons, inevitably leading to conflict in future encounters.

Where to Find Miquella's Great Rune

Dropped by the Scadutree Avatar

World View Map Location
Elden Ring - Scadutree Avatar
Elden Ring - Scadutree Avatar Location

The Scadutree Avatar holds Miquella's Great Rune, and serves as an Optional Boss that may be defeated to acquire it. The Scadutree Avatar can be found in the Tree-Worship Sanctum, Northeast of the Shadow Keep.

Elden Ring Related Guides

Elden Ring - DLC

Shadow of the Erdtree DLC Guide

All Shadow of the Erdtree Guides

Shadow of the Erdtree DLC Guides
How to Access the DLC How to Preload the DLC
Scadutree Fragment Locations Revered Spirit Ash Locations
Scadutree Blessing Scaling Explained DLC Bosses
DLC NPCs DLC Walkthrough
All DLC Map Fragment Locations DLC Armor Sets
DLC Talismans DLC Weapons
DLC Spells DLC Not Working Fix
DLC Ashes of War DLC Spirit Ashes
Best DLC Weapons Best DLC Armor Sets
Best DLC Sorceries Best DLC Incantations
Somewhere a Great Rune has been Broken How to Unlock Sealed Spiritsprings
Lamenter’s Mask Location How to Use Shadow Realm Blessings
Best DLC Equipment All DLC Remembrance Duplication Locations
How to Upgrade Weapons in the DLC DLC Larval Tear Locations
DLC Smithing Stones Nameless Mausoleums
Should You Burn the Sealing Tree? Best DLC Spirit Ashes
All DLC Bell Bearing Locations All Painting Locations and Rewards
Should You Suggest Thiollier or Hornsent? All DLC Sites of Grace Map
How to Skip Rellana Should You Imbibe Nectar?

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