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Like many a FromSoftware game, Elden Ring's opening is purposely obstructive. Placing the player in a random location, up against a boss they’re barely equipped to defeat, FromSoftware directly introduces players to the primary mechanic of Elden Ring – death. Regardless of whether players have astonishingly defeated the ‘Grafted Scion,’ all Tarnished are met with a swift end, taking them to the Stranded Graveyard.
This area, which functions as a tutorial, introduces players to the familiar and fresh mechanics of Elden Ring. And funnily enough, in classic FromSoftware fashion, much of the area is missable. This guide will shepherd players through the Stranded Graveyard to collect all the items found there.
Where to Find the Stranded Graveyard
If players have already made their way through the tutorial, they can always return to the Stranded Graveyard by fast traveling to the Site of Grace. This can be found in Limgrave, to the west of the Dragon-Burnt Ruins, and south of the Church of Elleh and the Rune farming fortress of Stormgate.
When players are first spawned in, after their death at the Chapel of Anticipation, they are automatically given 3 Flasks of Crimson Tears, for restoring HP, and 1 Flask of Cerulean Tears, for restoring FP. This 3:1 ratio can be changed at Sites of Grace depending on whether players' build is magic-focused or not.
Speaking of Sites of Grace, one can be found straight ahead, through the double doors up the stairs by the golden tree. These Sites function similar to Dark Souls' Bonfires, serving to restore the player’s vitality and fill their flasks, but also returning all enemies to life.
Acquiring the Strength Gesture
After resting at the 'Stranded Graveyard' Site of Grace, head back through the doors and speak to the weary spirit in the chair beside the cave. They will encourage the Tarnished to take the plunge down the chasm, which players should do to complete the tutorial. Drop down and rest at another Site of Grace ahead.
Continue through the Cave of Knowledge as Elden Ring offers another great FromSoftware tutorial, teaching the player the game’s basic mechanics – don’t worry too much about missing things as players can always return here later for a full tutorial.
Keep heading along the linear path, past the crouching and stealth tutorial to come across a Statue of Marika. These statues serve as checkpoints at which the player can choose to respawn, similar to Sites of Grace, although they cannot be rested at.
In the room beyond, players will come across their first ‘boss fight’ against the Soldier of Godrick. Pass through the golden fog and take him out for a quick 400 Runes. Be sure to avoid his sword slams by dodging to the side, and be cautious of his 3-hit combos. Also, try to practice parries and guard counters and don’t feel too disheartened for failing.
Emerging from the boss room, players will find themselves on a ledge overlooking the very first room they spawned in, with the gold tree and the weary spirit.
Up ahead is a body hanging over a ledge; grab ‘Strength’ from it - one of Elden Ring's many clunky gestures - and drop down towards the tree. Head back up the stairs towards the ‘Stranded Graveyard’ Site of Grace and rest again.
The Fog-Sealed Archway
In the ‘Stranded Graveyard’ Site of Grace room is a grey fog-sealed archway guarded by an Imp Statue. To remove the fog, players must return later, equipped with two Swordstone Keys, which can be found across Limgrave and beyond.
Using these Keys on the statue will unlock the Fringefolk Hero’s Cave for exploration; this is a tough area culminating in an even tougher boss, so be well-equipped before taking it on.
Acquiring the Finger Severer and the Tarnished’s Furled Finger
By the Site of Grace, next to the archway leading out, is a corpse on the right containing a Finger Severer and a Tarnished’s Furled Finger, used to disconnect from multiplayer and place summon signs, respectively. After grabbing these, head through the archway and take the elevator to the top, leading out to Limgrave and ‘The First Step’ Site of Grace ahead.
Acquiring the Haligdrake Talisman
For the last item in the Stranded Graveyard, players must have first acquired Torrent at the ‘Gatefront’ Site of Grace to the north of the ‘The First Step.’
After, head southeast of ‘The First Step’ and south of the Dragon-Burnt Ruins to find the ‘Seaside Ruins’ Site of Grace.
From here, travel south along the cliff towards the small Land Octopuses and look down off the ledge to see a Spirit Spring. On horseback, jump off the cliff and onto the Spring, and Torrent will survive the fall should he be within the Spring’s area of effect – he will have a small whirlwind at his feet if he is.
At the bottom, ride northwest beyond a firelit archway, being wary of the gravity-wielding enemy nearby. Keep heading northwest into an unmarked cave in the cliff face; take the short path through the cave until arriving at another ledge overlooking the golden sapling and weary spirit.
On the ground, hanging over the edge, is a corpse carrying the Haligdrake Talisman - Elden Ring's equivalent to Dark Souls' rings - which boosts resistance to holy damage by 13%.
Elden Ring is available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.