In order to be able to enter the second legacy dungeon in Elden Ring, you need the so-called Shimmerstone Key. But this is extremely well hidden and is also defended by a bad-tempered dragon. But the magician Thops is also looking for a key, which is why we’re going to tell you where to get it and how to complete Thops’ quest.
But if you want to strengthen yourself before the next legacy dungeon, our blacksmith stone guide could tell you everything you need to know:
Elden Ring Guide
Where you can farm forge stones to upgrade your weapons
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Location: The first Shimmerstone Key
There is a large pile of rubble to the left of the academy. But before you ride there, you should activate the place of mercy north of it, you will need it. If you approach the place where it was found, you will already see the big dragon living there. The dragon named Emerald distributes properly, which is why you should not go into battle too weak.
You can also sneak up on him until he wakes up and then run to the last item. However, to be on the safe side, spend all your runes in this attempt. Even if you then whole 14,000 runes and a dragon heart would leave. Now you can go through the gate and enter the academy.
Wizard Thops
Travel to the Place of Mercy Sea cliffs
and walk along the castle walls on the left until you reach the church of Irrith. There you will not only find a precious teardrop for your healing potions, but also the magician Thops, who is desperately looking for a Shimmerstone Key.
But you can’t offer him the first one you find, because he’ll let you have it. So exhaust all dialogue options and then travel to the academy and fight your way through until you reach the first boss Radagon defeated. There you activate the place of grace forum of debate
and walk straight outside to the courtyard of the academy.
By the way, you can read in Heiko’s column how well Elden Ring appeals to a Souls skeptic:
Elden Ring
How much does a Souls skeptic like it?
Location: Second Shimmerstone Key
- Keep left and run up the scree. Since the soldiers in front of you are hardly a threat, you should immediately go to the two magicians above you and do them first.
- Jump over the wall and turn 180° to open a more or less good shortcut to the courtyard.
- After climbing the stairs, jump over the wall again to get to the rooftops. Follow them until you reach a ladder and climb it up.
- Defeat the wizard, but watch out as some winged gargoyles will appear behind you. Then run along the tower and drop onto the next roof.
- Once you have arrived on the narrow roof, you have to jump onto the small ledge below you.
- Then don’t take the ladder down, but jump onto the church roof in front of you. Run around to the right and enter the first window of the church.
- As you walk along the narrow wooden paths, you should already see an item sparkling beneath you. Jump onto the first chandelier to collect the second Shimmerstone Key. Now you have to go back to the Church of Illith and hand over the key to Thops. Once you rest at a Place of Grace, you won’t find Thops in the small chapel, as he has already made his way to the Academy.
- Travel to the Place of Grace school classroom and run back to the big elevator. As soon as you exit the room, you must turn right immediately. As usual in Elden Ring, this quest doesn’t end well either. But cheer up: At least you can now take Thop’s Soundpearl, the Academy Shimmerstone Staff and a spell called Thop’s Barrier from him. He would have wanted it that way…
Elden Ring is the first big highlight of the gaming year 2022 and in our test it got the second highest rating in GameStar history. Our guides explain what you should know to start, how the classes work, where you can find valuable items in the intermediate lands – such as the golden seed or holy tears – and what you can do to prevent stuttering.
You can find more tips and tricks in our guide overview.
Have you already mastered the academy and discovered the many secrets that can be found there? A tip: Let yourself be defeated by the opponent waiting for you on the bottom floor of the elevator. Feel free to share your experience with us in the comments!
