Navigating the treacherous landscapes of Mt. Gelmir leads Tarnished adventurers to the imposing gates of Volcano Manor, a faction that stands in direct opposition to the Erdtree. Upon arrival, Lady Tanith offers you a choice to join their rebellion and hunt down fellow Tarnished across the Lands Between. This decision serves as a major narrative crossroads, sparking intense debate among players regarding its moral implications and gameplay rewards.
The Immediate Benefits of Joining the Manor
Choosing to join Volcano Manor opens up an extensive questline involving high-stakes assassination contracts. Accepting the invitation grants you the Drawing Room Key, which unlocks essential areas within the manor and introduces you to unique non-player characters. Each completed contract rewards players with rare armor sets, powerful weapons, and valuable sorceries that are otherwise completely unobtainable.
Furthermore, joining the faction provides a smoother path to confronting Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy, who is one of the main shardbearers in the game. Completing Tanith's requests allows you to be directly teleported to his boss arena, skipping a lengthy and perilous dungeon crawl. Adventurers looking to maximize their equipment list will find that swearing allegiance yields immediate mechanical advantages.
The Consequences and Moral Dilemmas of the Alliance
While the rewards are undeniably lucrative, aligning with the Volcano Manor requires you to hunt down and assassinate honorable NPCs who wander the world. This brutal path can conflict with players aiming for a morally righteous playthrough, as you essentially become a recusant assassin. Your actions will permanently alter the fates of several characters who trusted you earlier in your journey.
Fortunately, from a gameplay perspective, joining the manor does not lock you out of any of the main game endings or break unrelated character quests. The Erdtree does not immediately punish your betrayal, meaning you can harvest the rewards of rebellion without ruining your overall world progression. It represents a contained narrative choice where the primary drawback is the blood on your character's hands.
What Happens if You Refuse Tanith
Declining Lady Tanith's offer leaves the manor relatively quiet, but it does not completely bar you from exploring its depths. Players who prefer a righteous approach can still discover a hidden illusionary wall within one of the unlocked drawing rooms. This secret passage leads directly into the legacy dungeon version of Mt. Gelmir, allowing you to explore the area fully.
By taking this alternative route, you can fight your way through the subterranean lava chambers to challenge Rykard on your own terms. However, choosing this path means completely missing out on the unique assassination rewards and individual character interactions tied to the faction. It remains the ideal route for role-players who refuse to compromise their morals for elite gear.
Making the Best Strategic Decision
For the vast majority of players, the optimal strategy is to join Volcano Manor, complete all available assassination contracts, and then defeat Rykard. Defeating the Lord of Blasphemy prematurely will cause all remaining manor quests to end abruptly, locking away any unfinished rewards. Balancing your exploration ensures you obtain the maximum amount of lore and equipment available in this volcanic region.
