If you’ve played Elden Ring, you’ve probably faced this confusing choice — “Join Volcano Manor or not?” 🤔
It’s one of those in-game decisions that makes many players stop and wonder:
What happens if I join? What if I refuse? Will it change my story or end badly?
Don’t worry — this guide will make everything crystal clear.
In this easy explanation, you’ll learn:
- What it means to join Volcano Manor
- What happens if you don’t join
- The differences between both paths
- Which option is better for your playthrough
- Common mistakes and how to choose wisely
Whether you’re a new player or exploring different endings, this guide will help you understand the meaning and difference behind this major choice — in the simplest way possible.
🔥 What Does It Mean to Join Volcano Manor?
In Elden Ring, Volcano Manor is a mysterious area located on Mt. Gelmir, ruled by Lady Tanith.
When she invites you to “join Volcano Manor,” she’s asking you to become part of her group — a faction of Tarnished who hunt other Tarnished instead of following the normal path to become Elden Lord.
If you accept:
- You become an invasion assassin for the Manor.
- You receive unique quests, dialogue, and gear.
- You follow a different moral path, rejecting the traditional hero route.
Examples:
- Lady Tanith asks, “Will you join Volcano Manor?”
- You choose “Yes” → You receive the Drawing-Room Key.
- You get access to special missions and powerful armor.
So, joining means accepting a darker but rewarding questline.
❌ What Happens If You Don’t Join Volcano Manor?
If you choose “No”, you continue the standard main storyline of Elden Ring.
You’ll still visit Volcano Manor later through normal exploration, but you’ll miss out on:
- The unique assassination missions
- Special dialogue with Lady Tanith and her followers
- Rewards like the Serpentbone Blade and Rykard’s storyline
However, not joining keeps your character’s journey more aligned with the traditional heroic path — fighting monsters and demigods rather than killing fellow Tarnished.
Examples:
- You decline the invitation.
- You later fight your way into Volcano Manor through enemies.
- You meet Lady Tanith again under different, hostile circumstances.
So, refusing keeps your path “pure” — but you lose some rewards and story depth.
⚖️ The Key Difference Between Joining and Not Joining Volcano Manor
Here’s a simple side-by-side comparison to help you understand the difference:
| Choice | Meaning | Outcome | Reward Type | Story Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Join Volcano Manor | Accept Lady Tanith’s offer | Become an assassin for the Manor | Unique weapons, armor, and quests | Alternative storyline with deeper lore |
| Don’t Join Volcano Manor | Refuse the invitation | Continue normal story route | Standard progression rewards | Stays true to traditional hero path |
💡 Quick Tip to Remember:
Join = Rewards and Lore
Don’t Join = Morality and Tradition
🚫 Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Mistake 1: Thinking Joining = Evil Ending
Joining Volcano Manor doesn’t lock you into a bad ending. You can still complete the main story normally afterward.
Fix:
Treat it as a side questline rather than a permanent alignment choice.
Mistake 2: Ignoring the Invitation Too Early
Some players skip Lady Tanith’s offer, thinking it’s irrelevant.
Fix:
Always explore the manor and talk to NPCs — it’s full of valuable lore and items.
Mistake 3: Forgetting to Finish the Manor Quests
You might accept but never complete missions.
Fix:
Finish the assassination tasks to unlock Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy’s boss fight and exclusive armor.
🛡️ When to Join Volcano Manor
Join Volcano Manor if you:
- Want to explore alternative lore and unique dialogue
- Enjoy PvP-style invasion quests
- Like exploring moral “gray areas” in Elden Ring
- Want powerful items and weapons
Examples:
- “I joined the Manor to learn about Rykard’s rebellion.”
- “FR, the Serpentbone Blade was totally worth it.”
- “Joining helped me understand the darker side of the Lands Between.”
Memory Hack:
Think of it as joining a club for rebels — not villains, but those who question the rules.
🗡️ When NOT to Join Volcano Manor
Don’t join if you:
- Prefer a pure hero storyline
- Want to avoid killing other Tarnished
- Are doing a Faith or Paladin roleplay
- Want to experience the default main ending without side branches
Examples:
- “I refused because I didn’t want to betray other Tarnished.”
- “I wanted to face Rykard without being part of his order.”
- “Skipping the Manor made my journey feel more noble.”
Memory Hack:
If you see “Volcano Manor” as temptation, refusing means staying true to your inner knight.
🧩 Quick Recap: Join vs Not Join Volcano Manor
- Join: Access new quests, unique rewards, and darker lore.
- Don’t Join: Stay on the main hero route with simpler progression.
- Both options lead to facing Rykard, but in different ways.
- Your decision doesn’t permanently affect endings — it’s about your experience and roleplay choice.
✅ Quick Rule of Thumb:
“Join for story and loot — skip for purity and simplicity.”
💡 Advanced Tips
- Lore Origin: Volcano Manor represents rebellion against the Greater Will, led by Rykard.
- In Roleplay Terms: It’s a reflection of your Tarnished’s morality — loyalty or defiance.
- In Formal Gameplay: Joining adds side quests; declining streamlines progress.
- In Online Play: Completing the Manor missions lets you duel and invade, a nod to Soulsborne tradition.
🧠 Mini Quiz: Test Your Knowledge
Fill in the blanks!
- “Joining Volcano Manor means becoming a ______ for Lady Tanith.”
- “If you refuse, you follow the ______ storyline.”
- “You can still fight ______ even after joining.”
- “The Manor’s quests give you special ______ and ______.”
- “Joining Volcano Manor doesn’t affect the game’s final ______.”
🔍 FAQs
1. Should I join Volcano Manor in Elden Ring?
Yes, if you want unique quests, weapons, and lore. It doesn’t negatively affect your main ending.
2. Does joining lock me out of other quests?
No, you can still progress other questlines after completing the Manor’s missions.
3. What happens if I say no to Tanith?
You simply miss out on the assassination missions and rewards but continue your main journey.
4. Can I fight Rykard without joining?
Yes. You can reach him later by exploring the manor manually.
5. Does joining make my character evil?
No. It’s a lore-based choice that lets you see another perspective of the Lands Between.
🏁 Conclusion
Choosing whether to join Volcano Manor or not isn’t about right or wrong — it’s about how you want to experience Elden Ring’s story.
If you crave rich lore, new items, and an unusual moral path — join.
If you prefer the noble hero’s route — skip it.
Either way, your adventure remains yours to shape.
Now that you understand the difference, go forth and choose wisely — for real. ⚔️
Isla Merrin is a language and writing expert at Definevs.com, creating simple, engaging guides to help readers master words, grammar, and modern English usage.
