How To Get To Audience Grounds Elden Ring

Okay, so picture this: there I was, probably about my tenth playthrough of Elden Ring (don't judge!), thinking I knew everything. I'd conquered Malenia (eventually, after a healthy dose of rage-quitting), banished the Elden Beast, and even perfected my jump attack timing. I was feeling pretty darn smug, you know? Then, I stumbled across a forum post mentioning the 'Audience Grounds' and a potential boss fight I'd completely missed. My jaw practically hit the floor. How could I, a self-proclaimed Elden Lord extraordinaire, have overlooked something so significant? It turns out, I wasn't alone. Finding the Audience Grounds is surprisingly tricky, a testament to FromSoftware's masterful ability to hide things in plain sight. So, if you're feeling a bit lost and wondering how to get to this mysterious location, fear not, fellow Tarnished! I'm here to guide you, step-by-step, to uncovering this hidden gem. And trust me, it's worth the trip.

This article is dedicated to all of you who, like me, thought they knew everything and then got smacked in the face with the glorious, overwhelming scale of the Lands Between. You're not alone! Let's get you to the Audience Grounds.

What Exactly Are the Audience Grounds?

Before we dive into the 'how,' let's quickly cover the 'what.' The Audience Grounds is a relatively small area located in the Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum. This mausoleum, as you might guess from the name, is deeply connected to Mohg, Lord of Blood. Inside, you'll find… well, I won't spoil everything. Let's just say it involves a pretty challenging boss fight that some consider optional, but I highly recommend tackling. It offers a unique reward and adds another layer to the already fascinating lore of the game.

Essentially, it's a hidden arena within a hidden area. FromSoftware really likes to keep us on our toes, don't they?

The Path to the Dynasty Mausoleum (Prerequisites!)

Now for the fun part: getting there! Reaching the Audience Grounds requires you to first access the Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum. There are a couple of ways to do this, each with its own set of pros and cons:

1. Varre's Questline (The "Legit" Way)

This is arguably the more straightforward and thematic approach, although it does involve some… morally questionable actions. (Hey, it's the Lands Between, okay?). Here's the breakdown:

• Find White Mask Varre: He's located right at the beginning of the game, in Limgrave, near the First Step Site of Grace. You can't miss him; he's the one congratulating you on being maidenless. (Ouch!).
• Progress Through the Game: Talk to Varre after defeating Godrick the Grafted. He'll tell you to go to the Roundtable Hold.
• Follow Varre's Orders: This is where things get a little… dicey. He'll ask you to soak a cloth in maiden's blood. Don't worry, you don't have to hurt any living maidens.
• Find the Corpse: Head to the Church of Inhibition in Liurnia of the Lakes. It's heavily guarded by Frenzied Flame fanatics, so be prepared for a fight. You'll find a dead maiden inside; interact with her to soak the cloth.
• Return to Varre: He'll be pleased with your dedication (or lack thereof). He'll give you the Lord of Blood's Favor (the soaked cloth).
• Invade Three Players: Use the Festering Bloody Finger Varre gives you to invade other players' worlds three times. You don't actually have to win the invasions, just attempt them. (Thank goodness, right?).
• Receive Audience: Return to Varre one last time. He'll knight you and grant you the Pureblood Knight's Medal.
• Use the Medal: The Pureblood Knight's Medal teleports you directly to the Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum. Congratulations, you've officially become a blood-soaked acolyte!

Varre's quest is a bit time-consuming, but it's a good introduction to the lore surrounding Mohg. Plus, you get a cool teleport item!

2. The Consecrated Snowfield Portal (The "Cheaty" Way)

Okay, "cheaty" might be a bit harsh. Let's call it the "efficient" way. This method bypasses Varre's quest entirely, but it requires you to reach a significantly later area in the game. If you're already far along and just want to get to Mohg ASAP, this is your best bet.

• Reach the Consecrated Snowfield: To access this area, you need to collect both halves of the Haligtree Secret Medallion. One half is in the Village of the Albinaurics (Liurnia of the Lakes), and the other is in Castle Sol (Mountaintops of the Giants).
• Use the Medallion: Take the completed medallion to the Grand Lift of Rold (east of Leyndell, Royal Capital) and select the "Hoist secret medallion" option. This will take you to the Hidden Path to the Haligtree.
• Traverse the Hidden Path: This area is a bit of a pain, with invisible bridges and tough enemies. Take your time and use rainbow stones to mark your path. (Seriously, rainbow stones are your friend here).
• Enter the Consecrated Snowfield: Once you make it through the Hidden Path, you'll emerge into the Consecrated Snowfield.
• Locate the Portal: This is where things get tricky. The portal is located in the western part of the Snowfield, in an area that's heavily obscured by snowstorms. I recommend using a map and paying close attention to your surroundings. You're looking for a large, blood-soaked rock formation. (Good luck seeing anything!).
• Find the Albinauric Woman: Near the rock formation, you’ll find an Albinauric woman. She can be hard to spot because of the weather.
• The Bloody Finger NPC Invasion: Interact with the area around her to trigger an invasion by Bloody Finger Sanguine Noble. Defeat him.
• Activate the Portal: Once you've defeated the invader, the portal will activate, allowing you to teleport to the Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum.

The Consecrated Snowfield portal is faster if you're already far in the game, but the area is notoriously difficult to navigate due to the poor visibility. Prepare for a lot of blind running (and probably a few deaths).

Navigating the Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum

Alright, you've made it to the Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum! Now what? Don't get cocky; there's still some trekking to do. The mausoleum is a large and somewhat confusing area, but thankfully, the path to the Audience Grounds is relatively straightforward.

• Start at the Dynasty Mausoleum Entrance Site of Grace: This is where you'll arrive, regardless of which method you used to get here.
• Head Down the Slope: From the Site of Grace, proceed downwards along the blood-soaked slope. You'll encounter some Albinaurics along the way, but they're not too tough.
• Enter the Cave System: Continue down the slope until you reach a large cave entrance. This is where the real fun begins.
• Follow the Main Path: The cave system is fairly linear. Just keep following the main path, defeating any Albinaurics or Sanguine Nobles that you encounter.
• Beware the Bloodflame: Be careful of the areas covered in Bloodflame. This stuff can quickly drain your health, so try to avoid standing in it for too long. (Fire resistance gear can help here).
• Activate the Dynasty Mausoleum Mid-Point Site of Grace: You’ll eventually reach the Dynasty Mausoleum Mid-Point Site of Grace. Make sure you rest here before continuing.
• Continue Downwards: From the Mid-Point Grace, keep heading downwards. The path will eventually lead you to a series of elevators.
• Take the Elevators Down: Ride the elevators down to the lower levels of the mausoleum. Be careful of the enemies lurking around each elevator platform.

Finding the Audience Grounds

Okay, you're getting close! After taking the elevators down, you'll find yourself in a large, open area. This is where things can get a little confusing, but follow these instructions carefully:

• Head Towards the Giant Skeleton: You should see a massive skeletal structure in the distance. That's your landmark.
• Look for the Blood Pool: As you approach the skeleton, you'll notice a large pool of blood. This is where the path to the Audience Grounds begins.
• Approach the cliff edge: From the blood pool, walk towards the cliff edge, facing towards the skeleton.
• Drop down, carefully!: you'll see a platform below you. This isn’t a normal drop. Look for bloodstains for indications and don’t be afraid to take a leap of faith.
• Run Along the cliff: Once you land on that platform, run along the cliff facing the bone structure.
• A Long Corridor to the Boss Arena: Continue to the end of the corridor, which ultimately leads to the boss arena in the Audience Grounds.

If you've followed these instructions correctly, you should now be standing in front of the entrance to the Audience Grounds! Get ready for a challenging boss fight. And try not to die too many times. (We've all been there).

Tips for the Audience Grounds Boss Fight

I won't spoil the details of the boss fight (you can look that up yourself if you want), but here are a few general tips to help you survive:

• Level Up: This is an optional boss, but that doesn't mean it's easy. Make sure you're at a decent level (around level 80-100 is a good starting point).
• Upgrade Your Weapon: A fully upgraded weapon will make a significant difference in your damage output.
• Use Spirit Ashes: Spirit Ashes can be a lifesaver in this fight. Summon a tanky spirit to draw aggro and give you some breathing room.
• Learn the Boss's Attacks: Pay attention to the boss's attack patterns and learn how to dodge or block them effectively.
• Exploit Weaknesses: Some bosses are weak to certain types of damage or status effects. Experiment to find what works best.
• Don't Give Up!: This boss can be frustrating, but don't get discouraged. Keep trying, and you'll eventually emerge victorious.

Final Thoughts

Finding the Audience Grounds in Elden Ring is a bit of a journey, but it's a journey that's well worth taking. Not only does it lead to a challenging and rewarding boss fight, but it also offers a glimpse into the darker corners of the game's lore. So, grab your sword, stock up on healing flasks, and prepare to venture into the Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum. The Audience Grounds awaits!

And remember, Tarnished, even the most seasoned Elden Lords can still find new things to discover in the Lands Between. That's what makes this game so special!