Thanks to the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, Elden Ring players remain as engrossed as ever in the massive world, whether having a ball discovering dozens of new bosses or smashing their screens in frustration at the difficulty. But more surprises pop up to keep you on your toes. One of which is the seemingly random text in Shadow of the Erdtree: “Somewhere a great rune has broken…” It can grace your screen at the least expected moment, but it’s not as random as you think.
Shadow of the Erdtree: Somewhere a Great Rune Has Broken – Explained
Warning: Spoilers will follow, so read at your own risk.
“Somewhere a great rune has broken…” is a mandatory message you’ll see at some point in Shadow of Erdtree. You’ll hear a noise that resembles a shatter or something breaking along with the message on your screen. It won’t happen until the first time after you pass the western area of the Scadu Altus Region. More specifically, it will be your first journey through one of these places:
- Eastern Scadu Altus (past Bonny Village)
- Shadow Keep
- Rauh Base
There’s a second part of the message too: “And so too has a powerful charm.” Unfortunately, Elden Ring doesn’t provide much information after the fact, making it easy for anyone to believe they did something wrong.
You’re in luck though. As stated, it’s a mandatory message, so it only means you’re on track to the endgame. In Shadow of the Erdtree, “Somewhere a great rune has broken…” indicates that Queen Marika’s son, Miquella, abandoned his Great Rune. The final part of that message is a sign that the spell he held over the NPCs is also broken. Beyond that, you can now get through the Stone Coffin Fissure, as the seal should be gone.
NPCs Impacted by Miquella
With Miquella’s control gone, the NPCs who blindly followed him now have their free will returned. Some remain loyal, while others turn against him entirely. Just know that once you see the “Somewhere a great rune has broken…” in Shadow of the Erdtree, you should return to the NPCs you spoke to before. Now, they’ll have new conversations, offering you deeper lore:
- Sir Ansbach and Moore: Main Gate Cross (southeast of Belurat Tower Settlement in Gravesite Plain)
- Hornsent and Needle Knight Leda: Highroad Cross (southern Scadu Altus)
- Redmane Freyja: Three-Path Cross (southwest Castle Enis in Gravesite Plain)
- Thiollier: Pillar Path Cross (southeast Castle Enis in Gravesite Plain)
The DLC features plenty to keep you going. But if you want to learn everything from Shadow of the Erdtree, you’d best stay on the move and return to previously spoken NPCs. It’ll offer a new perspective on the story.
