Elden Ring: Millicent Side Quest Guide & Walkthrough

Elden Ring, like many FromSoftware games, is known for its sprawling open world filled with cryptic side quests that can be challenging to discover and complete. One such quest is that of Millicent, a tragic figure whose story reveals intriguing lore and offers valuable rewards. However, her questline is notoriously difficult to follow, largely due to the game's non-linear design and the way it handles NPC interactions.

Unlike many RPGs where side quests are easily tracked and marked on the map, Elden Ring takes a different approach. Players often stumble upon NPCs like Millicent, and it's up to them to piece together the quest's progression. This can make it easy to miss certain steps or entire questlines, especially in a game as vast and complex as Elden Ring.

The Millicent side quest is one of the most rewarding but also one of the easiest to overlook. Her quest not only grants unique Elden Ring Items but also provides significant lore that deepens the game's mysterious narrative. Below is a guide to ensure you don't miss out on the rewards and story tied to Millicent's questline.

How to Start Millicent's Quest and Obtain the Unalloyed Gold Needle

Step 1: Finding Gowry

Millicent's journey begins in one of Elden Ring's more dangerous regions, Caelid. To start, you'll need to locate a character named Gowry, who resides in a shack just south of Sellia, Town of Sorcery. There's a nearby Site of Grace that will be useful for fast travel, as you'll return to this area several times throughout the quest.

Upon speaking to Gowry, he informs you that Millicent is gravely ill and seeks your help in saving her life. He tasks you with retrieving an Unalloyed Gold Needle, which is essential to cure her. This needle can be found in the Swamp of Aeonia, a nearby scarlet rot-infested area.

Step 2: Defeating Commander O'Neil for the Unalloyed Gold Needle

The Unalloyed Gold Needle is held by a formidable foe: Commander O'Neil, one of the tougher mid-game bosses in Elden Ring. O'Neil is located in the center of the Swamp of Aeonia, and fighting him can be particularly challenging, especially for players attempting this early in the game.

When you first engage Commander O'Neil, he summons several archers to aid him. These archers respawn, making it crucial to dodge their attacks rather than focus on eliminating them. Commander O'Neil uses powerful scarlet rot attacks, so players should keep their distance and employ ranged attacks when possible.

If you've already spoken to Gowry, you can summon the NPC Pollyanna to assist in the fight. While her damage output is modest, she serves as a valuable distraction, allowing you to strike Commander O'Neil from behind. Defeating him rewards you with 12,000 Elden Ring Runes, the Commander's Standard, and the coveted Unalloyed Gold Needle.

Step 3: Return to Gowry and Unlock Sellia

With the Unalloyed Gold Needle in hand, return to Gowry's shack. After handing him the needle, he will give you instructions and a cryptic note. The note directs you to light three beacons in Sellia to lift a magical barrier that blocks your way forward.

Sellia is a ghostly town filled with invisible sorcerers who become visible only when you're nearby. Lighting the three beacons involves climbing across rooftops and using Torrent, your spectral steed, to traverse the area. The beacons are located in separate towers scattered across Sellia, and lighting them will lift the magical barrier on the hill beyond the town.

Once all three beacons are lit, you'll be free to explore the area and continue Millicent's questline. It's important to note that players can light these beacons before ever speaking to Gowry. However, to proceed in the quest and obtain the fixed Unalloyed Gold Needle, speaking to Gowry remains a necessary step.

Millicent's Journey Continues

After lighting the beacons, return to Gowry, who will now hand you the repaired Unalloyed Gold Needle. This needle is crucial to curing Millicent, and Gowry directs you to where she can be found. Her location shifts throughout the game, but she is initially found near the Plague Church in Caelid, close to the Swamp of Aeonia.

Once you locate her, she will be incapacitated, and you can use the Unalloyed Gold Needle to heal her. As you progress through her questline, Millicent moves to various locations, including the Altus Plateau and later the Haligtree. Helping her through these areas will not only reward you with Elden Ring Items like the Prosthesis-Wearer Heirloom and the Rotten Winged Sword Insignia, but also culminate in a major choice that impacts the outcome of her story.

Challenging Bosses Along the Way

Millicent's side quest pits players against some of the most challenging bosses in Elden Ring, making it a true test of skill. Some of the key encounters include:

    Commander O'Neil in the Swamp of Aeonia: Rewarding 12,000 Runes and the Unalloyed Gold Needle.

    Godskin Apostle in Windmill Village: Grants 14,000 Runes, the Godskin Peeler, and the Scouring Black Flame.

    Commander Niall at Castle Sol: Defeating him rewards 90,000 Runes and the Veteran's Prosthesis.

    Malenia, Blade of Miquella, one of the most infamous bosses, who grants a staggering 480,000 Runes and the Remembrance of the Rot Goddess.

Each encounter offers valuable Elden Ring Runes and powerful items that help in completing the game's tougher challenges. As players journey through Millicent's story, they will uncover deeper lore tied to the mysterious Scarlet Rot and the Haligtree, making this side quest both rewarding and narratively compelling.

In conclusion, the Millicent side quest in Elden Ring is a lengthy but enriching adventure. Not only does it offer key lore details, but it also rewards you with unique items and experiences. For players willing to navigate the cryptic progression and tough battles, Millicent's quest is one of the most memorable and rewarding in the game.