Elden Ring is one of the most expansive and mysterious action RPGs to date. With its vast open world, deep lore, and interconnected questlines, completing the game can lead to a number of dramatically different endings. In this guide, we’ll break down how to achieve every ending in Elden Ring Runes, giving you a clear path through each major narrative branch. Whether you're chasing power, seeking redemption, or unlocking the full secrets of the Lands Between, we've got you covered.

Understanding the Basics of Endings
Before diving into the specifics, it's important to understand how endings in Elden Ring work. Your decisions throughout the game—especially during key questlines—will affect which endings are available to you. Most of these decisions involve interacting with major NPCs, finding hidden items, and exploring far-off locations. Also, once you defeat the final boss, you'll be locked into the ending based on your choices unless you use certain items to trigger an alternate route.

And don’t forget—earning more Elden Ring runes throughout your playthrough will make it easier to level up, defeat powerful bosses, and meet the requirements for some of the more challenging endings.

1. Age of Fracture (Default Ending)
   This is the standard ending most players will get if they follow the main storyline without veering too far into any special questlines. After defeating the final boss, simply touch Fractured Marika to become the Elden Lord and restore the Golden Order.

Steps:

Follow the main story.

Avoid any major deviations like the Frenzied Flame or Ranni’s questlines.

2. Age of Duskborn
   This ending results from completing Fia’s questline. It introduces a darker version of the world, where death is allowed to return as part of life’s natural cycle.

Steps:

Meet Fia in Deeproot Depths.

Complete her quest and defeat Lichdragon Fortissax.

Receive the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince.

After defeating the final boss, use the Mending Rune to trigger the Age of Duskborn.

3. Blessing of Despair
   This unsettling ending is tied to the Dung Eater, a disturbing character found in the Subterranean Shunning Grounds.

Steps:

Release the Dung Eater from his cell using the Sewer-Gaol Key.

Feed him five Seedbed Curses.

Receive the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse.

Use it after the final boss to spread his curse over the Lands Between.

4. Age of Order
   This ending represents a cleansed and ordered world, achieved through Brother Corhyn and Goldmask’s questline.

Steps:

Assist Corhyn and Goldmask throughout the game.

Obtain the Mending Rune of Perfect Order.

Use the rune to establish a more structured and lawful age.

5. Lord of the Frenzied Flame
   Perhaps the most chaotic ending in the game, this route completely burns down the world. It can only be triggered if you become the Lord of Frenzied Flame.

Warning: Once you commit to this path, other endings become locked unless you find a way to undo it.

Steps:

Explore the Subterranean Shunning Grounds.

Remove your armor and approach the Frenzied Flame door.

Accept the flame to become its Lord.

Finish the game and trigger the burning of the world.

To undo this path:

Complete Millicent’s questline.

Obtain Miquella’s Needle.

Use it at Dragonlord Placidusax’s arena to cleanse the flame.

6. Age of Stars
   This fan-favorite ending follows Ranni the Witch, who offers an escape from the Greater Will’s influence. It’s a cosmic and mysterious ending that brings about a new age governed by the moon.

Steps:

Follow Ranni’s questline from Caria Manor to Nokron and beyond.

Defeat Baleful Shadow, get the discarded palace key, and progress until she disappears.

Defeat Astel and obtain the Dark Moon Ring.

Marry Ranni and summon her after the final boss.

What Are the Runes For in Elden Ring?
Throughout your journey, you’ll collect Elden Ring runes, the game’s primary currency. They are used for leveling up, buying gear, and upgrading your weapons. Knowing how to farm runes efficiently can make your path to any ending much smoother. Especially for harder routes like the Age of Stars or Frenzied Flame, having strong stats and powerful equipment is crucial.

So, what are the runes for in Elden Ring? Quite simply, they’re the backbone of your progress. Whether you're investing in strength to wield colossal weapons or boosting your faith for advanced incantations, runes empower your character in every way.

Elden Ring encourages replayability through its diverse and often hidden endings. Whether you choose to become an Elden Lord, walk with Ranni under a starlit sky, or embrace madness as the Frenzied Flame, your actions shape the future of the Lands Between. Keep exploring, make meaningful choices, and gather as many Elden Ring runes as you can. They’re essential for unlocking your full potential—and every ending.