The arrival of Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC brings a host of new content, including new areas, new quests, and brand new NPCs. One of NPCs we’ll encounter early in Three-Path Cross Site of Grace area is Hornsent.

Once you find him, he’ll talk to you and give you a few maps, and completing his quest will net you a pretty nice reward.

Note that some players often confuse him with the NPC trapped in Belurat, Hornsent Grandam, but in fact, they have nothing to do with each other.

As you progress through game, questline will become more complicated, especially when you enter Shadow Keep. Don’t worry, though, here we’ll detail all tips you need to know about Hornsent questline, including where you need to find Hornsent, as well as some key tips for completing quest efficiently. Without further ado, let’s get straight to it!

How Do I Dind Hornsent?

Note that you won’t find Hornsent in a fixed location in Elden Ring DLC.

We first spotted him in Gravesite Plain, where he was wandering Three-Path Cross Site of Grace with Redmane Freyja.

We then saw him at Highroad Cross Site of Grace after defeating Rellana, Twin Moon Knight, where he was still hanging out with Needle Knight Leda. You’ll need to talk to him and complete his quests until he joins you end enter Shadow Keep with you.

We last spotted Hornsent was during invasion outside of Church of the Bud in Rauh Ruins area.

Meeting Hornsent

We have two encounters with Hornsent, first of which is at Gravesite Plain. We need to start at Gravesite Plain in Shadow of the Erdtree and head north past Scorched Ruins and first Furnace Golem to reach Three-Path Cross Site of Grace.

After talking to Redmane Freyja and Hornsent, Hornsent will give us a cross map with specific locations of some Miquella’s Crosses marked on it.

Second meeting is in Scadu Altus, where we need to pass Belurat, Tower Settlement, and capture Divine Beast Dancing Lion. After exploring Castle Ensis, defeat Rellana, Twin Moon Knight.

Then we will meet Hornsent and Needle Knight Leda at Highroad Site of Grace in Scadu Altus. At this time, Hornsent will give you a new cross map with Miquella’s Crosses marked on it.

Of course, you can also give him some Scorpion Stew, which will add some additional dialogue, but it will not affect progress of the quest.

Fighting Golden Hippopotamus Boss

Before you approach the front door of Shadow Keep, you will receive two messages. The first one is “Somewhere, a great rune has broken...”, and the other one is “And so too has a powerful charm.”

Both messages are related to Miquella and NPCs you have encountered so far.

After unlocking Shadow Keep Main Gate Site of Grace, you need to return to Highroad Site of Grace and complete conversation with Hornsent and Leda.

You need to return to Shadow Keep Main Gate Site of Grace. At this time, you look to right of the door and there will be a golden summoning sign. This sign is used to summon Hornsent, who can help you defeat Golden Hippopotamus boss.

Contact Leda To Trigger A New Event

After defeating Golden Hippopotamus boss and before fighting Messmer the Impaler boss, you need to return to Highroad Cross Site of Grace and continue talking to Hornsent and Leda until Leda decides to kill Hornsent.

She will ask for your opinion, but you don’t have to make a decision. Just wait for Leda to say she wants to kill Hornsent.

This process may require you to rest at Site of Grace many times before it triggers.

Hornsent will disappear before Leda can kill him, so you need to contact Leda again and then return to Shadow Keep.

Assist Leda Or Hornsent In Battle

Go out of door on the right (east) side of Shadow Keep Main Gate Site of Grace, go up ramp, and turn right at top of wall. You will find a gold and a red summoning sign.

Clicking gold summoning sign means choosing to assist Needle Knight Leda, while red one is for helping Hornsent.

When you choose Leda, you will need to kill Hornsent and end his quest on the spot, then claim his drops.

When you choose Hornsent, you will be summoned to another world to fight a ghost version of Leda. After you win battle, Leda will drop following rewards: the Swift Slash Ash of War and Leda’s Rune. These items are of high value, and if you have extra, you can also trade them with other players to earn additional Elden Ring Runes.

Defeat Messmer The Impaler Boss

Push open the door to Dark Chamber Entrance Site of Grace and a cutscene will appear. After watching it, check the floor behind you and to your right to see if there is a gold summoning sign that will allow you to summon Hornsent to help you fight.

After the battle, you will rest in the new Messmer’s Dark Chamber Site of Grace. After you stand up, Hornsent will have a monologue, and you can wait for it to end before you can move on.

Invaders Of The Church Of The Bud

Hornsent’s final journey takes place at Church of The Bud near Rauh Ruins. As you make your way through the caves and toward the church, you’ll encounter the invader Hornsent and need to defeat him.

After the battle, he’ll drop the following items:

• Falx curved swords
• Caterpillar Mask
• Braided Cord Robe
• Braided Arm Wraps
• Soiled Loincloth

This is the end of the introduction to the gameplay of Hornsent questline, and its rewards are quite generous. Hoping that after reading this article, you can get a better gaming experience.