You’re riding through Limgrave, minding your own business, when you see a guy in some of the coolest armor in the game standing over a corpse. He’s got two heads on his chestplate—literally. That’s D, Hunter of the Dead, and if you don’t pay attention, you’re going to miss one of the most tragic, intertwined stories in all of Elden Ring.
The Elden Ring D questline isn't just about one guy. It’s about two brothers who share a single soul. Darian and Devin. It’s a mess of religious zealotry, necrophilia (thanks, Fia), and a very specific set of shiny gold-and-silver armor. Honestly, the first time I played, I just thought he was a merchant who really hated boats. I was wrong.
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Meeting Darian in Limgrave
You’ll usually find Darian (the "D" you see early on) near Summonwater Village in East Limgrave. He'll warn you about the "Dead" and a Tibia Mariner.
Go kill that boat-rowing skeleton.
Once he’s dead, you get a Deathroot. Show it to D, and he’ll get excited. He’ll mark a portal on your map behind the Third Church of Marika. This leads to Gurranq, the Beast Clergyman. This is the "start" of the quest, but it's really just the setup. D moves to the Roundtable Hold after this, sitting at the main table looking brooding.
The Weathered Dagger and the Big Twist
Here is where people usually get stuck. You have to talk to Fia, the Deathbed Companion. You know, the lady who gives you hugs and a health debuff.
Keep letting her hold you. Eventually, a new dialogue option appears: "May I ask a favor?" She gives you a Weathered Dagger. She says it belongs to someone else.
Take that dagger to D at the Roundtable Hold. He recognizes it.
"I know the owner," he says. He takes it. Now, you need to leave the Roundtable Hold and come back. Or just rest at a grace. When you return, go past the blacksmith, Master Hewg, into the room that was previously locked.
The Murder in the Back Room
You’ll find Darian dead on the floor. Fia is standing over him. She gives a whole speech about the Prince of Death and then vanishes.
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Don't panic. This is supposed to happen.
Loot D’s body. You’ll get:
- D's Bell Bearing
- The Twinned Armor Set
This armor is the key to the second half of the quest. It’s also surprisingly heavy, so don't fat-roll away from the scene of the crime.
Finding Devin in the Aqueducts
The story doesn't end with Darian’s death. You need to find his twin brother, Devin.
He is hiding in Nokron, Eternal City. Specifically, in the Siofra Aqueduct area. To get there, you have to beat Starscourge Radahn so the meteor hits the woods and opens the way.
Once you’re in the Aqueduct, right before the boss fog for the Valiant Gargoyles, you’ll see a man slumped on the floor, muttering. This is Devin.
The Big Decision: Give the Armor or Not?
You have the option to give him the Twinned Armor.
- If you give it to him: He wakes up. He can be summoned to help you fight the Valiant Gargoyles (and trust me, that fight is a nightmare, so take the help).
- If you don't: He stays there, and the quest stalls.
Most players worry that giving him the armor means they lose it forever. You don't. You'll get it back, plus something better, but you have to finish Fia’s questline first.
The Ending: Revenge at the Roots
After the gargoyles, you take a coffin ride to the Deeproot Depths. This is where Godwyn’s giant, fishy face lives.
Complete Fia’s quest. This involves fighting her champions, giving her the Cursemark of Death (from Ranni's quest), and entering the "Deathbed Dream" to kill Lichdragon Fortissax.
Once the dragon is dead and you have the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince, rest at the grace.
The Confrontation
When you stand up, Devin will be there. He’s wearing the armor you gave him. He’s standing over Fia’s body, screaming about the Golden Order and revenge. It’s a bit much, honestly. He’s definitely the "unhinged" twin.
Reload the area one last time. Devin will be gone.
On the ground, you will find:
- The Twinned Armor Set (returned to you)
- The Inseparable Sword
The Inseparable Sword is the real prize here. It’s a Greatsword that scales with Faith and has a unique moveset that feels much faster than your standard heavy sword. It also prevents Those Who Live in Death from reviving, which makes catacombs a breeze.
What Most People Get Wrong
A common misconception is that Devin will kill Fia before you can fight the dragon.
That basically never happens unless you kill her yourself. Devin usually only shows up to "finish the job" after she’s already entered her deep sleep or passed away naturally through the ritual. You aren't "locking yourself out" of the Lichdragon fight by giving him the armor early. You're actually just ensuring you have a summon for the gargoyles.
Another weird detail? If you kill Darian yourself back in Limgrave because you wanted his armor early, the quest still works. You just take the armor to Devin later. However, if you do this, Devin will actually be hostile to you later because, well, you murdered his brother.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Build
If you’re running a Faith build, the Elden Ring D questline is mandatory. Here is how to maximize it:
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- Get the Inseparable Sword early: If you don't care about Fia's ending, you can actually kill Darian in Limgrave, take the armor to Devin, and then kill Devin in the Aqueduct. You get the sword way earlier this way.
- Use the Bell Bearing: Don't forget to give Darian’s Bell Bearing to the Twin Maiden Husks. It unlocks the Litany of Proper Death incantation.
- Vitality Check: The Twinned Armor has incredibly high Vitality. If you’re struggling with Death Blight (those frogs in the sewers), put this set on. It might save your life.
Go check the room behind the blacksmith. If Darian is still sitting at the table, you haven't talked to Fia enough. Go get that hug.