You’re fresh out of the Grave of Fledglings, terrified of a guy in a white mask, and suddenly a girl named Melina offers you a "cordial" invitation. That’s how most of us first see the Roundtable Hold in Elden Ring. It’s this weird, cozy, yet profoundly depressing sanctuary floating somewhere outside the physical map of the Lands Between. It feels safe. It isn't.
Actually, it’s a trap. Or a prison. Or maybe just a very long-term waiting room for a job interview where the boss never shows up.
Most players treat the Hold as a simple hub. You go there to upgrade your (+5) Uchigatana, talk to the creepy finger-reader, and maybe get a hug from Fia that secretly drains your HP. But if you look at the architecture—the way the wood is rotting and how the layout mirrors the Fortified Manor in Leyndell—you realize the Hold is a dying memory. It’s a spectral copy of a real place, held together by the Grace of the Erdtree and the stubbornness of Sir Gideon Ofnir.
Why the Roundtable Hold Matters More Than You Think
If you’ve spent any time in Limgrave, the Hold feels like a relief. There are no lobsters trying to snipe you from a mile away. But the Roundtable Hold in Elden Ring serves a much darker purpose than just being a blacksmith shop. It’s the gathering point for Tarnished who have lost their way.
Think about the NPCs.
Corhyn is losing his faith. Diallos is a noble who can't fight. Roderika is a "spirit tuner" who thinks she’s worthless. These aren’t heroes. They’re leftovers. From a gameplay perspective, this is where you track your progress. As you kill Shardbearers—Godrick, Rennala, Radahn—the Hold changes. New rooms open. People die. People leave. Honestly, the most stressful part of a first playthrough isn't Malenia; it's coming back to the Hold and realizing your favorite NPC is just... gone.
The Leyndell Connection
You’ll eventually find the "real" version of this place. In the Leyndell Royal Capital, there’s a building called the Fortified Manor. It’s an exact physical 1:1 replica of the Roundtable Hold. Walking through it is haunting. You find the same chairs, the same table, but it's cold and abandoned. This confirms that the Hold we teleport to is a pocket dimension. It’s a spiritual echo maintained by the Two Fingers.
The lore implications are massive. It suggests that the "Greater Will" (the god-like force behind the Erdtree) literally built a clubhouse to keep its warriors organized. It’s basically corporate middle management, but with more swords.
Survival Tips for the Roundtable Hold
Don’t just run to Hewg and leave. You’ll miss half the game's nuance.
Watch out for the hug. Fia, the Deathbed Companion, offers to hold you. It’s nice. It’s sweet. It also gives you a "Baldachin's Blessing" in your inventory which reduces your total HP by 5%. You wouldn't believe how many players complain the game is too hard while carrying that debuff for 80 hours. Use the item to get rid of it.
Jump off the balcony. Seriously. In the main hall, there’s a balcony. Jump down. You’ll be invaded by Mad Tongue Alberich. He’s a jerk who uses frost magic. If you kill him, you get a cool scythe and some armor. Behind him is a room filled with even more lore clues about the "Cipher Pata" weapon, which requires high Faith.
Talk to the Dung Eater. Eventually, a red phantom appears in a room past the Twin Maiden Husks. That’s the Loathsome Dung Eater. He’s the most hated man in the Lands Between. If you show him a Seedbed Curse, he’ll give you a key. Just... be careful. His questline leads to one of the bleakest endings in gaming history.
The Blacksmith and the Spirit Tuner: A Tragedy
Master Hewg is the heart of the Roundtable Hold in Elden Ring. He’s a Misbegotten, a "lesser" creature, chained to an anvil. He’s terrified of Marika. He’s obsessed with forging a weapon that can "slay a god."
The relationship between Hewg and Roderika is the only "human" thing in this entire godforsaken world.
When you first bring Roderika to the Hold, she’s a mess. She’s traumatized. But you can mediate between her and Hewg. Eventually, he teaches her spirit tuning. By the end of the game, as the Hold starts to burn—literally, it catches fire once you commit the "Cardinal Sin"—Hewg begins to lose his mind. He forgets who you are. He forgets his own name. But he stays. He stays because he promised to finish that weapon for you. It’s heartbreaking.
Navigating the Hold's Final Stages
- The Burning Phase: Once you use the Forge of the Giants, the Hold changes.
- The NPCs depart: Corhyn moves to the Mountaintops. Ensha might try to kill you in the hallway.
- The Twin Maiden Husks: This is your best friend. Give them every "Bell Bearing" you find. This lets you buy upgrade materials like Smithing Stones directly. It saves you hours of farming trolls in Limgrave.
Common Misconceptions About the Roundtable
People think the Hold is "outside" time. It’s not. It’s just physically isolated.
Another big mistake? Thinking Enia, the Finger Reader, is on your side. She’s a translator for the Two Fingers. The Two Fingers are basically prehistoric antennas for a cosmic deity that doesn't really care about you. When the Fingers stop moving and start "consulting the Greater Will," they’re going to be silent for thousands of years. Enia basically tells you, "Eh, just go burn it all down anyway." She’s surprisingly rebellious for a religious figure.
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Then there's Gideon Ofnir. "The All-Knowing." He’s the guy leaning against the table in the back room. Pro tip: He is not all-knowing. He’s actually kind of a coward. He spends the whole game stealing your information and then tries to stop you at the very end because he’s scared of what comes next.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Visit
The Hold is a resource, not just a landmark. To get the most out of it before the world ends, you should follow this checklist every time you return.
First, check the side rooms. New NPCs like Nepheli Loux or the sorcerer Rogier appear after specific boss fights. If you don't talk to them immediately, their questlines can break. For instance, if you don't talk to Rogier before a certain point, he'll eventually fall into a coma, and you'll miss out on his unique dialogue regarding the Night of the Black Knives.
Second, manage your Bell Bearings. Most players forget that the Twin Maiden Husks can sell you infinite Smithing Stones (1) through (8) if you find the right items in mines across the world. Instead of wandering around hoping for a drop, go to the tunnels in Liurnia or Altus Plateau, find the Bearings, and bring them back.
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Third, check the "Memory of Grace." If you’re stuck or the Hold feels stagnant, look at the table itself. Occasionally, the Grace there will point you toward your next major objective if you've lost the trail in the overworld.
The Roundtable Hold in Elden Ring is a sanctuary that slowly becomes a tomb. Enjoy the warmth of the fire while it lasts, because by the time you reach the Elden Throne, you’ll be the only one left.
Move through the rooms now. Check on Hewg. See if Roderika has anything new to say. If you have any Remembrances from bosses like Radahn or Rykard, trade them with Enia before the Hold’s state changes too much. Those weapons are far more valuable than the raw runes you get from consuming the souls. Don't let those unique powers sit in your inventory unused while you struggle through the endgame. Make sure to buy any limited-stock items from the maidens, especially the Stonesword Keys, as you'll need dozens of them to unlock the secrets hidden in the late-game areas like Miquella’s Haligtree.