You've probably seen him. A massive, sentient jar stuck in a hole, calling for a "good wallop" to get him loose. Iron Fist Alexander is basically the onion knight of Elden Ring—lovable, slightly ridiculous, and carrying a story that will absolutely gut you by the time it's over. Honestly, most players treat his quest like a checklist for the Shard of Alexander (the best talisman in the game, no contest), but they miss the weird, missable nuances that make him more than just a loot drop.
His journey isn't just a straight line. It’s a tragedy wrapped in ceramic.
The First "Wallop" and the Limgrave Start
You first find Alexander in Northern Stormhill. He’s stuck. Again. Basically, he was exploring and the ground just gave way under his "hefty girth." Talk to him, and he’ll ask you to hit him from behind with a large weapon.
Don't overthink this. Just two-hand your weapon and give him a charged heavy attack. He pops out, gives you the Triumphant Delight gesture, and some Exalted Flesh. This is the moment most people think they’ve "started" the quest, but here's a secret: you can actually skip this. If you never meet him here, he’ll just show up at the next spot anyway. But you’d miss out on the gesture, and frankly, helping a friend in a ditch is just the right thing to do.
The Gael Tunnel Encounter
After Limgrave, he moves to the border of Limgrave and Caelid. Specifically, the Gael Tunnel. You’ll find him behind a closed door near the back of the dungeon. He’s headed to a "festival of combat" at Redmane Castle. He's nervous. He’s excited. He tells you about the Starscourge Radahn.
If you’ve already triggered the Radahn Festival (usually by reaching Altus Plateau), he might skip this spot and head straight to the castle. Don't panic if the tunnel is empty; the pot moves fast when there's a fight brewing.
The Festival of Combat
This is where the Iron Fist Alexander questline gets serious. At Redmane Castle, you’ll see him standing in the courtyard with the other champions. Talk to him. He’s ready to die for glory.
During the fight with Starscourge Radahn, you can actually summon him. Is it required? No. But seeing a giant jar try to uppercut a demigod on a tiny horse is an experience you shouldn't rob yourself of.
Critical Step: After Radahn falls, do not just teleport away. Alexander is on the battlefield, literally scooping up the remains of fallen warriors and stuffing them into his jar body to "strengthen" himself. It’s gross. It’s iconic. Exhaust his dialogue here, or he won't move to Liurnia.
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That Second Hole in Liurnia
He gets stuck. Again. South of the Carian Study Hall, you’ll hear that familiar voice. But this time, a simple "wallop" won't work. He’s stuck deeper, and hitting him will just crack his ceramic skin.
You need an Oil Pot.
- Go to Siofra River.
- Find the Abandoned Merchant (he’s up some scaffolding near the Siofra River Bank).
- Buy the Nomadic Warrior's Cookbook [17].
- Craft an Oil Pot using a Mushroom and Melted Mushroom.
Throw the pot at him. He gets slippery. Then hit him. He’ll be so grateful he’ll give you more Exalted Flesh and head toward the volcano.
Bathing in the Magma of Mt. Gelmir
Alexander decides that to be the strongest warrior, he needs to temper his body in heat. You’ll find him sitting in a lake of literal lava behind Fort Laiedd in Mt. Gelmir.
There’s a Magma Wyrm boss right there. Kill it. Then, look for a rock sticking out of the lava where Alexander is chilling. You can stand on the rock to talk to him safely. He gives you the Jar helm. It’s a literal jar you wear on your head.
The Duel at Crumbling Farum Azula
This is the end. After you’ve survived the Fire Giant (where you can summon him for help), Alexander moves to the flying city of Crumbling Farum Azula.
You’ll find him past a Stonesword Key fog gate near the Dragon Temple Lift. He’s standing on a floating ruins bridge. He doesn't want to chat anymore. He wants a duel to the death. He knows he’s reached his limit, and he wants his "innards" to be passed on to a worthy successor.
The Fight:
Alexander is actually surprisingly tough here. He uses a flaming version of his spin attack and a massive Shoryuken-style uppercut.
When you win, he breaks. His final words are actually heartbreaking—he praises your strength while his body shatters.
What You Get:
- Shard of Alexander: Boosts the attack power of skills by 15%. This is a top-tier item for almost every build.
- Alexander's Innards: A key item that feels a bit sticky.
The Secret "Happy" Ending
Most people stop after getting the shard. They think the quest is over. It’s not.
Take those "innards" to Jarburg in Liurnia. Talk to Jar Bairn, the little jar sitting on a porch. You’ll need to have progressed Jar Bairn’s own quest (which involves Diallos) until he talks about leaving on a journey. Give him Alexander’s remains.
Jar Bairn will eventually leave, but he leaves behind the Companion Jar talisman. It increases the damage of throwing pots. It’s the ultimate way to honor Alexander’s legacy—by becoming a warrior jar yourself.
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Essential Summary for 2026 Players
If you're running through the game now, keep these specific triggers in mind to avoid bugs:
- Don't kill him early. If you kill him in Limgrave, you only get the Warrior Jar Shard, which is a significantly weaker version of the final talisman (10% vs 15% boost).
- Check the lava. If he isn't in Farum Azula, 90% of the time it's because you didn't talk to him in the Mt. Gelmir lava lake.
- The Dragon Temple shortcut. In Farum Azula, use the elevator near the Dragon Temple Lift to find him quickly; it’s much easier than fighting through the birds and beastmen on the lower levels.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check your inventory for the Nomadic Warrior's Cookbook [17]. If you don't have it, head to the Siofra River Merchant now. Without those Oil Pots, Alexander will stay stuck in that Liurnia hole forever, and you'll miss out on the best Skill-boosting talisman in the game. Once you have the pots, head south from the Artist's Shack in Liurnia and look for the large crater near the cliffside.