You finally made it past that Draconic Tree Sentinel. Honestly, that guy is a jerk. But now you’re standing at the gates of Leyndell, Royal Capital, and the scale of this place is just... a lot. It’s golden, it’s massive, and it’s arguably the most confusing "legacy dungeon" FromSoftware has ever built.
If you feel like you’re just wandering aimlessly through golden streets while bubble-blowing snowmen pelt you with magic, don't worry. You're not alone. The leyndell royal capital progression route isn't a straight line; it’s a vertical puzzle. You need to stop thinking about streets and start thinking about roofs and giant dragon wings.
Getting Your Bearings at the East Capital Rampart
Most people start their real journey at the East Capital Rampart Site of Grace. This is where Melina pops in to say her "thanks for the ride" speech. From here, the game wants you to go down, but it doesn't really tell you where "down" leads.
Walk out onto the ramparts and you'll see those white, pear-shaped Envoys. They look goofy until they hit you with a literal wall of bubbles.
Skip the main stairs if you want to be sneaky. There's a side room with a lift that takes you down into a large circular building. This is a great spot to grab a Seedbed Curse (useful for the Dung Eater's quest) before you actually hit the main city floor.
The goal here is the main road. You’ll know you’re there when you see a giant, carriage-strewn street. But wait—don't just run down the middle of it. An Erdtree Avatar is going to drop from the sky like a tactical nuke.
The Avenue Balcony Pivot
Basically, the Avenue Balcony Site of Grace is your home base. Find the stairs on the right side of the main road (if you're heading southwest) to tuck away into safety. This is the "middle" of the city.
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From here, you have three real options:
- The Main Path: Climbing the giant dragon.
- The Secret Path: Jumping into the well to hit the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds (the sewers).
- The Shortcut: Heading back toward the start to open the big gate.
If you just want to finish the area, you need to look at the dragon. Not the living kind, the giant stone one that's half-buried in the city.
Climbing the Dragon Wing: The Critical Progression Step
This is where the leyndell royal capital progression route gets weird. You can’t reach the upper city by taking a door or a lift. You have to parkour.
Go down the stairs from the Avenue Balcony, hop over the railing onto the dragon’s wing, and start climbing. It feels like you’re breaking the game, but this is the intended path. At the top of the wing, you’ll find a ladder leading to the West Capital Rampart.
Expert Tip: While you’re up here, look for a giant spear sticking out of a wall. That’s the Bolt of Gransax. If you don't grab it now, and you progress the story too far later, it’s gone forever. Seriously. It’s one of the legendary armaments needed for the Platinum trophy.
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Once you’re at the West Capital Rampart, you’ll see giant tree roots (vines) snaking into a building. Follow the roots. This leads you directly to the first major boss of the area: Godfrey, First Elden Lord (the golden ghost version).
The Final Stretch to Morgott
Godfrey is a bit of a pushover compared to what's coming. Once he’s down, you’ll get the Erdtree Sanctuary Grace.
Don't go back down. Walk out onto the balcony, look for more roots, and climb even higher. This path takes you through the Queen’s Bedchamber. Grab the Black Knife Print or the Blessing of the Erdtree incantation while you're there.
Across the bridge from the bedchamber is the fog gate. This is it. Morgott, the Omen King.
He’s fast. He has a sword that turns into a hammer, a spear, and daggers. If you’re struggling, remember that Margit’s Shackle (the item you hopefully bought from Patches ages ago) actually works on him twice during his first phase. It pins him to the ground for a few seconds of free damage.
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What About the Sewers?
You might hear people talking about the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds. Honestly? If it’s your first time, maybe skip it until you’ve cleared Morgott. It is a literal maze of pipes, lobsters, and omens that will ruin your day.
To find it, you have to jump down into a well located in the ruined area near the dragon's wing. It’s optional for the main "ending" of the game, but mandatory if you’re aiming for the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending. It's deep, dark, and way harder than the city above.
Actionable Strategy for a Smooth Run
If you want to breeze through this without losing 50,000 runes to a random Page enemy, follow this checklist:
- Unlock the Avenue Balcony first. It’s the safest spot to reset.
- Kill the Erdtree Avatar on the main road. It doesn't respawn and gives you a Lord's Rune.
- Climb the Dragon Wing. This is the only way to reach the "Piss Ghost" Godfrey.
- Grab the Bolt of Gransax immediately after Godfrey. Do not wait.
- Use the Roots to reach the Queen's Bedchamber and Morgott.
The most important thing to remember is that Leyndell is designed to make you feel lost. It's a "Royal Capital" that has fallen into ruin, and the path forward is almost always hidden in the verticality of the ruins. Look up, climb the gold, and eventually, you'll find yourself at the foot of the Erdtree.
Once Morgott is dead, don't forget to interact with the wall of thorns at the back of the arena. It won't let you in yet, but it triggers the next phase of the game where Melina gives you the Rold Medallion. That’s your ticket out of the capital and into the snowy mountains.
Be sure to check your map for the red mark she leaves—it's easy to miss if you're just celebratory-rolling around the throne room.