Finding every deathroot across the Lands Between requires hunting down hidden dungeon bosses and spectral navigators. These twisted remnants of the stolen Rune of Death feed the hunger of Gurranq, the Beast Clergyman, yielding powerful beast incantations, sacred seals, and upgrade materials in return.
There are nine total pieces hidden throughout various regions, ranging from early-game swamps to late-game mountain catacombs. Bringing these items to Gurranq at the Bestial Sanctum in Dragonbarrow progresses one of the game's most rewarding side quests, though it also triggers a dangerous mid-quest confrontation if you push his hunger too far.
Where to Find All Nine Deathroot Items
Tracking down every piece means defeating specific field bosses like the Tibia Mariner or clearing out subterranean catacombs packed with skeletal warriors.
1. Summonwater Village (Limgrave)
Head to the northern section of Limgrave to find Summonwater Village. Defeat the Tibia Mariner boss riding a skeletal boat in the flooded ruins. This yields your first piece alongside the Deathroot and sets up the introduction to D, Hunter of the Dead at the Roundtable Hold.
2. Deathtouched Catacombs (Limgrave)
Located on the cliffside north of the Warmaster's Shack. Navigate past the skeleton archers, defeat the Black Knife Assassin boss inside the final chamber, and open the chest at the back of the room.
3. East Liurnia Highway (Liurnia of the Lakes)
Travel just south-west of the Carian Study Hall to find another Tibia Mariner wandering a shallow plateau. Defeat its summoned phantoms and strike the main boatman to claim the third piece.
4. Black Knife Catacombs (Liurnia of the Lakes)
Tucked away at the base of the cliff beneath the Erdtree. Clear the dungeon traps and defeat the Cemetery Shade boss. Open the chest in the boss arena to secure this root.
5. Wyndham Ruins (Altus Plateau)
Ascend the main road leading north from Liurnia into the Altus Plateau. In the flooded ruins of Wyndham, a third Tibia Mariner patrols the water. Watch out for lightning strikes as you whittle down its health bar.
6. Gelmir Hero's Grave (Mt. Gelmir)
Perched high on the volcanic slopes of Mt. Gelmir. Navigate the terrifying chariot tracks of this dungeon, defeat the Red Wolf of the Champion boss, and loot the treasure chest behind the arena.
7. Giants' Mountaintop Catacombs (Mountaintops of the Giants)
Located off a hidden cliffside path in the eastern section of the Mountaintops. Battle through imp statues and frost traps, defeat the Ulcerated Tree Spirit boss, and open the altar room chest.
8. Freezing Lake (Mountaintops of the Giants)
Venture west from the Freezing Lake site of grace toward the slope guarded by giant skeletal snipers. Tucked away against the northern wall is a hidden Tibia Mariner that drops this item upon defeat.
9. Hidden Path to the Haligtree (Consecrated Snowfield)
Access this secret area via the Grand Lift of Rold using the Haligtree Secret Medallion. Navigate the invisible bridge section of the catacombs, defeat the Stray Mimic Tear boss, and open the final chest.
Trading with Gurranq: Reward Progression
Deliver your findings to Gurranq at the Bestial Sanctum. He grants items sequentially based on the total number of pieces handed over:
- 1st Piece: Clawmark Seal and Beast Eye (alerts you when a root is nearby).
- 2nd Piece: Bestial Sling incantation.
- 3rd Piece: Bestial Vitality incantation.
- 4th Piece: Ash of War: Beast's Roar.
- 5th Piece: Beast Claw incantation.
- 6th Piece: Stone of Gurranq incantation.
- 7th Piece: Beastclaw Greathammer.
- 8th Piece: Gurranq's Beast Claw incantation.
- 9th Piece: Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone.
Managing the Mid-Quest Aggression Trigger
After you hand over the fourth piece, Gurranq goes berserk and attacks you out of pure bloodlust. This startles many players who think they broke the game.
You don't need to kill him to fix this. Simply dodge his aggressive lunges and reduce his health bar by a small margin until he comes to his senses and yields. Once he drops to his knees panting, fast-travel away and return to the sanctum to resume normal turn-ins. Alternatively, using frost pots forces him out of the rage state instantly. If you accidentally kill him during this phase, you miss out on remaining dialogue, though he drops the final smithing stone early.
For further official game database details and updates, check the Elden Ring Official Website. You can also read community strategies on Fextralife's Elden Ring Wiki.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I finish the game without collecting any Deathroot?
Yes. Handing over these items is entirely optional. Skipping the quest means missing out on powerful beast incantations and an ancient smithing stone, but it doesn't block access to any mandatory game endings.
What happens if I attack Gurranq before giving him items?
If you strike him unprovoked outside of his fourth-piece rage event, he turns hostile permanently until you use Celestial Dew at the Church of Vows to absolve your sins.
Do I need to defeat Maliketh to finish this quest?
No. Gurranq's questline concludes independently long before you reach Crumbling Farum Azula, though completing his requests adds unique dialogue to your later encounters with Maliketh.
Is there a timer or missable window for these items?
None of the nine locations lock out as you advance the main story. You can collect all nine pieces even after defeating the final boss of the game.
