Scorpion's Stinger

Ainsel River

Starting Site of Grace: Grand Cloister

Before you go

• Reach Lake of Rot through Nokstella.

1. Give Ranni the Fingerslayer Blade from Nokron, then use the waygate at the top of Renna's Rise to reach Ainsel River Main. Renna's Rise is the northern tower in the Three Sisters area behind Caria Manor, separate from Ranni's own tower.
2. Activate Ainsel River Main grace and follow the water through the Claymen toward the hanging creature in Uhl Palace Ruins. Use the ruins on the left as cover from its stone volleys and continue beneath it into the river tunnel.
3. Pass the ants, including the flying ones. At the open cavern, follow the river to the right; the left branch returns toward the lower river merchant.
4. Go through the doorway on the right and down the steps to Nokstella, Eternal City grace. The ordinary Ainsel River Well in Liurnia does not reach this upper entrance.
5. Stay on Nokstella's lower river path instead of taking the stairs into the city. Follow the river to the lift at its far end and ride down to Nokstella Waterfall Basin grace.
6. Follow the tunnel past the Basilisks. Their clouds cause Death Blight, so move out of the clouds rather than trying to heal through a full buildup bar.
7. If you have spoken to Miniature Ranni and accepted her request, the Baleful Shadow appears in the open cavern ahead. Defeat it to continue that quest. Speaking to the doll is not required to reach the lake.
8. Continue beyond the cavern to the lift down to Lake of Rot Shoreside. Activate the grace and prepare healing plus Preserving Boluses or Flame, Cleanse Me before entering the lake.
9. From the shore, look southwest for the first small obelisk. Run to its floor button to raise dry platforms, then continue south across them. Watch for Basilisks emerging beside the path.
10. From the southwestern end of those platforms, cross to the next obelisk southwest and press its button. Stop on dry ground to treat Scarlet Rot or restore HP before continuing.
11. Look toward the enormous doorway on the lake's southern side. Cross the remaining stretches toward that entrance, using exposed stone for breaks. Avoid rolling in the rot, which coats you and keeps buildup going after you leave it.
12. Enter the large doorway and follow the stairs down to Grand Cloister grace. Activate it before returning for nearby lake loot. The Dragonkin Soldier and the raised Alabaster Lord area are optional detours.
13. From Grand Cloister grace, go down the stairs and toward the end of the platform to the northwest. Jump west to the narrow ledge, turn left and cross the gap to its southern section.
14. At that gap, use the lower ledge below rather than trying to jump straight to the ground. Continue south around the corner and descend the stone ledges westward in stages.
15. At the bottom, use the columns as cover from the Kindred of Rot. They can fire tracking threads while you are on the ledges, so clear space before stepping into the open.
16. Follow the dry ground west toward the group worshiping at the shrine. The eastern dead-end branch can awaken an Ulcerated Tree Spirit and is unnecessary for the dagger.
17. Go up the shrine's stairs and open the chest beneath the large bearded statue for Scorpion's Stinger.
18. The stone coffin beside the waterfall leads to Astel. It is a different route, and neither taking the coffin nor defeating Astel is required for this chest.