In Elden Ring, Millicent’s questline is one of the most intricate and emotionally compelling side stories players can experience. Her journey ties deeply into the lore of rot, legacy, and sacrifice, weaving through multiple regions and culminating in a major choice that affects both her fate and your rewards. For those aiming to fully explore the Lands Between, completing the Millicent quest provides rich narrative depth and valuable items. This guide walks through each stage of the Elden Ring Millicent quest with clear steps and tips, ensuring players don’t miss key decisions or rewards.
Who is Millicent?
Millicent is a young woman afflicted by the Scarlet Rot, a plague that defines the legacy of Malenia, Blade of Miquella. Her story starts quietly but expands into one of the game’s most significant side arcs, especially for players who enjoy piecing together Elden Ring’s complex lore. She’s closely tied to the rot-infested regions of Caelid and the Haligtree, and her struggle parallels Malenia’s in many symbolic ways.
Where to Begin Millicent’s Quest
To start the Millicent quest, players must first find Gowry, an old sage who lives in a shack located in Caelid, just south of Sellia, Town of Sorcery. Speaking to Gowry reveals that he is attempting to help a young woman suffering from the rot. He requests your help in finding an item called the Unalloyed Gold Needle.
Acquiring the Unalloyed Gold Needle
This needle is dropped by Commander O’Neil, a boss located in the Swamp of Aeonia. Defeating him can be tough, especially for early-game players, due to the rot-infested terrain and his aggressive summons. Once you defeat O’Neil and retrieve the needle, return it to Gowry.
Gowry will tell you that the needle needs time to be repaired. After resting or leaving the area and returning, he will give you the repaired Unalloyed Gold Needle, which you will eventually give to Millicent.
Meeting Millicent in Sellia
Next, you’ll need to unlock the magical seals in Sellia. Lighting the three beacons on the rooftops of the town will remove these seals and grant access to Millicent’s location. She can be found near the Church of the Plague. Give her the needle, and after some time, she’ll recover and thank you.
This part of Millicent’s quest establishes your role as her savior, setting the tone for a relationship of trust. You’ll see her again in several locations throughout the game, each time following her path toward self-discovery and purpose.
Millicent’s Journey Through the Lands Between
Meeting Millicent at Gowry’s Shack
After she recovers at the Church of the Plague, Millicent moves to Gowry’s Shack. Talking to her here progresses the story and gives more insight into her personality and her link to Malenia. She speaks of her weakness, but also of a desire to grow stronger. This becomes a recurring theme in her narrative arc.
Millicent in Altus Plateau
You will next find Millicent at the Erdtree-Gazing Hill site of grace in the Altus Plateau. She continues to search for purpose, and speaking with her here develops her character further. Make sure to exhaust her dialogue to keep the quest moving.
Millicent at Dominula, Windmill Village
After defeating the Godskin Apostle at Windmill Village, Millicent appears once more near the Site of Grace. She thanks you again and shows signs of inner strength. Her evolution is not just physical she’s developing a will of her own, one that becomes central to the quest’s conclusion.
The Snowy Path Consecrated Snowfield and Haligtree
Much later in the game, you will find Millicent in the Consecrated Snowfield. Her journey leads her to Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree, one of the most dangerous late-game areas. Reaching this place requires you to collect both halves of the Haligtree Secret Medallion and use the Grand Lift of Rold.
Millicent at Elphael
In Elphael, Millicent awaits after you defeat the Ulcerated Tree Spirit. She stands at the bottom of a staircase near a pool of rot, and it is here that her fate will be decided. This area is significant in the lore, being the heart of Malenia’s influence and the rot she embodies.
The Final Choice Assist or Challenge Millicent
This is the climax of the Millicent questline. After defeating the enemies in the rot pool, two summon signs will appear
- Assist MillicentHelp her fight off four sisters, aspects of herself and her legacy. If you choose this, she survives temporarily and gives you her thanks.
- Challenge MillicentKill her yourself. This choice ends the quest immediately and is often considered the darker route.
Choosing to assist Millicent leads to a more meaningful conclusion and unlocks additional dialogue, as well as the chance to obtain the Unalloyed Gold Needle once more.
Millicent’s End and the Needle’s Purpose
If you assist her and speak to her again after the battle, she will express peace with her decision and pass away quietly. You can now retrieve the Unalloyed Gold Needle from her body. This needle is a key item if you plan to complete the game’s secret ending related to Miquella and Malenia.
Using the Needle at Malenia’s Arena
After defeating Malenia, you can return to her arena. If you have the Unalloyed Gold Needle, you can use it at the Scarlet Flower left behind. Doing so transforms the needle into Miquella’s Needle, which is vital for resisting the Frenzied Flame ending, offering an alternate resolution to the game’s darkest conclusion.
Rewards for Completing Millicent’s Quest
Depending on the path you take, the rewards vary
- Millicent’s ProsthesisA talisman that boosts dexterity and attack power with successive hits, obtained if you kill Millicent.
- Miquella’s NeedleAcquired by helping Millicent and using the Unalloyed Gold Needle in Malenia’s boss arena.
- Lore enrichmentCompleting her quest deepens your understanding of Malenia and the greater themes of rot and purity.
Millicent’s quest rewards players not only with items but with emotional weight and layered storytelling. Her gradual evolution mirrors the broader struggle of Elden Ring’s world a place shaped by decay, conflict, and glimmers of hope.
The Elden Ring Millicent quest is a standout example of FromSoftware’s ability to blend gameplay, world-building, and emotion. Through subtle storytelling and layered choices, her journey challenges players to think about loyalty, suffering, and destiny. Whether you assist her or end her quest prematurely, Millicent’s arc leaves a lasting impression. For those who seek to uncover every secret in the Lands Between, following her path from Caelid to Elphael is an essential and unforgettable experience.