Are you ready to delve back into the treacherous world of Elden Ring and its latest expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, where cryptic quests and formidable foes await? Prepare yourself, Tarnished, for a journey into a realm where words are secondary, and the true language of combat reigns supreme.
In this sprawling, enigmatic world, players are once again invited to face down a challenging series of encounters. One such challenge comes in the form of Dryleaf Dane, a mysterious NPC (Non-Player Character) who, instead of offering convoluted dialogue, presents a more direct form of communication: a demand to settle matters with your fists.
This unique approach sets the stage for a compelling questline within the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. But who exactly is Dryleaf Dane? To understand this enigmatic martial artist, it's worth taking a deeper look into his origins and how he fits into the lore of the game. Here's a detailed look at the character, his questline, and the rewards that await those who dare to challenge him.
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Character Name | Dryleaf Dane |
| Affiliation | Dryleaf Sect |
| Role | NPC, Combatant, Quest Giver |
| Location (Initial) | Moorth Ruins, Scadu Altus |
| Combat Style | Unarmed, Martial Arts (Kicks) |
| Associated God | Follower of Miquella |
| Notable Item Drops | Dryleaf Arts (Weapon), Dane's Hat |
| Known for | Being a compatriot of Needle Knight Leda and his silent demeanor |
| Questline Focus | Martial Arts Challenge |
| First Encounter | As a summon sign near Rellana, or at Moorth Ruins |
| Reference | Fextralife Wiki |
Dryleaf Dane is an NPC with a questline woven into the fabric of the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. His story and actions are tied to the central narrative, making him an important character to follow. His story is a relatively brief one, a testament to his focus on action rather than lengthy dialogue.
As a member of the Dryleaf Sect, Dane, like other members, chose to serve a new god after witnessing the decline of the Erdtree. In the world of Elden Ring, the Dryleaf Sect are spiritual seekers who have seen the withering of the Erdtree and chosen a new path to follow Miquella, one of the Empyrean demigods.
One of the first steps on Dane's questline is to "communicate" with him, not with words, but with actions. To begin, locate and obtain the Monk's Missive, a note left for travelers seeking a challenge. This will direct you to the location of Dryleaf Dane.
Dane's fighting style is unique, specializing in unarmed combat, particularly kicks. This is a stark contrast to the many weapon-based combat styles that the Tarnished may employ. Hes a formidable opponent in close quarters, embodying the silent, deadly, and focused warrior archetype.
Meeting Dryleaf Dane offers you an opportunity to challenge him, and learn the techniques that the Dryleaf Sect specializes in. To initiate this you must perform the "May the Best Win" gesture. This gesture signals your readiness for combat and kicks off the duel.
The duel with Dryleaf Dane takes place near Moorth Ruins. Defeating him yields the Dryleaf Arts weapon, an item that unlocks new combat possibilities. Dane himself is also considered a "boss" of sorts, requiring precise timing and skillful maneuvers to overcome.
After the duel is initiated, youll be engaged in a fast-paced melee fight. Dane's attacks are quick, and he is known for his proficiency in martial arts. If you are victorious in this fight, you will receive the Dryleaf Arts weapon. Furthermore, this encounter will also grant you Dane's Hat.
The Dryleaf Arts weapon is a powerful tool for those who prefer unarmed combat. It can be infused with various Ashes of War, including the devastating Dryleaf Whirlwind. The Dryleaf Whirlwind, when activated, delivers a series of rapid and powerful kicks, ideal for overwhelming opponents. To acquire this Ashes of War, look near a waterfall in the lower portions below Bonny Village.
Beyond the main quest, understanding Dane and his techniques offers another way to play Elden Ring. In this way, the game invites players to explore the different ways of playing in this expansive open world. For example, the player can use Dryleaf Arts in their main hand and Dane's Footwork in their offhand to maximize the martial arts playstyle, allowing players to switch between them during battles.
The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, released on June 21st, 2023, brings with it new characters, locations, and challenges to the game. The questline around Dryleaf Dane is one such example, an element that gives players the opportunity to fully engage with the expansions diverse range of content.
The search for Dryleaf Dane begins in Scadu Altus, a new area introduced in the DLC. Dane can be found near the Moorth Ruins, where the initial encounter occurs. Following this encounter and progressing through his questline will lead to the unveiling of his past, his affiliation, and the significance of his combat skills. This questline highlights his position within the wider story, demonstrating how a seemingly minor character can contribute to a more immersive experience.
The Monks Missive is a critical starting point for any player seeking to engage with Dryleaf Danes quest. The missive will challenge you to a fight with Dane near the Highroad Cross Site of Grace. This missive provides a direction, but the true test lies in the duel. The missives role underlines the games focus on action and combat as a primary mode of communication.
As with other NPCs, Dryleaf Dane's presence also expands the game's lore. The Dryleaf Sect itself introduces an order of spiritual seekers who abandoned the Erdtree and chose to serve a new deity. As a member of this sect, Dryleaf Dane's path and choices can reveal some of the mysteries that exist in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.
As a compatriot of Needle Knight Leda, Dane's story is also connected to the wider narrative of the game, as he serves Miquella. The close relationship between these NPCs reflects the narrative depth added by the DLC, connecting separate narratives. Thus, characters like Dryleaf Dane enrich the gameplay experience.
Exploring the Dryleaf Sect and their values opens up a unique facet of Elden Ring's world. The focus on kicks highlights a change of pace from weapons. The unarmed combat style focuses on mobility, speed, and precise timing. This creates a gameplay experience that differs from the standard combat options found in the game.
The discovery of Dane's set is another aspect of the quest, offering additional options for players to customize their characters. The armor set comprises of four pieces helmet, chest armor, gauntlets, and leg armor. It is found under a waterfall in the lower sections of Bonny Village. The armor provides players with a unique look, adding to the sense of discovery and the rewards involved in completing his questline.
Dryleaf Dane provides a contrast to the other NPCs, as he is a man of few words. This quiet demeanor is in keeping with the games design of creating many characters in the DLC. His actions speak louder than words, and this makes his character particularly appealing.
The Moorth Ruins are the first location of the Dryleaf Dane quest. The area offers its own challenges. For this reason, players are tested by their ability to defeat the enemies in the area. The quest starts with you meeting him, which may seem simple. However, the challenge is very real.
Defeating Dryleaf Dane in combat unlocks the Dryleaf Arts, a weapon specialized for martial arts. The reward of obtaining a weapon that focuses on unarmed combat sets it apart from the many weapon types in the game. This provides players with a unique and engaging combat experience.
The Ash of War, Dryleaf Whirlwind, adds a level of depth to the combat style. The ability to perform a series of devastating kicks adds to the appeal of Dane's style. The Dryleaf Whirlwind is also available from the Rauh Ancient Ruins, east site of grace, and is found on an edge besides a column, near a waterfall. This is a demonstration of how players can obtain more rewards.
The challenges in the game, such as the combat with Dryleaf Dane, are intended to test the players abilities, and to engage the gamer. Completing the questline and acquiring the weapons adds to this experience, making the overall gameplay more rewarding.
Danes quest can be started when the player finds the Monk's Missive in Elden Ring. After obtaining the missive, the player then fights with Dryleaf Dane. Completing the quest unlocks the Dryleaf Arts weapon. The overall path of the quest provides players with many rewards.
Many elements of the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC add to the overall experience of the game. The introduction of a new NPC like Dryleaf Dane, with his unique questline, adds a lot of new content for players. The combination of the combat style with his backstory contributes to the depth of the game. This continues the legacy of the Elden Ring, which is known for its engaging content.
