Volcano Manor Shortcut

This shortcut is a trick that allows you to enter the Volcano Manor much earlier than normal. Most players encounter this as their 6th zone after exploring a significant portion of the map including Limgrave, Linurnia of the Lakes and Caelid. However, if you want an item found in Volcano Manor you can sneak in early to grab it. The skip takes place in Liurnia of the Lakes which is located to the northwest of Limgrave. Start by exploring the zone until you encounter the South Raya Lucaria gate.

Unlocking Raya Lucaria

First up, you need to open Raya Lucaria Academy before you can access the Volcano Manor shortcut. Start by collecting the Academy Glintstone Key location map from the corpse found to the left of the sealed South Raya Lucaria gate. Before you leave, remember to activate the Site of Grace as you need to return here later.

The map shows an island, some ruins and Raya Lucaria Academy to the right. This corresponds with a small island found in the northwest portion of Liurnia of the Lakes. [Map Link]

Approach the island and rush past Glintstone Dragon Smarag. Behind him, you find a corpse bearing the Academy Glintstone Key. Pick it up, then run away (or die to the Dragon) and return to the Site of Grace near the South Raya Lucaria gate.

Now unlock the gate then proceed into Raya Lucaria Academy.

Getting to Volcano Manor

After you enter Raya Lucaria Academy, head left and take the lift up into the first building. Enter the church through the large double doors, then keep left and activate the Site of Grace. You can return to the Church of the Cuckoo Site of Grace to continue from this point. Before you continue, try to spend all your Runes because the next step involves dying.

Exploring Raya Lucaria Academy

Head down the corridor and take a left into the Graveyard, hold B (controller) to sprint past the Magic Putrid Corpses and Dogs. Cross the bridge then head right towards the doorway which is guarded by a Dog and a Magic Putrid Corpse.

You can either defeat them or stick to the left side of the doorway and slip past the zombie. After exiting the graveyard you need to kill any of the Dogs which follow you into the next area. Walk down the corridor and watch out for the large water wheel to your right. Jump onto one of the wheel's paddles and use it as a platform to get to the ledge above.

When the wheel approaches its peak, jump off onto the ledge. Ahead of you, there're a couple of commoners, this is the path back into Raya Lucaria Academy. Ignore them for now and turn right, heading across the ledge to a lone enemy carrying a torch.

Jump onto the spokes of the wheel heading down, the wheel drops you in a crystal cavern with an Abductor Virgin. This monster resembles an Iron Maiden with saw blades for arms.

The Abductor Virgin does sweeping strikes with her sawblade arms and opens up to reveal tentacles that she uses to "eat" you. Allow her to kill you by eating you, this move hits quite hard and should kill you provided your health is low.

Escaping Volcano Manor

After dying you find yourself on the edge of Volcano Manor. Because you were brought here by a hostile teleportation effect you cannot leave until you rest at a Site of Grace. You can fall down using the notch in the cliff face and make your way into the Manor proper or escape to return later. To escape, start by going right and defeating the Giant Bats, then start following the river of lava.

Continue along the river of lava, you can kill the Lava Slugs when you encounter them or just run past. There are two points at which you need to jump down, so position yourself carefully to avoid falling into the lava by mistake. Falling into lava isn't instantly fatal but it does significant damage.

After completing the second series of jumps you enter Volcano Manor proper. There are a couple of enemies guarding the Site of Grace for the Subterranean Inquisition Chamber. Defeat them, then activate the Site of Grace and rest. You're now free to teleport back to Raya Lucaria Academy and continue your exploration. Alternatively, if you're ready to take on the challenges of Volcano Manor, do the skip again and start exploring from there. Volcano Manor contains many valuable items including the Magma Blade and Royal Knight's Resolve.

Video

To see how to execute the shortcut, check out this video by Tenkiei.

Summary

Use this shortcut and gain early access to Volcano Manor, this fiery zone contains many treasures. After dying to a specific move from the Abductor Virgin beneath Raya Lucaria Academy you're transported to the edge of the Manor. This requires the Academy Glintstone Key found in Liurnia of the Lakes. You can escape Volcano Manor by resting at the Site of Grace in the Subterranean Inquisition Chamber.

Written by: Tenkiei

Contrbutions by: Brozime

Reviewed by: Brozime, Dredscythe