To enter the Academy of Raya Lucaria in Elden Ring, you need a Glintstone Key. Where you can find these and why you should hand one over is explained here.
What do I need the Glintstone Keys for? In Elden Ring, there are two Glintstone Keys. The first is reserved for your hero to be able to enter the Academy of Raya Lucaria. The second key is intended for a quest line that you can start in Liurnia.
Since Glintstone Keys are bound to their previous user, you need two copies. Where you can now find both and hand in your second copy is explained in our guide.
How to find both Glintstone Keys
Where do I find the first Glintstone Key? The first key, which is meant for you, can be found west of the “Academy of Raya Lucaria.” Near the “Crystal Cave of the Academy,” you will discover a stone formation. There lies the Glintstone Dragon “Smarag,” guarding the key you want to take.
If you are strong enough, you can face Smarag immediately and defeat him. However, if your attack power leaves something to be desired, you can also ignore Smarag and quickly run to grab the key. If you die in the attempt, you will still keep the key. Now head to the grace “Southern Gate of Raya Lucaria” and enter the Academy.
Where do I find the second Glintstone Key? The second Glintstone Key is required for the quest from the wizard Thops. You can find Thops southwest of the first grace “Seacliffs” in Liurnia. He is sitting on a bench in the Church of Irith.
Speak with Thops and you will learn that he has locked himself out of the Academy during the destruction and now cannot find a way back in. He will ask you to hand him a key if you happen to find one.
However, you will find his key inside the Academy itself. So gain access to the Academy and follow the path until you reach the boss “Red Wolf of Radagon.” Defeat him and continue along the path north until you go outside.
Now head northwest and go up the shattered and normal stairs past the wizards. Turn west now and jump over the railing. Follow the same direction until you have to turn left to cross another railing.
Now follow the rooftops and climb the ladders until you eventually reach roofs that step downwards and lower you. You will discover a large rounded cathedral roof to the northwest and you need to jump onto this.
Once you are on the roof, keep to the right until you see an open window. Jump through the window onto a roof beam and balance on it. You will spot a chandelier below you with loot on it – this corpse holds the new Glintstone Key for Thops.
Jump onto the chandelier and grab the key. Once you have taken the key, you just need to return to Thops and hand it over to him. He will soon leave his location to return to the Academy.
These were the locations of both Glintstone Keys. Elden Ring has many quests and if you want to tackle them all, you quickly lose track. So if you’re looking for an overview of all quests, we have the right guide for you: Elden Ring: All NPC Quests and Side Missions at a Glance – How to Find Them
