Like Elden Ring, Shadow of the Erdtree introduces many characters, each tied to a quest that is more or less difficult to complete. In addition to being profitable, these quests also have unexpected repercussions later on. Here’s everything you need to know about Thiollier, who has a very special connection to one of Miquella’s facets: Saint Trina.
Initial position
The adventure begins in the Sepulchral Plain. You can talk to Ansbach at the foot of a Miquella Cross in the North-Westin front of the entrance to Belurat Dungeon. Different topics can be discussed, depending on which companions you have already spoken to, such as Moore.
Miquella’s Cross
Ansbach will ask you to find the other Miquella Crosses, and to bring him your findings. This step is not mandatory, it is mainly used to trigger additional dialogues. Here are the positions of the Miquella Crosses in the nearby regions. Let us mention that approaching the Black Castle, north of the Occult Altus region, will make Ansbach change position, which will end this section of the quest. The crosses on the map below are those accessible at the beginning of the game, without going through the Black Castle.
Black Castle Seed Tank
Enter the Black Castle through the main entrance, then confront the majestic Golden Hippopotamus. Make your way to the second elevator, to enter the main section, the Seed Tank. After the Vanished Grace site on the ground floor, look for Ansbach in one of the small rooms at the back of the area. Remember his location, as you will be returning to it several times.
Secret Rite Scroll
As you explore the upper floors of the reservoir, you will find a quest item called Secret Rite Scroll, which will be of great interest to Ansbach, as it reveals Miquella’s plans: to use the body of Mohg the Blood Lord, in order to bring back to life a demigod who will serve as her consort.
But Be careful, don’t give it to him yet. In fact, Ansbach will disappear from his position if you give him the scroll.. It is better wait to have transmitted Freyja’s quest to himalso present in this building, but on the sixth floor.
Delivering the scroll to Ansbach is important though, he needs it to answer Freyja. The two are linked.
Freyja’s Questions
On the sixth floor of the reservoir, you will hear Freyja complaining about not understanding an ancient text. Talk to her to learn more.
- Return to speak to Ansbach in the library, to report Freyja’s questions to him, but he cannot answer immediately.
- It’s time to give him the famous ancient rite scroll.
- He will then pass you a document for Freyja. You are good to make one more round trip.
By giving the document to Freyja, she will be so grateful that she will give you her Lion Shield. You will also learn more about Miquella’s plans, especially if you combine this information with that of the Secret Rite Scroll: he intends to bring Radahn back to life! This explains why you had to beat this boss before you could start the DLC.
You must then return to speak to Ansbach. By reloading the area, the two characters should normally disappear. You will not see them again until near the end of the expansion, unless you participate in Leda’s next quest.
Help Leda or defend Ansbach?
After having handled the Kérastien case in one way or another, Leda will communicate to you her next target: Ansbach.
To have a chance to participate in the conflict, you must complete all of Ansbach’s quests listed above, along with Freyja’s Request and the Ritual Scroll. Once Ansbach disappears from his position in the library, two marks will appear on the ground.
- There golden mark allows you to defend Ansbach, he will give you his bow as a reward, and this will make the fight against the penultimate boss significantly easier.
- There red mark asks to assassinate Ansbach with Leda. You will obtain her armor and bow, as well as a talisman by returning to speak to Leda at Miquella’s Cross: the Talisman of Riposte. It gives an attack bonus after a dodge. However, this does have the effect of making the fight against her more difficult, towards the end of the game.
Boss Leda and her allies
Ansbach has no further role to play in the story until near the very end. After defeating Messmer and opening the Shadow Tower, Leda will realize that you were never an ally of Miquella, quite the opposite. A formidable fight awaits you, with Leda, Dane and all the other default companions on one side, which makes it absolutely brutal in this configuration.
But by completing the companion quests, you can rally them to your cause in certain cases. In this case, you can choose to interact with the Golden Mark of Pureblood Knight Ansbach on the ground before the fight to gain his welcome assistance against Leda. By default, you only have the assistance of an Impureblood Knight. Ansbach has excellent damage, and is able to keep one or two enemies busy while you kill another.
Final Boss
If you summoned Ansbach during the fight against Leda, he will be physically present in the room afterwards. You will be able to talk to him, and even mention the death of Mohg the Blood Lord, for which you are responsible. His golden mark will be present in front of the final boss room. There is no need to summon him on the fight, he would be more of a penalty than a bonus anyway, since the boss’s life increases with each summon.
Once the final boss is defeated, you will be able to find Thiollier’s body in the area, along with his equipment. This includes his armor, his obsidian scythe, and the spell Ansbach’s Unleashed Blades.
