Where is iji elden ring

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Last updated: April 8, 2026

Quick Answer: Iji is a non-player character (NPC) in the 2022 action role-playing game Elden Ring, developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. He is located at the Road to the Manor site of grace in Liurnia of the Lakes, specifically at the Iji's Blacksmith location where players can upgrade weapons using Somber Smithing Stones.

Key Facts

Iji is a giant blacksmith NPC introduced in Elden Ring's 1.0 release on February 25, 2022
He offers weapon upgrades requiring 12 different Somber Smithing Stone tiers (1-10, plus Ancient Dragon and Somber Ancient Dragon)
Iji's questline involves protecting Blaidd and leads to his death if players complete Ranni's questline
He sells the Carian Filigreed Crest talisman for 5,000 runes, reducing FP consumption of skills by 25%
Iji provides lore about the War against the Giants and the fate of the Fire Giants after the Shattering

Overview

Iji is a significant non-player character in Elden Ring, the critically acclaimed action role-playing game developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Released on February 25, 2022, Elden Ring has sold over 25 million copies worldwide as of 2024, making it one of the most successful games of its generation. The game features an expansive open world called the Lands Between, filled with challenging enemies, deep lore, and numerous NPCs with interconnected storylines.

As a giant blacksmith, Iji serves as both a merchant and quest-giver, offering weapon upgrades and valuable items to players. He is part of the broader narrative involving Ranni the Witch, one of the game's major characters, and plays a crucial role in several key questlines. Iji's location at the Road to the Manor site of grace in Liurnia of the Lakes makes him accessible relatively early in the game, typically after players defeat Godrick the Grafted in Stormveil Castle.

How It Works

Iji functions as a specialized blacksmith who offers unique services and items unavailable from other merchants in Elden Ring.

Weapon Upgrading: Iji specializes in upgrading special weapons that require Somber Smithing Stones. He can upgrade these weapons from +1 to +10, with each level requiring specific stone tiers. There are 12 total upgrade levels when including Ancient Dragon and Somber Ancient Dragon stones for maximum enhancement.
Item Sales: Iji sells several unique items, most notably the Carian Filigreed Crest talisman for 5,000 runes. This talisman reduces the FP (Focus Points) consumption of skills by 25%, making it valuable for magic-focused builds. He also sells the Ash of War: Carian Greatsword for 2,500 runes.
Quest Progression: Iji is integral to Ranni's questline, providing key dialogue and advancing the story when players complete specific objectives. His dialogue changes based on player progress, and he offers important lore about the War against the Giants and the fate of the Fire Giants after the Shattering event.
Lore Delivery: Through multiple dialogue options, Iji reveals crucial backstory about the Lands Between, including information about the Carian Royal Family, the fate of the giants, and the political dynamics following Queen Marika's actions. He provides context for why giants like himself are rare in the current era.

Key Comparisons

Feature	Iji the Blacksmith	Hewg the Blacksmith
Location	Road to the Manor, Liurnia	Roundtable Hold (hub area)
Specialization	Somber Smithing Stone upgrades	Regular Smithing Stone upgrades
Unique Items	Carian Filigreed Crest, Carian Greatsword Ash	No unique merchant items
Quest Importance	Central to Ranni's questline	Minimal quest involvement
Accessibility	Requires reaching Liurnia	Available after first major boss
Lore Significance	Provides giant/history lore	Provides general blacksmith lore

Why It Matters

Gameplay Impact: Iji enables players to upgrade special weapons that use Somber Smithing Stones, which includes many of the game's most powerful armaments. Without his services, players would be limited to regular weapon upgrades only, restricting build diversity and combat effectiveness.
Narrative Depth: As one of the few remaining giants in the Lands Between, Iji provides crucial exposition about the world's history, particularly regarding the War against the Giants and the Carian Royal Family's legacy. His dialogue adds layers to the game's rich storytelling.
Quest Completion: Iji is essential for completing Ranni's questline, which is one of Elden Ring's most elaborate narrative arcs and leads to one of the game's six possible endings. His role connects multiple characters including Blaidd, Ranni, and Seluvis.

Iji represents FromSoftware's commitment to creating memorable NPCs with meaningful roles in both gameplay and narrative. His presence enhances Elden Ring's world-building while providing practical services that support player progression. As the game continues to receive updates and expansions, characters like Iji demonstrate how well-integrated NPC design contributes to the overall experience, ensuring that even minor characters feel essential to the journey through the Lands Between.