As I wander the fractured lands of the Lands Between, few figures have left such a profound mark of revulsion and intrigue as the Loathsome Dung-Eater. Even now, years after my first encounter, his quest remains one of the most sinister and compelling threads in Elden Ring. Why would anyone willingly seek out such a being, you might ask? The answer lies in the power he offers—a path to one of the game's rarest and most unsettling endings. His quest is not for the faint of heart, demanding you to seek out forbidden curses and confront pure malice.
Appearance at Roundtable Hold
The Dung-Eater's presence is a sign of my progress. He only manifests in a backroom of the Roundtable Hold once I have set foot upon the Altus Plateau. His arrival is always preceded by Roderika's frantic warnings, urging me to stay away. But can true understanding be found by avoiding the darkness? Speaking to him yields only cryptic, hateful ramblings. To truly begin his tale, I must present him with a Seedbed Curse. These are incredibly rare items; only six exist in the entire world, and one can be lost forever. I need five to see his quest through to its grim conclusion.
Beginning the Quest
Once I hand over that first cursed seed, his demeanor shifts. He gives me the Sewer-Gaol Key and commands me to free his physical body, imprisoned deep below Leyndell, Royal Capital, in the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds. My journey there is treacherous:
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Starting from the Avenue Balcony Site of Grace, I descend the grand staircase.
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Turning left, I follow a balcony before making a daring jump onto the rooftops below.
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The entrance is a foreboding well to the north. Descending, I must be wary of Albinaurics that swarm from the shadows.
Navigating the sewers is a test of patience and memory. My goal is the Underground Roadside Site of Grace. From there, the path to his cell is a gauntlet:
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Exit the room, turn left, and run to an open grate.
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Drop down, turn left, and sprint past hordes of rats and ominous flowers.
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Find a ladder, climb it, and enter a chamber where Lesser Fingercreepers cling to the ceiling.
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A massive Fingercreeper erupts from the floor as I round the corner. I hug the wall, rush to the gaol door at the far end, and use the key.
Inside, I find him—a broken figure endlessly beating his head against the stone. I tell him he is free. He does not move, but the deed is done.
Duelling the Dung-Eater
Returning to the Hold, I find his spot empty, replaced by a message challenging me to meet at the Outer Moat, just beyond Leyndell's walls. Before heading there, I must consider the fate of Blackguard Big Boggart. If I've bought his Boiled Prawns and find him at the moat before the fight, his story intertwines tragically with the Dung-Eater's. Ignoring this step can make one Seedbed Curse disappear forever.
When I finally step into the murky water of the moat, the Dung-Eater invades my world. He is a relentless foe, wielding a massive two-handed sword and hurling homing curses. The environment itself is hostile; a unique Giant Crab lurks beneath the water, its breath inflicting deadly Death Blight on anyone nearby—friend or foe. This battle is chaos. Defeating him rewards me with the Sword of Milos, a greatsword that restores FP with each kill.
Completing the Quest
Victorious, I return to the Roundtable Hold to find him back in his corner, more subdued. His final request is to bring the remaining Seedbed Curses to his corporeal form in the sewers. I can deliver them as I find them. Once I have given him four more (five total), his purpose is fulfilled. In his final moments, he grants me the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse. This is the key. After defeating the final boss, I can use this rune to usher in the Age of Despair—a fittingly bleak conclusion to a journey steeped in curses.
How to Find All Seedbed Curses
To complete his request, I must become a scavenger of the damned. Here is where I find all six Seedbed Curses:
| Location | How to Find | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Leyndell (1) | Near the Fortified Manor Site of Grace. In the replica Roundtable Hold room, on a corpse in a chair. | 🗺️ Straightforward find. |
| Leyndell (2) | From East Capital Rampart. Go into the city, past Envoys, into an elevator room. Go down, into the next building, climb ladders to the top floor. | ⚠️ Watch for enemies on the ascent. |
| Leyndell (3) | At the Outer Moat from Blackguard Big Boggart's corpse. | ❗ MISSABLE! Requires his quest progression. If you kill him early or fight Dung-Eater first, it's gone. |
| Volcano Manor | After defeating Rykard. From Temple of Eiglay, head toward Rykard's arena, find the building with Man-Serpent Ashes, use a Stonesword Key on an imp seal, descend via hanging cages. | 🔑 Requires a Stonesword Key. |
| Haligtree (1) | From Prayer Room Site of Grace. Go right, follow the path, jump onto arches, pass a Golden Teardrop Scarab, find corpse on a balcony. | 🏞️ Platforming required. |
| Haligtree (2) | From Prayer Room again. Go all the way down the right path to a room with two Cleanrot Knights. Jump onto arches, drop down, find a hidden staircase behind you leading to a cluttered area. | 👹 Very dangerous zone. |
Visual Guides for Key Locations:
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Leyndell Royal Capital:
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Volcano Manor:
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Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree:
This quest forces me to confront the deepest rot within the world. It's a dark pilgrimage, but for those seeking every secret the Lands Between has to offer, it is an unforgettable, if horrifying, journey. Will you embrace the curse, or is some knowledge better left buried?