Black Guardian in Elden Ring (Big Boggart in the English version) is an NPC that lives in Lake Lyurnia. He is also an Extinguished One, but has long since retired from the road of adventure and has become a regular seafood merchant. Completing his quests will allow you to get interesting items and speed up the achievement of the Age of Despair ending.
The guide details how to complete the quest, the NPC’s connections with other characters, and how to save him from a painful death.
How to start the Blackguard quest in Elden Ring
Exploring Lake Liurnia, in a stone gazebo you can find a hunched girl Raya. She complains about her necklace being stolen and asks the Extinguished One to return it. The thief turns out to be the same Black Guard, who can be found in the northwest of the gazebo. Fulfilling the request will allow you to receive an invitation to enter Vulcan Manor and easily teleport to it after reaching the Altus Plateau.
In a separate guide, you can find a more detailed walkthrough of Raya’s quest chain. It is worth noting that you must complete her task after returning the necklace before reaching Vulcan Manor, otherwise the girl’s quest will disappear.
Passage of the Black Guard quest
In the central part of Lake Liurnia is located Shrimp-lover’s shack. The Black Guard lives there – a peaceful merchant with an iron mask on his face. He confirms that he is in possession of the stolen necklace and also offers to buy food from him.
Need to purchase a dozen boiled shrimp, which increase physical resistance, after which he will be imbued with confidence in the main character and tell about himself. Exhaust all character dialogue, get the stretch gesture, and go about your business. Subsequently, the NPC can be summoned to fight the optional boss Makar, the Magma Serpent.
Find the Blackguard in Leindell
After rest, move to a place of grace Bastion of the capital on the outskirts of Leindell. Go down the stone bridge and follow the rocky terrain to the left. Pass through the huge golems and continue down until you reach the outer moat below.
Big Boggart stands here and sells boiled crabs. Buy a few products and exhaust the dialogues with the merchant. He will talk about Scrap Eaterwho kills people for his sadistic experiments.
Next, you need to find the Phantom Eater in the Round Table Fortress. You will have to release his physical body at the end of the Rift Dungeon in the Leindell capital to continue the Guardian storyline.
In a separate guide, you can find a detailed walkthrough of the Waste Eater quest.
Then return to the Guardian, talk to him and rest in the nearest place of grace. Then return to him again and find the dying merchant. Finish him off by putting him out of his misery and collect the dropped items – the Bell Orb, the Iron Orb, and the Mask of the Black Guardian. Also drops the Curse of the Sowing as part of the quest to reach the Age of Despair ending..
Next, the Scrap Eater will appear as an invader from another world. He is not a particularly strong opponent and does not have unique moves, just attacking in close combat. Defeat him and get a unique weapon Sword of Milos.
How to save the Black Guard
To save the merchant from death, you must first defeat the Scrap Eater in the invasion process or complete his quest. Only then can you go to the shack and buy boiled shrimp from the Guardian, after which he will move to Leindell to continue trading.
