As you explore Elden Ring, you’ll eventually come across a sealed gate at the Academy of Raya Lucaria. The glowing blue magical barrier will only allow those who possess a Glintstone Key to pass through. If you already spoke to Thops at the nearby Church of Irith, then you’re aware that a key should be in the area. The question is, where is it hiding?
Where to Find the Glintstone Key in Elden Ring
The Glintstone Key needed to open the sealed barrier is a short ride west of the South Raya Lucaria gate. It’s being guarded by a fearsome dragon on a low rocky outcropping due north of the Grace point at Temple Quarter. Its location is highlighted in the map image featured above.
As Sorceror Irith said, the Academy Glintstone Key is indeed near the Academy itself. It seems one of the members was carrying a key before being killed by the dragon. Now, the key sits upon the dragon’s roost, just west of the Royal Academy itself.
Unless you’re prepared for a very tough fight, there’s only one real way to get the Glintstone Key: sneak in and run away. If you can distract Glintstone Dragon Smarag for just a moment, you can run behind it long enough to swipe the key from the corpse. Be sure to run away immediately, as the dragon deals hard-hitting magic-based attacks.
Once you’ve acquired the Academy Glintstone Key, fast travel back to the South Raya Lucaria gate. This time when you approach the barrier, you’ll have the option to simply pass through it. From there, you’ll be able to access the rest of the Royal Academy of Raya Lucaria.
It’s a good thing Elden Ring is an open-world game, because it means there’s room to flee. The best way to get the Glintstone Key is to simply run up and steal it. As long as you call your horse and get away quickly, you won’t have to fight the fearsome dragon guarding its location.