Hornsent is one of the more enigmatic NPCs in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, and his quest is filled with mystery and consequences. The choices you make during his questline will have a significant impact on both the lore and gameplay, including who you side with and how the events unfold.

Below is a detailed guide on how to complete Hornsent's quest, including key locations, important decisions, and the rewards you'll receive based on your actions.

Where to Find Hornsent in Elden Ring

Hornsent can be found in various locations throughout the Land of Shadow, and his questline is spread across multiple sites of grace, often requiring you to progress through certain events before meeting him again. Below are the key locations where you'll encounter him:

Three-Path Cross Site of Grace

This is where you'll first meet Hornsent, located north of the Gravesite Plains. He will give you a Cross Map, revealing the locations of Miquella's crosses in the area.

Highroad Cross Site of Grace

After progressing past Castle Ensis, Hornsent will move here. Speak with him to receive the New Cross Map, which reveals more of Miquella's cross locations.

Shadow Keep Main Gate Site of Grace

You can summon Hornsent to assist you in the Golden Hippopotamus boss fight here. Make sure you've progressed his and Leda's quests to this point.

Shadow Keep (Summon Signs)

If you've sided with Hornsent over Leda, you'll find his summon sign in Messmer the Impaler's boss room, which you can use to summon him for assistance in that fight.

Messmer's Dark Chamber Site of Grace

After defeating Messmer the Impaler, Hornsent will be found here before Messmer's throne.

Church of the Bud

Hornsent will invade you before the Romina, Saint of the Bud boss fight. If you miss the invasion here, don't worry—he'll invade again in Etir-llim at the end of the game.

How to Complete Hornsent's Quest

1. Initial Meeting at Three-Path Cross Site of Grace

Location: Gravesite Plains, near a massive stone archway.

When you first meet Hornsent, he will give you the Cross Map. The map reveals Miquella's crosses scattered throughout the Gravesite Plains. You don't need to collect all of them to proceed with his quest, but they help to understand his motivation.

2. Progressing Through Castle Ensis

Location: Northeast of the Three-Path Cross Site of Grace.

If you haven't already, clear Castle Ensis. Once you do, Hornsent will move to the Highroad Cross Site of Grace, where you can speak to him again and receive the New Cross Map, showing three more crosses.

3. The Shadow Keep and Leda's Conflict

Location: Directly north of Highroad Cross Site of Grace.

As you approach the Shadow Keep, you will hear the sound of something breaking and the message, "Somewhere, a great rune has broken…" This is a sign that the quest is progressing.

Return to Highroad Cross Site of Grace and speak to both Hornsent and Leda. Leda will vow to destroy those who stand against Miquella, and Hornsent will be her first target.

After this, proceed into the Shadow Keep. You can choose to enter through the main gate (past the Furnace Golem) or take a detour through Bonny Village. The latter route aligns more closely with Hornsent's quest.

4. The Golden Hippopotamus Boss Fight

Location: Shadow Keep, Main Gate Plaza.

Enter the Shadow Keep, and you will find both Hornsent's and Redmane's summon signs at the door to the Golden Hippopotamus boss room. Summoning Hornsent here will help in the fight, although it doesn't affect the quest directly.

Defeat the Golden Hippopotamus to progress.

5. Choose Your Side: Hornsent or Leda

After defeating the Golden Hippopotamus, proceed east from the boss room. You'll encounter two summon signs—one for Leda and one for Hornsent—near a set of stairs that lead down to the Main Gate Site of Grace.

If you side with Leda:

You will kill Hornsent, effectively ending his quest.

You will receive Hornsent's Armor and items:

Falx Curved Sword

Caterpillar Mask

Braided Cord Robe

Braided Arm Wraps

Soiled Loincloth

Leda will reward you with the Lacerating Crossed-Tree Talisman, which enhances dash attacks.

If you side with Hornsent:

Leda will disappear from the quest until the later stages of the DLC.

Hornsent will gift you the Ash of War: Swift Slash, a useful skill for your weapon.

Leda's Rune will be dropped by Leda.

Hornsent becomes summonable during the Messmer the Impaler boss fight.

You will not be able to help Leda in killing Ansbach.

If you choose Hornsent, you can later obtain Leda's Armor and Leda's Sword by defeating Leda.

6. Hornsent's Role in Messmer the Impaler

After making your decision, you will progress to the Messmer the Impaler boss fight. If you sided with Hornsent, you can summon him here.

He will also invade you during your playthrough, with an invasion before the Romina, Saint of the Bud boss fight in the Church of the Bud, or in Etir-llim towards the end of the DLC.

Quest Outcomes and Rewards

Siding with Leda:

Items from Hornsent:

Falx Curved Sword

Caterpillar Mask

Braided Cord Robe

Braided Arm Wraps

Soiled Loincloth

Leda's Reward:

Lacerating Crossed-Tree Talisman: Enhances dash attacks.

Siding with Hornsent:

Items from Leda:

Leda's Rune: A key item dropped by Leda.

Hornsent's Reward:

Ash of War: Swift Slash

Summonable for Messmer Boss Fight

Leda's Armor and Sword (Available after Leda's defeat)

Conclusion

Hornsent's questline is one of the more involved and morally ambiguous sidequests in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. Your choices—whether you side with him or Leda—determine not only the outcome of the questline but also the Elden Ring items and rewards you receive, as well as your interactions with other characters. The branching path and consequences make this a crucial side quest for those who want to fully explore the game's lore and unlock additional gameplay elements.