Elden Ring players have access to a multitude of gestures that are mostly used to communicate with other players but can also possess some hidden applications. Although gestures have been present in FromSoftware games since the original Demon's Souls, they have mostly been used exclusively as a form of emoting. Elden Ring, however, adds a new pragmatical layer to this mechanic by transforming a unique emote into a key that will allow players to climb the otherwise inaccessible Converted Towers. Although unlocking the Fringe Tower will also require a special helm that players will have to find at the Academy of Raya Lucaria.
Elden Ring players will start the game with a very decent selection of possible gestures and will quickly discover they can obtain many more as the game progresses. Unlocking these emotes is not always straightforward as they can be acquired as quest rewards, found out in the world, or by performing certain contextual actions. As a general rule, players should aim to get their hands on as many emotes as possible, as they never know when they may come in handy.
To reach the top of the Converted Tower and the Fringe Converted Tower, players will need to obtain the Erudition gesture from an NPC in Liurnia of the Lakes named Tophs and a Glintstone Crown from the Academy of Raya Lucaria. This Elden Ring NPC can be found just as players leave Stormveil Castle inside the rundown Church of Irith. Talking to him will reveal that he used to be a student in the Academy and is looking for a way back inside. To do that, he will need a Glintstone key, which players will be able to find by going to the Academy themselves.
Where to Find the Glinstone Key in Elden Ring
To get the gesture from Tophs, players will need to find two Glintstone keys: one that will be used to get inside the Academy of Raya Lucaria and a spare one that can be gifted to the NPC. The first key can be found to the west of the Academy, hidden behind Glintstone Dragon Smarag. Players may wish to avoid this boss fight in Elden Ring, as it can be pretty tough early on in the game, and instead, just grab the Glintstone Key behind the dragon and run away. After getting the item, players can then head to one of the gates of the Academy directly or take the portal in Laskyar Ruins to be teleported to the main gate.
After that, players must progress normally through the Academy until they defeat the Red Wolf of Radagon boss in the debate parlor. From there, players must exit the parlor and head left to climb a crumbling wall where two enemies will be flinging spells at the top. Proceed to the left of those spellcasters and jump down onto some stairs, at the top of which will be another similar enemy. Once again, go past that enemy and to the left to jump onto the rooftops, where two more of Elden Ring's enemies will be waiting to ambush the player and climb the ladder to reach the top of a tower. Players should be careful going through this next area as a spellcaster and three flying enemies will try to ambush them.
After defeating or avoiding the ambushers, players should go around the tower at the end of the path and head right to jump down onto the rooftops. Players should then jump down three more times in quick succession until they see a Marionette Soldier resting against a tower down on their right. Then, head to where that knight is and jump down on either side to reach the lower ledge of that tower. Proceed around it to jump onto the next building that looks like a church and quickly find an open window on either side while avoiding more of Elden Ring's flying enemies. While on the rafters, players should look down to look for a chandelier holding a corpse with an item. Jump onto that chandelier and pick up that item to grab the second and unused Glintstone Key.
How to Use the Erudition Gesture in Elden Ring
After acquiring the spare Glintsone Key and giving it to Tophs, players will obtain the Erudition gesture, putting them much closer to solving the Fringe Tower's puzzle. However, in order to break the magical seal, players will also need a special helm called a Glintsone Crown. There are several kinds of Glintstone Crowns, and any will suffice to break the seal. It is possible that players that have gone through the Academy may have picked one by accident, as these are often dropped by spellcaster enemies. However, suppose players do not have any in their inventory and are unlucky with the drop rates. In that case, they can easily get one in Elden Ring at the Academy of Raya Lucaria.
Starting from the Debate Parlor Site of Grace, where players fought the Red Dog, they should once again head out and climb the crumbling wall to their left. Go left at the top, where the two spellcaster enemies are, and then jump down onto some stairs. Head to the top, where another enemy should be, and jump onto the rooftops to the left. Instead of going forward to meet the two Marionette Soldiers, turn immediately right and jump down again onto some bushes. Hidden behind them is a Crystal Crab that players can kill to loot the Karolos Glintstone Crown. Go back to the magical seal in the Fringe Converted Tower, equip the Crown and perform the Erudition gesture in front of it. After a few seconds, the top of the Crown will glow, the magic will dissipate, and players will be able to climb to the top where they will find two of Elden Ring's Sorceries: Cannon of Haima and the Gavel of Haima.
How to Reach the Top of the Converted Tower in Elden Ring
The Converted Tower can be accessed in a similar manner to its Fringe counterpart. However, players will not need the Glinstone Crown as simply performing the Erudition gesture in front of the large statue will be enough to make a magical ladder appear. Alternatively, players can also reach the top without even requiring the gesture by climbing the ruins around the tower. Proceeding to the back will allow players to jump onto the building and get inside through the balcony. At the top, they will find a chest with a Memory Stone, which will increase the number of Sorceries or Incantations players can memorize in Elden Ring.
Elden Ring is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC.