Sorcerer Thops is an NPC merchant and quest giver in Elden Ring whom Tarnished can encounter within the Church of Irith in the Liurnia of the Lakes region. To reach this location, adventurers will need to complete the Stormveil Legacy Dungeon by defeating Godrick or hike the secluded cliffside trail outside the eastern castle walls. The church can be found on the left side of the main road near the Elden Ring Site of Grace at the Lake-Facing Cliffs of Liurnia.
When Tarnished speak with Thops for the first time, he will request a donation of 10 Runes to impart his knowledge of Sorceries to the protagonist. Doing so will unlock his shop, where he sells the Glintstone Pebble, Glintstone Arc, and Starlight Sorceries. Unlike Sorceress Sellen, there is no way to increase Thops's number of Spell offerings in his store. If the player continues talking with the Sorcerer, he will inform the player that a Glinstone Key is required to enter the Raya Lucaria Academy. Thops will also request that the Tarnished provide him with a key if the opportunity arises.
Therefore, to complete Thops's quest in Elden Ring, the adventurer will need to acquire an Academy Glinstone Key for the Sorcerer NPC. A Glinstone Key that the player will use can be found in Dragon Smarag's island lair, west of the academy. However, another hidden key can be discovered within Raya Lucaria but requires a secret path to reach it.
How To Complete Thops's Quest In Elden Ring
The second Glinstone Key in Elden Ring is located on a corpse sitting atop one of the chandeliers in the academy's Church of the Cuckoo. The only way to loot the body is by entering through an open window on the church's rooftop. To reach the roof, Tarnished will need to complete a series of platforming challenges while fighting or avoiding several enemies along the way. Starting from the Debate Parlor, where players defeated the Red Wolf of Ragadon, enter the northern courtyard and head up the broken stairway on the left. Ascend the next stairwell above, leap over the railing in the left corner, and continue down the winding walkway.
After dropping down onto the rooftops of the Raya Lucaria Academy in Elden Ring, run south to a ladder leading to an upper-level crossing. Be wary of an ambush and the General Grievous-like guards atop the canopies. Continue leaping across the rooftops until reaching the Church of the Cuckoo. Enter through one of the open windows and carefully drop down to acquire the Glinstone Key. Deliver the key to Thops and then travel to the Schoolhouse Classroom Site of Grace to find his pitiful corpse slumped in a desk chair by the waterwheel. Loot the body to receive the Thops Barrier Sorcery Spell, an Academy Glintstone Staff, and Thops's Bell Bearing.
Elden Ring is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC.