As I stepped into the Lands Between back in 2022, the allure of upgrading my cherished armaments drove me like a moth to a flame. I was just an ordinary Tarnished, eager to wield weapons forged from bosses' remembrances, but they demanded Somber Smithing Stones—those elusive gems that could only be bought by gathering all five Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearings. Unlike regular Smithing Stones, which required piles of materials, these Somber ones were a blessing in disguise: only one per rank was needed to max out an armament to +10, making the hunt feel like chasing rare constellations in a vast, dark sky. ⚔️ Yet, the Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone, the final piece, remained as scarce as whispers in a storm—only eight per playthrough. This journey became my obsession, weaving through treacherous lands and heart-pounding battles, all to unlock the vendors' secrets.
Seeking Out the Twin Maiden Husks
Early on, I discovered I could skip some bosses by visiting Master Iji in Liurnia of the Lakes. He sold unlimited ranks 1-2 Somber Smithing Stones, plus a few of ranks 4-5, acting like a lighthouse in the fog for my beginner self. 🕯️ But to truly master my arsenal, I needed the Bell Bearings for the Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold. Handing these over unlocked higher ranks of stones, though rank 9 was the limit—the Ancient Dragon Stone couldn't be bought repeatedly. My first stop? The fiery depths of Caelid.
Defeating the Fallingstar Beast for Bell Bearing [1]
To snag the first Bell Bearing, I ventured east to Caelid's Sellia Crystal Tunnel. The path was straightforward: from Limgrave's First Step Site of Grace, I headed south to the Dragon-Burnt Ruins, where a hidden chest teleported me straight into the mines. Inside, the Fallingstar Beast awaited—a colossal foe that moved like a meteorite crashing through the night sky, its resistance to physical damage turning the fight into a grueling dance. 💥 I learned to keep it away from the arena's center to dodge its devastating area-of-effect attack in phase two. This battle was a baptism by fire, but skipping it wasn't a loss; Iji's shop offered a safe harbor. Still, triumphing here felt like unlocking a forbidden tome.
Conquering the Crystalian Duo for Bell Bearing [2]
Next, I aimed for Altus Plateau. Getting there required the medallion halves—one from Fort Haight in Limgrave, the other from Fort Faroth in Caelid. I chose the medallion route over the Ravine-Veiled Village to avoid Magma Wyrm Makar. Once in Altus, I descended into the Altus Tunnel, where the Crystalian Spearman and Ringblade-wielder stood guard. These crystalline adversaries were as unyielding as twin glaciers grinding against each other, resisting all damage until I shattered their poise with charged jump attacks. 🧊 Breaking their defenses was key, and claiming the Bell Bearing felt like unearthing a buried treasure.
Looting Bell Bearing [3] Near the First Church of Marika
The third Bell Bearing demanded a trek to the Mountaintops of the Giants, a late-game zone accessed via the Rold Medallion after defeating Morgott, the Omen King. This meant battling through Leyndell's golden shade of Godfrey first. The journey was arduous, with the frozen landscape stretching before me like a shattered mirror reflecting lost hopes. ❄️ Near the First Church of Marika's entrance, I found the Bell Bearing on a corpse—no boss fight, just the grim aftermath of fallen warriors. It was a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made in this war-torn world.
Securing Bell Bearing [4] at Tempest-Facing Balcony
Progressing to Crumbling Farum Azula, the game's final stage, I had to fell the Fire Giant at Flame Peak. Then, at the Site of Grace, I heeded the 'sound of flames' to teleport in. Navigating the crumbling ruins, I reached the Tempest-Facing Balcony Site of Grace. There, on a nearby ledge, lay another corpse holding the Bell Bearing. This place felt like a dream dissolving into chaos, with every step echoing the end of an era. 🌪️
Finding Bell Bearing [5] Near the Great Bridge
The final Bell Bearing was hidden in a small church northeast of Crumbling Farum Azula. Starting from the Dragon Temple Rooftop, I leaped across rooftops, dodged a lightning-spewing dragon, and traversed a ravine via a crumbling tower. Inside the church, the last Bell Bearing awaited, a small victory in a realm as ephemeral as stardust in a void. ✨ With all five in hand, I returned to the Twin Maiden Husks, unlocking ranks 3-9 Somber Smithing Stones for purchase.
Using the Bell Bearings and Reflections
Handing over the Bell Bearings felt like planting seeds that bloomed into power. Now, in 2025, I still recall how this quest transformed my gameplay:
-
Benefits of Somber Stones: Only 10 stones total needed per weapon, versus dozens for regular ones.
-
Key Locations Summary:
| Bell Bearing | Location | How to Obtain |
|--------------|----------|---------------|
| [1] | Sellia Crystal Tunnel, Caelid | Defeat Fallingstar Beast |
| [2] | Altus Tunnel, Altus Plateau | Defeat Crystalian duo |
| [3] | Near First Church of Marika, Mountaintops | Loot from corpse |
| [4] | Tempest-Facing Balcony, Crumbling Farum Azula | Loot from corpse |
| [5] | Small church, Crumbling Farum Azula | Loot from corpse |
- Why It Matters: Early access via Iji helps, but collecting all Bearings ensures unlimited stones for multiple builds. 🛡️ In the end, upgrading my armaments to +10 let me face the Elden Beast with confidence, turning me from a novice into a legend. This adventure, filled with trials and triumphs, remains etched in my memory like ancient runes on forgotten stone.