Deepest Dark

The Deepest Dark is a location in Elden Ring.

Description
A cavern, located deep beneath the earth, said to be the tomb of slumbering warriors and the heart of the corruption which eats at the souls of men.

Location
Located deep beneath the dungeons of Haften's Court, The Deepest Dark can be accessed through a hidden trapdoor behind a breakable wall. Travelling north from the Deepest Dark, players may also gain access to a waterfall that leads upward into the Serpent's Fjord, while choosing to travel south will eventually lead to the area's boss room.

Note that players will not be able to survive entering the Deepest Dark due to due to constant DoT damage caused by the area's Dark Aura unless equipped with the Ring of Light.

Patches the Punished, a humanoid creature with the face of Patches and the wings of a raven, can be found sitting on the edge of a cliff in this area. He will give the player a quest, and can be summoned at Quagg's Mire at a later time.

Enemies

 * Undead Warrior/Draugr
 * Bonewheel Skeleton

Bosses

 * Mother of the Dark
 * Patches the Punished

Lore
The Deepest Dark is a realm just beyond Hel, ruled by the Mother of the Dark. It seeks to corrupt the land from within, slowly expanding outward and consuming the land. The Deepest Dark is uninhabitable to those who are alive, and any who draw breath will require special protection when traversing the Deepest Dark to prevent the corruption of their souls, leading to their inevitable and untimely death.

Trivia

 * The Deepest Dark is thought to be connected to the Abyss from the Souls games because the flow of time is convoluted. This is further reinforced by the item description of the Vargr Blade, which reads: "A great blade from an ancient knight who fought back the darkness. It is said that he was unrivalled in his ability to wield a sword."