Lords of the Fallen Rune Tablet Guide

Find out how to improve your weapon upgrading abilities with our Lords of the Fallen Rune Tablet Guide, including whether you should choose to free Sparky.

While searching for the Rune Tablets, it's also worth looking for the lamp upgrade items too. These will make completing sidequests easier in the long run.

What Are Lords of the Fallen Rune Tablets Used For

During your early adventures in Lords of the Fallen, you'll come across Gerlinde. She's a smithy by trade, and will upgrade your weapons once free from her cell. 

While Gerlinde can upgrade your weapons using upgrade materials, she'll mention that her skills could be improved further if you find a number of Rune Tablets. There are 3 of these in total, each giving Gerlinde the ability to add runes to your weapons and shields.

How to free Gerlinde in Lords of the Fallen

If you haven't already freed Gerlinde, she is encountered in a cell while travelling through the last part of Pilgrim's Perch Descent. 

To free her, all you need to do is kill the knight that is patrolling nearby. Killing him and interacting with his body will give you the Prison Cell Key, which can then be given to Gerlinde.

Returning to the hub area, you'll find that Gerlinde has now taken up the once vacant forge as her own. She also has a trapped fellow with her by the name of Sparky (this will be important later).

Lords of the Fallen Rune Tablet Locations

Each of the 3 Rune Tablets looks just like a normal pickup in the world (a yellow orb with a small whisp of light above it), but they're all in set locations.

Cracked Rune Tablet

The first tablet is found in Fitzroy's Gorge, after entering the cave section midway through the area. After crossing over the Umbral bridge extending out from the wooden ramp, keep heading forward and through the gap in the wall. 

If this is your first time in the area, you'll encounter Drustan after dropping down. Keep going past him, and you'll find the Chipped Rune Tablet overlooking the main path. 

Chipped Rune Tablet

The second tablet is found during the main path of Upper Calrath Mining District. Partway through, you'll open a door into a mostly intact building. Heading down, there'll be a couple of enemies near a fireplace. The fireplace is where you'll find the Chipped Rune Tablet.

Rune Tablet

The very final tablet is found inside a chest in the Tower of Penance. The chest is near the top of the tower, after dropping down a few floors to reach one of the layers with a grate flooring.

Should You Give the Tablet to Sparky or Gerlinde?

After returning to Gerlinde with the final tablet, you'll be presented with a choice. You can either choose to give it to Gerlinde as originally intended, or hand it to Sparky and finally allow him to be free. 

Handing Sparky the tablet is naturally the nicest option, and it'll also net you the Travels Resumed achievement / trophy. 

However, it's also the most practical choice for gameplay too. When given the tablet, Sparky will teach you how to improve gear without the help of Gerlinde. This lets you upgrade weapons and slot in runes from any Vestige.

While Gerlinde says she'll charge you more for her services after doing this, it only seems to lead to a slight Vigor cost increase for items she sells.

That's all for our Lords of the Fallen Rune Tablet Guide. Make sure to check out more of our guides below.