what is the purpose of finger ruins in elden ring

The Finger Ruins in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree mainly exist as lore- heavy quest locations tied to Count Ymir and the Finger-related storyline. They also gate progression to a secret area and boss encounter through ringing the ruin bells with the Hole-Laden Necklace.

What they do

• They are not just scenery; they are part of a questline involving Count Ymir, Manus Metyr, and the Finger lore.

• Each ruin has a hanging bell, and those bells matter for advancing the quest.

• Ringing the right bells eventually leads you to the Finger Birthing Grounds and the Metyr-related fight.

Lore meaning

• The ruins are described as lands touched by the Greater Will, with the landscape forming a fingerprint-like pattern from above.

• They seem to represent places where the game’s “Finger” mythology is anchored in the world, rather than serving a normal civilization or settlement function.

• In practice, they feel like sacred remnants or landing sites tied to the origin of Finger-related power and worship.

Simple takeaway

If you just want the purpose in gameplay terms: they’re quest locations you must visit to progress Count Ymir’s storyline and unlock a secret boss route. If you mean in story terms: they’re ancient, symbolic sites tied to the Greater Will and the deeper mystery of the Fingers.

TL;DR: the Finger Ruins are mainly for lore and quest progression, not ordinary exploration loot or a standard dungeon.