Miriel, Pastor of Vows, affectionately known by the gaming community as the Turtle Pope, is one of the most beloved non-player characters in Elden Ring. Wearing a large mitre atop his massive tortoise head, Miriel offers players wisdom, magic spells, and deep insights into the lore of the Lands Between. Finding this peaceful scholar gives Tarnished adventurers a reliable merchant for both sorceries and incantations throughout their journey.
Where to Find the Turtle Pope in Elden Ring
Miriel resides inside the Church of Vows, located on the eastern plateau above Liurnia of the Lakes. Players can reach this cliffside sanctuary by following the main eastern highway heading north through the region. Alternatively, players exploring the Academy of Raya Lucaria can take a hidden waygate portal to instantly teleport directly to the church grounds.
Once inside the quiet structure, you will find Miriel resting near the altar, ready to welcome visitors without hostility. Unlike many other NPCs in the Lands Between, Miriel remains permanently at this location throughout the entire game. This makes returning to his shrine exceptionally convenient for players seeking ongoing spell training.
Services and Spells Offered by Miriel
Miriel serves as a central hub for learning new magic capabilities in Elden Ring. Players can purchase foundational sorceries such as Magic Glintblade and Carian Greatsword, alongside healing incantations like Blessing's Boon. His inventory expands further whenever players hand over ancient prayerbooks or sorcery scrolls found across various dungeons.
Unlike other spell trainers who may disappear or die as their personal questlines progress, Miriel will never abandon his post at the Church of Vows. Giving all your collected spellbooks to Miriel ensures you never risk losing access to powerful high-tier spells later in your playthrough. He also shares vital historical lore regarding the union of Lord Radagon and Queen Rennala.
Interactions and Absolution Mechanics
While Miriel does not feature an extensive multi-step questline, his dialogue provides crucial background narrative for major bosses in the game. He offers forgiveness and context for the conflicts plaguing the Lands Between, serving as a rare voice of peace. Players can also use the statue of celestial absolution within his church to reset hostile NPC aggression using Celestial Dew.
Attacking Miriel is strongly discouraged by the player community due to his gentle nature and practical utility. Defeating him only drops a few turtle neck meats alongside his bell bearing, which provides no special gameplay advantage. Preserving his presence allows you to enjoy one of the few truly heartwarming character encounters in the entire game.