Elden Ring: Why Sellen Is Imprisoned In The Witchbane Ruins
Sellen, a sorceress NPC in Elden Ring, is imprisoned under the Witchbane Ruins when players first meet her, leaving the question as to how she ended up there an open one. Sellen, who first introduces herself to the Tarnished in Elden Ring as the Graven Witch, will invite players to study under her as an apprentice, learning Sorceries. When players first meet Sellen, it’s not clear why she’s imprisoned in the Witchbane Ruins, however, if players choose to learn sorcery from her, Sellen will explain how she became imprisoned there.
When the Tarnished first meets Sellen, she can be found within the Waypoint Ruins in West Limgrave. Before meeting her, players must defeat Mad Pumpkin Head, one of Elden Ring’s Field Bosses that can be found in multiple locations throughout the Lands Between. Upon meeting the Graven Witch, players must choose to study under her teaching if they wish to pursue her side questline. When the player initiates the side quest to free Sellen, Sellen will reveal how she became imprisoned in the Witchbane Ruins.
After Sellen is told that the Tarnished wants to learn sorcery under her guidance, she warns the game's protagonist that an apprentice should choose their master wisely. The sorceress then tells the Tarnished that she was exiled from the Academy of Raya Lucaria, which resulted in her confinement in the Witchbane Ruins. Sellen reveals that she was exiled “as a reviled, apostate witch”, but doesn't provide any further details around her expulsion. Upon sharing this information, the Tarnished will be somberly asked if they still wish to learn Elden Ring sorceries from Sellen considering her reputation as a heretic. This gives context to Sellen's earlier advice that an apprentice should choose their master wisely.
Raya Lucaria Academy is a Legacy Dungeon in Elden Ring and home to two Bosses, Red Wolf of Radagon and Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon. Rennala is the dungeon’s Legacy Boss, and one of Elden Ring’s Great Rune bearers, despite not being a Demigod. Great Rune of the Unborn, obtained by defeating Rennala, will grant players the rebirth ability. While Rennala may seem like the one responsible for Sellen’s exile, Rennala herself is imprisoned in the Elden Ring Academy of Raya Lucaria's Grand Library, so perhaps her jailers and Sellen’s are the same - it could certainly be that Carian royals are responsible for both.
Elden Ring players who start Sellen's side quest will quickly learn why she is imprisoned in the Witchbane Ruins, even if not exactly who had a hand in it. This is further complicated by Witch-Hunter Jerren, who ultimately shows himself to be her direct enemy. It’s not clear who imprisoned Sellen, though Jerren notes that she is an "enemy of Caria," and it is entirely possible that he initially imprisoned her himself, given that he later is willing to kill her. Like many such rabbit holes, the answers about Sellen's past and eventual endings in Elden Ring (depending on player choices) lead only to further questions.