Collect the Poison Gem guarded by Elder Ghrus at Keep Ruins
Poison Gems enable a status-focused infusion and come from Farron Keep enemies, including Ghrus.
PC / Global, Fire Fades content scope
WHERE & HOW TO FARM
Where to farm
Farron Keep: start at Keep Ruins bonfire, exit toward the exterior swamp path, then drop down to the treasure guarded by three Elder Ghrus.
A fixed Poison Gem lies in Farron Keep outside and below the Keep Ruins bonfire, surrounded by three Elder Ghrus. This gives the route a definite target: claim the treasure, rather than looping an unspecified Ghru patrol and promising repeat drops. If you need more than the one pickup, the same three enemies are also listed as a chance-based source, but treat any extra Gem as a random bonus. Poison infusion adds the status effect while reducing base damage and Strength/Dexterity scaling; Andre needs no coal for Poison infusion.
Bring a weapon and healing suited to fighting three Elder Ghrus in a poison-swamp area.
Choose a weapon for Poison infusion and verify the scaling change before applying the Gem.
Rest at Keep Ruins bonfire and orient toward the exterior route that descends to the swamp below.
Move down to the treasure location outside and below the bonfire; avoid drawing all three guards at once if your build struggles with groups.
Separate or stagger the Elder Ghrus and clear enough space to reach the corpse safely.
Loot the fixed Poison Gem from the guarded treasure and confirm it appears in inventory.
Return to Firelink Shrine and speak with Andre to inspect Poison infusion on the intended weapon.
Compare the status effect and reduced physical scaling against your build before spending the Gem.
If you still need more Gems, defeat the nearby eligible Ghrus for chance-based drops and rest to reset them; do not treat those drops as guaranteed.
Farming tips
The fixed treasure is the reliable named pickup; enemy drops are optional random attempts.
Poison infusion does not require Andre to receive a coal, according to the item reference.
Repeat, collect and use
The corpse treasure is one-time per playthrough cycle. Eligible Farron Keep enemies can be revisited after resting for chance-based drops, but no fixed amount is guaranteed.
Common mistakes
Searching for a repeatable Scholar route; use the named treasure and local Elder Ghrus instead.
Assuming the corpse pickup repeats after resting; only enemies reset for further attempts.
Applying Poison without checking weapon scaling and buff behavior; review Andre’s infusion preview.
When to stop or switch
Stop after collecting the fixed Gem and decide whether poison suits the build; continue with enemy attempts only if you specifically need another Gem.
