Featured Article
This article has been recognized for its exceptional quality and comprehensive coverage.
Overview
The Gate of Life is the second major zone players encounter in the Moonlit Forest, located immediately after the Evernight Forest entrance zone. It takes its name from the sealed gate that blocks progression deeper into the forest. To pass through, players must find and mine three Gravemites (orange-glowing crystals) scattered around the area to release Gravestars that unseal the gate. A Runebird guards the area near the second Gravemite, making this the first real combat challenge in the Moonlit Forest.
Getting There
The Gate of Life is reached by navigating through the Evernight Forest, the dark introductory corridors of the Moonlit Forest. The Damaged Door near the player's home serves as the entrance to the entire underground world. From the Evernight Forest, follow the main path north toward the large purple mushrooms, then head west.
A broken stone bridge separates the Evernight Forest from the Gate of Life area. Repairing the bridge costs 15 Stone. Carry enough Stone before heading into the Moonlit Forest, or mine it from deposits in the Evernight Forest corridors. Once repaired, the bridge remains permanent.
Moonweaver Camp
A Damaged Moonweaver campsite is located near the Gate of Life. Repairing it costs 5 Fluorite and activates a full camp node with several functions:
Camp | Details |
|---|---|
Teleport to and from this camp from any other repaired Moonweaver in the Moonlit Forest. | |
Sleeping | Rest at the camp to restore stamina without returning home (this ends the day). |
Prepare food at the camp's cooking station. | |
Crafting | Use the camp workbench for basic crafting, including the Impulse Pickaxe. |
Respawn point | If you die during the Runebird fight or in later zones, you respawn at the most recently repaired Moonweaver. |
It is strongly recommended to repair this Moonweaver before engaging the Runebird. The 5 Fluorite cost is well worth having a nearby respawn point and fast travel node.
Gravestar Puzzle
The sealed gate requires three Gravestars to open. Gravestars are released by mining orange-glowing Gravemite rocks (also called Gravecrystals) with a pickaxe. Each Gravemite yields one Gravestar, a small floating spirit that travels along a set path to an empty star sigil on the stone ring surrounding the gate. Once all three sigils are filled, the gate unseals.
Gravemite Locations
Gravemite | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
#1 | Near the broken bridge at the northeast edge of the zone, just past the Evernight Forest camp | Mine it before repairing the bridge so the Gravestar can travel across once the bridge is fixed |
#2 | Down the ramp to the left of the Gate of Life Moonweaver camp, hidden among foliage in a clearing | A Runebird guards the nearby clearing; defeat it or mine quickly and retreat |
#3 | On small cliffs directly south of the Gate of Life, at the southern corner of a low cliff | Requires jumping up to reach; the orange glow is visible from below |
After all three Gravestars reach their sigils, a treasure chest is revealed under the first large mushroom near the gate. This puzzle mechanic repeats at other gates throughout the Moonlit Forest; later gates may require more Gravestars or a higher-tier pickaxe.
Runebird Encounter
The Runebird is the first elite enemy in the Moonlit Forest, found in an open clearing near the second Gravemite. It resembles an oversized bird and attacks with swooping dives, ranged projectiles, and ground-slam shockwaves. Its bright yellow stomach is the weak point.
Players should bring a Slingshot with at least 15 pellets and healing food for the fight. The most effective strategy is to run in circles to dodge its swooping attacks, then fire the Slingshot at its stomach between attack patterns. Melee combat is risky against flying enemies. Defeating the Runebird is required for the Apprentice Explorer trial. See the full Runebird article for detailed strategies.
Luminfrog Encounter
Beyond the gate, a Luminfrog blocks the path toward Dreamfall Garden. The Luminfrog attacks with water projectiles that are difficult to dodge in tight spaces. It takes approximately 5 Slingshot hits to defeat. Stay mobile and fire between its attack animations. The Luminfrog is less dangerous than the Runebird but its projectiles can catch you off guard in the narrow corridors after the gate.
Impulse Pickaxe
After passing through the gate, a new type of rock blockage prevents further progression. Breaking through requires the Impulse Pickaxe, a tool upgrade crafted at the camp workbench. The blueprint can be purchased at Zerine's General Store in town.
Material | Quantity |
|---|---|
Copper | 10 |
Fluorite | 10 |
Softwood | 5 |
Quartz | 5 |
Pickaxe | 1 |
All materials except the base Pickaxe can be gathered within the Gate of Life zone itself. Quartz first becomes available in this zone, so mine it from deposits along the walls before heading deeper.
Resources
The Gate of Life area contains a wide variety of resource nodes. Notably, Quartz first appears in this zone and is not available in the Evernight Forest.
Category | Resources |
|---|---|
Ores | Copper, Fluorite, Tin, Quartz, Stone |
Wood | Softwood, Hardwood (from debris and fallen logs) |
Flora | Midnight Herb, Moondew Shroom, Mirthshroom, Sunveil Shroom, Twilight Succulent, Moonflower |
Insects | Red Firefly, Celeb Moth |
Puzzle items | Gravemites (3 total, yield Gravestars) |
Treasure Chests
At least four treasure chests are located in the Gate of Life zone:
Chest | Details |
|---|---|
Under the first mushroom | Revealed after freeing all three Gravestars and filling the sigils at the gate. |
Behind the waterfall | Contains the Left Ruin Key, which is used to open the Bronze Gate later in the Moonlit Forest. Easy to miss if you do not explore behind the water. |
Two additional chests are scattered in side paths and alcoves around the zone. Explore every dead end and look behind large rock formations. | -- |
Explorer Profession
Completing the Gate of Life objectives (freeing all three Gravestars) is tied to the Explorer profession questline. Zephyria at the Exploration Club assigns tasks that require progressing through the Moonlit Forest, and clearing the Gate of Life is a milestone toward earning the Intermediate Explorer rank.
Progression
After defeating the Runebird and Luminfrog, crafting the Impulse Pickaxe, and clearing the blockage, the path opens to Dreamfall Garden, the next major zone. The full Moonlit Forest zone order is:
Evernight Forest (starting area)
Gate of Life (Runebird and Luminfrog)
Dreamfall Garden
Crystalith Hideout (Crystalith boss)
Mural Valley (Glintortle boss)
Moonlight Meadow (Ruin Guard boss)
Tips
Bring at least 15 Stone into the Moonlit Forest so you can repair the broken bridge immediately without backtracking.
Repair the Moonweaver camp before fighting the Runebird. Having a fast travel point and respawn here saves significant time.
Mine every Gravemite you see, even extras. Later gates in the Moonlit Forest require Gravestars, and they do not respawn.
Bring extra Slingshot ammo. Running out mid-fight means attempting melee against the Runebird, which is not effective against a flying enemy.
Check behind the waterfall for the Left Ruin Key chest. It is needed later and easy to miss.
Quartz first appears in this zone. Mine as much as you can for the Impulse Pickaxe and future crafting needs.
Explore side paths thoroughly before proceeding. Resource nodes in alcoves and dead ends provide materials you will need for later crafting.