Gate of Life

The Gate of Life is the second major area 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 solve a Gravestar puzzle and then defeat the Runebird, the first elite enemy encounter in the Moonlit Forest.

Location

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 until reaching the large sealed gate.

Gravestar Puzzle

The gate is sealed and requires three Gravestars to open. Gravestars are obtained by mining orange-glowing Gravecrystal rocks scattered around the area using a pickaxe. Each Gravecrystal rock yields one Gravestar when broken.

1. Locate three orange-glowing Gravecrystal rocks in the area around the sealed gate

2. Mine each rock with your pickaxe to collect a Gravestar

3. Place all three Gravestars in the pedestals flanking the gate

4. The gate unseals, opening the path to the Runebird clearing

This puzzle mechanic is repeated at other gates throughout the Moonlit Forest. Later gates may require more Gravestars or a higher-tier pickaxe to mine.

Runebird Encounter

Beyond the gate lies the Runebird clearing. The Runebird is the first elite enemy in the Moonlit Forest 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.

Defeating the Runebird is required for the Apprentice Explorer trial in the Explorer profession. See the full Runebird article for detailed combat strategies.

Resources

The Gate of Life area contains several resource nodes:

• Copper Ore: found in rock deposits along the walls

• Fluorite: the crystal used to repair campsites (5 needed per campsite)

• Gravecrystals: the orange-glowing rocks that yield Gravestars

• Softwood and Hardwood: from wooden debris and fallen logs

• Mushrooms: Mirthshroom, Moondew Shroom, and Sunveil Shroom varieties grow on the forest floor

Campsite

A campsite is located near the Gate of Life. Repairing it costs 5 Fluorite and creates a respawn point. If you die during the Runebird fight or in later zones, you will respawn at the most recently repaired campsite. It is strongly recommended to repair this campsite before engaging the Runebird.

Progression

After defeating the Runebird, the path opens to Dreamfall Garden, the next major zone in the Moonlit Forest. Dreamfall Garden contains the Luminfrog encounter and more advanced puzzles. The full Moonlit Forest zone order is:

1. Evernight Forest (starting area)

2. Gate of Life (Runebird fight)

3. Dreamfall Garden (Luminfrog encounter)

4. Crystalith Hideout (Crystalith boss)

5. Azure Bay (second Luminfrog)

6. Mural Valley (Glintortle boss)

Tips

• Mine every Gravecrystal you see, even extras beyond the three needed. You will need Gravestars for gates deeper in the Moonlit Forest.

• Repair the campsite before fighting the Runebird. The 5 Fluorite cost is well worth the convenience of a nearby respawn point.

• Bring extra slingshot ammo. Running out mid-fight means you either need to retreat or attempt melee, which is not effective against flying enemies.

• Explore the side paths around the gate before proceeding. Resource nodes in these areas provide materials you will need for later crafting.