Gravecrystals and Gravestars
Gravecrystals and Gravestars form the core progression system of the Moonlit Forest in Starsand Island. Throughout the forest, orange-glowing crystalline rocks called Gravecrystals contain trapped spirits known as Gravestars. Freeing these spirits by mining the crystals is required to open the sealed stone doors (called Astral Paths) that block passage between zones. There are 11 Gravecrystals in total, scattered across four major areas of the forest, and collecting each group unlocks the next stage of your journey.
What Are Gravecrystals?
Gravecrystals are special mineral formations found exclusively in the Moonlit Forest. They look similar to Fluorite veins but are distinguished by their orange or reddish glow and a faint smoky aura surrounding them. As you get closer, you can hear a distinct humming sound that grows louder. Earlier versions of the game referred to these as "Gravemites," though the name was later updated to Gravecrystals.
Unlike regular mining nodes, Gravecrystals do not respawn after being broken. Each one is a single-use collectible tied to the forest's progression. You mine them using any pickaxe, and when the crystal shatters, the trapped Gravestar spirit inside floats free. The spirit then travels on its own toward the nearest Astral Path, so you do not need to carry it in your inventory.
What Are Gravestars?
Gravestars are the spirits released from Gravecrystals. Once freed, each Gravestar drifts autonomously along the forest paths toward an Astral Path, which is a sealed stone door with empty star sigils carved into a ring around it. Each empty sigil represents one missing Gravestar. When all the required Gravestars for a particular Astral Path have been freed and return to their slots, the door opens permanently and grants access to the next zone.
In some locations, opening an Astral Path also causes a hidden treasure chest to appear nearby as a bonus reward. These chests contain valuable resources, coins, and occasionally crafting blueprints.
Total Count and Distribution
The Moonlit Forest contains 11 Gravecrystals distributed across four zones. Each zone has its own set of Gravecrystals and a corresponding Astral Path to unlock.
Zone | Gravecrystals | Reward |
|---|---|---|
3 | Opens the Gate of Life; treasure chest at the entrance | |
Crystalith Hideout | 3 | Treasure chest at the purple mushroom base |
Mural Valley | 3 | Treasure chest on the cliffs above the path |
Harvest Yard | 2 | Required to power the waterwheel mechanism |
Zone-by-Zone Locations
Gate of Life Area (3 Gravecrystals)
The Gate of Life is the first major progression checkpoint in the Evernight Forest. Before you can reach all three Gravecrystals in this area, you need to repair the broken bridge near the entrance using 15 Stone. This bridge is essential because the freed spirit from the first Gravecrystal needs a path to cross the gap.
Spirit # | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
1 | By the broken bridge northeast of the camp | Repair the bridge with 15 Stone first so the freed spirit can cross |
2 | Near the Gate of Life camp, uphill from the tent toward the sealed door | Hidden in foliage; look for the orange glow |
3 | On the small cliffs directly south of the Gate of Life, in the far corner | Easy to miss; check the southern edge of the area |
After all three spirits reach the Astral Path, the Gate of Life opens. A treasure chest spawns in front of the gate containing resources and coins. Beyond the gate lies Dreamfall Garden, the next zone in the forest.
Crystalith Hideout (3 Gravecrystals)
The Crystalith Hideout becomes accessible after you defeat the Crystalith boss in Dreamfall Garden. This area features towering purple mushrooms and gold veins. The three Gravecrystals here are spread across the paths leading toward Azure Bay.
Spirit # | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
1 | At the start of the path leading to Azure Bay | Visible along the main trail |
2 | On the opposite side of the same path | Check both sides of the walkway |
3 | Above the giant purple mushrooms to the far left of the hideout | Climb the rocky ledge to reach it |
The spirits converge on an Astral Path near the base of the purple mushrooms. A treasure chest appears there once all three spirits arrive, containing valuable crafting materials and coins.
Mural Valley (3 Gravecrystals)
Mural Valley is accessed after passing through Azure Bay and opening the Bronze Gate. The area features ancient murals painted on the rock walls and a campsite by the river. The three Gravecrystals in this zone are scattered around the camp and the surrounding terrain.
Spirit # | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
1 | By rocks between the camp and the river | Near the water's edge |
2 | Right side of the campsite | Close to the tent area |
3 | Down the far-left path on the map | Requires a short detour from the main route |
The spirits gather at a resting place on the cliffs to the left of the path between Azure Bay and Mural Valley. The treasure chest that appears is perched up on the cliff face rather than at ground level, so look upward. This chest contains high-tier resources useful for late-game crafting.
Harvest Yard (2 Gravecrystals)
The Harvest Yard is one of the later zones in the Moonlit Forest, accessible after defeating the Glintortle boss. Only two Gravecrystals exist here, and one of them is unique because the spirit is trapped inside a bubble near the bridge rather than a standard rock formation.
Spirit # | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
1 | Trapped in a bubble by the bridge | Must be freed from the bubble before it can be mined |
2 | In the clearing next to the Grain Haven camp | Standard Gravecrystal; mine with a pickaxe |
Unlike the other zones, freeing the Harvest Yard spirits does not open a door. Instead, these two Gravestars are required to get the waterwheel mechanism working. The waterwheel also requires additional materials: 5 Primorite, 5 Magnetite, 5 Gold, and 1 Waterwheel Bearing (obtained from Zephyria as part of the Senior Explorer Trial). Once the waterwheel is operational, it grants access to both Grain Haven (above) and Darkwater Shore (below).
Tips for Finding Gravecrystals
Listen for the hum. Gravecrystals emit a sound that gets louder as you approach. If you hear humming while exploring, stop and scan the area carefully.
Look for the orange glow. Fluorite veins glow yellow, while Gravecrystals glow orange or reddish. In the blue-purple environment of the Moonlit Forest, the warm orange stands out once you know what to look for.
Check elevated terrain. Several Gravecrystals sit on ledges, cliff edges, or elevated rocky outcrops rather than at ground level. Look upward and explore any paths that lead to higher ground.
Mine proactively. When you spot a Gravecrystal, mine it immediately. The freed spirit travels on its own, so there is no downside to releasing it early. Waiting just means extra backtracking later.
Repair bridges first. In the Gate of Life area, the freed spirit cannot cross the gap if the bridge is still broken. Always repair the bridge with 15 Stone before mining the first Gravecrystal.
Related Progression Mechanics
Gravecrystals and their Astral Paths are one of several gating mechanics in the Moonlit Forest. Other progression systems include Moonweaver Repair (activating campsites with Fluorite), the Ruins Keys puzzle (opening the Bronze Gate), boss fights that drop key items, and paths blocked by brambles or vines that require special arrow types. Together, these systems create a linear but exploration-heavy dungeon that rewards thorough scouting of each zone before moving forward.
Treasure Chest Rewards
Each group of Gravecrystals unlocks a hidden treasure chest when all spirits in that zone are freed. These chests are separate from the standard treasure chests scattered throughout the Moonlit Forest, and they often contain higher-value loot.
Zone | Chest Location | Notable Contents |
|---|---|---|
Gate of Life | In front of the Gate of Life entrance | Resources, coins, and crafting materials |
Crystalith Hideout | Base of the giant purple mushrooms | Advanced crafting materials and coins |
Mural Valley | On the cliffs between Azure Bay and Mural Valley | High-tier resources for late-game crafting |
Harvest Yard | N/A (spirits power the waterwheel instead) | Access to Grain Haven and Darkwater Shore |
Connection to Boss Encounters
While bosses in the Moonlit Forest are mechanically separate from the Gravecrystal system, they occupy the same zones and often gate access to the next set of Gravecrystals.
Boss | Zone | Relationship to Gravecrystals |
|---|---|---|
Runebird | Gate of Life area | First boss; defeated with slingshot. Drops Runebird Fragment for Apprentice Explorer certification |
Crystalith | Dreamfall Garden | Defeating it opens the path to Crystalith Hideout, where 3 more Gravecrystals wait |
Glintortle | Beyond the Bronze Gate | Defeating it opens Harvest Yard, which contains the final 2 Gravecrystals |
Ruin Guard | Moonlight Meadow | Final boss; no Gravecrystals involved. Leads to the Luna Deer altar |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I carry Gravestars in my inventory?
No. Gravestars are spirits that move on their own once freed. They cannot be picked up, stored, or traded. Simply mine the Gravecrystal and the spirit handles the rest.
Do Gravecrystals respawn?
No. Each Gravecrystal is a one-time collectible. Once mined, it is gone permanently. There are exactly 11 in the entire Moonlit Forest.
What if I mine a Gravecrystal before repairing the bridge?
In the Gate of Life area, the freed spirit may get stuck if the bridge is still broken. Repair the bridge with 15 Stone before mining the first crystal to avoid any issues.
Are Gravecrystals used in any crafting recipes?
No. Gravecrystals serve a purely progression-based function. They are not inventory items and cannot be used for crafting, selling, or trading. Their only purpose is to release Gravestars that open Astral Paths.