Scadu Altus

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Walkthrough May be incomplete

The area in the order you play it. Tick things off as you go: they tick off in the checklists below too.

1. 1

   Highroad Cross Arrival

   When you exit Castle Ensis after defeating Rellana or ascend the Spiritspring route past the Poison Swamp south of Fort of Reprimand, rest at the Highroad Cross Site of Grace. Speak with Needle Knight Leda and Hornsent by the landmark, and gather the Monk's Missive alongside the "May the Best Win" gesture. Before heading further into the plateau, pick up the Scadutree Fragment resting on the ground by Miquella's Cross.

   Scadutree Fragment: Highroad Cross Site of GraceHow: pick up next to the glowing Miquella's Cross

   Tip: Grab both the gesture and missive immediately so you can challenge Dryleaf Dane later.

2. 2

   The Northern Road and Map Stele

   Follow the primary highway heading north past the soldiers' camp, keeping an eye out for a stone obelisk along the roadside. Inspect the base of this stele to collect Map: Scadu Altus and reveal the plateau's layout. Along the road to the south, you can take on a Ghostflame Dragon battling Messmer troops to secure a Dragon Heart and a Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone.

   Key fight: Ghostflame Dragon
   Map: Scadu Altus: along the main road north from Highroad Cross toward the Shadow KeepHow: pick up from the stone map stele on the side of the road

   Tip: You can let the Messmer soldiers distract the Ghostflame Dragon before moving in to finish it off.

3. 3

   Church of the Crusade

   Head northwest along the cliff edge toward the Church of the Crusade, which is guarded by Messmer soldiers. Step inside to trigger an invasion by Fire Knight Queelign, then defeat him to obtain the Prayer Room Key and the Ash of War: Flame Skewer. If you have slain two Forager Brood pests, Moore can invade north of this church, dropping the Verdigris Armor Set upon his defeat.

   Verdigris Armor Set: North of the Church of the Crusade New

   Tip: Queelign yields both the key and the weapon art upon defeat here if this is his second invasion beaten.

   Watch out: Defeating Moore north of the church ends his presence, though his armor is still obtainable later in Enir-Ilim if you do not face him here.

4. 4

   Fort of Reprimand and the Ruined Forge

   Head toward the southern and southeastern stretches of the region to clear the local strongholds. Enter the Ruined Forge of Starfall Past southwest of Moorth Ruins, pulling the gate levers to reach the altar at the end for the Ancient Meteoric Ore Greatsword. Southeast of this forge, explore the Fort of Reprimand to loot the Flamedrake Talisman +3 from a ground-floor storage chest and defeat Black Knight Edredd on the high ramparts for Ash of War: Aspects of the Crucible: Wings.

   Ash of War: Flame Skewer: Church of the Crusade NewPrayer Room Key: Church of the CrusadeHow: Defeat the invader Fire Knight Queelign New

   Tip: Operate the forge levers methodically to open up the path straight to the final altar.

5. 5

   Moorth Ruins and Dryleaf Dane

   Advance northeast along the main path to reach the Moorth Ruins Site of Grace, where Dryleaf Dane stands silently beside Miquella's Cross. Perform the "May the Best Win" gesture right in front of him to trigger a duel, then strike him down to claim the Dryleaf Arts and Dane's Hat. Take note of the giant sinkhole splitting the ruins, as it leads downward toward the eastern settlements, and head into the ravine north of the ruins if you wish to reach the canyon floor of Rauh Base.

   Key fight: Dryleaf Dane
   Dryleaf Arts: Moorth Ruins Site of Grace, interact with Dryleaf Dane after performing the "May the Best Win" gestureHow: defeat Dryleaf Dane in the duel triggered by the gestureAncient Meteoric Ore Greatsword: Ruined Forge of Starfall PastHow: Looted inside the forge New

   Tip: Performing the "May the Best Win" gesture right before Dane is required to initiate the duel.

6. 6

   Descent to Bonny Village

   Drop into the chasm at Moorth Ruins and navigate the underground passage to emerge into Bonny Village. Walk north/northeast of the village to find a headless statue situated along the cliffside under a tree, and search the corpse before it to receive the "O Mother" Gesture. From here, follow the eastern route over the bridge toward the Cathedral of Manus Metyr and Church District Highroad, where Count Ymir rests on his throne and Swordhand of Night Jolán leans against a pillar.

   Tip: The "O Mother" gesture corpse never disappears, so you can safely collect it at any time.

7. 7

   Shadow Keep Gates and the Shattered Great Rune

   Travel toward the massive outer gates of the Shadow Keep or push past Bonny Village toward eastern Scadu Altus. Crossing these outer boundaries breaks Miquella's charm and Great Rune, which plays an auditory crack accompanied by a screen message. Near the encampment before the front gate of the fortress, confront and destroy the patrolling Furnace Golem to earn the Crimsonburst Dried Tear and a Furnace Visage before stepping through to the keep itself.

   Crimsonburst Dried Tear: Open highwayHow: Destroy the walking Furnace Golem NewBreaking Miquella's Charm: Shadow Keep outer walls or eastern Scadu Altus past Moorth Ruins New"O Mother" Gesture: North of Bonny VillageHow: Pick up from the headless tree-statue New

   Tip: Defeating the Furnace Golem outside the gate yields a tear for your Flask of Wondrous Physick.

   Watch out: Crossing into the approach of the Shadow Keep or past Bonny Village triggers the Great Rune event permanently, altering NPC interactions.

What you decide here and what it leads to.