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Locations/Ashpeak Caldera.md

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+---
+type: location
+region: "Northern Valdris highlands"
+danger: High
+---
+
+# Ashpeak Caldera
+
+## Overview
+
+A dormant volcano in the northern Valdrian highlands. The caldera is the surface-side entrance to the [[Gate of Stone]], the planar portal to the Elemental Plane of Earth and the [[Heart of the Mountain]].
+
+## Environment
+
+- Thin, sulfurous air — DC 12 CON save every hour or gain 1 level of exhaustion
+- Geothermal vents that deal 2d6 fire damage to creatures ending their turn within 5 feet
+- Ash fields that count as difficult terrain
+- The caldera floor is 2 miles across; the Gate of Stone is at the center
+
+## The Gate of Stone
+
+A massive stone archway 30 feet tall, carved with First Sage runes and flanked by two obsidian pillars. The gate is dormant until activated by a Dragon Lord's presence or a DC 20 Arcana check (requires knowledge of the gate's activation sequence). When active, the archway fills with swirling gray light that solidifies into a stone bridge — walk across it to enter the Plane of Earth.
+
+## Guardian: The Stonewarden
+
+An ancient earth elemental myrmidon (CR 14) bound to the gate by the First Sages. It tests those who seek passage with three trials (Strength, Wisdom, Sacrifice). See [[Arc 3 - Heart of the Mountain#Hook 9: The Obsidian Path|Arc 3, Hook 9]].
+
+## Encounters
+
+| Encounter | CR |
+|-----------|-----|
+| Magma mephits (1d4+2) | 2-4 |
+| Fire newts (2d4) | 3 |
+| Young magma dragon (patrol) | 10 |
+| Stonewarden (if attacked) | 14 |
+
+## Access
+
+[[Khalyraxis, the Verdant Wing]] knows the way. The journey from [[Valhold]] to the caldera takes 5 days by horse through increasingly volcanic terrain.