---
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.