Gate of Desolation

This article is about a mission. This name is also used for an outpost and a Zaishen mission quest. For the explorable area, see The Sulfurous Wastes.

Gate of Desolation
Campaign	Nightfall
Region	The Desolation
Type	Cooperative
Party size	8
Required hero	Zhed Shadowhoof
Duration	Long
Preceded by	Crossing the Desolation
Followed by	A Deal's a Deal Last of the Breed

This is a lengthy mission where you tame the Junundu to gain the ability to travel the Desolation.

Gate of Desolation has two parts, the first is the taming of the Junundu queen, Queen Aijundu by defeating her and her Undead helpers. The second is traversing the Desolation guided by Palawa Joko safely ensconced in your very own controllable wurm escort.

Mission information

Requirements

• All party members must have accepted the reward for Crossing the Desolation.
• Zhed Shadowhoof must be present in the party.

Objectives

Tame Queen Aijundu and gain control of the junundu wurms.

• ADDED: Defeat Queen Aijundu and her undead minions.
• ADDED: Call forth a junundu so you may ride it through the sulfur.
• ADDED: Guide the junundu to the Remains of Sahlahja.
• *Bonus* Protect the junundu young from the demon hordes.
• You have saved [0...3] of 3 junundu young.

Reward

Normal mode	Young Junundu saved	Rewards
Standard	0	1,000 XP	100	1	30
Expert's	1 - 2	1,500 XP	150	1	30
Master's	3	2,000 XP	200	1	30
Hard mode	Young Junundu saved	Rewards
Standard	0	1,000 XP	200	1	75
Expert's	1 - 2	2,000 XP	300	1	75
Master's	3	3,000 XP	500	1	75

Walkthrough

As you enter the mission Palawa Joko starts to talk and will lead you to a Wurm Spoor to the left of the entrance. The Wurm Spoor is situated in a hole beyond which the yellow Sulfurous Haze begin. To walk in human form on the areas which show as bright yellow on the map means near immediate death. Stay clear.

It is at this Wurm Spoor (1 on the map) that you will tame Queen Aijundu, so set up for the fight. You should stage the fight from the hill over looking the Wurm Spoor which will give you a height advantage and keeps you away from the sulfur. If you are using heroes and henchmen, they should be pinned at the top of the hill at the point furthest from the sulfur and set to defensive mode. For a better idea, when Palawa Joko runs to the Wurm Spoor, he will stop before reaching it, then move to the other side, and then remain in that spot until you tame Aijundu. Flag your heroes and henchmen at the point he stops at before moving to his final position. If there is a minion master in your party, avoid fighting near Palawa Joko, since he will use Well of Darkness on recharge, exploiting the corpses that the minion master could have used; however, if your party doesn't have a minion master, it is recommended to fight near Palawa Joko, so he will create Wells of Darkness that will hinder hexed undead physical attackers and at the same time prevent Awakened Defilers from using those corpses to create Wells of Darkness that will hinder your party.

After a few groups of undead have attacked and been defeated, Queen Aijundu will approach and attack. Once her health has been reduced a bit she will retreat and further undead will attack. There are quite a few bosses who spawn in the undead groups - keep an eye out for them. Aijundu will attack again when all the undead are killed, this time when you've damaged her enough she will allow you to use the wurms to cross the Desolation. Look out for enemies with hard resses: Awakened Acolytes, Awakened Cavaliers and especially the boss Chakeh the Lonely. Left alone these will resurrect fallen enemies on top of the new groups approaching you, which might overwhelm the party. Tip: If you feel your party is overwhelmed with attacking foes try running away from the Wurm Spoor. Not all enemies will follow you all the way to your new destination. This smaller group of enemies will be easier to individually target and take down. This also gives your party a chance to regroup, heal, and target the remaining foes left guarding the Wurm Spoor. Also it's not necessary to fight next to the Wurm Spoor. You can flag your party a fair distance away at the start and simply pull the successive groups of enemies.

The order of appearance of the bosses is as follows: first Chakeh the Lonely (Paragon); second Avah the Crafty (Warrior); third Chundu the Meek (Dervish); fourth and fifth appear together, Nehmak the Unpleasant (Necromancer) and Amind the Bitter (Mesmer).

Click on the Wurm Spoor. This will summon wurms to transport you and the party. You now have control of the wurm and will use Junundu skills rather than those you have equipped on your character. You can now travel on the sulfur areas without dying.

Follow Palawa Joko as he leads you to the Remains of Sahlahja. Along the way you will fight groups of Margonites and Elementals. Margonites are easy to take down in the Desert Wurm disguise, but take care with the Elementals, especially the Sandstorm Crags whose earth damage attacks prove dangerous to the wurms. Mind that both these and Cracked Mesas cannot be knocked down for healing through Junundu Bite nor leave corpses for Junundu Feast. Remember to use Junundu Wail to resurrect fallen party members and heal once a fight is over.

During the journey you will encounter rocky ground which the wurms cannot travel through. You will have to abandon the wurm until you find another Wurm Spoor which will allow you to travel on the sulfur again. By timing your movement, you can avoid the Margonite group nearby and proceed to the next Wurm Spoor. You complete the mission when you reach the Remains of Sahlahja.

Bonus

The bonus is not difficult, but it detours from Joko's direct route in order to rescue 3 Junundu Young. There is no need to exit Junundu to reach them.

Each Junundu Young is surrounded by a group of a half-dozen Margonites. Follow the bonus route on the map and kill each group in turn. As you do, an advice box appears stating that the young has been saved and you can move on to the next objective along the path. You still receive credit for a rescue even if the young dies after you have disposed of the foes that threatened it.

Although the Margonites do not attack the young directly, these wurms can be hurt by area of effect skills, including your own — most notably, the young can be damaged by Junundu Smash. To guarantee the bonus, pull the Margonites away from the young before engaging them in combat.

Bonus without elementals

As the Elementals are tough and dangerous foes, especially for the Desert Wurm (disguise), one may wish to take a safer route around them, while still completing the bonus objective.

After having gained access to the wurm form and having first reached solid ground again, continue west instead of taking the route north. This will bring the party to a second route leading directly to the first (the second for the normal route) Junundu Young. Continuing north after rescuing gets you to the second (the first for the normal route) Junundu Young (remember to stick close to the wall to avoid aggroing more groups of Margonites). After mounting up again, avoid the first Elemental group on the way by sticking close to the north wall and taking the northern passage.

Don't take the first canyon north as it is full of Elementals, instead head for the Margonites to the northeast and save the third Junundu Young, guarded by two groups of Margonites. From there, going north and then west will bring you to one last Wurm Spoor, and from there to the end point where there is only one Elemental group and maybe one Margonite group. Simply use Junundu Tunnel to bypass them and run the last bit to finish the mission.

Skill recommendations

Damage

• Holy damage does double damage to undead.
• Area of effect spells, non-spell skills, and certain enchantment removal skills can help to overcome Obsidian Flesh and Vow of Silence, used by the Carven Effigies and Awakened Dune Carvers respectively.

Support

• Minions created outside the wurms can run through the Sulfurous Haze; however, while in the Desert Wurm disguise, the party will not be able to heal or create new minions.
• Bring plenty of party-wide heals, protective wards, and/or anti-melee and anti-caster skills — the undead at the start can be overwhelming to an unprepared party.
• Comfort Animal/Heal as One or a beast master build, since animal companions each enter a Junundu in this mission (unlike other locations with Wurm Spoors), which results in your party having more than eight Junundu wurms. They deal damage with attacks; however, they will not use Junundu skills and will not be resurrected by Junundu Wail (but will reappear, alive, beside their owner when they leave the Junundu).

Utility

• Rebirth or Sunspear Rebirth Signet for resurrection, since they are more convenient for any party members who die on the sulfur.
• Lightbringer skills are not very useful, since your party will encounter the majority of Margonites while inside the Junundu and the other foes in this mission are not affected by those skills.

NPCs

Allies

Mummy (Undead)

• 24 Palawa Joko

Wurm

• 28 Aijundu

• 24 (26) Junundu Young

Foes

Demons (Margonites)

• 24 (26) Margonite Executioner
• 24 (26) Margonite Bowmaster
• 24 (26) Margonite Cleric
• 24 (26) Margonite Warlock
• 24 (26) Margonite Seer
• 24 (26) Margonite Sorcerer
• 24 (26) Margonite Ascendant
• 24 (26) Margonite Reaper

Elementals

• 24 (26) Shambling Mesa
• 24 (26) Sandstorm Crag

Elementals (Undead)

• 24 (26) Carven Effigy

Mummies (Undead)

• 24 (26) Awakened Blademaster
• 24 (26) Awakened Gray Giant
• 24 (26) Awakened Acolyte
• 24 (26) Awakened Defiler
• 24 (26) Awakened Head
• 24 (26) Awakened Thought Leech
• 24 (26) Awakened Cavalier
• 24 (26) Awakened Dune Carver

Bosses

Mummies (Undead)

• 28 (30) Avah the Crafty → Soldier's Stance
• 28 (30) Nehmak the Unpleasant → Signet of Suffering
• 28 (30) Amind the Bitter → Hex Eater Vortex
• 28 (30) Chakeh the Lonely → Soldier's Fury
• 28 (30) Chundu the Meek → Vow of Silence

Wurm

• 28 (28) Queen Aijundu (Although she has a ranger boss aura, she does not appear to use any ranger skills at all.)

Dialogue

Opening cinematic

Zhed Shadowhoof: "Did you think you could escape us, grave-walker? We could follow your stench across the desert."

Palawa Joko: "You are a natural follower, centaur. Your dead ancestors served as my cavalry."

<Party leader>: "We did not come to trade insults, Palawa. We want to know how to cross the Desolation."

Palawa Joko: "Sorry to disappoint. Only the dead and the demonic can walk the sulfur flats unscathed."

Zhed Shadowhoof: "Let me rip his limbs off. He'll still be able to tell us, afterwards."

Palawa Joko: "You wouldn't dare, mule."

Zhed Shadowhoof: "You're right. Fire is a better way to deal with a lying abomination like you. Someone, fetch me a torch."

<Party leader>: "Don't lie to us, Palawa. The histories speak of mortals at your Bone Palace. How did they get there?"

Palawa Joko: "I did not lie. No mortal can walk the sulfur flats. But there are great wurms who travel beneath those sands."

Palawa Joko: "These can serve as your steeds, but you have to do one thing."

Palawa Joko: "You have to show them you are their master. Otherwise, you are wurm food."

Initial dialogue

Palawa Joko: Before you can master the Desolation, you must first master the beast. Those not up to the task die a painful, horrible death. The great wurm Aijundu waits for you, mortal. Tame the queen or perish in her belly!

Palawa Joko: My tenuous grasp on these desolate sands is weakening. I can show you where to go, but the task of taming the wurm is yours alone.

Zhed Shadowhoof: Be careful. I don't trust that shambling, undead two-legged lord any farther than I could kick him.

<Party leader>: Don't worry, Zhed. We've got your back.

Zhed Shadowhoof: No, human. I will have your back. You lead, I shall follow.

Intermediate dialogue

When reaching the Wurm Spoor.

Palawa Joko: Venture close to the wurm spoor and you will awaken Aijundu. But be sure you are prepared to challenge the queen of the wurms. Once you have awoken her, she will not rest until she is tamed... or you are kicking and screaming inside her gullet.

When Aijundu approaches the first time.

Palawa Joko: You have completed her first challenge, but Aijundu will not yield so easily.

When Aijundu approaches the second time.

Palawa Joko: Aijundu will hold back no longer. The more you disturb her, the fiercer she becomes.

When Aijundu is defeated.

Palawa Joko: Impressive, mortal. Truth be told, few survive the first challenge and none, save myself, survive the second... until now.

Palawa Joko: You are a tamer of the sands. Aijundu has deemed you worthy of riding her kin. Do not abuse this gift, lest you find yourself wurm fodder.

Palawa Joko: Interact with the wurm spoor to become one with the junundu. Your bodies and minds will merge, and traversing these sulfurous sands will be instinctual.

Palawa Joko: Follow me mortal. I will guide you through the sands of desolation. But beware! The armies of Abaddon infest the area.

When reaching rocky ground the first time.

Palawa Joko: Even the junundu have their limitations. Rocky terrain impedes their tunneling. You'll have to separate from the wurm to pass through here.

When reaching the Remains of Sahlahja.

Palawa Joko: We have reached our destination. Beyond this path lies the Remains of Sahlahja.

End cinematic

Palawa Joko: "Well, well, you seem to be more capable than I thought."

Zhed Shadowhoof: "Given your low expectations, that would not be hard."

Palawa Joko: "Easy now, my little plough horse. Now if you don't mind, I will be taking my leave."

Zhed Shadowhoof: "This abomination preyed on my people centuries ago. Let us return him to his tomb."

Palawa Joko: "It took the armies of the Ossa clan to defeat me before. You think your motley band are their equal?"

<Party leader>: "Zhed. Let him go."

Zhed Shadowhoof: "He's dangerous. We should burn him."

<Party leader>: "He gave us what we wanted. We will let him go on his way."

Palawa Joko: "And that is why humans rule and your people are beasts of burden. They think things through."

Zhed Shadowhoof: "We've not seen the last of him. He'll be back, and we'll regret having helped him."

Notes

• When crossing the desolation, Palawa Joko does not need to be with you to complete the mission - you may as well rush forward without his guidance.
• The mission does not progress past the fifth boss, unless you return to Joko, who will say his remaining lines and then you'll become able to use the Wurm Spoor.
  • If Joko is missing, retrace your steps back towards the start of the mission; he may have gone a different way and stopped once you became separated.
• When riding junundu, remember to switch heroes from Avoid Combat to Guard or Fight mode, otherwise they will be ineffective during battle.
• It is fairly easy to die while in a junundu since your team members cannot heal you. The death resets progress toward the Survivor title. Flagging heroes can be done to avoid that.
• Bringing a Signet of Capture overrides one of the Junundu skills. The position of the Signet of Capture on the skill bar will correspond to the Junundu skill that is removed.
• It is not necessary to be inside the junundu to rescue the young. All three of the young are in sandy areas that you can traverse without being in the wurms. Consider dismounting from the junundu and fighting outside the wurms if you prefer to use your build over the Junundu skills.
• You no longer have to keep the young worms alive to get credit for the bonus, just approach them and the bonus note will update.
• After completing this mission, your party will be sent to the Remains of Sahlahja.
• Completion of this mission will fill in page #13 in the Night Falls storybook.

Anomaly.The Junundu Young will travel through the rocky terrain that your party must cross in human form.

Anomaly.If you save all of the young before talking to Aijundu, when you do, it will say you have saved 0 of 3 junundu young, but you will still get the Master's reward when the mission is complete.

---