The Codex
Exploration as story: 38 real places to discover, four Chronicler's Notes and the truth of the Shadowfall.
The Codex
"Tamsin Quill mapped Arcadia before the Shadowfall and has never stopped. Her Codex records every ruin, tower and wonder she could reach, and every one she could not."
The Codex chapter (Shadowfall group) turns exploration into story. Each entry asks you to discover a real place. When you do, the page writes itself and pays you.
Read The Lore of Arcadia to see where it all leads.
How it works
- Every entry needs you to discover a real structure in the world.
- Entries pay 25 to 40 silver and XP.
- Entries near the bottom of each column are optional.
- The first four entries of a column unlock its Chronicler's Note.
- The four Notes unlock The Truth of the Shadowfall.
- Use the Explorer's Compass for structures, and mark everything on your map.
The four columns
A: The Old Kingdoms
The bones of the Concord.
Bandit Towers · Illager Fort · Keep Kayra · Shiraz Palace · Plague Asylum · Bathhouse · Monasteries · Lighthouse
B: Wild Wonders
What the wild made of the Concord's ruins.
Giant Mushroom · Mushroom Village · Thornborn Towers · Ceryneian Hind · Aviary · Typhon · Fishing Hut · Wishing Well
C: Machines and Miracles
The Concord's engineers were not shy.
Foundry · Mechanical Nest · Mining System · Scorched Mines · Small Blimp · Infested Temple · Abandoned Temple · Coliseum
D: The Deep Roads
Places the Cataclysm and the vanilla world made.
Burning Arena · Ruined Citadel · Ancient Factory · Frosted Prison · Acropolis · Trial Chambers · Woodland Mansion · End City
Chronicler's Notes
Each Note is written by a different character and gives a permanent perk.
| Note | Written by | Reward |
|---|---|---|
| The Old Kingdoms | Tamsin Quill | +2 max health, Gathering skill, gold |
| The Wild | Sister Alenne | +1 Luck, Farming skill, gold |
| Machines | Brannoch Ironvein | +3% movement speed, Building skill, gold |
| The Deep Roads | Veyra Ashe | +5% attack damage, Attack skill, gold |
The Truth of the Shadowfall
Finish all four Notes and Tamsin lays the final page on the table without a word.
Reward: a crystal coin, 15 gold, 10 XP levels, Magic and Gathering skill levels, and two Legendary Ink.
Spoiler: what the page says
"I did not break the Crown out of despair. I broke it because something had learned how to wear it. I split the Seals so that no single hand could hold the Crown, and I left a Reflection behind to test whoever came next."
"If you are reading this, you are already the heir. Do not trust the Reflection. Do not fear it either. It is only me, waiting."
The Shadowfall was never an invasion. It was a hiding place.
Tips
- Many entries are rare structures. Do not hunt one at a time; explore and check them off as you go.
- Bring supplies. Some ruins have guardians.
- Optional entries are the ones nearest the bottom. Skip them if they are far.
- Waystones make return trips easy.