The Wildwarden's Gate
Category: medium
Prerequisites: complete edge_of_the_map
The Vale Gate
The trail past the Uncharted Reach drops into a green, hidden vale. A weathered gate of living wood bars the way, and a hand-painted sign reads: 'WILDWARDEN'S VALE — MEND THE GATE, EARN A WELCOME.' Cut a few maple staves to patch the broken slats.
Objectives:
- CHOP: Maple Logs ×60
Rewards:
- ✨ 20,000
Woodcutting XP - 1,500 gp
A Gift With Teeth
The old Wildwarden looks you over from the gate. "You mended my fence without being asked. Good." She whistles, and a fat beaver waddles out. "This is Timber. Catch a string of swordfish — beasts bond over a shared meal — and I'll start teaching you to raise him." You can raise PETS now. Keep questing and Timber's bonding-shards will add up until he's ready.
Objectives:
- CATCH: raw_swordfish ×90
Rewards:
- Unlock skill:
Pets - ✨ 40,000
Fishing XP - 🧩 3 pet shards (pet_woodcutting)
- 3,000 gp
Stakes for the Pens
Bram, the Wildwarden's apprentice, jogs up. "The menagerie pens are half-collapsed. We need yew posts — strong stuff, the boars lean on them." Fell a stack; Timber gnaws the bark off as fast as you cut, earning a little more trust.
Objectives:
- CHOP: Yew Logs ×130
Rewards:
- ✨ 60,000 Woodcutting XP
- 🧩 3 pet shards (pet_woodcutting)
- 3,000 gp
Forge-Coal for the Warden
"The vale forge keeps the pen hinges and collar-clasps in repair," the Wildwarden says. "Chip me a load of coal from the ridge seam." Timber tags along, hauling pebbles in his cheeks.
Objectives:
- MINE: Coal Ore ×120
Rewards:
- ✨ 6,500
Mining XP - 🧩 3 pet shards (pet_woodcutting)
- 3,000 gp
A Shared Meal
"A pet bonds at the water's edge," the Wildwarden says. "Take Timber to the deep pools and bring back a haul — nothing earns a beaver's heart like a full belly."
Objectives:
- CATCH: raw_swordfish ×110
Rewards:
- ✨ 62,000 Fishing XP
- 🧩 3 pet shards (pet_woodcutting)
- 3,500 gp
The Poacher's Mark
Bram lowers his voice. "A poacher's been sniffing the vale — works the old mine as cover. Lighten his pockets and we'll know who sent him."
Objectives:
- THIEVE: miner ×130
Rewards:
- ✨ 8,000
Thieving XP - 🧩 3 pet shards (pet_woodcutting)
- 4,000 gp
Bedding for the Pens
"Maple shavings make the warmest bedding — the young pups burrow right in." Cut down a good stand and Bram will plane them soft.
Objectives:
- CHOP: Maple Logs ×140
Rewards:
- ✨ 55,000 Woodcutting XP
- 🧩 3 pet shards (pet_woodcutting)
- 4,000 gp
Black Iron for Collars
The Wildwarden hammers a fresh collar-clasp at the forge. "One more load of coal — and that's the last of what Timber needs to trust you completely." With this, his bonding-shards are complete.
Objectives:
- MINE: Coal Ore ×140
Rewards:
- ✨ 7,000 Mining XP
- 🧩 2 pet shards (pet_woodcutting)
- 4,000 gp
Feeding Timber
"He's ready — you've earned every bit of his trust." The Wildwarden opens the Pets panel for you. "Spend his shards to bond with him, then send him on missions. A pet isn't a tool, it's a partner. Raise Timber to level 3."
Objectives:
- LEVEL:
Rewards:
- 4,500 gp
- 💎 24 gems
The Gate, Properly
"That patch job will do for a stranger. You're not a stranger now." Rebuild the vale gate true, in seasoned yew — Timber dragging the offcuts to his den.
Objectives:
- CHOP: Yew Logs ×150
Rewards:
- ✨ 65,000 Woodcutting XP
- 4,500 gp
Coming Of Age
"He's getting steady on his feet," the Wildwarden notes, watching Timber drag a branch twice his size. "Keep working him. A bonded beast grows faster than a wild one." Raise Timber to level 5.
Objectives:
- LEVEL:
Rewards:
- 5,000 gp
- 💎 26 gems
The Welcome Feast
"Every newcomer the vale keeps gets a feast on their first full moon. Bring the river's best." Land a great haul of swordfish for the table.
Objectives:
- CATCH: raw_swordfish ×150
Rewards:
- ✨ 70,000 Fishing XP
- 5,000 gp
The Poacher's Master
Bram comes back grim. "The poacher answers to a fence in the mining camp — buys vale-beasts and sells the pelts. Pick him clean; what he's holding will name his buyers."
Objectives:
- THIEVE: miner ×150
Rewards:
- ✨ 9,000 Thieving XP
- 5,000 gp
A Steady Hand
"You and Timber move like one creature now," the Wildwarden says, almost smiling. "Push him a little further." Raise Timber to level 6.
Objectives:
- LEVEL:
Rewards:
- 5,500 gp
- 💎 28 gems
Banking the Forge
"One last load — a vale forge never goes cold, not with this many beasts to mend gear for." Fill the coal store before the feast.
Objectives:
- MINE: Coal Ore ×150
Rewards:
- ✨ 8,000 Mining XP
- 5,500 gp
Warden of the Vale
The Wildwarden sets a carved-wood token in your palm at the rebuilt gate, Timber asleep against your boot. "You raise a beast like you mean it. The vale's yours to walk now — and the menagerie's yours to restore." Cut the last maple for the welcome bonfire and take your place.
Objectives:
- CHOP: Maple Logs ×160
Rewards:
- ✨ 75,000 Woodcutting XP
- 6,000 gp
- 💎 30 gems