Scadu Altus, a towering plateau deep within the Land of Shadow, is a region of ancient temples, ruined fortresses, and hidden catacombs. Its dungeons are filled with deadly enemies, powerful relics, and lore that unravels the mysteries of Shadow of the Erdtree. This guide covers all the dungeons in Scadu Altus and what to expect inside them. We also have a dedicated Scadu Altus Walkthrough to assist you in your travels.
Scadu Altus Dungeons
- Unique Rewards:
- Serpent Flail
- Arrow’s Soaring Sting Talisman
- Greater Potentate’s Cookbook (3)
- Black Steel Greatshield
Fog Rift Fort clings to the cliffs, a crumbling storehouse brimming with explosives and Messmer’s foot soldiers. The fort’s narrow bridges and ramparts make for a treacherous battlefield, where one well-placed fire arrow can send entire squads up in flames. The soldiers themselves are lightly armored but aggressive, often attacking in groups and using firebombs to maintain pressure. Amid the chaos, a Greater Potentate’s Cookbook (3) lies just past a wooden bridge, while the fort’s lower grounds conceal the Serpent Flail, a unique weapon hidden within a chest.
At the heart of the fort, the relentless Black Knight Garrew emerges from the bastion, a formidable opponent wielding brutal, sweeping strikes. Once he falls, a final treasure awaits: the Arrow’s Soaring Sting Talisman, hidden behind the boss’s chamber atop a secluded tower. Though small, Fog Rift Fort offers both a test of explosive strategy and a few valuable rewards for those willing to brave its burning halls.
- Unique Rewards:
- Helm of Night
- Armor of Night
- Greaves of Night
- Gauntlets of Night
- Shield of Night
- Stalwart Horn Charm +2
- Curseblade Meera Ashes
Bonny Gaol is a sprawling, cage-filled dungeon in Scadu Altus, filled with grotesque Jar Condemned, lurking ambushes, and a network of dark sewers. The gaol is packed with disturbing enemies—Jar Condemned stripped from their vessels, skeletal slimes, and the ever-creepy Living Jars, which lurk among piles of corpses. Though the dungeon’s winding tunnels and hidden threats make for a tense journey, the loot is well worth the effort. Deeper inside, players will find the Stalwart Horn Charm +2, while the gaol’s eerie upper levels hide the Night Armor Set and the Shield of Night.
After braving the gaol’s twisting passageways and a treacherous jar elevator, the final trial is the Curseblade Labirith, a boss that delivers swift, blood-infused strikes but lacks durability. Defeating it rewards the Curseblade Meera Ashes, allowing players to summon this deadly foe as an ally. Though Bonny Gaol is filled with brutal ambushes and unsettling enemies, the high-quality loot and unique enemy encounters make it a rewarding venture for those who can endure its horrors.
Darklight Catacombs is a treacherous, multi-tiered dungeon on the far edges of Scadu Altus, filled with twisting passageways, towering Big Mouth Imps, and an eerie, oppressive darkness. Unlike many other catacombs, the dungeon relies heavily on vertical traversal, with ledges, ladders, and elevators acting as the primary means of progression. The gloom conceals a wealth of rewards, including the Viridian Amber Medallion +3, the imposing Death Knight Set, and multiple high-tier Ghost Gloveworts, all hidden behind well-placed shortcuts and ambushes. Lighting torches throughout the dungeon not only reveals the path forward but also alters the terrain, giving access to previously unreachable areas.
At the lowest depths, players must contend with a massive Big Mouth Imp, which bombards the chamber with devastating fireballs. Once its platform is lowered and the beast is slain, players can claim the Big Mouth Imp Ashes before facing the dungeon’s final trial. The boss, Jori, Elden Inquisitor, though not the most formidable, wields deadly magic and rewards the Barbed Staff-Spear upon defeat. With the dungeon conquered, a passage beyond the boss room opens the way to the Abyssal Woods, making Darklight Catacombs not only a test of endurance but also a crucial gateway to new and dangerous lands.
The Ruined Forge of Starfall Past is a dense, enemy-filled dungeon packed with Smithing Stones and powerful loot. Stone Smiths, Misbegotten, and Fire Blobs make traversal dangerous, while levers and platforming add to the challenge. Key rewards include the Smithscript Spear, Smithscript Cirque, and the Smithing Talisman, with the dungeon culminating at a forge altar where players can claim an 
Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone and the Ancient Meteoric Ore Greatsword. Like the Ruined Forge Lava Intake, it has no boss—just valuable upgrades and relentless foes.
- Unique Rewards:
- Blessing of Marika
- Flamedrake Talisman +3
- Marika’s Rune
- Iris of Occulation (guaranteed enemy drop)
- Messmer Soldier Ashes
- Ash of War: Aspects of the Crucible: Wings (boss drop)
- Battlefield Priest’s Cookbook (2)
The Fort of Reprimand is a compact but layered dungeon that serves as an alternative route into Scadu Altus for those unwilling to face Castle Ensis. While seemingly a standard fort, its dark depths hide rare treasures, including the Flamedrake Talisman +3, Marika’s Rune, and the Iris of Occultation. The upper levels are patrolled by Omen Killers and Messmer Footsoldiers, while its lower sections reveal a grim corpse pit, home to a lurking Omen Killer. Scattered throughout the fort are valuable smithing materials and consumables, making it worth exploring despite the danger.
The dungeon culminates in a battle against Black Knight Edredd, a powerful warrior with golden wings and a relentless attack pattern. Defeating him rewards the Ash of War: Aspect of the Crucible: Wings, a fitting prize for those who conquer the fort’s treacherous depths. Beyond the fight, a climb up the tower leads to the Battlefield Priest’s Cookbook (2), marking the dungeon’s completion.
