Altepa Gate

The 4 activation units in front of the Altepa Gate.

The Altepa Gate is located in Western Altepa Desert at (I-6/7) on the lower level. You cannot drop down to the gate from above.

To open the Altepa Gate, 4 columns must be activated: Emerald Column (D-10), Sapphire Column (F-6), Topaz Column (G-9), and Ruby Column (I-8). Once all 4 columns are activated, the gate will stay open for an extended period (15-30 mins) of time.

For colorblind players, this snapshot of the map is the same orientation of the above screenshot of the Altepa Gate. The arrow on this image shows the position and direction of where the picture above was taken. Underneath of the word North is where the gate itself is at.

All 4 column switches need to be in the "down" position, as shown in the image above on the right, to open the gate. When a switch is hit, it sinks into the pedestal. The column at the Altepa Gate itself also sinks into the ground at the same time. In this below image, Emerald and Ruby are activated.

Inactive vs Active Column

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  This picture shows an inactive switch on the left, and an active switch on the right.

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  Emerald and Ruby columns activated in front of the Altepa Gate.

See below for the directions to each one activation spot. You can activate these in any order. However, it is recommended to activate the Ruby column last, since it is on the way to the Altepa Gate.

Opening the Gate

Note: Completing the quest Open Sesame will allow you to pass by the weighted gates within the caves with the Loadstone Key Item. These gates are doorways to get through Quicksands to the columns you need to activate below.

Emerald Column: (Weighted Gate)

• Home Point #1 to Quicksand Caves. Run southeast and take the first left at the crossroads. Turn right at the next crossroads. Head to (H-4) to zone back out to Western Altepa, and hug the left wall until you reach the column.
  • If you do not yet have the Home Point, enter from Western Altepa Desert (D-12). It is on this same map (Map 5). Walk to the Home Point after zoning in.

Sapphire Column: (Weighted Gate)

• Travel to the (G-5) entrance to Quicksand Caves from Western Altepa Desert. Take the first Ornate Door (weight switch) on the right side, then travel to (D-8) to zone to Western Altepa. Keep right until you reach the column.
  • The closest teleport to this entrance is the Survival Guide to Kuftal Tunnel and then zoning back into Western Altepa Desert.

Topaz Column:

• Enter Quicksand Caves at (J-9) in Western Altepa Desert. At (E-11) go west. Fall down the Sandpit in the far right room (G-7). Proceed forward till you reach the column in Western Altepa Desert.
  • Voidwatch warp to Quicksand Caves puts you at this entrance.
  • Note: You must have started quest VW_Op._101:_Detour_to_Zepwell to be able to use the Quicksand Caves teleport

Ruby Column:

• Enter Quicksand Caves at (J-9) in Western Altepa Desert entrance again and travel north to the hole at (K-6). Drop to (N-4) to zone to Western Altepa and go southwest to find the column.
  • Unity Warp (125) to Western Altepa Desert puts you on the path to the column. You can do a 180 turning around and drop down into the ditch then follow the right wall to it without having to go through the caves.
  • Voidwatch warp to Quicksand Caves puts you at this Quicksand Caves entrance if you do not have the Unity warp.
  • Note: You must have started quest VW_Op._101:_Detour_to_Zepwell to be able to use the Quicksand Caves teleport

Altepa Gate

• From the Ruby Column, take the doorway to right and follow the path out to a square area. Take the northwest doorway and continue along the path north to Altepa Gate.
  • If somebody else opened the gate for you, get to the gate by taking Unity Warp (125) to Western Altepa Desert and follow the right wall in and out of the caves.

If you are behind the Altepa Gate, you can reopen it by touching the targetable location, but it will only stay open for a few seconds.