Altepa Gate

This gate must be opened before the NM involved in the Old Wounds quest can be reached. There are also a few Antican NMs behind this gate. The gate is located at the southwest corner of (I-6) of Western Altepa Desert but is only accessible through Quicksand Caves and can only be opened when 4 columns/switches are activated. Remember, mobs in Quicksand caves will still aggro at 75 so it's a good idea if everybody can Sneak themselves.

 File:W ALTEPA.jpg
 File:Quicksand-caves-6.jpg

### Definitions

Activated definition: All columns must be down (color of column is hidden) for the gate to be open. You can see the status of the columns in the SW corner of (I-6) of Western Altepa. Once activated, columns stay down until the gate is opened. (The gate remains open between 15-30 minutes)
Weight-switch definition: Requires a certain number of characters to stand on the switch for a pressure door to open. (3 Tarutaru, 2 Hume/Elvaan/Mithra, or 1 Galka) Based on your party compositions, the number required is X.

### Emerald Column (green)

Send X party members to (D-12) of Western Altepa. From there, zone into Quicksand Caves and head for (F-7) on the map. On the way, two doors will be encountered that can only be opened by standing on a weight-switch. Once at (F-7) find a hole to drop to a lower level. Once dropped, head to the zone at (H-4) on the map. (This area is off the map, but easy to find: just hug the right wall) Once back in Western Altepa, follow the left wall to find the Emerald Column.

### Sapphire Column (blue)

Send X party members to (G-5) of Western Altepa. Zone into Quicksand Caves and pass through another weight-switch doorway and head for the zone at (D-8) on their map. Once back in Western Altepa, go through the tunnel staying to the right to find the Sapphire Column.

### Topaz Column (yellow)

Send 1 party member (no weight switch is required for this column) into the (J-9) entrance of Quicksand Caves. Upon entering, head to (D-11) to go to a different area of the map. Then go to the farthest room on the right-hand side (G-7) and fall through a whirlpool to a lower level. From there, have them zone to (C-6) to Western Altepa where they can reach and examine the Topaz Column.

### Ruby Column (red)

The Ruby Column is passed on the way to the Altepa Gate. See the instructions below.

### The Altepa Gate

Once the Emerald, Sapphire, and Topaz columns have been activated, gather everyone at (J-9) of Western Altepa and enter Quicksand Caves. Head north to (K-6) and drop through yet another whirlpool. From there, have the entire alliance zone to (N-4) on the map to Western Altepa.

Head southwest through the tunnels and find the Ruby Column located at (I-8). Continue west (and eventually north) through the interconnected tunnels to the Altepa Gate at (I-6). The Altepa Gate looks like a tall set of double doors. Once all 4 columns have been activated, the Altepa Gate will open and stay open for about 15-30 mins.

Note: the Altepa Gate may be opened by someone *behind* the door without the columns being triggered. In this case, the door will only be open for 30 seconds. Certain linkshells will put level 1 mules behind the door for this purpose.