Ascend the Roof of the World Walkthrough (Grim Dawn: Fangs of Asterkarn)

Ascend the Roof of the World is the second-to-last quest in the Fangs of Asterkarn expansion for Grim Dawn, and it is mostly a long, cold march north. The objective is to cross a glacier into the Aurora Peaks, climb to the Roof of the World, and put down the boss guarding the summit. There are no puzzles to solve here, just a linear trek with a few optional fights along the way.

Quick answer: Start from the second Dread Wastes fast travel rift at Tamarog, the Black Citadel, then head north through Glacier’s Edge, Kamur’s Ridge, Bitter Wind Pass, and Aurora Pinnacle. Reach the Roof of the World, defeat Prodromus, Herald of the End, then speak with Skald Magwyn at the base to complete the quest.

Where the quest starts and what you need to do

Ascend the Roof of the World opens immediately after you finish the Ritual of Cleansing quest. Your goal is the Aurora Peaks and everything above them, so the fastest way in is to travel to the Dread Wastes. Use the second Dread Wastes fast travel rift, which drops you at Tamarog, the Black Citadel.

Order	Objective
1	Cross the glacier into the Aurora Peaks
2	Ascend to the Roof of the World
3	Defeat Prodromus, Herald of the End
4	Speak with Skald Magwyn at the base of the Roof of the World

Route from Tamarog to the Aurora Peaks

The whole climb follows the in-game maps closely. When the world map tells you to go north, the local map generally does too, so keep pushing north whenever you are unsure. Grab every fast travel point you pass, since they make backtracking painless if you need to restock.

Snowy mountain path leading up toward the Aurora Peaks in Grim Dawn — The road out of the Black Citadel runs cold and long (Image: Crate Entertainment)

From Tamarog, the Black Citadel, look to the northeast for the exit that leads to Glacier’s Edge. A short walk northeast brings you to a Cave Entrance. Go inside to load the next area.

Claim the Glacial Grotto fast travel point and head north. If you veer northwest, you can take on Ulderthorm Tempestborn, an optional boss that uses ice strikes and flying ice sparks. The fight is manageable and worth the detour for loot.

Leave that pocket and continue northeast to the next Cave Entrance, which drops you onto a Glacier’s Edge map. Pick up the fast travel here, round the corner, and resume heading north. Taking the western branches keeps you on the main path.

Once the ice starts thawing and green returns, you are near Pilgrim’s Rest. This small area holds undead, including Allue the Thirster, that you can clear for extra experience. Grab the Pilgrim’s Rest fast travel just north of it.

Follow the bridges north and east, cutting through any undead. After a stone bridge, Roc packs appear and the path bends west. Look to the far northeast for another Cave Entrance that leads to Kamur’s Ridge.

Ascend to the Roof of the World

At Kamur’s Ridge the objective updates to Ascend to the Roof of the World. The path stays linear from here, with only small detours east and west, so it is hard to get badly lost.

Push north through Kamur’s Ridge until the cave ends at Bitter Wind Pass, which has its own fast travel point. As you climb the steps the wind picks up. You can trigger a Hero enemy and its allies at the nearby Ancient Voidtouched Totem if you want the fight.

Bitter Wind Pass is short and ends at another Cave Entrance, which brings you to the Aurora Pinnacle. Grab the fast travel point to the south, then head west and then north through the enemy packs.

Watch your bearings near the top. If you reach a Cave Entrance far to the northeast, you have gone too far. Instead, turn southeast to reach the fast travel point, which takes you to Vulgir’s Overlook.

Map marker showing the wrong northeast path and the correct southeast turn near the Roof of the World — Skip the northeast cave and head southeast for the fast travel point (Image: Crate Entertainment)

Fight your way north across the wooden bridges and platforms, drifting north and northeast. When the snow thickens you return to the Aurora Pinnacle, and Chthonian enemy packs are a clear sign you are on the correct path.

Continue through the Chthonian and Kurn enemies until green lights, like the Northern Lights, appear in the sky. At the end of the path you unlock the achievement I’m on Top of the World, and Prodromus, Herald of the End spawns for the boss fight.

How to beat Prodromus, Herald of the End

Prodromus leans heavily on ranged attacks, so the fight is about reading his telegraphs and keeping room to dodge. He sits only about six levels above you, and a build with solid damage will wear him down without much trouble. Bring him down and you earn the Delaying the Inevitable achievement.

Prodromus attack	How to handle it
Sphere of red energy in front of him	Move out of the frontal line before it releases
Portals that fire red energy blasts	Avoid the blast lines across the arena
Summons demons (Void Oppressor)	Clear or ignore the adds while focusing the boss
Slow-moving tracking orb	Keep moving so it cannot catch you
Pair of golden orbs	Sidestep as they are fired
Teleports around the field	Reposition and keep line of sight to resume damage

Completing the quest

After Prodromus falls, walk to the base of the Roof of the World and speak with Skald Magwyn. That conversation is what flips the quest to complete, so do not leave the area straight after the boss. Once the dialogue ends, the final quest of the expansion, Great Beast Beronath, begins, sending you to the last confrontation of Fangs of Asterkarn.