Enshrouded’s 1.0 release introduced Cinder’s Cradle, the northern region beyond the Veilwater Basin gates. Getting there takes two things: Flame Level 10, to survive the Shroud in the lava approach, and an overland trip north from Starfish Shores. The only component needed for the Flame upgrade is the Broken Guard of the North Crown, located inside Vorgoth’s Castle.
Quick answer: Grab the Broken Guard of the North Crown from the throne room in Cromville, feed it plus the other materials into a Flame Altar to reach Flame Level 10, then follow the road north from Starfish Shores through the Ancient Gate into Cinder’s Cradle.
What Flame Level 10 gives you
Strengthening the Flame from Level 9 to Level 10 raises your Shroud Removal to Level 10, which is what lets you survive the deadly Shroud on the path to Cinder’s Cradle. It also bumps several base-wide limits.
| Stat | Level 9 | Level 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Shroud Removal | 9 | 10 |
| Altar activation capacity | 11 | 12 |
| Character attribute bonuses | +9 | +10 |
| Time in the Shroud | 16 min | 17 min |
This is the upgrade that opens the way into the new biome. A later Flame Level, unlocked after beating the final threat, raises the Flame Altar cap to 16 and lets altars push the Shroud back further.
Flame Level 10 material requirements
Open the Flame Altar menu and select the option to strengthen the flame. The upgrade asks for the following, with 16 assigned Survivors as the population gate.
| Material | Amount | Where to get it |
|---|---|---|
| Broken Guard of the North Crown | 1 | Veilwater Basin (Cromville) |
| Spark | 60 | Flame Shrines and Sanctuaries |
| Gleam Root Dust | 15 | Mined |
| Piscine Ivory Dust | 10 | Mined |
| Drak Blood | 30 | Veilwater Basin enemies |
| Shroud Sludge | 10 | Alchemist |
| Daylilies | 30 | Veilwater Basin |
Where to find the Broken Guard of the North Crown
The Crown sits on the throne statue inside the Cromville Throne Room, in Vorgoth’s Castle in the northern part of the Veilwater Basin. The main gates are locked, so the route goes up and around the ramparts rather than straight through the front.
Two extras inside Cromville Castle
Guard of the North Sword
The castle hides a legendary two-handed greatsword, the Guard of the North Sword. Hitting the hidden glowing switches on the upper balconies opens the gates to the kitchens, where the weapon is stored. It is a Level 50 Legendary with 152.4 damage, 127 cutting, and 205 parry power.
Shroud Lair and Shroud Root
A Shroud Root lies in the Shroud Lair beneath the castle. To reach the lair, use the stairwell to the throne room’s right; it is locked by a switch and descends past the lower balconies.
The route to Cinder’s Cradle from Starfish Shores
With Flame Level 10 active, travel to the Starfish Shores area and head for the Ancient Gate. The run crosses open lava, so you want upgraded gear and good food before you set off.
The Battlegrounds past the Ancient Gate carry a high Shroud level. Without Shroud Level 9 or higher, the Shroud damage there kills you very quickly.
Reaching the Sky Islands above Cinder’s Cradle
Cinder’s Cradle is divided into two levels: you arrive in the lava wasteland below, with the floating Ancient islands overhead. To reach the upper area, finish Activating the Gate to the Stars by clearing every one of the 6 Beacon Dungeons spread throughout the biome. Your quest tracker displays your count, beginning at 1/6.
How to confirm it worked
You know the Flame upgrade succeeded when the altar reads Flame Level 10 and Shroud Removal Level 10, and your active altar cap moves to 12. You know you have reached the biome when you can walk the Battlegrounds without taking rapid lethal Shroud damage and the main plaza of Cinder’s Cradle loads in around you. From there, the Beacon Dungeon count in the Activating the Gate to the Stars quest tells you how much of the Sky Islands access remains.
