7.) The Sacred Sigils - Part 1: The Ancient Stronghold

Hidden somewhere in the depths of Renatus is an ancient stronghold of a former civilization. Deep within it is rumored that a vault containing vast treasure awaits those intrepid enough to find it. Only an ancient gate bound with incredible arcane power keep away those who would seek it. It is said that there are sigils secreted through out Renatus, found in the darkest recesses, the loftiest peaks, and the murkiest of depths, that match sigils inscribed on the gate. When the sigils are touched in a specific order, the gate will open and reveal the treasure. But the order of their discovery is not necessarily the order in which they must be activated. The legend says there also exists somewhere in the world a key that will tell in which order the sigils must be activated. What form this key takes is unknown; is it a picture? A sign? A song? A riddle? None know, as the secret has stayed buried for all these years.

The first step is to find the stronghold itself. The only clue is an ancient riddle discovered in a cave deep beneath Renatus:

"In the ancient days of war and strife,
our fathers built a fortress strong,
to shelter those not long in life,
when promised life was not so long.

The door stood sheltered from the storm,
cloaked in night through all the day,
cradled between sands always warm,
and frigid grounds where snow shall stay.

The door stands clear of any city border,
not in the sunshine, but air abounds,
not underwater, but under water,
not underground, but under ground.

This fortress stood for many years,
through war and peace, through night and day,
until our fathers' darkest fears
came to life and chaos swept them away."

Spoiler: