There are a total of 12 Ancient Runes to find in Terrinoth: Heroes of Descent, scattered across the world's four major regions. Finding them all is essential for maximizing your character's potential, as each one provides a permanent, passive upgrade. This guide provides a complete, spoiler-free walkthrough for all Ancient Rune locations, ensuring you don't miss a single one on your journey to becoming a legend.
What Are Ancient Runes and Why Do You Need Them?
Ancient Runes are the most valuable collectibles in the game. Unlike gear that you'll eventually replace, the bonuses from these runes are permanent and stack throughout your playthrough and into New Game+. They are divided into three categories, with four runes in each class, providing a balanced suite of powerful enhancements.
- Runes of Power: Directly increase your damage output and critical hit potential.
- Runes of Warding: Bolster your defenses, increasing health, armor, and resistance to status effects.
- Runes of Celerity: Enhance your agility, reducing stamina costs, increasing movement speed, and shortening ability cooldowns.
Collecting all 12 is a significant undertaking, but the payoff is immense. A fully 'runed' character feels dramatically more powerful, turning late-game challenges and boss encounters from struggles into manageable fights. The cumulative effect of these runes is arguably the single largest power spike you can achieve.
| Rune Category | Total Bonus (All 4 Runes) |
|---|---|
| Power | +20% Base Damage, +10% Critical Hit Chance |
| Warding | +25% Max Health, +15% All Damage Resistance |
| Celerity | -20% Stamina Cost for Dodge, +15% Cooldown Reduction |
The Sunken City of Zylos (Runes 1-3)
The first set of runes can be found in the early-game region of Zylos. While accessible early, one requires a bit of puzzle-solving and another is guarded by a tough mini-boss.
Rune of the Depths (Power)
This rune is hidden within the Zylos Aqueduct Control area. You'll enter a large, multi-level chamber with water flowing through channels controlled by four pressure plates. The goal is to divert the water to power up a dormant gate at the far end of the room.
- Activate the northeast plate first (the one near the collapsed statue).
- Next, activate the southwest plate. This will lower a bridge giving you access to the upper level.
- Cross the bridge and activate the northwest plate on the upper walkway.
- Finally, drop down and deactivate the northeast plate you hit first. This sequence solves the Zylos Aqueduct Puzzle and opens the final gate, revealing the rune.
Terrinoth®: Heroes of Descent in-game screenshot
Rune of the Tideguard (Warding)
Found in the Tidal Cave, a small offshoot from the main path just before the entrance to the Zylosian Depths. The cave is guarded by the Tideguard Golem, a formidable mini-boss. The Golem is slow but hits hard and is resistant to physical damage. Use lightning or arcane magic to exploit its weakness. Once defeated, it will drop the Rune of the Tideguard.
Rune of the Swift Current (Celerity)
This is a platforming challenge. In the Flooded Belfry zone, look for a series of partially submerged platforms leading up the inside of the tower. The sequence requires precise timing, as some platforms crumble shortly after you land on them. You'll need the Dash ability. The rune is waiting on a small alcove at the very top of the belfry, overlooking the city.
The Emberwood (Runes 4-6)
The corrupted forests of the Emberwood hide the next trio of runes. These are more about exploration and perception than direct combat.
Rune of the Blazing Heart (Power)
This rune is cleverly hidden behind an illusory wall. In the Whispering Falls area, find the large waterfall north of the collapsed bridge. Most players run past it, but if you have an Insight Potion active or listen closely, you'll hear a faint humming sound. Walk directly through the waterfall to discover a hidden grotto containing the rune on a stone altar. The area is guarded by a few Ashfang Lurkers, so be prepared.
Terrinoth®: Heroes of Descent in-game screenshot
Rune of the Ashen Bark (Warding)
This is the only rune tied directly to a side quest. In the small, hidden encampment of Greywood Refuge, you'll find an NPC named Elara. She will give you the "Ashes and Embers" quest, asking you to retrieve her family's heirloom from a corrupted treant known as the Charred Guardian deep within the forest. Defeat the guardian, retrieve the locket, and return it to Elara. As a reward, she will give you the Rune of the Ashen Bark.
Rune of the Wild Hunt (Celerity)
Acquiring this rune involves a chase sequence. In the Hunter's Path area, you will spot a glowing, spectral stag. As you approach, it will bolt. You must follow it through a specific path without losing sight of it for too long. The stag will lead you over logs, through thickets, and across a stream. If you keep up, it will eventually stop in a clearing and dissipate, leaving the Rune of the Wild Hunt in its place.
The Frostfang Peaks (Runes 7-9)
The frigid and vertical landscape of the Frostfang Peaks holds three runes that test your environmental and puzzle-solving skills.
Rune of the Mountain's Fury (Power)
Located at the summit of the Dragon's Tooth peak. Reaching it requires a long and treacherous climb using specified handholds. The path isn't straightforward; at several points, you must drop down to a lower ledge to find the next part of the route. The rune sits on a small, wind-blasted precipice at the very top, offering a stunning view of the entire region.
Rune of the Unbroken Glacier (Warding)
This rune is locked inside the Glacial Chest within the Frozen Crypt. To open it, you must first find three keys scattered throughout the Frostfang Peaks.
- Key of the Sky-Spire: Dropped by a powerful Harpy Matriarch at the top of a ruined watchtower in the western part of the zone.
- Key of the Frozen Crypt: Found on a corpse inside the crypt itself, near the entrance.
- Key of the Stone-Shearer: Rewarded for completing the pressure-plate floor puzzle in the nearby Dwarven outpost of Stone-Shearer's Rest.
Once you have all three keys, return to the Glacial Chest to claim the rune.
Terrinoth®: Heroes of Descent in-game screenshot
Rune of the Howling Gale (Celerity)
This is a reward for a time trial. In the Windswept Rise, you'll find a glowing Wind Altar. Activating it begins a race. You must use wind currents and your platforming skills to pass through 15 glowing rings before the timer runs out. The path is challenging and requires mastery of the mid-air dash. Succeed, and the rune appears back at the altar.
The Shadowed Citadel (Runes 10-12)
The final three runes are found in the end-game fortress of the Shadowed Citadel, requiring late-game abilities and the courage to face optional, high-level threats.
Rune of the Fallen King (Power)
This rune is located in a secret chamber attached to the main throne room, right before the final boss encounter. In the Throne of Despair, look for a large, cracked banner to the left of the throne itself. Attacking this banner with a heavy weapon will break it, revealing a hidden passage behind. The rune is inside, along with some of the game's most revealing lore texts.
Rune of the Iron Aegis (Warding)
This rune is a drop from the Iron Golem, an optional boss located in the Citadel Armory. The armory is sealed by a gate that requires the Warden's Key, found in the Citadel's prison block. The Iron Golem is one of the toughest fights in the game, with extremely high physical defense and devastating area-of-effect attacks. Corrosion-based damage and perfect-parry timing are essential for this fight.
Rune of the Phantom Step (Celerity)
To get this final rune, you must first acquire the Phase Locket ability from defeating the main story boss of the Shadowed Citadel. With the locket equipped, return to the Citadel Armory. On the lower level, you will see a section of the wall that shimmers with a faint spectral energy. Using the Phase Locket's ability allows you to pass through this wall into a hidden laboratory. The Rune of the Phantom Step is on a pedestal in the center of the room.
Terrinoth®: Heroes of Descent in-game screenshot
Frequently Asked Questions about Ancient Runes
Can you permanently miss any Ancient Runes?
No, all locations are accessible even after you complete the main story. You can backtrack to any region at any time. However, some runes, like the Rune of the Ashen Bark, are tied to side quests that are easier to complete when you are first in the area.
Do Ancient Runes carry over into New Game+?
Yes, absolutely. The bonuses from all 12 Ancient Runes are permanent and will be active from the very beginning of your New Game+ playthrough, giving you a significant advantage.
What is the best order to collect the runes?
For a first playthrough, it's best to collect them as you naturally progress through the regions: Zylos, then Emberwood, Frostfang, and finally the Citadel. Attempting to get late-game runes early is technically possible for skilled players but is extremely difficult due to the high-level enemies and environmental hazards.
Your Ultimate Reward
Collecting all 12 Ancient Runes is more than just a completionist's task; it's a fundamental transformation of your character. The comprehensive boosts to damage, defense, and agility redefine what's possible in combat, unlocking a new level of mastery and preparing you for the toughest challenges Terrinoth has to offer, including the punishing difficulty of New Game+.