Ancient Rift Maze Puzzle Solution — All 3 Engraved Stones

LOCATION

Northern edge of Hernand, north of Sage's Peak, south of the "P" in Pailune on the world map. It's a rift carved into a cliffside area with waterfalls and strange rock formations.

OVERVIEW

You need to find 3 contraptions, each guarding an Engraved Stone. Each contraption involves adjusting pillar heights. After collecting all 3 stones, place them in slots to activate the Abyss Cresset.

CONTRAPTION 1: BOTTOM OF THE CANYON (EASIEST)

Location: Near the bottom of the ravine. This contraption has 6 pillars blocking the entrance.

SHORTCUT SOLUTION (SKIP THE PUZZLE)

• From the pillar wall, climb upward
• At the very top, overlooking the pillar doorway, find a hole you can drop into
• Drop down into the hole
• Walk into the glowing side wall and push it open
• Take the Engraved Stone

Once you grab the stone, the pillar door opens automatically.

CONTRAPTION 2: EAST SIDE, HIGHER ELEVATION

Location: East across the river from Contraption 1, at a higher elevation. Has 4 pillars with gems.

SOLUTION

• Use Blinding Flash - Concentrated Light
• Shine it on the 3rd gem → the three right pillars rise simultaneously, door opens
• Enter and take the Engraved Stone

Only one gem needs to be lit — very simple.

CONTRAPTION 3: SOUTH, RIVER BOTTOM

Location: Bottom of the river to the south, right between the two waterfalls. Has 3 pillars with gems.

SOLUTION

Goal: Make all 3 pillars the same height. Think of three height levels: high, medium, low. Target arrangement: medium, low, medium.

Fastest solution: Just shine Concentrated Light on the leftmost gem. All three pillars align and the door opens.

Enter and take the final Engraved Stone.

PLACING THE ENGRAVED STONES

With all 3 Engraved Stones collected:

• Head to the waterfall area in the north of the canyon
• Find the 3 stone slots
• Place all 3 Engraved Stones into the slots
• Abyss Cresset appears → activates as a fast travel point

BONUS: ANCIENT'S HEART CAVE (HIDDEN WATERFALL LOOT)

There's a hidden cave behind a nearby waterfall (Ancient's Heart Cave):

• Find the waterfall
• Use Stab (R1+Triangle / RB+Y) to pass through the water
• Open the treasure chest inside

Chest contents:

• Vaporwalker — unique boots
• Refined Palmar Pill

Don't skip this cave! The Vaporwalker boots are solid equipment.

REWARD SUMMARY

TIPS

• Contraption 1 has a shortcut — skip the pillar puzzle entirely by dropping in from above
• Contraption 2 is simplest — just shine on the 3rd gem
• Contraption 3 fastest solution — just shine the leftmost gem
• Explore top-down to spot all contraptions before solving
• Don't forget to stab through the waterfall for the bonus cave