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The '''starting zone''' for a new character is based on the choosen combination of [[race]] and [[class]], according to a set order. For example, while [[Cornac]]s normally begin the game at the [[Trollmire]], a human [[Archmage]] will start in [[Angolwen]] instead, since this class takes precedence in the zone order.

This is worth paying some attention to because some [[artifact]]s can only be found in specific places and a number of [[unlockables]] require access to certain areas, but some zones are only accessible for characters that start in them and that can be bypassed by elements of the build.{{ref|a}}

==Starting Zone Hierarchy==

What follows is a list of the starting zones in the game, including those introduced by the ''[[Ashes of Urh'Rok|Ashes of Urh’Rok]]'' & ''[[Forbidden Cults]]'' DLCs,{{ref|b}} organized by order precedence—a character falling under two categories will start the game in the zone listed higher in the list.

Short descriptions are provided, but the reader is advised to read the main article for each zone and check out the guides linked at the end.{{ref|c}}

===Special Start===

This section lists the special starting zones: some can only be accessed by those who start in them, others offer quests unique to those characters or can only be accessed later in the game—[[#Krog|the Ruins of Kor’Pul]] being the only exception.

====Undead (Ghoul and Skeleton)====

{{Main|Blighted Ruins}}

Undead characters ([[Ghoul]]s and [[Skeleton]]s) of any class start the game at the level 3 of the Blighted Ruins and must climb up to the first level, where a boss waits. The fight is optional: you can exit straight to the worldmap and skip it altogether, but bear in mind that the ruins cannot be accessed again once you leave (even if you defeated the boss).

====Drem====

{{Main|Kroshkkur, the Hidden Sanctuary}}

[[Drem]] characters of any class begin at the Hidden Sanctuary of Kroshkkur, a special city that can only be accessed by those who start there. In the beginning, the sanctuary is about to be destroyed and you must choose between abandoning it to its fate or  saving it, by defeating the boss of [[The Maggot]] (a dungeon only reachable from Kroshkkur), after which you will be able to visit it at any point of the game.

====Krog====

{{Main|Ruins of Kor'Pul}}

[[Krog]] characters of any class start at the Ruins of Kor’Pul. Choosing this race is thus a way to skip special zones in the beginning, supposing you can find a reason to do so—perhaps in order to make the game more challenging, considering that the extra experience from those additional zones is meant as a boost to classes that would otherwise have a rough early game.

====Demonic (Doomelf, Doombringer, Demonologist)====

{{Main|Searing Halls}}

[[Doomelf|Doomelves]] of any class, and both [[Doombringer]]s & [[Demonologist]]s of any race not yet mentioned, start at the Searing Halls, a dungeon in outer space, orbiting Eyal. Defeating the boss will create a portal leading to the level 2 of a random [[Tier#Zones|T1 dungeon]] and, depending on where you end, it is advisable to use the Rod of Recall to escape as soon as you get there.

====Demented (Cultist of Entropy & Writhing One)====

Just like the Drems, characters of the [[Demented (Metaclass)|demented metaclass]] ([[Cultist of Entropy|Cultists of Entropy]] and [[Writhing One|Writhing Ones]]) of any other race not mentioned above will start at Kroshkkur. The start being the exact same, everything in the Drems’ section [[#Drem|above]] also apply to them.

====Dwarf====

{{Main|Escape from Reknor}}

[[Dwarf|Dwarves]] of any class not mentioned above start in the middle of a quest, fighting to [[Escape from Reknor]] along with their squadmate Norgan—and as with the undead start, the boss of the zone can be skipped, although it is possible to go back and fight him later. After that, they arrive at the [[Iron Council]], a special town that can only be accessed by dwarves.

====Yeek====

{{Main|Irkkk}}

[[Yeek]]s of any class not yet mentioned start at the town of [[Irkkk]], in the Island of Rel, and must finish two dungeons—the [[Ritch Tunnels]] and [[Murgol's Lair|Murgol’s Lair]], inacessible to other characters—before they can reach the mainland.

====Celestial (Anorithil & Sun Paladin)====

{{Main|Gates of Morning}}

Characters belonging to the [[Celestial (Metaclass)|celestial metaclass]], [[Anorithil]] and [[Sun Paladin]]s, provided they do not belong to the races mentioned above, will start at the Gates of Morning. The boss will take the fight to the level 2 of a random T1 dungeon. Depending on where you end, it is advisable to use the Rod of Recall to escape the zone as soon as the boss is defeated.

====Archmage====

{{Main|Angolwen}}

[[Archmage]]s of any race not mentioned above will start at Angolwen and be offered an optional quest—not obtainable any other way. Should they accept, they will be taken to a dungeon in outer space where they will have to use cast [[Phase door (talent)|phase door]] in order to move around. Being an optional area, monsters there can be [[Rank|rare+]] and the zone is a hard zone on [[Difficulty|Insane+]].

====Chronomancers (Paradox Mages & Temporal Wardens)====

{{Main|Point Zero}}

[[Chronomancer (Metaclass)|Chronomancers]] ([[Paradox Mage]]s & [[Temporal Warden]]s) of any race not mentioned above start at Point Zero and will be offered an optional quest—not obtainable any other way. Should they accept, they will be taken to a dungeon filled with temporal spiders. Being an optional area, monsters there can be [[Rank|rare+]] and the zone is a very hard zone on [[Difficulty|Insane+]].

===Standard Start===

Characters whose build do not belong to any of the categories above will start at one of the following zones instead, the only consideration being their race.

====Ogre & Shalore====

{{Main|Scintillating Caves}}

[[Ogre]]s and [[Shalore|Shaloren]] of any class not listed above start at the Scintillating Caves. Being a default zone, they can leave and come back at any time.

====Thalore====

{{Main|Norgos' Lair}}

[[Thalore|Thaloren]] of any class not listed above start at Norgos’ Lair. Being a default zone, they can leave and come back at any time.

====Humans & Halflings====

{{Main|Trollmire}}

[[Human]]s ([[Cornac]] & [[Higher]]) and [[Halfling]]s of any class not listed above start at Trollmire. Being a default zone, they can leave and come back at any time.

==Notes==

:1.{{note|a}} For example, since the [[Iron Council]], being the special zone for dwarves, has precedence over the chronomancers’ start, a Dwarf Temporal Warden will never be able to access [[Point Zero]].

:2.{{note|b}} Starting zones in the [[Embers of Rage|''Embers of Rage'' DLC]] do not require much elaboration: [[Orc]]s start at [[Kruk Pride]] while [[Kruk Yeti|Yeti]]s and [[Whitehoof|Whitehoove]]s start at the [[Vaporous Emporium]], independently of their classes.

:3.{{note|c}} Cathbald’s guide, in particular, is rather detailed and was the source of most of the information in this article.

[[Category: Starting Zones]]
[[Category: Zones]]

==See Also==

* [[Recommended Zone Order Progression]]

* [[Zone]]

==External Links==

* [http://forums.te4.org/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=48660 Cathbald’s Guide to Zones & Zone Order]

* [https://i.ibb.co/L67j1Hm/Maj-039-Eyal-all-zones-cults.jpg Map of Maj’Eyal]