Dunes of Despair (outpost)

Description
''The barren desert landscape here is broken only by tall, surprisingly urban-like ruins that mark a people's failed attempt at Ascension. Made of wood from the ships that brought them to the desert's shores and bricks made of sand and mud, the structures have withstood the harsh desert weather surprisingly well. The people who built them, unfortunately did not...''

Mission Briefing
From the Ghostly Hero:
 * "Long have I waited under the desert sun for one such as you. Though I am not affected by its rays, it torments me nonetheless. What I wouldn't give for just one more chance to feel its warmth....


 * What is it you seek?"

Tell me what lies ahead.
 * "The test in the Dunes of Despair lies inside the Temple of Ascension."

The Temple of Ascension?
 * "The Temple of Ascension is where the gods focus their gaze when they look down upon Tyria."

Why would the gods gaze upon Tyria?
 * "Mortals are always of interest to the gods. We are their creations, and despite the fact that they left this world, they are still curious about our comings and goings. If the mortals near the temple are worthy of being seen, the gods will gaze down from the Mists upon the Throne of Pellentia. Those standing upon the throne will be judged.


 * Draw the attention of the gods, and withstand the light of their gaze. If you survive, you will be one step closer to Ascending."

How did a temple get in the middle of the desert?
 * "When my people came to the desert in search of Ascension, we built many structures. The Temple of Ascension was one of them. We thought that the higher we built our structures, the closer we would be to the gods. We did not understand what it meant to Ascend. Despite ourselves, we managed to get the attentinon of the gods. But now there is another spirit who controls the throne, and until we take it from him, we will not get the attention of the gods."

What must I do?
 * "Take me to the Temple of Ascension. There we will open the gates and retake the throne from the usurper."

I'm with you.
 * "We draw closer to your Ascension and our journey into the Rift."

Getting there
Exit from either the Amnoon Oasis, Augury Rock, or Heroes' Audience into Prophet's Path and head south into Vulture Drifts. Dunes of Despair is near the center of this area.

Exits

 * Vulture Drifts (east)

NPCs

 * Henchmen (Level 17):
 * Little Thom (Brawler)
 * Stefan (Fighter)
 * Reyna (Archer)
 * Alesia (Healer)
 * Lina (Protector)
 * Claude (Cultist)
 * Dunham (Enchanter)
 * Orion (Mage)
 * Merchants and Traders:
 * Halden (Merchant)
 * Storage:
 * Xunlai Agent (Storage)
 * Various:
 * Ghostly Hero