This guide is part of a series looking in detail at each of the vaults currently available. You can find links to the other guides here:
https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3465679303
The guide is written from the perspective of a ranger character.

To reiterate what the Wise Old Man said after our visit to the Whispering Swamp, it is highly recommended to spend some time leveling up before attempting this and all subsequent vaults. The reason is simple - the Fractured Plains is a level 3 area and the enemies here do not mess about and can quite easily one-shot you. Check your inventory screen for the number beside your armor. If it's less than 3 then save yourself a lot of heartache and go level up.

• Upgrade the axe and pickaxe to their bronze versions and go farm some oak, copper ore and tin ore.
  
• Make the new crafting stations and the upgraded gear - specifically hard leather armor for rangers and bronze plate for melee types. Upgrade your weapons to their bronze or oak versions too.

When you see a '3' beside your armor you're ready to tackle the Fractured Plains.




Make your way up the side of the mountain, using the Windstep spell.


Take out any enemies at the top and remove the rocks.


DO NOT rush into the cavern as on either side out of sight are puffer plants that explode when you get too close. Given the tight squeeze, if you rush in they'll explode and it's likely you'll die.


Instead move your camera around and target them from safety. Once hit they'll puff up and explode, so again keep your distance. Head into the vault once both puffer plants have been destroyed.


Inside you'll find a square room and a couple of rats in a hallway which opens into an awkwardly shaped room with 3 enemies - 2 Hulks and a Sentinel.


You'll likely aggro more than one at a time, so pull them back into the first room to fight. You'll need to conserve stamina and dodge roll away from danger, taking your shots only when it's safe to do so. If you pull a Hulk and Sentinel focus your efforts on the Sentinel.

Fortunately the room is beside the vault's entrance so if you get overwhelmed exit and let them reset. The enemies will go back to full health when you leave the vault, so factor that into your decision to leave the vault.

To the right of the room with the enemies is a chest and some sandstone and rune essence nodes. The way forward has a series of traps, which look a lot worse then they actually are.





Beyond the floor trap directly ahead is a small alcove with a Dragonkin Effigy. Commune with it to learn the Paladin's Platebody recipe.





Up the stairs are more plate traps and the path splits in two. Straight ahead is a low barrier you can sneak under and to the left is a large room with multiple enemies across two levels.



Straight
Beyond the barrier is a wall trap, some dwellberries and a copper node.

Left
In the room to your left are several enemies. Aggro them all and run back the way you came, down the stairs to safety between the plate traps. The enemies will agro and chase you, taking damage each time the plate trap hits them. They'll almost be dead by the time they get to you, so it will be easy to finish them off.



At the end of the room is another Dragon Effify and this time you'll learn the Paladin's Helm recipe.





Grab the chest and head upstairs where you'll find a second chest and a Vault Core.



Through the door is a 'T' intersection. On the right is a tin node, to the left is a wall trap. Beyond that the path takes you left, but turn around and to your right behind you is a chest. The path leads to a large room with several platform you'll need to navigate. Ahead are 2 Sentinels. On the ground are some rats and rune essence nodes and copper nodes.



Jump across the platforms to the right and you'll come to a third Dragonkin Effigy which has a floor trap in front of it. Fortunately there is enough space to stand in front of the Effigy without getting injured by the spikes. The recipe for Paladin Platelegs is what you'll learn.





Together, the set provides a number of bonuses.



Up on a third floor to the left is another Vault Core. Jump up to it using the Windstep spell.



Just to its left is a wall trap and beyond that are a couple of tin nodes. The path leads to the lever just past a double trap of floor and wall spikes.



The boss chamber includes multiple enemies. The first two you see are an Aurchon and a Sentinel. There are also 3 Hulks and a rat in the room.




Loot the room afterwards and you'll find a third Vault Core, a chest and one more Dragonkin Effigy. This time you'll learn the Wild Scout's Shortbow recipe.







Good job, well done. You've earnt a cold beverage!

Up next is the Bloodblight Swamp vault. Find out more about it here:
https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3466294170