The Forge of Souls in Sunless Skies is a haunting, mysterious destination that beckons captains seeking forbidden knowledge, esoteric lore, and echoes of the old heavens. Unlike other ports scattered throughout the High Wilderness, the Forge of Souls is wrapped in eerie silence, thick atmosphere, and a lingering dread that seems to bleed through every layer of its iron walls. Many who dare to travel there are driven by ambition, obsession, or a desperate need to uncover secrets better left buried. Reaching this place is a feat in itself, but surviving its influence is an entirely different matter. The Forge represents a pinnacle of both storytelling and challenge, offering players a deeper look into the mythos of Sunless Skies and the cost of meddling with soul-forging technologies.
Location and Access
The Forge of Souls is found within the region of Eleutheria, one of the darkest and most dangerous areas in Sunless Skies. Eleutheria is already known for its psychological hazards and cryptic environments, but the Forge itself stands out as an even stranger anomaly in this already surreal place. Gaining access to it is not immediate you’ll need to progress through certain storylines and make meaningful choices along your journey to earn the right to dock there.
Requirements for Entry
- You must have access to Eleutheria by advancing your captain’s narrative or fulfilling objectives related to the game’s core factions.
- Approaching the Forge of Souls may trigger unique encounters or dialogue options based on your past decisions and affiliations.
- Some storylines involving the Forge are only available through specific ambition paths such as The Martyr-King’s Cup or the Truth ambition.
The journey to the Forge is not without peril. Your locomotive will pass through zones filled with Judgements’ eggs, twisted remnants of old gods, and deranged locomotives that no longer serve any rational cause. Supplies, crew sanity, and terror must all be managed carefully to avoid disaster before even reaching the Forge itself.
Design and Atmosphere
The Forge of Souls is more than just a port it is a living story in metal, ash, and memories. Its appearance is stark and industrial, built of ancient celestial steel and etched with symbols from the Age of Miracles. When you arrive, everything feels still, yet something stirs below the surface. The ambiance, music, and lighting all contribute to a sense of overwhelming presence.
Visual Cues and Themes
- Dark crimson lighting and shadows that seem to move when you’re not looking.
- Echoes of voices long dead that occasionally reach the crew’s ears.
- A central forge pit that glows faintly with unnatural light, believed to be a fragment of a fallen Judgement’s heart.
The Forge represents one of the few places in the game where technology and the divine merge into something indistinguishable. It’s not just a machine it is an altar of transformation, consumption, and rebirth, where human intent fuses with lost cosmic power.
Activities and Storylines
Once inside the Forge of Souls, players can engage in multiple narrative arcs depending on their ambition, background, and previous choices. Each activity feels unique and often presents long-term consequences for your captain, crew, and the world at large.
Key Interactions
- The Soul-Forging Process: A sequence where your captain may offer items, memories, or even crew members to the Forge in exchange for power, insight, or forbidden relics.
- Judgemental Influence: Players can interact with fragments of old Judgements, attempting to commune with or resist their divine pull. Outcomes depend on Will, Iron, and Mirrors stats.
- Research Opportunities: Scholars and zealous priests may offer contracts or missions related to the Forge, asking you to retrieve relics or study its inner workings.
These storylines frequently touch on themes of sacrifice, loss, and the price of ambition. You may be asked to choose between enhancing your locomotive at great human cost or walking away with only knowledge gained through pain. There are no easy answers here.
The Lore Behind the Forge
The origins of the Forge of Souls are hotly debated within the game’s lore. Some believe it was constructed during the fall of the old heavens, a remnant of a failed divine experiment. Others whisper that it was not made, but discovered a relic from before London fell to the Neath.
Theories and Legends
- Some say the Forge is alive, containing the last breath of a dying god who wished to reshape the world through fire and will.
- Others speculate it is a weapon unfinished, or broken, or perhaps waiting for a new master to complete its purpose.
- Certain radical philosophers claim the Forge exists simultaneously in past, present, and future, and every soul it touches feeds it across timelines.
Regardless of origin, the Forge of Souls is a fixed point in the dreamlike chaos of Eleutheria. Its presence exerts a gravitational pull not just physically but narratively. Any character who comes into contact with it is inevitably changed, whether they survive or not.
Gameplay Impact
Visiting the Forge of Souls is not just a narrative moment it can shift the balance of your campaign. The decisions made here often affect endings, faction alignments, and personal stats. For captains focused on winning through ambition-based endings, the Forge may be a necessary step, but it is one fraught with difficulty and moral ambiguity.
Potential Gains
- Powerful upgrades for your locomotive at the cost of echoes, materials, or crew sanity.
- Rare items needed for high-level crafting or faction advancement.
- Crucial lore pieces tied to The Martyr-King’s Cup or other unique ambition paths.
However, these gains often come at steep costs. Some players may lose crew members permanently, suffer increases in Terror, or become cursed by ancient forces. Others may inadvertently trigger aggressive faction reactions if their alignment shifts too drastically.
Surviving the Consequences
Leaving the Forge of Souls is not the end of the story. What you carry away whether a cursed artifact, altered identity, or broken crew continues to shape your journey. Certain afflictions acquired here may manifest later in Eleutheria or other regions, while some secrets may open unexpected narrative branches elsewhere in the High Wilderness.
Tips for Survival
- Stock up on Supplies and Fuel before entering Eleutheria.
- Bring officers with high Hearts and Mirrors to help resist the psychological strain.
- Document your choices carefully some cannot be undone.
The Forge can be a turning point in your campaign. It’s a place of endings and beginnings, a crucible where captains are tested beyond endurance. Not every player will leave unscarred, but those who do may carry with them insights that change their understanding of Sunless Skies forever.
The Forge of Souls in Sunless Skies stands as one of the game’s most powerful representations of its themes: ambition, sacrifice, cosmic horror, and beauty. It’s a place that rewards boldness and punishes hubris, offering rare rewards to those who understand what they’re giving up. Whether you seek it out for narrative closure, gameplay advantage, or the thrill of uncovering mysteries, the Forge will leave an impression that lasts far beyond a single playthrough. In a world where nothing is truly safe, the Forge of Souls is a blazing, terrifying beacon calling you to face what lies beneath your soul.