Shards of Orr...closed door blocking access?

I tried the Shards of Orr dungeon tonight for the first time. This is not a build question but an access question. On the first level, I have obtained the dungeon key, but between me and the dungeon lock is a closed door. Is there some trigger that I need to activate to get the door to open? For example, do I have to pick up the area map in order for the door to open? Kill some boss or other baddie?

I did not pick up the area map because I entered the dungeon from Gadd's Encampment rather than from the entrance in Arbor Bay, if that matters... which means that I am much closer to the stairs to level two than to the area map, so I have not gone all the way back to get it. I have looked at the dungeon maps on wiki and they do not say anything about a closed door, a trigger, or anything else that should be blocking my way. The closed door is just south of the stairs up to Gadd's Encampment, about half-way to the stairs down to the second level. Any thoughts about how to get through that door? (I do have the Lost Souls quest active.)

ps: Well, it certainly is not picking up the area map that opens the door - I just picked it up and the door is still closed. Very puzzled here. Has anyone else gotten to the second level after entering from Gadd's Encampment? If so, did you have to do anything to open the door that grants access to the area with the dungeon lock and the stairs to the second level?

pps: okay, I have now killed the second "semi-boss" Cursed Brigand on the first level as well as his group, and still the door is closed. I've almost cleared the entire level, and there are no braziers to light or other apparent triggers anywhere on the level. There isn't any mention of a closed door on the first level in any other thread on this topic or on the wiki. Has anyone else run into this or have any suggestions? I'm about to give up for the night but I would appreciate any leads in case I am ever inclined to try it again. Many thanks in advance.

No there is nohing exept for the Semi boss that drops key and you just go to the lock and open it.
First level should not be hard.
Good luck.

have you tried the key in the lock ?

People assuming stupidity on the part of the original poster in this case display only their own by not paying attention.


If you're unable to reach the lock then I'd imagine you're supposed to enter from the other side.
However.... if you're unable to reach the lock but CAN get everything else on the floor.... then something kewky is going on.
In any case, I would recommend entering from the other side... It might solve the problem you seem to be having.... and it might not. If it doesn't then complain to A-Net about it. Probably a bug or something. The idea of being able to get to the Key but not to the Lock is downright silly (and worse still is being able to get to the door from the wrong side).

And the answer is...*drumroll*... you need to have the ghost who gave you the quest (Shandra?) accompany you for the door in question to open, and she stands by the entrance from Arbor Bay. Tonight I came in through the Arbor Bay entrance and picked her up immediately and had no problems with the door. I suppose (but haven't tested) that you can start from Gadd's, fight your way all the way to the Arbor Bay entrance and pick her up then, then return all the way back to where you started to get through the door. Seems a little goofy...but you do get to start from an outpost rather than having to run/fight to the dungeon. For me, though, Shards of Orr had some of the most time consuming running back-and-forth with torches, etc., that the thought of additional backtracking is not appealing. Plus the run to the dungeon wasn't too bad and had little actual fighting.

I'll also point out for anyone interested that the wiki may have some incorrect information on it concerning the third level. It says that you need to light three torches for a certain other door to open. For me, the door didn't open until I had lit every torch on the entire level (10 or so?). Just added to the fun of the dungeon, I suppose.

It is still faster to enter via Gadd's, you just have to remember to pick up the ghost from the other side.