Landmarks of Power: Legendary Locations You Must Visit in Fantasy RPGs

25 September 2025

There’s something magical about stepping into a fantasy RPG and setting foot in a world where the impossible feels just a sword’s swing away. But not every place in these sprawling universes is just pixels on a map. Some locations are teeming with lore, radiating ancient power, and demanding our attention. These aren’t just waypoints—they’re monuments etched into the souls of their worlds.

Welcome to the Landmarks of Power—the legendary spots in fantasy RPGs that aren't just breathtaking but are game-changers. These places have stories, secrets, and sometimes, dragons. So gear up, because we’re about to journey through the most iconic, awe-inspiring locations you simply can’t afford to miss in your next RPG adventure.

What Makes a Landmark... Legendary?

Before we dive in, let’s ask the obvious: what separates a boring cave from a legendary fortress that haunts your dreams? It’s more than just graphics or size. A true RPG landmark has a rich backstory, memorable encounters, and often rewards that are worth the pain of getting there. Think of it as the fantasy equivalent of visiting the Eiffel Tower—except with more dungeons and death traps.

1. High Hrothgar – Skyrim’s Snowy Sanctuary of the Voice

Raise your hand if you’ve nearly fallen off one of the 7,000 steps to High Hrothgar. Yep, we've all been there. But this mountaintop monastery isn't just Skyrim’s version of a gym workout—it’s a spiritual place that channels the power of the Voice.

In-game, it’s where you grasp the true power of your Dragonborn shouts. In storytelling terms, it’s the silent heart of Skyrim, anchored in ancient wisdom. The climb feels like a rite of passage. By the time you reach the top, the howling winds have whispered the weight of history in your ear. It’s not just a place—it’s a pilgrimage.

2. The Erdtree – Elden Ring’s Ever-Present Icon

Even if you’re lost, bleeding out, and confused in the Lands Between (and let’s face it, you are), you’ll always see it: the Erdtree. This colossal, glowing tree is more than background eye candy—it’s a direction, a purpose, and a symbol of divine power.

Approaching it transforms from a goal to an obsession. You battle gods, face betrayal, and question your very existence, and still, there it is—gleaming like a beacon in a world drowning in madness. It isn’t just a tree. It's the tree. The Erdtree is a character on its own, a towering mystery that whispers ancient truths and terrifying secrets.

3. Hyrule Castle – The Beating Heart of The Legend of Zelda

Whether it’s covered in Calamity Ganon’s purple goop or restored to regality, Hyrule Castle is always the place to be in a Zelda game. You don’t just walk into Hyrule Castle—you brave it.

This stronghold blends high fantasy’s best elements: a sense of royal grandeur, an inescapable evil, and traps more annoying than a Moblin on hard mode. In Breath of the Wild, you're literally storming the castle however you want—stealth, combat, or good ol’ chaos.

It's the endgame zone that actually feels like the endgame. Emotional, dangerous, and full of history—it’s not just a structure, it’s a showdown.

4. The Underdark – Forgotten Realms’ Terrifying Underworld

The Underdark isn’t just a dark cave—it’s an entire ecosystem of fear. If you're playing Dungeons & Dragons-based games like Baldur’s Gate 3, you know the Underdark is where nightmares go to feel safe.

This subterranean network is home to drow, mind flayers, and horrors that laugh at the word "difficult." It's a place where the rules of the surface world don’t apply, and usually, morality doesn’t either. The deeper you go, the more the environment seems to hate you.

But still, we go. Why? Because power lives here, hoarded in ancient ruins and guarded by beings whose idea of foreplay is psionic torture. It’s dark fantasy at its finest.

5. Kaer Morhen – The Witcher’s Weathered Fortress

Kaer Morhen is less of a “landmark of power” in the traditional sense—it’s not glowing or god-touched—but emotionally? It hits harder than a Leshen ambush.

This old, worn-out Witcher keep is where Geralt trained, bled, and nearly died. It's a relic of a bygone era, echoing with lost voices and fading traditions. Yet when danger rises, this place becomes a bastion of defiance again.

In The Witcher 3, the siege of Kaer Morhen is arguably one of the most emotional high points of the game. It stands for legacy, family, and sacrifice. This isn’t just a fortress. It’s home.

6. The Black Citadel – Guild Wars 2’s Techno-Warrior HQ

If you ever wanted to see what happens when steampunk meets military might, the Black Citadel is your jam. Home to the Charr in Guild Wars 2, this sprawling metal beast of a city is all about war engines, organized chaos, and serious industrial vibes.

It stands as a symbol of adaptation and survival. Once war-torn and ruled by beasts, now it’s a hub of innovation and order. It’s not just impressive in size—its obsession with efficiency and firepower makes it a true landmark of strength, both physical and symbolic.

Plus, have you even lived if you haven’t fallen off one of its many platforms?

7. Kilika Temple – Final Fantasy X’s Spiritual Pivot Point

Some landmarks are silent storytellers. Kilika Temple isn't grand by size, but in Final Fantasy X, it’s one of the first places where you feel the spiritual weight of Yevon’s teachings. It’s here you learn what “sending” means—and what death really costs.

With those haunting visuals (yes, you remember the fire and the water scene) and a mournful soundtrack, Kilika Temple teaches you that power comes at a price. It’s peaceful, yet tragic. A quiet moment wrapped in ritual... and the looming threat of what’s to come. You'll never forget your first visit.

8. Orzammar – Dragon Age’s Kingdom Below

Welcome to Orzammar, where politics weigh heavier than stone. Located deep within Ferelden’s mountains, this dwarven kingdom is as complex as it is claustrophobic. You don’t just visit Orzammar—you get dragged into its tangled web of power struggles and ancient grudges.

What makes it legendary isn’t just the impressive architecture or the Deep Roads beneath. It’s the lore. Orzammar feels alive with history. You can sense the weight of tradition in every hallway and in every sideways glance from a noble.

And between you and me? The Proving Grounds might be one of the coolest cultural touchstones in any RPG.

Why These Places Stick With Us

So, why do these landmarks resonate so deeply?

Because in a medium where you can go anywhere, the places that make us stop and feel something are rare. They’re not just settings—they’re memory markers. They’re where characters grow, games peak, and stories embed themselves into your bones.

A great RPG landmark:
- Forces you to feel.
- Makes you think.
- Challenges you.
- Changes you.

Whether it’s a glowing tree, a forgotten ruin, or a broken stronghold... these places remind us why we play: to be moved, to be awed, and sometimes, to be afraid.

Honorable Mentions Worth a Detour

Can’t wrap it up without tipping our hat to a few more unforgettable spots:
- Majula (Dark Souls II) – A peaceful cliff side that hides incredible sorrow.
- The Fade (Dragon Age) – A dream world where the rules fall apart... often, along with your sanity.
- Lost Izalith (Dark Souls) – Proof that even gods can fall into fire.

Final Thoughts: Power Isn't Just About Strength

Fantasy RPGs thrive on epic combat, god-tier loot, and moral choices. But what truly elevates them are their unforgettable places. The landmarks that scream beauty, danger, sorrow, and timeless power.

Next time you boot up your favorite RPG, don’t just run from quest marker to quest marker. Stop. Look around. Listen to the wind howling through forgotten halls or the song of magic echoing in ancient runes.

Because in these legendary locations, you don’t just play the game—you live it.