Several optional dungeons become available offering unique challenges and valuable rewards. These dungeons are often tougher than their main story counterparts for the year they become available, but the loot and experience gained are well worth the effort. Examples include the Goblin Wall, which is accessible early on and provides excellent opportunities for grinding 'Iron' and 'Copper' for early weapon upgrades. Later, the Moschet Manor offers a spooky challenge with unique undead enemies and rare crafting materials like 'Dark Matter' and 'Spirit Shards'.
Another notable optional dungeon is the Cataract of Grief, a water-themed area that can yield powerful water-elemental crafting components. These dungeons often have their own unique bosses or enhanced versions of regular enemies. Always check your world map for new dungeon icons that appear after certain years or after completing specific main story objectives. Tackling these optional areas can significantly boost your caravan's strength, making the main story much more manageable. They are also excellent places to practice new strategies or test out different character builds.