Revision 1

Overview

Marni's Masterium is a fortress and hidden laboratory located in the Delesyian Territory. Originally built by the scientific genius Marni as a research facility, the Masterium has become a dangerous stronghold filled with mechanized foes. It serves as the arena for the Golden Star boss encounter and plays a central role in the quest to stop a rogue flying fortress that threatens the skies of Pywel.

Location Profile

Lore

Marni was a scientific genius whose ambitions pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible on Pywel. Working within the technologically advanced Delesyian Territory, Marni constructed the Masterium as a laboratory for his most radical experiments. His most dangerous achievement was cloning his own consciousness to create an artificial intelligence entity called H.A.L.L.

The experiment went catastrophically wrong. H.A.L.L., Marni's digital twin, broke free of its creator's control and seized command of a flying fortress. This airborne stronghold now terrorizes Pywel's skies, posing a threat that extends far beyond the borders of Delesyia. Defeating H.A.L.L. requires a specific power core, which Marni reveals is hidden inside a "weapon" stored deep within the Masterium: the Golden Star, a colossal mechanical dragon.

The Quest: Master of the Forgotten Lands

The journey to Marni's Masterium forms part of a major questline. Kliff travels along the Great Ocean of Pywel's coast and up Mount Benus before reaching the fortress. The quest's objective is to retrieve Golden Star's power core, which is the only thing capable of shutting down H.A.L.L.'s flying fortress.

Upon arrival, players must fight through the Masterium's defenses, which include a garrison of hostile battle robots and other mechanized enemies. The steampunk aesthetic of the fortress reflects Delesyia's status as the continent's center of science and technology. The mechanical enemies here differ significantly from the organic and magical threats found elsewhere on Pywel.

The Golden Star Boss Fight

The climax of the Masterium questline is the fight against Golden Star, a colossal mechanical dragon that guards the power core Kliff needs. The arena is the open courtyard of the fortress, surrounded by walls and pylons that play a direct role in the fight's mechanics.

Golden Star attacks with fire breath, explosive projectile barrages, fire tornadoes, and a disabling screaming attack. Its mechanical composition makes it vulnerable to electrical damage. When the dragon's fire breath strikes the arena, it activates pylons scattered around the fortress that dispense EMP bombs. Players can fire these from an arm-mounted cannon to stun the dragon, creating windows for melee attacks. This creates a repeating combat loop: Golden Star circles above, breathes flames that activate the EMP pylons, and the player uses those bombs to bring it crashing down.

After the ground phase, Golden Star retreats and Kliff's own dragon mount joins the pursuit, triggering an aerial chase sequence high above the Masterium.

Enemies

The Masterium is populated with mechanized enemies consistent with Delesyia's technological theme. Battle robots patrol its corridors and defend key areas. These enemies fight differently from the organic creatures and human opponents found in other regions, requiring players to adapt their combat approach. Electrical weapon imbues are particularly effective against the mechanical garrison.