AvowedRealm
As I journeyed through the vibrant yet perilous world of Avowed, I kept stumbling upon these shimmering, otherworldly fragments known as Starmetal. They felt weighty in my inventory, humming with a latent power I couldn't access. For the longest time, I wondered about their purpose. Every blacksmith I met in the early settlements would just shake their head, baffled by the strange material. It wasn't until my travels led me to the untamed wilderness of Galawain's Tusks that the mystery began to unravel. I heard whispers among the settlers of a master craftsperson, a Forgemaster who could work miracles with such rare components, hidden away within the formidable Solace Keep. The anticipation of finally wielding a weapon forged from the stars themselves became a driving force for my adventure.
Finding the Elusive Solace Keep
My initial approach to Solace Keep was met with frustration. The massive castle, a bastion of stone and authority looming in the eastern reaches past the Twinedwood, was sealed tight. Its imposing gates were shut, and the drawbridge remained firmly raised. No amount of pleading with the stern Warden Kosmin guarding the entrance could sway him. It seemed this fortress and its secrets were locked away until I progressed further in the main storyline. However, I'm not one to simply wait when a puzzle presents itself. I recalled a companion I had met earlier, a man named Marius, whose demeanor suggested he might have connections. I fast-traveled back to the Solace Keep party camp, seeking him out.
Gaining Entry with a Trusted Companion
Recruiting Marius proved to be the key. With him at my side, I returned to the forbidding gates. The change was immediate. Warden Kosmin recognized Marius, and their exchange—a mix of familiar banter and reluctant respect—created an opening I could never have managed alone. Marius's persuasive words did the trick. With a resonant groan of ancient mechanisms, the drawbridge lowered, granting us passage into the heart of Solace Keep. Inside, the atmosphere was one of ordered military readiness. I navigated the grand halls, descended a stone staircase, and finally found her: Forgemaster Dela, the sole Starmetal Smithy in all of Avowed.
Meeting Forgemaster Dela and Her Craft
Forgemaster Dela, surrounded by the glow of her forge and the scent of oiled metal, looked up with keen interest as I approached. When I presented the Starmetal Fragments I'd painstakingly collected, her eyes widened in genuine surprise. "You've been carrying these?" she remarked, hefting one of the fragments. "Most think they're mere curiosities. But here, they are the heart of true power." She explained that to craft a basic weapon, I needed at least two fragments, typically gathered during the 'Forged of Star-Stuff' questline. The choice she offered was pivotal and tailored to my combat style.
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The Path of the Blade: Choosing to forge a sword would yield the Meteor Blade, a weapon said to leave trails of celestial light in its wake.
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The Path of the Gun: Opting for an arquebus would grant the Moonstrike, a firearm rumored to fire projectiles imbued with lunar energy.
The moment of decision was thrilling, as I envisioned my combat style augmented by such unique armaments.
The Ultimate Prize: Upgraded Starmetal Weapons
However, Dela hinted at greater possibilities. If I could bring her a full set of four Starmetal Fragments, she could forge not just a weapon, but a legendary artifact. The upgraded variants were the true reward for a thorough explorer. The prospect filled me with a renewed zeal to scour every corner of the Living Lands.
| Fragments Collected | Weapon Choice | Resulting Weapon | Icon |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Fragments | Sword | Meteor Blade |  |
| 2 Fragments | Arquebus | Moonstrike |  |
| 4 Fragments | Sword | Ondra's Offense (Upgraded) |  |
| 4 Fragments | Arquebus | Heavenstrike (Upgraded) |  |
Ondra's Offense and Heavenstrike are not merely stronger versions; they are masterworks, their designs more intricate and their inherent magic far more potent. Holding four fragments, I faced the delightful dilemma of choosing between a blade that channels the fury of a divine storm or a firearm that calls down the judgment of the heavens themselves.
My Reflections on the Quest
This entire endeavor was more than just a crafting side-quest; it was a miniature epic. It taught me the value of perseverance, the importance of building relationships with companions like Marius, and the joy of discovering hidden mechanics woven into the world. That initial confusion over the Starmetal Fragments transformed into a focused, rewarding hunt. Now, whenever I glimpse a peculiar shimmer in a dark cave or on a distant ridge, I know it might be the key to unlocking even greater power. For any fellow explorer feeling stumped by those mysterious fragments, my advice is clear: seek out Marius, brave the Galawain's Tusks, and find Forgemaster Dela. Your patience will be rewarded with a weapon worthy of legend, forged from the very essence of the stars you walk under.
This discussion is informed by coverage from Rock Paper Shotgun, and it underscores how Avowed’s Starmetal loop works best as a delayed-payoff reward: you collect fragments early, but only in Galawain’s Tusks—after leveraging companion access to reach Solace Keep—can Forgemaster Dela convert them into signature gear like Meteor Blade/Moonstrike and their four-fragment upgrades, turning exploration and story progression into a single, satisfying crafting arc.
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