This guide covers Part 13 of the Mortal Shell 2 walkthrough, focusing on navigating the Fainweald region to reach the Temple of Vatra, acquire Gragu's Shell, and clear the Overrun Quarry.
Exploring Fainweald and Obtaining the Map
Begin by heading beyond the One-Legged Wolf Beacon to find Ruk at a map statue near a broken bridge. Interacting with this statue grants the Map of Fainweald [5], completing the map of the lands north of the Marrow Keep.
The One-Legged Wolf Tavern and Troubadour's Lute
Return to the One-Legged Wolf Beacon and take the alternate path. A tavern, the One-Legged Wolf, is situated by the cliff edge. Before entering, a Coin Pouch can be found nestled between a tree and a cart on the right side of the tavern. Inside, speaking with the inhabitants will yield dialogue and potentially a Common Moonshine from the Friendly Drunk. The Bartender also offers a shop with 5x Common Moonshine and the Hand Of Rock Tarstone for 1500 Coin. The key character here is Gragu, who seeks the Heart of Vatra. Before leaving the tavern, find the new Sidearm, the Troubadour's Lute, on the stage. This weapon deals low damage but inflicts Confusion, causing enemies to attack their allies, making it effective against groups.
Navigating the Temple of Vatra
Exit the tavern and cross the bridge furthest to your right. Proceed through the field of petrified cultists – they will unpetrify and attack on your return. Defeat the Netopyrs that appear and use the Bone Gate to cross a gap, entering the Temple of Vatra. Ascend the path, and turn right at the top of the steps. Near a stone monument, loot a Synaptic Vessel from its base and a Sheephead Totem from a sheep behind it. Return to the main path and ascend further. A left turn halfway up leads to three candles; lighting them allows you to open an Offerings Chest containing the Berserker's Stone. Continue to the top of the steps to find a statue. Interacting with this statue yields the Heart of Vatra.
Unlocking Gragu's Shell
Upon acquiring the Heart of Vatra, the entrance seals, and nearby petrified cultists become active. Defeat the immediate cultists and proceed back out of the Temple of Vatra, using the Bone Gate again. Be prepared to fight or evade the unpetrified cultists on your journey back to the One-Legged Wolf Tavern. Speak with Gragu inside the tavern and present him with the Heart of Vatra. After a cutscene where Gragu perishes, he becomes a Shell. Interact with him to unlock Gragu's Shell and begin his first Memory, 'The Child.' Gragu's healing system replaces the standard Ether's Pulse, allowing him to consume Revered Hearts gained from killing enemies. His Staggering Blow ability offers high charged damage.
Activating Matka's Monument and the Overrun Quarry
After unlocking Gragu's Shell, speak with the Barkeep and Drunkard for new dialogue. Return to the One-Legged Wolf Beacon. To clear the area, head towards the bridge leading to the Temple of Vatra but turn left before crossing to reach a shorter bridge. Follow it left to a wooden platform with a Bone Statue containing a Laterite. Return to the near end of the other bridge and go up the stairs. A Nocteserper guards a stone bridge, where a pouch on the wall will teleport you to the Citadel of Penance if touched. Continue into a grassy clearing beyond, defeating Nocteserpers and Mycellian Skulks. To your left is the Matka's Monument Beacon; activate and rest here. This area is now clear of respawning enemies.
To enter the Overrun Quarry, return to the small stone bridge and drop off the opposite side. This dungeon contains Tarblighted Miners. Kill the first Miner and intentionally stand on the central wooden platform to make it collapse, leading you to a lower ledge. Drop again to a walkway, kill another Miner, and then drop to the ground floor to defeat three more Miners. Loot a Synaptic Vessel and destroy an illusory wall marked with a white symbol to find another Miner, followed by another further up. Loot a Bone Statue for a Laterite and a chest for a Winterglass Gem. Attacking another illusory wall near the chest returns you to the dungeon's entrance. The Overrun Quarry is now complete. Return to the Matka's Monument Beacon, ready for subsequent regions.