This guide details the steps necessary to complete the High Lord's Keep in Mortal Shell 2, including defeating the boss Vellen, High Lord of Mammon, and unlocking the Lazlo Shell. This area is located on the western edge of Mammon, following the exploration of the Deserted Slums.
Entering the High Lord's Keep
Begin by crossing the bridge into the Keep from the High Lord's Terrace Beacon. As you ascend the initial steps, be prepared to face two Mycellian Skulks. Ahead, a Tarred Vestige and two Lithopods will awaken as you approach. Engage them and be mindful of the catapults launching flaming projectiles. After defeating the enemies, loot the Tarspore found in the roots to your right. Before crossing the bridge, turn around to find a set of stairs by the stone wall. Ascend these stairs to find a chest containing a Tooth Of Nochte.
Obtaining the Map of Mammon
Upon entering the Keep, you will encounter an Anointed Confessor, a challenging miniboss, flanked by two Foul Knights. This encounter requires careful combat, focusing on parrying and dodging to manage the aggressive attacks. Once the enemies are defeated, proceed opposite the bridge, bypassing the gated entrance on your left. Take the first left into a narrow alleyway, dispatching the Nocteserpers. Loot the Common Moonshine from the boxes and proceed up the steps where an air current is present. Do not take the air current; instead, ascend the ramp to the left and enter the adjacent room. Exit this room through the opposite corner and collect the two Common Moonshine items. Descend both sets of stairs to reach the courtyard on the other side of the initial locked gate. Locate Ruk atop another statue and loot the Martyr's Ash at its base. You can then pick up the Map Of Mammon [6].
Activating the Courtyard Beacon
Approach the locked gate beside Ruk. A lever on the wall to the left of the gate will open it, creating a shortcut. Afterward, turn around and activate the High Lord's Courtyard Beacon. While resting here is optional, cleansing the beacon is not required.
Reaching the Ramparts
Behind the central rock in the courtyard, opposite the Beacon, ascend the steps onto a wooden platform. Follow this platform into the adjoining building and defeat the Armed Knave within. Loot the Ventrium by the fireplace and exit through the far doorway. Collect the Common Moonshine to your right, but before proceeding around the corner, turn back and descend the slope. Down this slope, you will encounter three Brigands and a Stoner. The left path here leads back to the area with the Confessor, so it is advisable to avoid it. Instead, turn right to find a sitting spot and a catapult. Beyond the catapult, another Armed Knave guards a chest containing a Justiciar's Stone. Return to the area where you found the Common Moonshine and turn the corner. Ascend the ramp to find a 250x Coin Pouch and a hole in the wall that leads onto the Keep's rampart walls.
Entering the Royal Crypt of Mammon
On the right side as you enter the ramparts, collect a Common Moonshine. Continue along the path, defeating three Brigands, and looting a 500x Coin Pouch in the left corner at the first turn. At the end of the path, drop off the left-hand side. Turn left and defeat the three Foul Knights. Loot the throne for a Dorsalite. Turn around and head to the opposite side, defeating the Knight Of Mammon guarding a tree and looting its base for four Tarspores. At the far end, an air current below on the right indicates a path back to the gate, serving as a reference point. In the opposite corner around the tree, loot the fireplace for a Burnt Effigy. Return to the start and proceed through the doorway opposite the ramparts. In the adjoining room, turn right and defeat the Foul Knight at the far end, which guards a Revered Gland. Turn around and exit the room. Defeat the Leechtongue outside and ascend the stairs to your left, where a chest holds a 2500x Coin reward. Descend the steps and turn right. Proceed through the giant archway and defeat the two Tarred Vestiges in the outdoor area. To the left of the rock, you will find another Tarspore and a Bone Statue holding a Laterite. Head through the archways at the far end and loot the three Weltcaps. Opposite the Weltcaps, a doorway leads down a long set of stairs, entering the Royal Crypt Of Mammon.
Defeating Vellen, High Lord of Mammon
Within the Royal Crypt, the main path leads ahead with side paths to the left and right. First, bait and defeat the Knight Of Mammon on the main path. Then, explore the first left path, defeat the two Foul Knights, and loot the coffin for a Martyr's Ash. Repeat this on the identical right-hand path for another Martyr's Ash. Proceed to the next set of left and right paths, which also contain a Dorsalite behind each coffin, yielding a total of two additional Dorsalites. At the end of the main path lies a circular room where you will face Vellen, High Lord Of Mammon. Vellen is a scythe-wielding boss with large arcing combos. Despite his aggressive attacks, he has a relatively low health pool. Upon his defeat, you will receive a Glimpse and 6666x Gloom.
Unlocking Lazlo's Shell
After defeating Vellen, the three gates in the boss room will open. Examine the side rooms to read inscriptions on the coffins and open chests behind them to collect four Coins Of Mammon. Proceed through the exit directly opposite the arena. Loot the Justiciar's Stone from the stone slab and descend the steps to find Lazlo's Shell. Interacting with the shell initiates Lazlo's first Memory: The Visit, where you converse with Vellen. Upon exiting the memory, you will learn of Lazlo's abilities: damage reduction via his special armor, which can be overheated to release burning shockwaves at the cost of temporarily removing the damage reduction.
Returning to the Gate of Mammon Beacon
Exit the Royal Crypt of Mammon. Take the right-hand path to its end and exit through the archway by the steps. Defeat the Skulk on your right and loot the Ventrium it was guarding. Cross the wooden bridge, defeating the Skulk there as well. On the lower ledge, defeat a Leechtongue by a tree. Pull the lever by the elevator shaft, ride it down, and use the Bone Gate to return to the Gate Of Mammon Beacon.
Conquering the Besieged Ruins
From the Bone Gate, ascend the steps directly in front of you. Defeat or bypass the Wretches and Brigands, then cross the bridge on your left and take another left, opposite the next set of steps. Cross the second bridge to reach a closed-off lower cliffside path adjacent to the High Lord's Keep. Defeat the Stoner and Brigands at the end of the path, and loot the Laterite on the Bone Statue, along with two Common Moonshine items. Enter the dungeon to your left, the Besieged Ruins. Descend the elevator and defeat the Neophyte Sester. Proceed through the doorway, defeating the Torch Cultists and the Frog Cultist. Loot a chest on the left for a Dorsalite and another on the right for a Winterglass Gem. At the end of this room, touch the helmet to enter a unique memory sequence depicting the Schism of Mammon. In this memory, you must fight to the end without taking damage or being able to block. After defeating the final enemy, a Knight Of Mammon, you will be returned to the present day. Your reward is the Zealot's Stone, which grants access to a special Light Combo Finisher that generates extra Resolve. Exit the Besieged Ruins via the air current, which leads near the High Lord's Keep gate, or return across the bridges to the Gate of Mammon Beacon. This concludes the exploration of the High Lord's Keep and the Besieged Ruins.