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A Titanic Undertaking

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A Titanic Undertaking

Year
1338 AE
Storyline
Janthir Wilds
Chapter
A Titanic Undertaking
Location
Bava Nisos
(Janthir)
Level
80
Preceded by
Forced Entry
Followed by
Salvation's Cost

Bava Nisos loading screen.png

Bava Nisos

Saevus's Heart loading screen.png

Saevus's Heart

A Titanic Undertaking is the 18th chapter of the Janthir Wilds story and second chapter of Absolution.

Objectives[edit]

Help Livia weaken the titan's inner organs.
  • Weaken the titan by completing events in Bava Nisos.
  • Help Livia weaken the Bava Nisos titan.
    • Titan's Defenses Weakened
      Event bar empty green.jpg
  • Check on progress with your team via comms.
Check in on Waiting Sorrow's discovery.
  • Return to the Alliance Staging Grounds.
  • Meet your allies for a briefing.
  • Witness the last memory of Mabon.
  • Check in with Livia on comms.
  • Use the wizard's portal to return to Bava Nisos.
Reunite your party by aiding Livia.
  • Enter the heart chamber.
  • Get to Livia!
  • Titan Defenses Eliminated
    Event bar empty green.jpg Event swords (tango icon).png
  • Regroup with your allies.
  • Defend against the assault.
  • Help Mabon and the wizards clear out the rest of the shadows.
  • Speak with Mabon.
Complete!

Rewards[edit]

First time
Replay

Walkthrough[edit]

Storyline (interface).png Help Livia weaken the titan's inner organs.
Storyline (interface).png Check in on Waiting Sorrow's discovery.
  • Travel to Mistburned Barrens and enter the story instance south of Waypoint (map icon).png Alliance Staging Ground — . While inside, listen to what your allies have to say and to Mabon's memory recollection that follows. After you are done, walk slightly north into the open air and contact Livia through the comms. Then, you can use the wizard's portal to instantly move on to the next story instance, or safely exit the instance.
Storyline (interface).png Reunite your party by aiding Livia.
  • If you didn't use the wizard's portal, head back to Bava Nisos and enter the next story instance — "A Titanic Undertaking: Saevus's Heart".
  • Fight off the ambush of titanspawn that attacked Livia. After a brief conversation regarding a way to destroy the titan's heart, another battle will begin. Stand your ground against shadow creatures that entered the area through the Mists gate. After killing roughly 60 enemies, the battle will end.
  • Afterwards, speak to Mabon. You can ask optional questions to gain more insight or proceed with the story right away. Mabon will provide a way to close the gate. Finishing the dialogue will complete the chapter.

Achievements[edit]

  • Complete the story chapter A Titanic Undertaking.
  • Eliminate 50 of the shadow creatures in the titan's heart chamber.
  • Will be completed through normal progress, as more than 50 enemies have to be killed during that story step.

NPCs[edit]

Allies[edit]

Humans
Kodan (Lowland Kodan)
Seers
Various
Vision

Foes[edit]

Nightmares
Titans

Objects[edit]

Dialogue[edit]

After filling progress bar of Titan's Defenses Weakened story step.
Waiting Sorrow: Wayfinder, need you at the Alliance Staging Ground. Bring only yourself. I found something and have a feeling it'll be...
Waiting Sorrow: Delicate enough on its own. Don't need anyone stirring the pot.
<Character name>: Umm, understood. I'll head there now.

Bava Nisos instance[edit]

Anomaly:
Despite the instance's name, this instance is actually located at the Alliance Staging Ground in Mistburned Barrens
When approaching your allies
<Character name>: I'm here. Alone, as requested.
Waiting Sorrow: I found another of Mabon's memories. Figured it was best discussed among a...select group.
Anise: No need to mince words.
Isgarren: Livia hasn't been winning anyone's trust lately. We thought the matter too important to risk another... incident.
<Character name>: Guess that's not unreasonable. Well, let's see what else Mabon has to say.
When Mabon's memory animates
Mabon: I told you. Bava Nisos is no more. We're fated to much the same.
Mabon: I gave you the chance to end my misery. Instead, I'll end yours. What good is it, prolonging the inevitable?
Mabon: How small you seem now. Alone and trembling, without your kind to shield you. Small and alone...
Mabon: This is your final chance: Fight back! Look around you. My kind has killed for less...
Mabon: "I...am ashamed."
(Mabon takes a moment to cast a spell)
Mabon: This ward will keep you safe here, for the time being. Until I figure out what to do with you...
Mabon: "It's not worth it, killing you." It never was.
After witnessing the memory
Poised Arrow: He...spared the stranger's life. Even after it killed his entire people. He was...honorable.
Waiting Sorrow: What a weight to carry.
Isgarren: And still, he kept it from me! Should've been all the more reason to tell me, given everything... Oh, the fool!
Isgarren: Then, he just left the problem to grow! Never knew him to be so irresponsible. Beginning to wonder if I knew him at all.
Poised Arrow: Well, sometimes you ignore a problem hoping it sorts itself out. 'Cept that usually makes things worse...
Waiting Sorrow: Let's not get carried away. I'm sure he expected it to go back through the Mists gate, not loiter here for centuries.
<Character name>: Why didn't it return to the Mists?
Anise: I don't think it could. And maybe it was waiting for him.
Anise: Regardless, it doesn't change our mission. If anything, it makes it more dire that we bring closure. For Mabon.
<Character name>: You're right, Anise. And that starts with all of us working towards the same goal. All of us. For Mabon.
Anise: (sighs)
<Character name>: I'll call Livia.
Contacting Livia on comms
<Character name>: Livia, I've reconvened with the others. What's your status?
Livia: Excellent timing, Wayfinder. I'm in the heart chamber. We've retired the other vitals and are clearing the last—(static)
<Character name>: Livia? Are you there?
Livia: (static) Need backup—(static) Get here ASAP—(static)
Isgarren: You heard her! To the heart chamber, at once!

Bava Nisos[edit]

Optional dialogue with Second Hunter Kamilla next to the Mantle's Arrival waypoint if you left the instance
Wayfinder. We always seem to meet in the nicest places. Given the present conditions, Frode sent my squad here to stand ready to take you deeper into the belly of the beast. Just say the word.
Talk quest option tango.png What can we expect deeper inside?
It's chaotic. You've seen the defenses that titan's got... Once you go inside it, all bets are off. But that's what we're here for. My infiltration experts'll make sure you get where you need to go.
Talk end option tango.png Thanks, Kamilla.
Talk more option tango.png How's Rian?
He's good. He's got his hands full helping to collect mursaat artifacts that the Astral Ward's been finding in Mistburned Barrens. I'll tell him you said hello.
Talk end option tango.png All my best to you both.
Talk end option tango.png I'm good for now, Kamilla.

Saevus's Heart instance[edit]

Joining your allies
<Character name>: Its innards are looking the worse for wear. That's promising, at least.
Approaching Livia and the titanspawn
Anise: There she is!
Livia: Took you long enough! We knocked out the other vitals. Just need to stop this heart...
Waiting Sorrow: Impressive. But let's clear the ambush first. Then we can deal with the heart...
Poised Arrow: On it!
After defeating the ambush
Poised Arrow: That's all of 'em!
Anise: Livia, are you all right?
Livia: I'll live.
Anise: You better.
Livia: All right. Now, let's stop that heart. (beat) What are we waiting for?
Isgarren: You've done admirable work thus far. But it appears the Mists gate is directly fortifying the heart.
Livia: So? We'll take out the gate. The scepter will take care of it.
Isgarren: Yes. It can. But it will require all of its power to do so. I'm afraid a sacrifice must be made....[sic]
Livia: What do you mean, "sacrifice"? I've used Legavo for centuries. It doesn't just run out of power.
Waiting Sorrow: Closing a Mists gate is in a tier of magic all its own. Even for Tyria's greatest wizards.
Livia: I know what you're playing at. I swear, if you think you're going to con me into leaving—
Isgarren: Listen to me! This matter is far beyond the childish feuds of the physical realm—
Poised Arrow: What's the gate doing?
Livia: Great, you distracted me and now we're being ambushed again!
Poised Arrow: What are those?
Waiting Sorrow: Creatures of shadow. Abominations.
<Character name>: I've seen enough. Weapons, now!
During the fight, upon killing 20 shadow creatures
Waiting Sorrow: Livia, the scepter! NOW would be an appropriate time to use it!
Livia: I'm trying! They're...not responding to it...
Towards the end of the battle, upon killing 40 shadow creatures
Anise: (winces)
<Character name>: Countess!
Livia: Anise!
Poised Arrow: Don't worry, Countess. I've got your back!
Anise: I owe you, Poky.
Poised Arrow: It was nothing.
Poised Arrow: Ugh, but they never stop! We kill one, the gate spits out two more!
Isgarren: The youth is correct, Livia. The scepter's power is futile against these creatures anyway.
Waiting Sorrow: Livia, just close the damn gate!
Livia: Shut up! Just let me— Huh? Legavo is...trembling. It's never done this before...
Isgarren: He's here...
Mabon appears by the gate
Mabon: Apologies for the dramatic entrance. Allow me to lend a hand.
Poised Arrow: Whoa.
<Character name>: (gasps)
Waiting Sorrow: I don't believe it...
Anise: It's...really you...
Mabon: Hello, old friend. It's been too long.
Isgarren: So it has...
After defeating all enemies Mabon casts a spell on the gate
Mabon: That should do. For a time, at least.
Isgarren: I believe I'm owed an explanation. Several, for that matter.
Mabon: Glad to see you haven't changed. I owe you all explanations. Though time is short, I'll do my best to provide them.
Talking to Mabon
Wayfinder. It pleases me to see my faith in you rewarded. As I said, I owe you all explanations. Though time is short, I'll do my best to provide them.
Talk story option.png How are you keeping the gate closed?
Mabon: I've tied my life force to the Mists gate. It will remain shut for a time. But not long, I'm afraid.
Poised Arrow: "Lifeforce?" But everyone's been saying you're dead.
Waiting Sorrow: Poised Arrow.
Mabon: You're quite correct. I am dead. In the world of Tyria. Once other realms are involved, it complicates matters.
Mabon: The gate is anchored to multiple beings: one in Tyria, Saevus; and then multiple in the Mists, myself being one of them.
Talk story option.png Multiple beings in the Mists? Who else is the gate tied to?
Mabon: Yes. Three, in fact. They are the ones responsible for taking advantage of my death to open it.
<Character name>: The three White Mantle members.
Mabon: Very good. Ulrich, Tatyana, and Judge. Or as you know them, Greer, Decima, and Ura.
Mabon: By releasing their souls from the Realm of Torment, you can close the gate for good. But you must act soon.
Talk story option.png How do we release their souls?
Mabon: I suspect a few touchstone objects exist within the confines of Tyria that will be key in their release.
Mabon: Scour the hidden corners of Tyria known closely to the White Mantle and you will surely find them.
Mabon: You're likely to be quite familiar with some of them already, Wayfinder.
Talk story option.png I have about a thousand questions...
Mabon: There will be time for further musings. But for now, I ask that you make haste recovering the touchstones, Wayfinder.
Talk end option tango.png That's all for now.
Talk end option tango.png That's all for now.
Talk end option tango.png That's all for now.
Talk quest option tango.png Is sacrificing the Scepter of Orr really necessary?
Mabon: I'm afraid so. In order to close the gate permanently, we will need to rely on the power vested in the Scepter of Orr.
Mabon: Given its historic ties to the Mists, an instrument of its caliber is uniquely suited for such an offering.
Mabon: The seers crafted Legavo to keep beings from the Mists at bay, and it will be used to do just that.
Mabon: I'm sorry, Livia. I know this is no small sacrifice.
Talk quest option tango.png Why did you keep all of this hidden?
Mabon: A fair accusation. I suppose I was fatigued from all the senseless bloodshed.
Mabon: I returned here to mourn. To reflect. And amidst the destruction, stood Saevus. The last of his kind. A kindred spirit.
Mabon: So I cast a protection ward assuming he'd return to the Mists. I could not have predicted that he'd await my return.
Mabon: I aimed to gift him a chance at another life. Same as Isgarren gifted me. Instead, I doomed him to a much crueler fate.
Mabon: I was not yet prepared to admit my folly. To myself, or to those I hold dear. For all of it, I feel immense shame.
Talk end option tango.png That's all for now.

My story[edit]

Bava Nisos loading screen.png
“

Livia and I ventured farther into Bava Nisos–or rather, farther into the innards of the titan. We fought off several further attacks from the titanspawn "immune system" and set to work incapacitating what appear to be the titan's inner organs. After making a fair amount of progress, I received a call from Waiting Sorrow. Although she didn't state so directly, she seemed to imply that she's found another of Mabon's memories. She also asked that I regroup with her and the others...without Livia. I understand her hesitance to trust Livia given all that's happened here. However, Waiting Sorrow has her own history of keeping secrets. Although she's earned my trust, that sort of approach is the last thing our party needs to repair its fractured bonds. For now, I'll humor her request and see if my suspicions about a newly discovered memory are correct.

***

Humoring Waiting Sorrow's request, I ventured alone to meet with the rest of the allies. As suspected, Waiting Sorrow informed me that she had indeed discovered another of Mabon's memories. Eager to see what message Mabon had left behind this time, we gathered round to witness his memory.

Upon our viewing, the wispy visage of Mabon revealed the very secret that he'd long been holding on to. We witnessed him pursue the titan–Saevus, according to Mabon–into the ruins of Bava Nisos. After confronting it, Mabon conjured what appeared to be a killing blow. However, at the last moment, he instead cast a protection ward over the city. In doing so, Mabon chose not only to spare the lone titan's life, but also to protect it from further harm. Why exactly he had this change of heart is not entirely clear. Was it pity? A sense of kinship over being the last of one's kind? When confronting the titan, I did notice that Mabon's words seemed to echo that of his altercation with Isgarren. The very one that began their friendship. In that moment, perhaps he sensed the futility of senseless killing. And rather than perpetuate the cruel acts of his kind, he gave Saevus the option to live, the same as Isgarren had given him. Or was it something darker–did he assume Saevus would die here, forever trapped? Whatever the truth may be, it rests with Mabon.

The memory stirred a cacophony of emotions among all of us. For me, one particular truth still shone clear: if we're going to succeed, there's no place in our party for infighting and petty division. I firmly stated my stance, and the group agreed, some a bit begrudgingly. Nevertheless, I called Livia to check in. She reported that her efforts had succeeded in knocking out the titan's major organs, and she was now in the heart chamber wearing down the heart. Midconversation, the battle seemed to take a heated turn, and we lost the connection. We're headed there to provide backup and complete our objective as a unified team.

***

We arrived at the heart chamber and rushed to Livia's aid. It was soon obvious that in order to stop the constant "immune system" attacks for good, we needed to find a way to seal the Mists gate and stop the flow of magic that Saevus feasted on. After clearing another round of enemies, Isgarren tried convincing Livia to sacrifice the Scepter of Orr, as it seemed the only viable option suited for the task. As might be expected, this suggestion went over like a lead airship. The Mists gate reactivated, spitting out hoards of shadow creatures. Strangely enough, the scepter proved ineffective against these creatures during battle, creating a new obstacle. Midambush, the shadow creatures cornered Anise. Before I or any of the others even had time to react, Poised Arrow sprang into action, guarding Anise against the onslaught. If the cub didn't already have my respect, he sure earned it for his heroism when it was sorely needed.

But this was not the time for feel-good celebrations. Just when the ambush seemed to ease, the scepter began trembling in Livia's hands. Suddenly, in an entrance as grand as the wizard himself, Mabon emerged from the Mists gate! This was no dreamlike memory of Mabon. He or his essence greeted us with his typical warmth, as if just stepping off a Canthan beach. Wasting no time, he cast a ward over the Mists gate to prevent more unwelcome visitors from seeping through, anchoring himself to the spell.

We...had questions. Fortunately, Mabon had answers he was willing to share. To sum it up, he suspects the three titans we'd defeated were forged by the souls of the three White Mantle members whose camp we discovered earlier. To put an end to the chaos, he believes that we must release their souls from the Mists using a touchstone important to each during their lifetimes. My next objective is to track down these touchstones across Tyria. Though Mabon is a powerful wizard, he can't hold the gate closed indefinitely. And so, my race against time begins.

— My story

Notes[edit]

  • During the fight with shadow creatures, it is possible that one of the Shadow Wurms could be out of sight and aggro's reach, likely in the eastern corner of the map — under the Point of interest.pngMists Gate Point of Interest.

Trivia[edit]

Janthir Wilds storyline
Act 1 Prologue: The Tyrian Alliance → Unknown Territory → Diplomacy and Discovery → Home Sweet Home → Missing in Action → Strangers among Lands
Act 2 Storm Clouds over Janthir → Twice Stricken → Finding Balance → Against the Wall → Sorrow in These Halls
Godspawn Trial and Error → Battle's Eve → Balrior Peak
Repentance Into the Valley of Shadow → A Legacy Damned → Penance for the Past
Absolution Forced Entry → A Titanic Undertaking → Salvation's Cost
← Previous: Secrets of the Obscure Next: Visions of Eternity →
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