The Twisted Marionette (story)

This article is about the LW1 story segment. For the NPC, see Twisted Marionette. For the meta event, see The Twisted Marionette.

The Twisted Marionette

Year

1327 AE

Storyline

Living World Season 1

Chapter

Battle for Lion's Arch

Location

Lornar's Pass
(Shiverpeak Mountains)

Level

80

Preceded by

Awake and Allied

Followed by

Connecting the Pieces

API

664

loading screen

The Twisted Marionette is the first story step of Battle for Lion's Arch, the fifth and final episode of Living World Season 1.

Objectives

• Read the letter.

The Twisted Marionette

• Head to Lornar's Pass and meet up with your friends.
• Talk to your friends and learn about the attacks.
• Talk with the asuran progeny.
• Follow Taimi into the portal!
• Break the marionette's chains to disable it: x/5
• Champion Regulator Warden I
• 
• Damage the power regulator and use Inspire to help your friends!
• Champion Regulator Warden II
• 
• Damage the power regulator and use Inspire to help your friends!
• Champion Regulator Warden III
• 
• Damage the power regulator and use Inspire to help your friends!
• Champion Regulator Warden IV
• 
• Damage the power regulator and use Inspire to help your friends!
• Champion Watchknight[sic]
• 
• Damage the power regulator and use Inspire to help your friends!
• Rejoin your friends.
• Check on Taimi.

• Complete!

Rewards

• Deluxe Gear Box (2)
• Salvageable Twisted Watchwork Scrap (5)
• Writ of Tyrian Mastery

Walkthrough

You will start in a short valley, and the mission begins in earnest after you talk to Taimi as the gate behind her opens. Make sure you are prepared as after this you will face 5 bosses back to back with only a short break to destroy the power regulator and use   Inspire (though the short duration of its boons mean that they most likely will not last until the next fight unfortunately).

The first warden is invulnerable from the front and will be much more difficult than normal as you will most likely have to rely on Taimi breaking its defiance bar to get opportunities to damage it, while also dealing with the explosive minions it spawns.

The second warden is invulnerable while spinning but will be stunned if lead over one of the mines it drops, so that you can damage it.

The third warden has very damaging attacks and jumps but will telegraph all attacks, making them fairly easy to dodge. It will also block all attacks for a few seconds when it reaches 50% health, as it shifts into its more aggressive second form.

The fourth warden is stationary in the middle of the arena and will cause confusion with a telegraphed shriek so be careful to not stand in its way. It will also spawn heavily damaging aoe field along either the edge of the arena or in the middle of it, making melee attacks potentially very risky.

The fifth warden starts out against a durable but weak watchknight with a spin attack that carries it across the platform. However, when killed it will spawn two less durable but more damaging and smaller watchknight which in turn will be spawn two more each when killed who will also spawn two more even smaller and deadlier watchknights each when killed for a total of fifteen enemies to kill. it is recommended that any crowd control effects be saved for after the first split since the first mob has a defiance bar that most likely will not be broken before it is killed while the smaller ones will be far more dangerous if allowed to run amok.

After the platform is lowered to the ground a portal to teleport you out will spawn and two conversation will play out before the mission is finished.

Achievements

Speed over Size	The Battle for Lion's Arch	3
Complete one of the Twisted Marionette's platform encounters without being hit by the marionette's attacks.Story Mission: The Twisted Marionette	Attacks Evaded	3

• This is most easily performed during the second Warden fight as the Marionette's attack during this phase is merely a fairly thin vertical slam.

The Twisted Marionette	The Battle for Lion's Arch	1
Complete the story chapter The Twisted Marionette.	Completed The Twisted Marionette	1

• Complete the mission.

NPCs

Asura

• Taimi

Charr

• Rox

Devourers

• Frostbite

Holograms

• Scarlet Briar Hologram

Humans

• Kasmeer Meade
• Logan Thackeray
• Marjory Delaqua

Norn

• Braham

Foes

Twisted Watchworks

• Champion Regulator Warden I
• Champion Regulator Warden II
• Champion Regulator Warden III
• Champion Regulator Warden IV
• Champion Regulator Warden V
• Regulator Warden V
• Scarlet's Twisted Marionette
• Twisted Mender

Objects

• Energy Field
• Portal Exit
• Technician

Dialogue

Upon activating the story:

Captain Logan Thackeray Scarlet Sighted Commander, there's a rapidly developing situation in Lornar's Pass. Apparently, Scarlet Briar is deploying a massive construct based on the watchknights as some kind of sadistic field test. The Priory is calling for immediate support, and a number of adventurers are already in the area battling Scarlet's armies. Mysterious probes have also started appearing all over the region. We could use your help, but after reading the reports from Kessex Hills I have to think this is the tip of a darker scheme. Stay on your toes, friend. —Logan

Talking to your friends

Braham: You were asked to come too, Commander? I don't like rumors of Scarlet, not so close to home... Heard something about a weapons test, but I don't know how accurate that is. Knut has the city on guard.

Thanks for the warning.

Rox: It's a relief to see you, Commander. Kasmeer and Marjory said something about a weapons test... I also heard the word big, which doesn't sound great. I'd ask either of them if you want more intel.

Thanks for the warning.

Kasmeer: Commander. It's...good to see you. Priory has everyone on edge: they summoned for backup as soon as Scarlet was sighted in the area. They don't know what she's up to, but she's moving something BIG.

Thanks for the warning.

Marjory: Scarlet's got strange tech all over the pass. We don't know what she's up to, but the Prioty warned Kas that whatever it is, it's big, and we need to be ready to stop it. Brace yourself for a fight.

Thanks for the warning.

Talking to Taimi

This is definitely Scarlet's work! I'd lay my reputation on it... Oh, we are CLOSE! She can't be far away. Do you think we'll get to see her? Maybe meet her? I'd like that. Wouldn't you?

What do you think she's up to?

She's testing her aethercannon, obviously. She's summoned her peripheral units to come sacrifice their energy cells to her weapon. If she manages to get it powered up, it'll most likely kill us all.

Why do you think she's calling in the additional troops?

To defend those energy fields until her watchwork minions can reach them and power up her weapon, of course. She's a genius...an absolute genius.

You know she's a terrorist, right?

I never said she was a good person! But that doesn't make her any less of an engineer. I could learn so much from her... Hey, do you think they'd let her teach me from jail? Is that ethical?

What do you think she's up to? (Same as above)

You're going to get yourself killed.

I see... But you should get out of here before it shows up.

I see.

I would, for...different reasons. So what're you doing out here?

Same as you, I imagine. Looking for Scarlet. She's amazing. I've seen some of her mechamagical creations, the way she overcomes joint friction, and the ingenious... What?

You know she's a terrorist, right? (Same as above)

Never mind.

Sure.

After the cutscene

Taimi: That energy field's calibrated to teleport living matter. It's safe. Really. Go!

<Character name>: Stop!

Rox: Kick it into high gear! Through that energy field! Forward, double time!

Scarlet Briar Hologram: You don't have much dignity, do you? It's okay. Your humiliation will end soon.

On breaking a chain

Braham: That's one puppet chain unhooked. Kuh-bam! Keep the enemy back!

Scarlet Briar Hologram: I love how you think you're so clever.

On breaking two chains

Marjory: Two chains down. Only a few left. Keep our enemy off-kilter!

Scarlet Briar Hologram: Ow, that hurt. (laugh)

On breaking three chains

Rox: And, three! We're winning! Show these annoyances what we can do! Keep 'em back!

Scarlet Briar Hologram: You're the reason I can't have nice toys.

On breaking four chains

Kasmeer: Yay! We're almost done! Four chains have been cut. Fight! Fight! Fight!

Scarlet Briar Hologram: You're so cute when you're on the offensive.

On breaking all five chains

Taimi: Yeah! Whee! Woo hoo! We are super adventurers! (laugh) Oh. Disengage combat mode.

Scarlet Briar Hologram: Interesting tactic. You never fail to surprise me.

On rejoining your friends

Braham: That was fun. I actually thought we might not win against that thing.

Rox: I'm starting to think Scarlet doesn't care whether she wins or loses against us.

Marjory: What does that mean?

Rox: She doesn't fight like she wants to win. She sacrifices her weapons to take some of us out. It's like she's culling the herd.

Kasmeer: Our herd.

Rox: Yeah. Tyria's defenders.

Braham: What do you think about those devices she's left around?

Rox: We don't know that Scarlet dropped those off, do we?

Marjory: Who else? I keep waiting for one of them to explode.

Kasmeer: Or spout toxins like the Tower of Nightmares.

Taimi: You can stop worrying. They're not offensive. They're probes. She's looking for something.

Braham: Or open up and spew dredge into the surrounding area.

Rox: Whatever they are, I'm convinced they're dangerous.

Taimi: (sigh) Nobody ever listens to me.

Marjory: Did you hear about the wurms acting up in Bloodtide Coast?

Rox: Someone was saying something about that. You going to go check it out?

Marjory: Nah. I'm so tired, my pillow's already snoring.

Kasmeer: Mine too.

Rox: Soon as we're done here, Braham and I are heading back to Lion's Arch.

Braham: Yeah, I'm starving.

Marjory: We'll meet you there.

Marjory: Kasmeer, you okay?

Kasmeer: Yes. I'm fine. Don't worry.

If you talk to Taimi, Marjory, Rox, Braham, or Kasmeer as they leave before they respawn

Taimi: It's gone. And just when I was starting to like it. There'll be other times. We haven't seen the last of this marionette. Scarlet does nothing without reason. It's all leading to her big finale.

Nothing can stop us!

Marjory: It retreated. Don't hold your breath though. My guess is that it'll be back, eventually.

I see what you mean.

Rox: Well, that wasn't so bad. We kicked tail. It's gone for now, though I wouldn't be surprised if it showed up again later.

Nice work.

Braham: Did you see that? It's gone! We did it. I just wish I felt like it was the last time we'd see it.

I see what you mean.

Kasmeer: It's gone, and we're no worse for the wear. I'd call that a success. Keep alert though. You never know when it will come back.

I see what you mean.

Approaching Taimi and Logan

Logan: You're a child.

Taimi: You're a super genius.

Logan: What are you doing out here? Who are you with?

Taimi: I'm not supposed to talk to nosy strangers.

Logan: Where are your parents?

Taimi: Dead.

Logan: Um, okay. You're obviously a long way from home. You come with me.

Taimi: By whose authority are you ordering me around?

Logan: By the authority vested in me by Queen Jennah of Divinity's Reach. Now, come with me.

Taimi: I'm not going with you until I know where you're taking me.

Logan: To Lion's Arch. Then, to Rata Sum. You've got no business out here on the battlefield.

Taimi: Are you paying the waypoint fees?

Logan: Yes. Now, come on.

Taimi: You seem like a pleasant enough travel companion. C'mon Scruffy. This nice human is taking us home

My story

“ I received a priority message from Logan Thackeray about a developing situation in Lornar's Pass. Scarlet's latest handiwork, a massive watchknight mechanical puppet chained to some kind of hovering fortress, was wreaking havoc as part of a deadly weapon test. I met some familiar faces there: Braham, Rox, Marjory, and Kasmeer were fighting against this abomination when an unsupervised and spunky progeny named Taimi charged into battle before I could stop her. So I gave chase. Our group split up and teleported to the individual platforms to disable each power regulator, all while fighting off clockwork monsters and ducking attacks from the colossal marionette. To my surprise, Taimi and her golem proved themselves a capable duo. Eventually, we forced Scarlet to pull her broken toy back for repairs. Afterward, Taimi mentioned something about Scarlet using an array of devices to probe Tyria, but we couldn't figure out for what purpose. The others headed to Lion's Arch to recoup for the marionette's inevitable return. We were met by Captain Thackeray, who showed up to take the progeny off our hands. Taimi showed some real courage, but her obsession with Scarlet was concerning. — My story

---

Living World Season 1 storyline

Flame and Frost	New Friends, New Enemies → The Battle for Cragstead → Alliance Investigation → Molten Furnace → A Quiet Celebration
Sky Pirates	Ceremony and Acrimony → Hard Boiled → No More Secrets → Aether Investigation → The Aetherblade Retreat → Case Closed
Clockwork Chaos	The Opening Ceremony → The Queen's Address → Clockwork Invasion → Scarlet's Playhouse → Picking Up the Pieces
Tower of Nightmares	The Nightmare Unveiled → Making the Antitoxin → The Tower of Nightmares → The Nightmare Incarnate → The Nightmare Ends → Awake and Allied
Battle for Lion's Arch	The Twisted Marionette → Connecting the Pieces → Escape from Lion's Arch → The Battle for Lion's Arch → Battle on the Breachmaker → Scarlet's End → After the Battle → Dawn of the Next Journey
← Previous: Personal story Next: Living World Season 2 →