A Seeker at the Gates

For the first task of this quest, you have to override a strider. The easiest way to find one is by going to the strider site to the east of Mother’s Watch. After finding a strider, stealthily approach it then press and hold triangle until the override sequence is complete. Take note that you’re vulnerable while attempting to override so if ever you get attacked in the middle of the sequence, the attempt will be interrupted and you’ll have to try again. You can only override machines by sneaking up behind them or tying them down with the ropecaster. There are certain machines that you can mount after overriding them while others can be made to fight other machines without targeting you. You can override more machines by completing Cauldrons (check out the dedicated section of this guide for them).

After overriding the strider you targeted, mount it and follow the objective markers until you reach the Main Embrace Gate. There, you’ll have a conversation with Varl. He’ll tell you to reach Mother’s Crown and talk to Marea. At the same time, he’ll ask for your help in searching for his mother, Sona. This will start another main quest to your list, “The War-Chief’s Trail”.

Before heading out, trade with the merchant near the main gate and buy all the collectible maps in the special items section of the merchant’s inventory. These will display the general location of all major collectibles (not datapoints) in the game. Your next destination is Mother’s Crown further north. At this point, you can do things at your pace. This walkthrough will resume on the events when you decide to follow the key objectives.

Upon reaching Mother’s Crown, find the woman named Marea and talk to her. You’ll learn that the Carja fort to the west is closed due to the presence of corrupted machines. Before you can go there, you have to clear two corrupted zones. There are four corrupted zones in Nora territory, two of which are marked near the gate fort. However, there’s one in the southeast of the map near the Embrace’s Main Gate and another one further north of Mother’s Crown. In any case, clearing any two corrupted zones will update your objective which will point you to Daytower, the Carja border fort.

Upon reaching the Daytower, you’ll find it being assaulted by a corruptor and corrupted machines. Fire-based ammo will work well against them. If you have the Blast Sling, you can use it to deal splash fire damage to the machines below. Like before, you have to watch out from the corruptor’s ranged weapon attacks and its deadly jump-stomp. The other corrupted machines are watchers and scrappers, both types that you can easily deal with. After taking out the machines, loot their remains for resources then approach the gate. The carja guards will let you in, completing this quest and starting the next main quest “City of the Sun”. You’ll also get the trophy “Fought back the corruption”.

Notes:

• If you have accepted the side quest “ A Daughter's Vengeance”, it will be updated as soon as you enter the gate.
• Before heading to Meridian, make sure to complete the sidequests available in this region, including the other main quest “The War-Chief’s Trail”.