Starmetal represents the pinnacle of crafting materials in the Living Lands. For anyone tracking the "Forged of Star-Stuff" quest, locating these rare fragments is only half the battle. This resource is exceptionally scarce, with only four fragments existing in the entire game world—one hidden in each major region. Collecting them allows access to some of the most potent elemental weaponry available in Eora, specifically designed to harness frost and physical trauma against the encroaching threats of the Dreamscourge.

Finding the first Fragment of Starmetal triggers the quest automatically. However, there is a significant catch: while you can start collecting these as soon as you step foot in the Dawn Shore, you cannot actually forge or upgrade the weapons until you reach the final major hub of the game. This makes the hunt for Starmetal a long-term investment that spans the entire campaign.

Dawn Shore: The Godless Altar

The first fragment is located in the Dawn Shore, the initial open region you explore after the prologue. It is arguably the easiest to find, but it remains tucked away in a corner that players focused solely on the main path might overlook.

To find it, navigate to the southeastern portion of the map. You are looking for a landmark known as the Godless Altar. If you have already unlocked the fast travel point for the Emerald Stair Gatehouse, simply head southwest from that position. The altar is situated in a clearing dominated by ancient, weathered stone structures.

Guardians at this location typically consist of Xaurip packs. While they aren't the most formidable foes, they can overwhelm a low-level character through sheer numbers. Once the area is cleared, look directly at the stone table in the center of the ruins. The Fragment of Starmetal sits plainly on top. Picking this up will officially initiate the "Forged of Star-Stuff" entry in your journal. While you might be tempted to find a blacksmith immediately, the local smiths in Paradis or the smaller camps will admit they lack the skill to work such celestial ore, pointing you toward a legendary forge master you won't meet for many hours.

Emerald Stair: The Damp Burrow and Is Cern

The second fragment is located in the Emerald Stair region, specifically within a sub-location called the Damp Burrow. This area is found northeast of Fior Mes Iverno, deep within the Rolling Crags. If you have discovered the Rolling Crags party camp, you are already very close.

Locating the fragment involves more than just a simple pickup; it requires a brief cave crawl. Head to the southeastern edge of the Damp Burrow's main clearing. You will find a small pool of water, and just south of it lies the entrance to a dark cavern. Inside, the environment changes significantly, illuminated by a faint purple glow.

This fragment is guarded by a unique named Troll known as Is Cern. This enemy is a significant step up in difficulty compared to the Xaurips of the Dawn Shore. Is Cern possesses high health and can deal massive physical damage with its sweeping attacks. You have two choices: engage in a high-stakes brawl or use stealth to navigate around the perimeter of the cave. The fragment is located near the back exit of the cavern, lying on the ground amidst a patch of shimmering purple stardust. The visual cue of the stardust makes it difficult to miss once you are inside the correct chamber.

Shatter Scarp: Navigation through the Abandoned Mine

The third fragment, found in Shatter Scarp, is the most difficult to reach due to the verticality and platforming required. It is hidden within the Abandoned Mine, located north of the Thirdborn settlement. Finding the entrance is the first challenge; you need to look for a small, inconspicuous crevice along the rock wall while traveling northwest from the party camp waystone.

Once inside the mine, the path is not linear. You will need to utilize the environment to climb upward. Look for a series of ladders and wooden scaffolding on the western side of the interior chamber. After reaching the second level, you must jump across a gap to reach a destructible wall. Breaking this wall reveals a path that leads even higher.

Your goal is the southern cliffs overlooking the interior of the mine. This involves crossing wooden planks and navigating narrow ledges. At the very top of this southern plateau, you will find the Fragment of Starmetal resting on the ground near a lone tree. Because of the complexity of this layout, it is highly recommended to clear out any nearby bandits or mechanical constructs before attempting the platforming sections, as taking damage mid-jump can lead to a lethal fall back to the mine floor.

Galawain’s Tusks: The Ash Forest Meteor Crater

The final fragment is located in the endgame region of Galawain’s Tusks. This piece is found in the Ash Forest, a desolate area in the northwestern corner of the map. This is a high-level zone, and the environment itself is hostile, with reduced visibility and dangerous flora.

In the center of the Ash Forest, look for a distinct, red-colored meteor crater. Unlike the previous fragments which were often on altars or hidden in mines, this one is out in the open, but it serves as a trigger for a boss encounter. As soon as you interact with the fragment in the crater, a powerful Revenant named Destul will spawn.

Destul is a bounty target, making this a two-for-one encounter if you have the relevant quest from Solace Keep. The Revenant utilizes frost and decay magic, capable of slowing your movement and draining your health over time. Bringing companions with high disruption capabilities or fire-based elemental damage is effective here. Once Destul is defeated (or if you manage to grab the metal and flee), you will have the final piece required to complete the collection.

Finding Forgemaster De la

With all four fragments in your inventory, you must travel to Solace Keep, the primary hub in Galawain’s Tusks. This is where the only blacksmith capable of handling Starmetal resides.

Forgemaster De la is not located in the main merchant stalls. To find him, enter Solace Keep and head toward the massive statue in the center of the main hall. Behind the statue, there is a ramp leading down into the basement levels. De la is stationed at a large anvil at the bottom of these stairs.

When speaking to him, you will finally have the option to cash in your fragments. It is important to note the economy of this quest: each unique weapon costs one fragment to create, and one additional fragment to upgrade to its "Superb" or "Legendary" version. Since there are exactly four fragments in the game, you can either create four basic versions of weapons (if the game allowed), or more logically, create both unique weapons and upgrade them both to their maximum potential.

The Starmetal Weapons: Moonstrike and Meteor Blade

Forgemaster De la offers two distinct blueprints: a ranged option and a melee option. Choosing how to spend your fragments depends entirely on your character's attribute distribution.

Moonstrike (Arquebus)

Moonstrike is a high-impact firearm that excels in crowd control and elemental application. Its base stats provide significant physical damage, but its true power lies in its enchantments.

  • Ondra’s Scorn: Power attacks with this weapon deal moderate frost accumulation to nearby enemies. In Avowed, freezing an enemy isn't just about damage; it provides a massive window for critical hits and halts enemy aggression.
  • Freezing Lash: This passive adds a percentage of bonus frost damage to every shot.

When upgraded to Heavenstrike, the damage scaling becomes one of the highest in the game for ranged builds. It is the ideal choice for players who have invested heavily in the Perception and Dexterity trees.

Meteor Blade (One-Handed Sword)

For melee-focused builds, the Meteor Blade is a versatile and fast weapon. It balances physical striking power with high stun values, allowing you to interrupt enemy spellcasters and heavy attackers.

  • Meteor Impact: Hits have a chance to trigger a small explosion or stun effect, depending on the current patch tuning, making it excellent for front-line fighters.
  • Versatility: Unlike the Arquebus, which requires a reload animation, the Meteor Blade can be paired with a shield or a secondary wand for a hybrid build.

When upgraded to its final form, often referred to as Ondra’s Offense, the sword gains massive buffs to critical hit chance and stun duration. This weapon is particularly effective when fighting the larger, more resilient monsters found in the primordial depths of Galawain’s Tusks.

Strategic Advice for the Forged of Star-Stuff Quest

While the quest seems straightforward—collect four pieces and turn them in—there are several nuances that can help you get the most out of this late-game gear.

First, consider the timing of your upgrades. If you find yourself struggling with the high-level mobs in Galawain’s Tusks before reaching Solace Keep, you might be tempted to rush the fragments. However, because the blacksmith is located so far into the game, Starmetal weapons are essentially "endgame" gear. Do not neglect your standard steel or iron upgrades in the mid-game (Shatter Scarp) while waiting for these.

Second, pay attention to companion dialogue. Some companions have unique reactions to the Starmetal fragments. While it doesn't change the outcome of the quest, interacting with various blacksmiths across the Living Lands before reaching De la can provide additional lore context and occasionally small amounts of XP or reputation as you "consult" them on the rare metal.

Third, evaluate your elemental synergy. If you are playing a wizard build that already utilizes frost magic, Moonstrike’s frost accumulation will stack with your spells, allowing you to freeze bosses significantly faster. Conversely, if you lack elemental variety, the Meteor Blade provides a reliable source of physical stun that works on almost every enemy type, regardless of their elemental resistances.

In terms of raw power, many players find the Arquebus (Heavenstrike) to be the standout reward. The ability to apply frost accumulation from a safe distance, combined with the high base damage of an Arquebus, allows for a "sniper" playstyle that can trivialize some of the harder encounters in the final dungeons. However, the Meteor Blade remains a top-tier choice for those who prefer the kinetic feel of melee combat.

Summary of Locations

For quick reference, here is the checklist for your journey:

  1. Dawn Shore: Godless Altar (Southeast). Look for the stone table guarded by Xaurips.
  2. Emerald Stair: Damp Burrow (Northeast of Fior Mes Iverno). Inside the cave south of the pool, guarded by the troll Is Cern.
  3. Shatter Scarp: Abandoned Mine (North of Thirdborn). Requires climbing ladders and scaffolding to reach the southern cliff plateau.
  4. Galawain’s Tusks: Ash Forest (Northwest). Inside the red meteor crater, guarded by the Revenant Destul.
  5. Turn-in: Solace Keep basement. Speak to Forgemaster De la behind the central statue.

Completing this quest is one of the most satisfying achievements in the game, providing a tangible sense of progression from the early hours in the Dawn Shore to the final battles. Whether you choose the freezing precision of the Arquebus or the crushing weight of the Meteor Blade, Starmetal weapons are a defining part of a powerful loadout.