Quick Answer
Complete the Forest once, then take Shav'Wani Bridge from the Church to reach Fortress. For the Church shortcut, face the entrance, turn right, and continue straight past the car. Fortress has six floors, with an amulet altar on Floor 3 and The Emperor at the end.
How do you find the Fortress entrance and shortcut?
You reach Fortress through Shav'Wani Bridge, which opens after you complete the Forest once.
Complete the Forest once
Finish the Forest before looking for this route from the Church. If you need the wider progression route, use the SULFUR walkthrough.
Find the Church shortcut
Face the Church entrance and turn right. Keep going straight after the car to reach the Bridge shortcut.
Cross into Fortress
The Bridge area begins with a Forest map. Continue through it to the large bridge, which leads straight into Fortress proper.
This shortcut takes you to Bridge. Do not count on it returning you to the Fortress floor you left.
How do you get through Shav'Wani Bridge?
Follow the route through the Forest section, then cross the large bridge toward Fortress.
Shav'Wani Bridge is a transitional area without separate floors. You are heading toward Fortress throughout this stretch, rather than clearing numbered Bridge floors.
You encounter Samurai and Warden here. There are no vendors in the Bridge area, so you cannot rely on shopping along this approach. Conserve ammunition where possible: the six-floor Fortress and its two-stage boss fight are still ahead.
The Forest scenery at the start does not mean you took the wrong entrance. The large bridge at the end is the connection you need. Once you cross it, you enter Fortress proper.
What is the route through the six Fortress floors?
You move through six floors, descending into caverns on Floor 3 and returning to the surface near Floor 5.
| Route point | What you should expect |
|---|---|
| Bridge approach | A Forest section followed by the large bridge into Fortress. |
| Fortress interior | Buildings, staircases, and long underground passages. |
| Floor 3 | The amulet altar and the descent into caverns. |
| Near Floor 5 | The route returns to the surface. |
| End of Fortress | The Emperor encounter in the palace. |
Use Floor 3 as your main landmark within the dungeon. It contains the amulet altar, so keep that floor in mind when planning your run. The amulet guide covers the item separately.
The underground section continues beyond your initial descent. Returning to the surface near Floor 5 is part of the route.
Which Fortress enemies are dangerous?
Watch for cloak-protected crossbow users and fast melee opponents as you move through Fortress.
The area's enemy roster includes Samurai, Grenadier, Warden, Twerker, Lurk, and The Emperor.
Crossbow users can cover themselves with their cloaks and become temporarily invulnerable. Wait for the golden medallion to appear, then attack during that opening. Shooting while their protection is active wastes ammunition you need deeper inside.
Other opponents use rapid martial arts attacks and close distance quickly. Deal with them before they reach melee range. Keep their approach in mind while waiting for a protected enemy to become vulnerable.
What should you prepare before The Emperor?
Bring plenty of ammunition and at least one weapon repair item before entering the final arena.
You still have a long, two-stage fight after reaching the palace. Do not treat arriving at the final arena as the end of your ammunition needs.
Fortress can have vendors, including Grossberg, Fex Shuen, Skrip, Qiosk, and DH 'Ell Guy. Their possible appearance differs from Bridge, where no vendors spawn. Rice, Matcha, Fish, Flat Sandfish, and Seaweed are common Fortress finds.
The Emperor begins as a mechanical worm. Shoot its tail segments; destroying them makes it smaller and faster. After defeating that form, jump into the newly opened pit and speak to begin the second phase.
That phase sends a mechanical spider/crab after you through a narrow circular tunnel. Keep moving, use the tunnel's bends for cover, and attack the central cockpit when you have an opening. Read the Emperor boss guide before committing to the fight.
FAQ
You enter Fortress through Bridge; the altar is on Floor 3 of the six-floor dungeon.
It opens after you complete the Forest once. You can then use it to reach Fortress from the Church.
Face the Church entrance, turn right, and continue straight past the car. This route takes you to Bridge.
Bridge has no separate floors and no vendors. It starts with a Forest map and ends at the bridge into Fortress.
Fortress has six floors. The amulet altar is on Floor 3, where the route also descends into caverns.
Wait until they reveal a golden medallion, then attack. Their cloak can make them temporarily invulnerable.
The Emperor waits in the palace. You fight a mechanical worm first, then a mechanical spider/crab in a narrow tunnel.