Zegnautus Keep

Zegnautus Keep is a magitek laboratory and Niflheim military installation in Final Fantasy XV. It is a colossal flying structure that is usually docked at the central elevator in Gralea, the imperial capital. The empire conducts research on magitek and daemons here, and its premises seem to also be used for programming magitek troopers. The emperor's throne room is located in the heart of the Keep, and it has a special chamber for holding the Crystal of Lucis.
Zegnautus Keep is visited in Chapter 13 and is an unrevisitable location. Summons never appear in battles in the Zegnautus Keep. A patch added an alternative route the player can take, playing as Gladiolus Amicitia and Ignis Scientia while controlling the former. Zegnautus Keep also appears in Final Fantasy XV -The Dawn of the Future- in Aranea Highwind's chapter.
== Story ==
Iedolas Aldercapt meets with his forces in Zegnautus Keep's throne room after the successful invasion of Insomnia. The new high commander, Ravus Nox Fleuret, attends, as well as soldiers of the imperial infantry, Chief Verstael Besithia, Commodore Aranea Highwind and Brigadier Generals Caligo Ulldor and Loqi Tummelt. Aldercapt orders his forces to kill Prince Noctis and capture Lady Lunafreya and the Ring of the Lucii currently in her possession.
When the train stops in Eusciello and is attacked by the imperial army, Prince Noctis gets out to defend it while observing the Zegnautus Keep hovering overhead. He successfully defends the train and they escape the area.
As told in Final Fantasy XV -The Dawn of the Future-, Gralea comes under attack from a Diamond Weapon and rogue magitek troopers that Chancellor Izunia has let loose in the city. Izunia broadcasts a message to the city from the Keep, declaring it the final day of the empire as the dying emperor has no heirs. When the Weapon heads for the Zegnautus Keep, Aranea pursues. She finds the emperor dead on the throne and Izunia on the roof, watching the Diamond Weapon being transported toward Tenebrae. She realizes he's behind the carnage and tries to attack him, but he easily deflects her attempt. She declares her hatred for him and resigns her post as commodore, leaping off the roof of the Keep after deciding to protect Tenebrae as her unit's final mission.
As told in Final Fantasy XV, Noctis infiltrates Gralea during his quest to reclaim the Crystal of Lucis Niflheim has stolen, but finds the place devoid of humans and swarming with rogue magitek troops and daemons. The citizens of Gralea have either died at the hands of daemons, or been turned.
Noctis becomes separated from his friends Ignis and Gladiolus, and finds his powers granted to him by his divine bloodline have stopped working. Unable to forge weapons from thin air, Noctis wields the Ring of the Lucii as his only weapon as he makes his way through the laboratory to rescue his friend Prompto Argentum. Prompto is being held hostage at the laboratory by Ardyn Izunia whose disembodied voice taunts Noctis as he explores the daemon-infested hallways. Noctis is also being haunted by the mysterious Foras, a daemon who speaks and thirsts for the Ring of the Lucii.
Reports at the lab reveal that the empire has been ravaged by a "vanishing disease" that has turned its citizens into daemons. The disease is Starscourge, which spread to the population during the empire's military expansion. Noctis learns that magitek troopers are manufactured as a result of human experimentation, and that daemons were once ordinary humans.
He finds Ravus dead on the floor with the Sword of the Father, the late King Regis's sword. On Ravus's person Noctis finds several letters he had written to his sister, Lunafreya, which reveal Ravus had always been loyal to her. Though Ravus had opposed Lunafreya's mission to help Noctis, he had been safeguarding Noctis's father's sword for him.
Ravus had confronted Emperor Aldercapt, declaring that Noctis is the rightful bearer of the Ring of the Lucii who would soon purge Eos from daemons with the power of the Crystal. The outraged emperor had claimed the Crystal is his and summoned daemons to attack Ravus. Ravus had been expelled from the throne room and met Ardyn disguised as Noctis, who had killed him. Gladiolus and Ignis watch security camera footage of these events as they go through the lab while looking for Noctis and Prompto.
Noctis reunites with his friends and together they save Prompto, who reveals he was born at an imperial magitek production facility to be made into a magitek trooper. Prompto avoided this fate when he was kidnapped from the facility by Lucians and adopted by a family in Insomnia, and he had always kept his past a secret. Prompto has a serial code tattooed onto his wrist he uses to open the lock to the throne room where the device that seals Noctis's powers is kept. They turn it off, and Noctis regains his abilities. They find the emperor's clothes left on the throne.
Emperor Aldercapt has been turned into a demon named Foras by Ardyn. As the party vanquishes Foras, it laments its desire to more than just ruling Eos; by seeking to fell the Astrals, the emperor declares he will to rule over the heavens and earth both.
The party is accosted by Ravus who has been "resurrected" as a daemon. He begs the party to kill him, and after they destroy him, they are overwhelmed by daemons. Noctis believes he can combat them with the light of the Crystal and his friends urge him to go it alone. When Noctis finds the Crystal he is absorbed inside it before a gloating Ardyn who reveals his true identity as Ardyn Lucis Caelum, Noctis's immortal ancestor whose soul has been corrupted by daemons. Ardyn explains he was once the Crystal's Chosen, but was cast aside and forgotten when he was deemed unclean. His goal is for the Crystal to crown a new Chosen King and then face him in battle.
Noctis disappears for ten years, while the world awaits the day he would return as the True King as spoken of in prophecy.
===Final Fantasy XV: Episode Ignis===
If Ignis decides to follow Ardyn after facing him in Altissia, the latter takes him to Zegnautus Keep. A mysterious voice guides Ignis to the Crystal, telling him how only the True King fulfilling the prophecy can save the world.
When Ignis finds the Crystal, he is apprehended by Ardyn, who reveals he lured Ignis there as bait for Noctis, whom he wants to inherit the Crystal's power. Ardyn reveals his true identity as Ardyn Lucis Caelum, who in ancient times was to become the king of Lucis, but considers the title stolen from him by his brother, the Founder King. His soul rendered immortal Ardyn has lived for two millennia, awaiting the time he can get his revenge on the Crystal that had discarded him. Ignis knows Noctis will die if Ardyn's plan succeeds, and declares that the world means nothing to him if it means losing his friend.
Ignis puts on the Ring of the Lucii and gains its power for the price of his own life. He defeats Ardyn who yet returns, as he is immortal. The dying Ignis is found by Noctis, Gladiolus and Prompto, who had been brought to the Keep by Ravus. Noctis grieves how incapable he is to protect those close to him, and asks for the Crystal's power to save Ignis. He takes the ring and walks into the Crystal.
==Shops==
===Items===
The player can purchase goods from vending machines. The item machines are available on Noctis's route.
Item	Gil 	Type 	Info
 	50 	Items	Restores half of HP.
 	100 	Items	Fully restores HP.
 	400 	Items	Fully restores HP and MP and regenerates half of maximum HP.
 	800 	Items	Restores maximum HP and MP.
 	1000	Items	Brings fallen party members back to life. Temporarily increases HP and MP recovery rate.
 	10 	Items	Cures Poison.
 	50 	Items	Cures Stone.
 	50 	Items	Cures Confusion.
 	100 	Items	Cures Toad.
 	100 	Items	Fully restores MP.
 	500 	Items	Cures Poison, Stone, Confusion, and Toad.
===Equipment===
The weapon vending machine is found after Noctis regains his ability to summon weapons. It sells the same weapons and accessories as the shops in Altissia.
Item	Gil 	Type	Info
 	5000	 	ATK 198 MP+11Absorbs health from foes.
 	5000	 	ATK 345 HP+246 Lightning Resist+29%Inflicts lightning damage.
 	5000	 	ATK 161Deals heavy damage when airborne.
 	5000	 	ATK 153 MP+6 Magic+1510% chance to inflict Compromised.
 	5000	 	ATK 210 Spirit+16Inflicts fire damage.
 	5000	 	ATK 144 Vitality+25 Ballistic Resist+22%
 	2500	 	HP+200
 	2000	 	Strength+40
 	1500	 	Magic+80
 	2500	 	Vitality+70
 	2500	 	Spirit+70
==Items==
The route through the complex until Noctis reunites with Gladiolus and Ignis depends on which path the player chooses: Noctis's or Gladiolus's. To get all of the story content the player should play both. The player can first play Noctis's route until the party reunites, and then play the other path from the title screen.
;Noctis's route
*Laser Sensor x2
*Chrome Bit x4
*Potion (near barred door on side of corridor)
*Security Card (key item)
*Mythril Shaft x5
*Old Book
*Megalixir x3
*Shattered Timepiece (side room to south)
*Flesh Fortifier x3
*Hi-Elixir x6
*Debased Banknote (armory)
*Magnetron (armory)
*Superior Restorative x2
*Magitek Core
*Reflex Enhancer x3
*Muscle Stimulant x5
*Generator Keycard (key item)
*Tempered Shield 
*Magitek Booster x2
*Gralean Medal of Distinction x3
*Metal Scrap
*Imperial Medal of Honor
*Chobham Armor 
*Mega-Potion x2
*Ether
*Rare Coin
*Broken Harmonica
*Panel B Keycard (key item)
*Panel C Keycard (key item)
*Hydraulic Cylinder (in bottom left room of the 9-grid room layout)
*Mega Phoenix
;Gladiolus's route:
*Hi-Potion x2
*Potion x3
*Phoenix Down x3
;United route:
*Flesh Fortifier (cells for specimens)
*Old Book (cells for specimens)
*Muscle Stimulant
*Hi-Potion
*Bulletproof Suit (meeting room)
*Reflex Enhancer
The player can also find various reports, letters and Ω-Files for the Datalog.
== Enemies ==
*Rogue Axeman
*Haywire Axeman
*Shock Trooper
*Snaga
*Alberich
*Uttu
*Gargantua
*Wraith
*Reaper
*Foras (boss)
*Ravus (boss)
Final Fantasy XV: The Complete Official Guide lists Kadru as an enemy that appears at Zegnautus Keep, but the game has no such enemy.
==Keycards==
The code on the key card Noctis uses to open doors at the Keep is the same code print Prompto has tattooed on his wrist. The first level of the keep has a four-way intersection with automatic doors that open when Noctis's keycard is updated to the appropriate clearance level. However, the northern door is nor marked with a clearance level, and cannot be opened.
== Documents found in Zegnautus Keep ==
The player can find various documents lying around Zegnautus Keep that they can inspect to learn more about the story. These documents are chronicled in the Datalog in the Windows and Royal Editions. The Omega Files are exclusive to the latter. These entries are missable if the player does not read them during Chapter 13.
=== Ravus's letters ===
There are three letters scattered about Ravus when the player finds him.
=== Research documents ===
The player can find various reports around the Keep that reveal the imperial side of magitek research, daemons and Starscourge.
;
In light of the large sample size, the test results can be considered conclusive: commonly occurring parasitic protozoa are the agents of daemonification. These findings pave the way for the weaponization of daemons, and the first step involves finding a way to control mutated organisms. This report recommends Minister of Research Verstael Besithia submit a detailed budget request for the Deathless Project.
;
Plasmodia-based biological weapons exhibit an acute aversion to light, their cellular structure breaking down within moments of exposure. As the cells are converted to benign molecules, there is no inherent danger even should such a reaction occur. Lightproof armor presents a simple yet effective solution to the problem.
;
With the mass production of magitek troopers having commenced in earnest, the Imperial Defense Council approves the following reforms:
* The replacement of human infantry with magitek units.
* The augmenting of biological materials through cloning.
;
Nine days on from the mysterious disappearances, and nary a lead. It beggars belief that 812 people—an entire village—could simply vanish into thin air. In more tangible developments, of the daemons that emerged in West Gralea at the same juncture, 60% are confirmed escaped from military facilities. Details of the remaining 40%, however, remain inconclusive.
;
Including cases around the village, the number of missing now stands at 1,657. Early reports from the MRF attribute the disappearance to an infectious disease, and investigations continue as regards a potential connection to the daemon outbreak. At the time of writing, the quarantining of West Gralea is complete, and other sections remain infection free.
;
The infection has since manifested in five adjacent sectors, and threatens to reach epidemic proportions. Its spread is invariably accompanied by the appearance of daemons, and the likelihood cannot be ignored that the pathogens are daemon borne. Quarantine has been expanded to encompass all areas in which the creatures are found.
;
Following their outbreak in the north and west, daemons have swept through the MRF, causing extensive damage to equipment. Control was subsequently lost over unprogrammed MTs, and strategies are being deliberated on the collection of rogue units. 125 patients undergoing testing at the facility have vanished in a manner reminiscent of the first disappearances.
;
The infected aren't disappearing—they're turning into daemons. That we failed to see this defies belief. Yet dwelling on it avails us naught in the face of the daemon threat. Though of human origin, they're unlike the specimens bred for MTs. They cannot be controlled.
;
More than half the keep's inhabitants are now daemons. There's no hope of neutralizing them, not with control lost over the MTs. Outside, the city swarms with yet more daemons—former citizens. There's no escape.
;
The wave produced exceptional results in real-world conditions, effectively inhibiting the Kingsglaive's warping and spellcasting abilities—powers that operate on the selfsame principle as the Wall of Lucis.
;
The report concludes that the wave can neutralize not only the Wall, but all magical phenomena exhibited by Lucian royalty. Moreover, based on the data acquired from the encounter with Shiva, an enfeebling effect on the Six can also be anticipated.
===The Ω-Files===
;
Past the elevator where Noctis finds the Generator Keycard, all the way to the east on top of a crate.
:Although I successfully repaired the robot by supplementing deficient areas with parts salvaged from our own magitek fleet, I have had no luck in terms of activating the device. It responds ever so slightly when joined with a bit of electric current, yet it nevertheless remains offline. I suppose I am left with no choice but to dismantle the device and discover precisely how it operates.
;
After upgrading the security card to level 4, the research log is in the room behind the next rest stop.
:My researchers were met with the most curious phenomena this morning: the device we dismantled last night had somehow reformed. We lost four workers when a stray laser caught them off guard. Worst of all, my hopes of the weapon staying online were dashed when it abruptly shut down after its rampage. Needless to say, the remaining researchers were less than eager to continue their work.
;
After Noctis reunites with Gladiolus and Ignis, the research log is in the room north of the next objective with the blue hologram of the building.
:It is with regret that I hereby suspend my plans to restore this magitek weapon to full functionality. The spineless powers that be fear further "incidents"—and my efforts to activate and control the device were futile, it seems. If it is some sort of autonomous armament, then only divine intervention could bring the mech back online. Until that time comes, however, the device shall remain sealed.
==Other appearances==
===Final Fantasy Brave Exvius===
FFBE Zegnautus Keep FFXV.png|
FFBE Zegnautus Keep FFXV 2.png|
== Gallery ==
Zegnautus Keep room with fake Prompto in FFXV.png
Zegnautus-Keep-Apparatus-FFXV.png
Zegnautus Keep broken MTs in FFXV.png|Broken MTs on the floor.
Zegnatutus-Keep-Poison-FFXV.png|Corridor flooded with poison gas.
Zegnautus Keep poison gas console from FFXV.png|Poison gas console.
Zegnautus Keep security room from FFXV.png|Security room.
Zegnautus Keep supplies room from FFXV.png|Supplies.
Zegnautus Keep dead specimen in FFXV.png|Dead specimen.
Magitek-Trooper-Trap-FFXV.png|A rogue MT.
Wallbreaker-Wave-Generator-FFXV.png|Wallbreaker Wave generator.
Wallbreaker Wave console from FFXV.png|Console for operating the Wallbreaker Wave.
Zegnautus-Keep-Control-Room-FFXV.png|Control room.
Zegnautus-Keep-Throne-Room.png|Throne room.
Crystal-Room-Zegnautus-Keep-FFXV.png|Crystal chamber.
Zegnautus Keep Dorm from FFXV.png|Dorm room.
Zegnautus-Keep-Episode-Ignis-FFXV.png|Zegnautus Keep in Episode Ignis.
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Category:Locations in Final Fantasy XV
Category:Transportation in Final Fantasy XV