Foul Play

This is a quest begun in Basin Keep. A woman named Sonya Bolt will give it to you from atop a building in the eastern section of Basin Keep (aka the Pond Slums).

Sonya first asks you to go to Clinging River and search for a new species of enemy. After discivering and defeating some Anglers with legs, she will further ask you to investigate V'rda Vil North, where three more fish with legs will fight you. After defeating them, a small device will appear which will lead you to a nearby platform (accessed by going south east to the area with a step up, then across the Warp bubbles.)

The key opens up an elevator which leads down below the area into an apparent research facility. The player will be required to check a few computers, solve some puzzles, and eventually fight a giant fish in a mech suit. This boss will use Ice and Wave elements, so keep your Shock handy and get ready to dodge a lot.

After defeating the boss, the room to the north will inform the player of the ultimate fate of the researchers of the facility. It also contains a chest with a Jungle Lab Pet (which at the time of this writing [jan 3, 2021] offers only a description of "Coming soon...").

The quest will also spawn the ability to discover another secret location in sapphire ridge once 4 keys are decrypted in various locations.

The first key decryption is in Splitting Stumps in Gaia's Garden, on top of the southeast-most stump.

The Autumn's Fall key is on the north side of the ruins at Great Lake (where you fight the hologram frobbit) between three trees.

The Bergen Trail key is in Off Road 3. You will need to take the high ground in the north to get to the small protected glen on the west. Go counter-clockwise around the glen with the two frobbits in it on the first level above ground. The key is on the 3:00 side of the circle, just outside the wall formed by the second level above ground.

The Maroon Valley key is in Deadly Oasis (the area accessed from River Cliff through the Cursed Coin bit) at the top of the small pond area.

After you have found all four parts of the decryption key, you willl be informed that the secret facility x is somewhere in Sapphire Ridge. You will find an elevator similar to the first one in Carved Pathway, in the northwestern area. Blue lights coming from you will lead the way.

On the map, the area is listed as "FALLBACK" - forest.lab.room-1

The area north is called forest.lab.room-2

At the northernmost is an area called forest.lab.room-3

At this time there doesn't seem to be anything to do in this area. You simply observe some more funny creatures and gain access to a room where some guys are playing video games. (Drey Santres, Xavier Bonegate, Dave Halman, and Barney Sauceston. Their inspect mode names are Patty, Shepard, Donfranco, and Lara)

It is possible something will change in a coming update or perhaps full completion is required?