Toggle Background Color
Hello everyone and welcome back! Today we're picking right where we left off last time. Hamon Holyfist got his mojo back, and Ginger graduated from pugilist school. So that seems like as good a time as any to go give the Scions an answer!
Also one of the great tragedies of the game is that FFXIV has a lot of gender-locked clothing. The lalafell whose initials spell out OMG down there is a male. You know how I can tell? Because he has a suit vest. That same outfit is this really poofy and girly dress on women. It's covered in gigantic hearts. Try and tell me that Ginger wouldn't rock the shit out of a suit vest and tailored pants.
Also in case you're curious, this is what Ginger's new skill looks like. Demolish, like I said, is a damage over time ability. There's a lot of cruft on the tooltip, but the important bits are like I said last time: it's a combo finisher and it deals bonus damage from the rear. So as she gets more skill, Ginger is filling out her repertoire. In fact, she has five of the six basic combo moves she needs!
The bad news? The sixth is a reward from the level 50 quest.
Back in Vesper Bay, I come across this woman who has some sidequests. They're really not worth covering, but there's some useful perks for completing them. Namely...
Fashion Fantasy XIV. Glamour, as the community says, is the real endgame. It's literally using a magic prism to change your gear to look like something else. Back in the inn room, there's a furniture object called a glamour dresser. It holds 400 items that you can use to change what your gear looks like more-or-less freely. Most characters, my main character included, are dangerously close to that limit.
If we had a crafter at level 15 or above, we could also learn to make our own glamour prisms. I literaly never do this on my main character. It's just easier to buy them in bulk from a vendor we unlock later on.
Nedrick here starts most of the optional dungeon quests. Not all of them, mind. Just most of them. Also oh goodie. We already have the quest for most people's least favorite dungeon on the list. We just can't take it until level 47. Really not looking forward to covering Aurum Piss Aurum Vale.
Anyway, let's go talk to Minfilia.
We Scions have but one objective: to safeguard the future of Eorzea. Among our gravest concerns are the godlike beings known as the primals. Long have we striven to find a lasting solution to the threat they pose. I know not what it is you desire for yourself, nor what it was that first brought you to Eorzea, but I firmly believe that the power we possess was given to us for a purpose. Pray consider this when you give me your answer, Ginger.
I will go whither the wild rose blooms.
Thus starts the longest running gag in Final Fantasy XIV. Minfilia trusted Ginger with the order's password. Ginger is not a trustworthy person. Many is the time throughout this LP where we will be asked to select a dialogue option to continue. "I will go whither the wild rose blooms." will oftentimes be an option among those presented. You better believe I'm gonna select it every damn time.
I take it you will help us.
*nods*
Wonderful! I knew you wouldn't let us down! But come, I would introduce you to your friends in the order. Tell me, does the name Sharlayan ring any bells?
*shakes her head*
It used to be one of Eorzea's six city--states, and was situated in the northwest of Aldenard.
That's putting it mildly. The Sharlayan motherland is basically Final Fantasy England. The Sharlayan she's referring to, then, would be approximately where Brittany is. We'll actually eventually visit it, but not in this LP. Comparing the city states to their real-world country equivalents quickly stops making easy sense unless you're willing to make some severe assumptions. Just bear in mind for the future: Sharlayan = England/Brittany, Ishgard = France. And then it breaks down after that.
The Sharlayans were the keepers of wisdom both old and new. Their mastery over magic and aether was unsurpassed, and even the Garleans knew to fear them. Among their number, there were a noble few who devoted their lives to safeguarding the future of Eorzea. When the realm began its descent into chaos, and their countrymen fled for the motherland, they alone chose to remain here. These noble men and women were called the Archons. Those same brave souls stand before you now.
The masked woman is Yda, and beside her is Papalymo. The two are charged with surveying the Twelveswood.
Hello there!
Well come!
Okay, my turn to introduce someone! That there is Thancred!
He is our man here in Ul'dah, jewel of the desert.
Welcome to the team! I never doubted that you'd come!
If I may, the lovely maiden beside me is named Y'shtola. Limsa Lominsa has the pleasure of being under her care.
Greetings. Last but not least is Urianger, who presides over all affairs within these halls. Pray seek him out whenever you have questions.
Dawn may banish even the darkest night...
...The words of a dear friend. I am glad of our meeting.
Urianger is Gideon Emery doing his best Gideon Emery voice.
At the Battle of Carteneau, our leader was taken from us. But we did not stray from our purpose. We sought out Minfilia and others with her talent, and together established the Scions of the Seventh Dawn.
If you remember the first update, Louisoix was the leader of the Scions, and he's been missing ever since that day.
Along with the Archons, those blessed with the Echo play a pivotal role in our endeavor to forge a brighter tomorrow for the realm. Oh, I should also introduce you to Tataru, our clerk. She ensures that everything runs smoothly.
Minfilia's voice actress says "tah-tah-rew" instead of "tah-taw-rew" like her name is actually pronounced.
Pleased to make your acquaintance!
In time, I hope you will come to think of us as family. But without further ado... I would assign you your first task.
Urianger. Have the documents arrived from the Students of Baldesion?
Aye, my lady, they arrived but recently.
The Students of Baldesion are a part of Sharlayan that explicitly helps and supports the Scions. Sharlayan society is extremly isolationist and wants absolutely nothing to do with Eorzea or its problems. These Students are acting independently and will be often referenced as researchers.
We have received a request for aid from the Immortal Flames. Thancred, would you do the honors?
Minfilia is also just taking up excess time. Instead of telling us what the problem is, she's delegating everything to her subordinates. Unlike a lot of the playerbase, I don't hate her, but I don't really like her either. She loves wasting the player's time as much as fucking humanly possible. Just look back two updates where she monologued at us for 10 straight minutes about lore.
It would be my pleasure. Some days ago, a crystal caravan registered to Amajina & Sons Mineral Concern was waylaid and divested of its cargo. But there is more. Within a bell of the robbery, several people were reported missing from the shantytown outside the city.
At a glance, one would assume the involvement of bandits, kidnappers, and coincidence. Such crimes are hardly uncommon, and the Immortal Flames deal with their like almost every day. However, this time we have reason to believe that a primal is involved.
Aye, the evidence left behind implicates the Amalj'aa, who are known worshipers of Ifrit. If we then consider the objects that were taken, there is no room left for doubt-the crimes were committed in the name of a primal.
That you may better understand the nature of our struggle with the primals, I would have you play the leading role in this investigation.
*nods*
You have my thanks. If there is aught you wish to know, I recommend you speak with Thancred. He is well versed in the affairs of Ul'dah.
Ever at your service, fair lady!
Thancred, Ginger is the size of a toddler. Leave it in your pants.
The arc we're already in the middle of is the Ifrit arc. He's already been namedropped and so there's little doubt about what's coming up soon.
Ready to begin, are we? That's the spirit! So then, your mission is to investigate a crystal robbery and a spate of abductions. ...Crimes which we believe to be connected. Assuming we are correct, it is like that any discoveries we make in relation to one will further our understanding of the other.
Now, since the attack on their caravan, our friends at Amajina & Sons Mineral Concern have doubled security over all their shipments. In light of this, it is my judgment that the abductions should be our priority. According to our preliminary findings, the majority of the missing were last seen in the vicinity of Camp Drybone, so that would seem a fine place to begin.
A fellow by the name of Isembard serves as the camp's de facto leader. Pay him a visit, and see that he gives us his full cooperation.
Zero quests in this current arc were altered, even if they sorely, sorely were needed. For the most part it has amazing pacing, but in the next update we'll be seeing a quest that brings all forward momentum to an awful, screeching halt. Here's a hint, it involves Minfilia and "pray return"ing.
Before we head out, let's look in the Scions' storeroom. For the most part there's nothing new going on. The Scions still has the same dialogue, but the newbies have new stuff to say. But our old friend Brendt is here! He's someone we haven't seen since the 2nd update!
Well, if it ain't that lass from the carriage! Fancy meetin' you here of all places. Me? I'm just here to deliver a shipment. Now, where shall I tell 'em to put it...
Urianger makes his home in this room for the most part. He almost never leaves it unless he has very good cause. He actually is something of a non-entity in the majority of A Realm Reborn. While he has his moments, he's for the most part a background presence until Heavensward.
They say that those of us who have seen the dream are chosen, that we have within us the seed of greatness. That we could be heroes. Even me, an Ala Mhigan half-breed, cast out when his mother could no longer stand the sight of him. A half-breed who once took to banditry just to eat. Aye, I'm sure I'm just brimming with heroic potential...
The robberies and disappearances? The Amalj'aa are the most likely culprit, wouldn't you agree? Then again, this is Thanalan--one cannot discount the possibility that moneyed interests are involved.
Heh, so this boy has Garlean blood in him! Can't say I'm surprised. Everyone knows what happens when a city is sacked, even if the bards choose to omit that part. But Arenvald shouldn't be pitied. Boys like him have a clean slate, an opportunity to write their own story, free of the ties that bind the common man.
Oh hey, a new background Scion!
Why don't any o' these blokes know who I am!? I swear I was one o' 'em Scions o' the Seventh Dawn! Only we didn't have such a fancy name back then, an' the headquarters was in a far more convenient location. At least, I think it was... Or is me mind playin' tricks on me? Gods, what's wrong with me? Why can't I remember it more clearly?
Tayuun is a Keeper surname, so it's very curious that this Seeker has it. It's the surname of my main character. I know these things.
And before we leave...
Ginger! How goes it? All's well here! ...At least on the bookkeeping front, anyway.
Aye, I'm Isembard. Here to search for the missing folk, I take it? Minfilia sent word that an adventurer fitting your description would be along. She also warned us to be wary of the Amalj'aa. It seems we know who the culprits are, at the very least. Now, I bear no official title at this camp, but the people here have come to look to me for leadership. You have my word that I'll do all I can to help see the victims safely returned.
Let us get right to it, then. Minfilia names the Amalj'aa culprits in all this. You would do well to investigate them, first. Much harm has been levied on these lands by Amalj'aa hands. The Flames burn where they might, but their light cannot stay the darkness in all places at all times. There have been brutal murders of callers at the Church of Saint Adama Landama-innocents wishing no more than to pay their respects to the dead.
The poor souls deserve a proper burial. I would see to the deed before mongrels catch their scent, but I know not if the Amalj'aa still linger. Would you secure their remains for me, friend? You will find them on the eastern road. Twelve willing, you may even come to learn something of what the Amalj'aa seek in this area.
Just south of town is some wreckage with some corpses that have been left out in the desert heat. Gross.
These Amalj'aa are level 12. Assuming you somehow managed to avoid leveling up from all the dungeons, you really can't take this quest until you're like level 18. This ambush is not meant to be difficult. Ginger, for what it's worth, is level 30. Yeah.
Short version: Ginger beats up some Amalj'aa and then carts the corpses, which are all much bigger than she is, back to Isembard.
It is good to see you returned. Were you able to secure the remains of our fallen?
*hands over all three bodies*
With the bodies given back proper to the earth, the souls will find their way across to the other side. You have done a noble deed this day. I thank you. Now, then, what of the Amalj'aa? Did you see any? Surely such massive monstrosities as they cannot conceal their presence, much less take their quarry unawares. Ah, so there were Amalj'aa remaining, after all... I feared as much. Their part in the lowborn disappearing is all but confirmed. But I sense there is more to this than meets the eye.
The occasional Amalj'aa raiding party would not account for people going missing in these kinds of numbers. The total is too great, and the questions too many. It would not surprise me in the least to learn of another hand in this. But whose? Countless travelers pass through Drybone every day. And even if it were one among them, how would we best discover who may be implicit in these vanishings?
What say we turn an eye to the commonfolk themselves? It may be among them that we find the reasons for these vanishings, Twelve forbid it be so. There is a merchant by the name of Ungust who was born here in Drybone and grew up in the Golden Bazaar. A...rough character, but he knows the people here better than anyone else. I'd wager he's at the inn, quaffing away the day's earnings. Here, I'll write a note for you to show him, else he's not like to speak to you.
Into the inn...
Oh dear...
<belch> Well, gods be damned! You're that bloody adventurer who threatened me back in Ul'dah! What in the seven hells do you want with me now!?
*hands over letter*
--Dear friend... <belch> Missing people... Please help... <hiccup> Yours, Isembard.-- Folk around here are as wary as they come. They'll turn tail and run if you so much as pass wind nearby. Played them all for fools and coaxed some hard labor out of them, I did.
If anything, they're even more timid than before, what with all the disappearances. You can go talk to 'em yourself if you don't believe me. The folk around here are more timid now than ever before, what with all the disappearances. You can go talk to 'em yourself if you don't believe me.
Of course the would-be rapist from several updates ago is our point of contact. Sigh. Now we have to deal with him again.
There's several people all around town we need to talk to. I'm not gonna show a screenshot of every one of them because you probably care even less than I did, and I completely forgot this quest existed.
Wh-What do you want from me!? I d--don't know anything, I swear! Please don't kill me!
I've nothing to say but this: Thal take who-or whatever's been feeding off us low folk.
P-Please, miss, just leave me be...
Back to Ungust we go.
Just as I told you, wasn't it? The whole lot of them are terrified. <hiccup> There's been talk of folk getting abducted, but if you ask me, they simply up and moved on to a better place. This place isn't exactly Costa del Sol, if you know what I'm saying.
Ungust fucks off, so back to Isembard we go. What a waste of time.
The good news about these quests being so short is that we can just knock them out one right after the other. The bad news is this is the stuff that survived the 5.3 MSQ purge. So this is the good shit.
Welcome back, Ginger. Have you learned aught of import? I see... I suppose I should have expected as much from Ungust. Well, another thought occurred to me in your absence. The commonfolk are nothing if not fervent in their religious beliefs. Perhaps if they speak freely to their gods, then the clergy may know something of use.
I also appreciate how this quest is just grasping at straws for answers. We have no idea what we're doing and everyone is just as lost as anyone else.
If we would know what the commonfolk speak of to their gods, we've no better place to ask than at the Church of Saint Adama Landama. It is a small and humble church, found to the northwest of here. And so long as you are headed there...might I ask you to deliver this embalmed corpse? A morbid request, I grant you, but it must be borne to burial, and I trust none more than you to see it done.
Seek out a man named Marques-he tends the graves of the lichyard. He will tell you where the body is to be interred.
The "lichyard" is just up the road from Drybone. If you take the correct exit from the place, you don't even have to leave the road!
There's Marques!
I am Marques, yes. A body? Of course... There...there have been...so many bodies of late... I... I apologize, miss. If you seek a place of burial, then there is an empty grave atop the ridge. Take the path and lay him to rest there.
Both times I've done this quest in recent memory, I've messed it up. There's actually two sets of sparklies!
First you drop the body, then you bury it.
May they all walk in Thal's realm... ...What? Missing people? I...I'm afraid I cannot help you. But maybe Sister Ourcen can. She has been kind to me. Everyone...everyone has been so kind.
I don't know why, though. I... Pardon me. You will find Sister Ourcen within the church walls.
Marques sounds like a very damaged man. 
Unlike Marques, Ourcen isn't really important. She shows up in 3 quests and this is one of them.
I hear you have done us the service of burying a fallen soul. Please accept our gratitude, and extend it to Isembard when next you see him. Hm? You seek knowledge of missing Drybone inhabitants? It is true I am closer to the people than any other of the Order. I confide in them, and they in me. When they wish to speak to their keeper, Thal, I am the medium through which they do. Should I learn anything pertinent, I will be sure to share the information with you.
<sigh> I only wish Marques would be more helpful in the matter. I pray he did nothing to offend. He saw...terrible things during the Calamity... His scars run deep. Indeed, he seems to now prefer the company of the dead over the living. While tragic, I fear such behavior ill befits the church. I received word not long ago that one of our recent visitors-a man called Thancred, I believe-took offense at his conduct. I must have words with Marques, and soon.
Ourcen is a terrible person. I don't mean that in the "oh she's just bad" sense. No, she's legitimately an awful human being. There's a term for women like her where I live... Sunday Christians. What kind of piece of shit is going to lecture a PTSD-riddled war veteran because he's upsetting Thancred?
Back, again, to Isembard by the way.
Thank you, Ginger. A burial is no easy thing--even when the departed is a stranger. Were you able to learn aught of the missing commonfolk?
You've been keeping yourself rather busy of late, haven't you, Ginger? A pleasure, my dear Isembard. The name is Thancred, and I share a passion with you and our mutual friend here for learning what has become of these missing persons and why.
I, too, spoke with Ungust-more times than I care to count. There seems to be some truth to this notion of the commonfolk speaking their secrets only to those in service to the gods. Prostration, prayer, penance. Abject deeds done behind closed doors, away from prying eyes. Who better to take the pious unawares than she who takes confession-the good Sister Ourcen herself?
Ourcen!? She wouldn't... She couldn't!
Even the most beautiful roses have thorns, my friend. And you would be wise to keep an eye to this rose. Still, the lichkeeper Marques... I'd swear to the Twelve I've seen that face elsewhere before...
This arc is 16 quests long. We started the update at the halfway mark. This is #12.
Sister Ourcen... It cannot be. Though, she is wont to travel to the Golden Bazaar on her own, and it is not uncommon to see her speaking to the children. But...no. It could not be she...could it? Hmmm... <sigh> I grow weary of these suspicions. I know there is one child in particular that she is fond of. Pray seek out the boy, Ginger, and see if you cannot glean something from him about Ourcen's activities.
There's a loop behind Drybone that goes to the Golden Bazaar. I mostly remember it because I had to come here a bunch to mine out a bunch of gemstones for some reason.
Golden Bazaar is a town you visit once for the MSQ, and maybe once more do to sidequests for alt jobs. And then you never visit it again.
Please help! Sister Ourcen went out all on her own and hasn't come back! She always reads to me right here, about Thal and the Order and the other side. I told her I lost my shiny thing and she went looking for it. But what if the monsters outside hurt her? Please find her!
Time to help this wonderful person.
She's being menaced by some zombies. After a short fight...
You... You are the one from the church. Thank goodness you arrived when you did. It seems my gratitude is yours yet again. You spoke with the child? Yes, well, I was able to find his lost trinket. It is a ring given him by his mother before she passed. I will see it safely back to him.
This is five "returned to Isembard" screenshots now.
Sister Ourcen was attacked outside the Golden Bazaar? Gods forfend... I will secure a room at the inn for her should she require any rest. Searching for the mementos of orphans? And risking her own well-being in the doing, no less? Certainly not the dastardly deeds Thancred would have us believe.
Evidently I got impatient and decided to just accept the quest before the "COMPLETE" logo went away.
I am well glad I reserved that inn room for Sister Ourcen. It seems she received greater injuries from her attackers than she initially let on. Thankfully, she is expected to make a full recovery. But now, on to the matter at hand. Thancred came looking for you once more. He left word that he will be waiting at the Amalj'aa encampment to the southeast. I pray the two of you are able to uncover some evidence regarding these disappearances.
So much of this arc is spinning your wheels because you have no idea what's going on. It's kind of a running theme with ARR.
Thancred is down here and he's doing his best beanpole impression by hiding behind a tree. Also this was recorded almost a month ago, well before the monk changes were announced prior to the most recent update. Perma-GL was confirmed! So that means that Ginger won't have to babysit her greased lightning stacks for much longer.
Ah, there you are, Ginger. So good of you to come! Indeed, I've heard all about good Sister Ourcen. Isembard said her wounds were serious. It would seem my suspicions about the poor rose were misplaced. But false though they were, perhaps my suspicions were not entirely without merit.
Whilst following Sister Ourcen near the Golden Bazaar, a band of Amalj'aa caught my eye. I tracked them as far as this encampment, but... Well, let us say that I would much prefer to keep my distance and remain here. This, of course, brings me to why I requested you, dear Ginger. Would you be so kind as to take a look inside?
Because Ginger is kinda badass, we can just strut right in past these level 18 jerks and grab their leaflet that they have for some reason.
Well? Did anything tickle your fancy?
*hands over flyer*
This leaflet... --See the wealth of Nald to the hands of your children.-- It looks to be some sort of assembly to provide the poor with work. The lettering, though... Atrocious, is it not? And these bits about Nald'thal seem somewhat...less than studied. I find it hard to believe one among the Order penned this. Pray take this to the inn at Camp Drybone. Let us see what Sister Ourcen makes of it.
Now, let us see what Sister Ourcen makes of this leaflet.
My savior comes again. To what do I owe the honor this day? What is this? Blasphemous... These are not our teachings at all! This was not made by any true brother or sister of the Order-of that, I can assure you. Come to think of it, weeks ago, the church was plagued by missing garments. Could someone be posing as a priest of the Order to deceive the people? Who would do such a thing?
The plot thickens, Ginger! Our culprit pretends to be a priest to lend credence to his deception. There is no doubt an irony in there somewhere. But I suspect we have a worthy adversary on our hands. I shall consider how best to handle this. For now, tell Isembard what we have learned here.
Posing as a priest!? To think... These troubling notions aside, it is gratifying to finally be able to move this investigation forward. Thank you once again, Ginger. I shall keep my ears and eyes open--now more than ever.
This one has a picture, so it's important! This is #14 out of 16 by the way. This update isn't even particularly long.
I'm afraid I have not seen any unusual activity. Nor have any at this camp given me cause to doubt them. But unless we can identify the culprit, and soon, more innocents will fall victim...
Do not despair just yet, my friend. An idea occurs to me. Our suspect has been posing as a priest, using leaflets bearing false promises to lure the poor. Let Ginger and me serve like with like by posing as impoverished souls in need of succor.
Ah, I dare to hope that this will yield us the answers we seek. It will be a dangerous undertaking, but you two are more than capable of looking after yourselves. I'm next to useless in a battle, but I can supply the garments for the disguise. These old tunics and slops should serve your needs, so long as you don't mind the smell and the stains.
These will serve very well. You have my thanks. Listen, Ginger. So as to lay the foundation for our little ploy, we must make it widely known that more vagrants have arrived at camp and are desperate for coin. To this end, I want you to don the old garments Isembard has lent us, and beg for work around the camp. Before long, the false priest should catch wind and approach us.
Definitely the picture of a penniless vagrant. Look at her in her custom-tailored armor! But those slops don't lie.
This person's name is totally a butchering of "oh my gawd."
Greetings, good madam. Is there aught I might assist you with?
Give me a job please!
...Oh. I...don't believe there is. I'm afraid our wares are very expensive. Mayhap you should rejoin your fellows out at the pond north of Sandgate.
I preach the teachings of Azeyma, the Warden. Hast thou come to partake of the honey of Her wisdom?
Gil please I need to buy my epic mount.
Azeyma is keeper of the sun and goddess of inquiry. All is laid bare beneath the light of Her divine countenance. Open thy heart to this light, needy child, and thou shalt want for naught till the end of days!
<sigh> And I was about to get to the good part...
I was told to come in here, look you in the eye, and give you a firm handshake.
Looking for work, you say? Sorry, but we don't have any openings. Now, get out of here so I can finish my story.
Hm? And you are...?
I'm Ginger Pepper!
And I'm Thancred Waters!
All this and Y'shtola Rhul tonight on 60 Minutes!
Hmph, another refugee, by the looks of you. The Immortal Flames have neither work nor coin for your like. Begone, and see to it you don't make a nuisance of yourself.
What is it?
JOB PLEASE GIVE NOW
Gods, not again... Look, being poor doesn't give you the right to pester whomsoever you like. Why don't you keep with your own kind out by that muddy pond of yours at Drybone?
Now that we've made a suitable nuisance of ourself...
You have quite a knack for being a nuisance, Ginger. The camp is abuzz with talk of newly arrived vagrants. And though we were unable to attract our wayward transgressor, we were able to learn that the poor have a commune by the pond north of Sandgate, to the east of here. The eyes of the authorities do not reach that place-rather ideal for spiriting away hapless souls.
Let us go there and wait for the kindly priest to come and offer us aid and comfort. Needless to say you'll need to remain in disguise.
Ginger can't stay away from these trees.
A fine evening for catching false priests, wouldn't you say?
You look absolutely smashing, Ginger-positively dressed for deception. All that's left, then, is to wait for our quarry to appear.
Ginger not giving a fuck about subtlety is the best part of this quest.
Oh, you poor, unfortunate souls. This is no way for men to live. No way at all.
Who are you? What do you want?
That orange and yellow sky is quite pretty.
Be at ease, child, for I mean you no harm. I am a priest of the Order of Nald'thal, and I come to offer you succor. This leaflet bears the teachings of Nald. Trust to them, and they will surely set you free from the shackles of penury!
Penury is "extreme poverty or destitution."
Hmmm... A tempting offer, but I'm afraid I must decline... ...On account of that atrocious performance. You would have made a gods-awful mummer, Ungust.
Wh-What!? How did you know-!? Y-You bastards tricked me! P-Please don't hurt me! I was only doing it to protect my people!
Is that so? Do continue.
V-Very well... I'm a man of the Golden Bazaar. Raised there, if not born. Some moons ago, the Amalj'aa raids began. They would appear sudden as a sandstorm, and plunder and pillage at will. Our defenders couldn't stand against them, few as they were. Everyone lived in fear.
I wanted to save my people, but being a merchant was all I knew. And so I did the only thing a merchant could-I approached the Amalj'aa in hopes of brokering a deal. In return for sparing the Golden Bazaar, they made demands-outrageous ones.
Demands? Of what kind, pray tell?
First of all, they wanted the schedule for crystal shipments from the Nanawa Mines. For this, I bribed one of the workers to leak me the information. Next, they wanted me to bring them people. So, I posed as a priest to lure in the vulnerable and give them over to the Amalj'aa. I...I didn't have a choice...
Protecting one's home is a noble thing...but at the cost of innocents? You could have sought the aid of the Immortal Flames, yet you did not. I suspect you are not telling me the full story. What made you sell out your own people? Speak!
The...<mumble>...was good...
What did you say?
The coin was good, I said! I could sell mole meat for a score of lifetimes and not see even a fraction of what the Amalj'aa pay me!
You sacrificed innocents so that you could line your own pockets? Words fail to express the contempt I feel for you.
Spare me your contempt! If you want to blame someone for the mess the world's in, then blame yourselves or the gods!
Ginger proactively moved in behind him. I love that our gal is smart enough to do that. Some RPG protagonists would have let him get away.
Uwaaah! Not you again!
Were you the one leaking the Immortal Flames' patrol routes to the enemy as well? Spit it out!
Nooo! I know nothing about that! I swear it!
At this stage, I'm rather disinclined to believe aught that leaves your mouth. But no matter. There'll be time enough to learn the truth.
<sob>
Ginger. Be a dear and take word of these developments to Minfilia, would you? I shall prise everything I can out of this filth. The abductees are still somewhere out there. Our foremost priority is to rescue them.
The Vesper Bay teleport tickets are so nice.
Nobody has any extra dialogue because in real-world terms we've been gone for like 20 minutes.
You can see my bitching about this in chat. We came back to Minfilia so we could learn about fucking materia. I'm serious. The next quest in this arc is a fucking tutorial that I'm gonna skip over because it's useless for the LP and I hate all the NPCs involved in it.
Due to the nature of being a LP character, Ginger will never find herself in a position where she needs to equip materia to her armor or weapons. It offers stat bonuses at the endgame level, but it is not remotely worth doing at any point before then. You level up much too fast to make it worthwhile. And to be clear, when I say endgame, I mean current endgame. It will probably be literal years before Ginger is in Shadowbringers content, and by then the game will be at least one expansion ahead.
Welcome back, Ginger. I am pleased that you and Thancred have been getting along.
*explains everything she knows*
I see... You have done well to uncover the truth. My thanks for the report. As Thancred said, we must ascertain where the abducted were taken...and none but the Amalj'aa know the answer. Suffice it to say they will not willingly part with this information. I fear blood will be spilled before all is said and done.
This update is actually getting fairly long in the tooth, so I'm gonna cut it here.
NEXT TIME: The Bowl of Embers