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Hello everyone and welcome back. This quest sucks. Its only purpose is to introduce NPCs that only matter for content this LP is never going to cover. I'm going to abridge it.
Minfilia wants us to take her dagger from the far western end of West Thanalan to... actually, you know what? Let me illustrate this for you with a little exercise. If you would be so kind, please open this page and expand the map by clicking on it.
Ginger, right now, is in the Waking Sands. Look for "Limsa Lominsa Lower Decks" about midway down the left side of the image. That's Vesper Bay. To do this quest, Minfilia wants us to...
Cross the Footfalls, down through The Silent King and into the Sunset Gate. She wants us to go through Horizon, down the Royal Allagan Sunway, across the bridge and then hang a hard left and go to that green arrow that says Central T.
Once in Central Thanalan, we need to follow the path northeast past the Coffer and Coffin, up to Black Brush Station. From there, we need to head even further northeast toward the Bonfire.
Once we reach the Bonfire, we need to talk to Mutamix, who is a goblin.
Gobbies speak-talk in a way that is much annoying to the brain-case and makes it hurty-hurt. This isn't a Goblin, by the way. This is a roegadyn that's indulging in gobbie-speak.
So I skipped the cutscene. It takes about 5 minutes of four NPCs talking like a goblin to say a lot less than the following information:
As you fight with your gear, you attain a level of soul-bond with it. Once the soul-bond meter maxes out at 100% you can extract materia from the gear. In the old days, that used to consume the item, but nowadays it just resets the counter to 0 so you can do it over and over again.
To meld materia into your gear, you need slots available on it. Most gear maxes out at 2 slots, but with luck and millions of gil you can overmeld materia onto certain pieces of gear. The chance of success plummets with each additional materia you meld, and you can only have 5 pieces at max on gear. The only reason you would ever penta-meld your gear is because you're either an endgame crafter or a world first savage raider. There is literally no reason to penta-meld gear if you aren't doing either of those things.
Certain extremely rare items will have five materia slots. They naturally can't be over-melded, but it's fine because any meld NPC can attach all five just fine for you. NPCs can't over-meld gear. In three paragraphs of text I explained the entire materia system faster and more coherently than that cutscene did. Now let us collectively pretend Mutamix doesn't exist as we return to Minfilia.
This is one of those quests I've been waiting for. Like the dungeons a few updates back, this is another one of those stepping stone moments! But I don't wanna talk it up too much, so let's just find out why instead!
Word has arrived from Thancred concerning our ongoing investigation. It appears he was able to extract some information from our friend Ungust, the false priest. He revealed that he is due to meet with the Amalj'aa to discuss their dealings.
The Immortal Flames believe that the meeting will present an ideal opportunity to ambush and capture the Amalj'aa responsible for the abductions, and so they mean to have Ungust attend as planned. As the Amalj'aa are anticipated to offer fierce resistance, the Immortal Flames have requested our support. I would have you provide it to them, Ginger. Thancred is presently attending to another matter, but will join you as soon as he is able. Until such time as he does, you will be the Scions' sole representative on the ground.
Before he left, he bade me tell you to "save some for him." Such is his confidence in you-a confidence I share. When you have made ready, pray take yourself to Camp Drybone and report to the flame sergeant leading the mission. May you walk in the light of the Crystal.
It sounds like things are coming to a head!
Ah, you're Ginger Pepper of the Scions? My thanks for coming, friend. We're stronger for your assistance. Allow me to brief you on our mission. Our objective is to capture Amalj'aa and prise from them the whereabouts of the abductees. The lizardmen aren't aware that their man, Ungust, has been exposed. When they come to the rendezvous point to meet the traitor, we'll spring the trap.
Owing to the clandestine nature of the mission, we can deploy only a small contingent. Every member must count, and so we requested the aid of the Scions. The rendezvous will take place at the Invisible City. Please make your way there and lie in wait. We stand to learn much and more of the Amalj'aa plot if the mission succeeds, Ginger. Let's make sure it does.
The Invisible City is a ruin up north. It's right next to where we rescued that awful woman last time.
The duty glow is hidden in a little alcove.
Ungust is alone in the ruins...
Is the bait in place?
Our man is in position, sir.
Good. We make our move as soon as the Amalj'aa appear.
Yes, sir!
God I love generic portraits. The portraits I made for a Mass Effect LP that never got off the ground can finally serve some use!
The Amalj'aa have shown up...
And the Flames jump out in ambush!
Uwaaah!
Things seem to have gone pretty smoothly...
What is the meaning of this!?
Wait. Something's amiss...
Oh dear...
Hee hee hee...
Ahahahahaha! I'm afraid your little ambush ends here!
I eluded the Immortal Flames' clutches for moons before finally being caught. Did you not wonder how I managed it?
'Twas almost as if someone was feedin' him information from the inside! Gahahaha!
Aye, your every movement was known to me ahead of time! Hee hee hee! Now, as much as I'd love to chat awhile, I have appointments to keep.
They're all yours!
Battle time!
Hee hee! Our Amalj'aa friends will keep you company!
We just need to kill a bunch of amalj'aa. A lot. More than you might imagine for a level 20 quest.
Filthy traitors! When I get my hands on you...
Hee hee! How long will you last, I wonder!?
Another wave! Stay sharp, men!
Godsdammit, is there no end to them!?
Hee hee! The show is only just beginning!
Because Ginger and these NPCs are all badasses, soon enough it's just four against one. And then the duty just... ends. Seriously.
Despite the fact that we cleaned house, the cutscene says that we need to lose. The very early parts of A Realm Reborn aren't well written.
Damnation
Put up your weapon, or your comrade's a dead man!
Behind you!
Ginger is caught off guard by a spell!
Not just any spell...
Bring her.
The rest of you, march!
Traitorous scum...
No, Ginger got hit by a Sleep spell.
Some time later, Ginger wakes up in a cave.
The lizardmen marched us to their stronghold. They're preparing for something...and I for one do not want to be around when they finish.
They're going to kill us, aren't they!? Gods, I don't want to die! I want to go home! <sob>
Damn it all... A traitor in the Flames! What has become of us...? I'm sorry you were dragged into this. Were I a better judge of character, we wouldn't be in this mess...
Well, with the Bowl of Embers waiting, let's call in some friends.
Malachite is back, but there's two new friends from the crossworld linkshell! Mia K. is Zeratanis's character, acting as healer. The tank is X'chai B., played by a non-goon friend of Eevee's.
No sub-update for this one. Trial fights really don't need a lot of strategy, and this has a lot of story involved. You'll see.
Lord of the Inferno, hearken to our plea! Lord of the Inferno, deliver us from our misery!
O mighty Ifrit, Lord of the Inferno! Your humble servants beseech You! Grace us with Your divine presence!
The eclipse explodes.
Ifrit comes...
Ifrit has arrived. Oh boy. This is way above Ginger's pay grade.
O mighty Ifrit! We bring before You ignorant savages who know not Your godhead! If it please You, Lord, scorch their heathen souls with Your cleansing flame, and mark them as Your own!
B-Bloody hells...
Bring those two as well!
Unnngh...
Wh-What's going on!? Th-This ain't what we agreed!
None but servants of Lord Ifrit may behold the rite of summoning. The souls of unbelievers are forfeit!
Nooo! Spare me, I beg you!
Pitiful children of man! By my breath I claim you! Arise once more as my loyal minions! Feed my flames with your faith, and all who stand against us shall burn!
Ifrit rears back...
And breathes blue fire all over everyone.
Ginger included.
That doesn't seem quite right...
O mighty Ifrit...
My one true god...
Your words are my bread...
They've all become mindless zombies. Just blindly praising Ifrit.
All except for Ginger...
Impossible! By what sorcery do you resist my master's will!?
Could it be...? Your soul already belongs to another!? Yes, that is the only explanation!
Regardless of the reasons, Ginger retains her mind.
Forsooth, thy frail mortal frame can serve as vessel to the blessing of but One. Yet I smell not the taint of another upon thee... The truth of thine allegiance waxeth clear-thou art of the godless blessed's number. The Paragons warned of thine abhorrent kind. Thine existence is not to be suffered.
My flames shall consume thy flesh and soul both!
Ginger (and three friends) against a god! This is gonna be fun.
Primal Judgment ***Click this!!!***
Primal Judgment is a WoW-ass track in FFXIV. It's all oppressive operatic orchestral music. It sounds like something Chris Velasco wrote 15 years ago.
As for Ifrit? I'm sorry to say that he's easy as fuck. He's a level 20 boss and we're only just now out of the tutorial.
We just need to beat the ever-loving crap out of him. He blows fire at the tank and sometimes does an explosion that sends everyone flying back. Also sometimes he makes the ground under your feet explode after a few seconds. It's all pretty basic stuff.
Succumb to the inferno!
Surrender thyself to the fires of judgment!
Do you see that orange thing on the right of the screenshot? We need to kill that. Like. Immediately.
Once the Infernal Nail appears, there's an invisible timer ticking down. After like a minute or so, the nail will disappear and Ifrit will fly off. Then he will use his ult and one shot the party.
But if we destroy it, the ult will merely hurt like hell instead.
Thy soul shall burn for all eternity!
Thou art strong, mortal!
It took off about half of Ginger's health. So it's not messing around.
After his ult, Ifrit will turn parts of the floor into lava. It explodes after several seconds, but it's easily dodged. However, the big mechanic of the fight is now over and past. Once the Infernal Nail is gone, Ifrit is pretty toothless. Like I said, he is only an early-game boss!
The blessing of Light... defies me?
Ginger just killed a God with the help of her friends! An actual deiform entity!
And there's something on the ground nearby...
It's a red crystal!
It's added to her collection. First a blue, now a red! The blue, if you're paying attention, is opposite the red. This means that Ginger started out with a Water-aspected crystal!
The red beam of light explodes into the air and Ginger looks astonished.
Pray forgive my lateness!
Here comes Thancred with the cavalry!
I was delayed by a congregation of Amalj'aa zealots. I swear, each seemed more evangelical than the last.
Hmph! Persistent lot!
Thancred jumps over the amalj'aa...
And plants several daggers into it from above. Thancred, I should probably mention, is a trained spy. He's a ninja from before FFXIV had ninjas!
Phew...
The reinforcements gather up the old Flames.
I see the Bloodsworn wasted no time extracting the captives. No less than I'd expect from the Flame General's handpicked men.
As for those two...it is fair to say their hardships have only just begun. They have much to answer for.
Thancred not only came with the cavalry, he came with men handpicked by Raubahn for the task of getting into the amalj'aa stronghold and extracting Ginger. I'd say his lateness can easily be forgiven, given the circumstances.
I feel I owe you an apology, Ginger. Had I known this mission would prove so dangerous, I would never have left you to face it alone. You have been given a veritable baptism of fire. But let us continue this conversation in more agreeable surrounds. Camp Drybone, shall we say?
This way, sir!
Thancred and Ginger run off, but the camera pans...
So that was the mighty Ifrit...
Nero watched the fight. Interesting...
And what a disappointment he was. The readings are nowhere near what I had anticipated, even taking Ul'dahn interference into account.
Nero and Livia.
You should know better than to rely upon five-year-old data left by the VIIth Legion.
Nor can we expect any form of support from the motherland, given the troubles at court. We have only ourselves to rely upon.
Like I said, Gaius is here not under orders from Emperor Solus. I'm not actually sure where he's supposed to be, but Eorzea is probably not it.
Ever the pessimist, my dear Livia. Promise me you'll never change.
We've wasted enough time here. That meter of yours is too old to give any reading worth a damn.
Not that there was aught worth a damn for it to read...but I take your point. I suppose we must content ourselves with the knowledge that we've achieved our primary objective. Yet I find that I am troubled by that adventurer's unexpected show of strength. Could such a foe prove a hindrance to our plans?
Perhaps-but that is a consideration for another time. You have been given a task. That is your priority. I suggest you treat it as such. Fail to do as my lord commands...
...And I will spare him the trouble of punishing you.
Remember, Livia is technically Nero's subordinate here. But would you want to tell her that she's insubordinate?
With allies like that... Beware a woman in love. I shall need to be on my best behavior.
And after several minutes of cutscenes, we're dumped back in the trial arena where the rest of the party has formed a cheer squad for the cutscene. 
This quest is very nearly over, so I'm gonna just continue the update until it's done.
Ah, there you are, Ginger. Come, rest awhile-you will have no better opportunity. After witnessing their god's ignominious defeat, the Amalj'aa will be less inclined to risk our wrath-for a time, at least. Now, where were we? Ah yes, I was in the process of apologizing. I do hope you can forgive me. I arrived too late to be of any use...to you or the abductees.
They may be whole of body, but the same cannot be said of their minds. For once a man is tempered... Ah, but it ill suits me to dwell on the negatives. Amidst all our misfortunes, there is still reason to rejoice. Ifrit is slain, and by your hand, no less! That is the deed of no ordinary individual, Ginger. Not that I ever thought you were ordinary. On the contrary, I have long suspected that you have the potential to shape the fate of this realm. What can I say? My fine eye for talent remains undimmed.
Minfilia will be proud beyond all reckoning when she hears of your deeds. I trust you shan't object to my bearing the tidings to her. That way I can claim to have contributed something to this mission. You, meanwhile, have earned yourself a rest. Take some time to relax, and return to the Waking Sands when you are good and ready. We can discuss matters in more detail then. Just don't take too long, will you? The realm's problems won't solve themselves.
It sounds like there's something Thancred's not telling us about those that were hit by the blue fire. Let's go back to Minfilia in victory!
Ah, the triumphant hero returns! Thancred told us the news upon his arrival. He is presently in the solar, giving a full report to Lady Minfilia. You should join them at once. Lady Minfilia is most eager to see you.
...My late arrival nearly cost Ginger her life. I wasn't there when the Amalj'aa took her prisoner... And I wasn't there when they served her to Ifrit...
Yes, by some miracle, she survived-but that does not excuse the fact that she should never have had to face such dangers alone. I failed her utterly. Just as I'm failing you all...
Thancred's taking his failures pretty hard. Poor guy.
Minfilia has the look of someone who's dealt with this for too long.
What's done is done, Thancred. You can ill blame yourself for every-- Ginger! It is so good to see you again!
Impeccable timing, my friend. I had just finished regaling Minfilia with your heroic exploits.
Thancred has told me everything. You have done well to return to us.
The perils you faced were undeniably great, yet a part of me believes that I had no cause to fear. And now we can put paid to our long investigation. As we suspected, the Amalj'aa undertook both the robbery and the abductions with the aim of summoning their primal, Ifrit.
Nor is this tale limited to Ul'dah. Similar incidents have been rife in both Limsa Lominsa and Gridania of late.
I daresay you've been curious as to how these crimes are linked to the primals. Permit me to explain. Having manifested in the physical realm, primals must consume aether if they are to maintain their presence here. And the stronger they become, the more aether they require. Now, aether exists throughout creation. It flows through all life, and permeates the very air that we breathe. Alas, this alone will not suffice to sustain the likes of Ifrit. Nay, he and his kind require a more concentrated source of aether--crystals.
It is for this reason that incidents involving crystals can often be traced back to a primal.
Which leaves us with the why of the abductions. To understand this, you must first understand how primals are born. When all is well with the world, primals possess no physical form. Their essence is dispersed across the great river of aether.
This is a story that's gonna have a lot of crystal stealing going on.
However, when the world is plunged into chaos, those who worship the primals cry out to their gods for deliverance from suffering. These cries serve as a beacon toward which a primal's essence is irresistibly drawn. It is this coming together-or "aetheric coalescence"-which grants the beings physical form. Once born, a primal gains strength from its followers' worship. The more numerous and fervent they are, the more powerful their god becomes.
But the primals are seldom satisfied with such reverence as their adherents freely give, and in order to gain more power, they do not scruple to create followers. They do this by "tempering" mortals-a process to which you yourself were subjected.
Yet even as Ifrit took your comrades in his thrall, you alone remained unaffected. This is thanks to the power you possess-the Echo. We know not the why of it, but those blessed with the Echo are immune to primal influence. It is as though a greater power protects us... When first you came to us, I told you that the Echo would be instrumental in dealing with the primal threat. I trust you now begin to see why.
So to recap so far... Primals are summoned into the world with a fuckton of aether and require even more to stay manifest. They get increased power the more that they're worshipped, and they can force mortals to worship them by "tempering" them, which makes the mortal unable to resist worshipping the Primal that claimed their soul. Those Tempered mortals also are inclined to go out and abduct others to bring them back to their God so they, too, can be tempered.
It's a vicious cycle. Some Primals wield tempering as a weapon, others do it passively. Ifrit, Leviathan, and Garuda all use tempering (or drowning in Leviathan's case) pretty aggressively. The rest of the Primals vary from not-as-aggressive to pretty passive. Odin, for instance, despite being an Elder Primal only "decapitates" a single person each time he is summoned. And, yes, Bahamut was fully capable of doing whatever his version of tempering is had Louisoix not done something to make him disappear.
I used all these different terms: tempering, drowning, decapitating, and they all mean the same thing. Early on, the localization team all wanted to use different terms for the same thing. But they realized that tempering was less confusing. So while technically Ifrit is the only one that tempers (because fire, y'see), it quickly becomes a catch-all term.
So when Ginger is level 50 or whatever and is fighting Drowned Sailors, it doesn't mean they're zombies. It just means that Leviathan tempered a bunch of hapless sailors and now they're unable to resist worshipping the Lord of the Whorl. Got all that? No? Don't worry, my explanation is pretty much Primals 401, while Thancred and Minfilia are busy explaining Primals 099 to Ginger. Speaking of which...
The recent incidents all share a common trait: meticulous planning. Such elaborate designs are a new development, and one which fills me with an unshakable sense of foreboding.
While I share your concern, my presiding feeling is one of relief at your safe return. Ah, the Immortal Flames assured me that they will deal with the aftermath, so you need not concern yourself with that. We may rest easy for a time. I suggest you take full advantage of the respite, Ginger. You may be sure it won't last long. Once the people learn the identity of the hero who felled Ifrit, I fear you will have nary a moment to yourself!
Minfilia walks off.
Whether she intended to or no, Minfilia neglected to tell you something-something I think it would be best you heard from one of us. It concerns the tempered abductees that were rescued... I am sorry to report that all are to be put to death, the Flames with whom you were imprisoned included. Needless to say, this information must not be made known to the public. I swear to you that we would not do this if there were any other recourse-but once a man is tempered, he is tempered for life. His very existence lends strength to the primal whom he cannot choose but worship.
And so we Scions continue our fight, that no more innocents need be sacrificed. I hope that you will continue to stand with us, Ginger. But I should be going. I must offer my apologies to the Flame General for the losses his people suffered. Till next time!
And the final piece of the puzzle... what Thancred wasn't telling us back in Drybone. Once someone is tempered, there's no coming back from it. It's a one-way street. So that nice Flame Sergeant that I represented with Kaidan's portrait? His throat is being slit even as Thancred walks off. Ginger is the only survivor of the ambush, and that's only because she can't be tempered.
Jesus.
Gods forgive me... How many more lives...? Louisoix would never have allowed this to happen. I have to do better... I have to be stronger...
The next quest is immediately available, but Ginger needs a short break. So...
NEXT TIME: Ginger learns to poke stuff real good with a spear.