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As bad as it seems, we're actually almost done dealing with the sylphs for now. We're not done with this arc by any means, but... well, you'll see.
This one asks dancing one for forgiveness. These ones have many troubles since walking ones last came to our abode. This one must be careful. Always careful. But dancing one is not like other walking ones. This one can trust dancing one. This one would ask dancing one for help. Strange walking ones with bodies of steel come to the home of these ones. This one thinks steel ones come from Empire.
Where Empire goes, many living ones become dead ones. Trees fall and bushes burn. These ones' home is in danger. Danger! This one begs of dancing one to help this one know more. Dancing one is friends with these ones and walking ones, yes? Dancing one must speak to these ones here and walking ones in hut-house and find out more. This one has bad feeling. This one fears steel ones are after something. But this one should speak no more. Go, dancing one. This one depends on kindness of dancing one.
Strange steel walking ones? Yes, this one has seen. Steel walking ones carry big boxes. Maybe walking ones hunt for shiny treasure? This one likes treasure!
Shush! Shush, this one says! Steel walking ones are scary, like touched ones... This one hates scary! And scary ones have scary friends...
The last two people to talk to are in Hawthorne Hut.
Fearsome types clad head to toe in steel, you say? Imperial soldiers, no doubt. I couldn't tell you what they're plotting, but I'm sure it's nothing good.
Men clad in strange armor? Why, now that you mention it, I did see some suspicious types of late. They were gathering deep in the forest. I simply assumed they were adventurers...
FFXIV used to boast 100 quests between the end of 2.0 and the start of 2.55. Do you know how they got to that number?
This one is happy to see dancing one return. What did dancing one learn?
*fills Komuxio in*
This one sees. Steel walking ones come from Empire. Carry boxes, and go walking deep, deep through trees. As this one thought! Steel walking ones are up to nasty, no-good things. This one knows forest well. Steel walking ones try to hide, but this one will find them. This one would borrow dancing one's map. This one makes mark-right here! This is where steel ones hide, this one knows. Dancing one will go looking for steel ones, yes?
By doing this exact thing. Last update wasn't very long at all. Do you know how many quests we covered in it? We ended six quests last update. We're probably gonna do more than that this time.
These quests are all short. Like the sentences I'm using to describe them. Sure it sounds impressive to say that the Sylph Arc has 23 quests in it, but we're on quest 11/23 right now. Going purely by numbers this is the halfway point of the arc.
By the way we beat up some generic Garlean thugs. Anyway, you can see how badly 2.x had severe quest bloat. So many quests, even after the rework, are five minute affairs. On the upside, they're perfect lunch break fodder if you're lucky enough to work in a place that lets you do that sort of thing.
Dancing one is back. This one breathes sigh of relief. This one was worried. Hm? Dancing one found something?
*hands over scroll she picked up*
Dancing one found paper inside of box? This is a message from Empire? This one can read walking ones' symbols. Message-paper has names of food and rocks. Food and rocks were inside boxes, this one knows. But this one does not understand. Food and rocks mentioned all come from home of these ones. How do steel walking ones know to find them?
Is there sneaky one hiding behind this one's wings? Snooping one selling secrets to steel walking ones? This one fears for this one's home. But dancing one has helped this one much today. Dancing one must promise to always be friend to these ones.
These guys are pretty cute.
Helpful one arrives at a good time! This one needs helpful one's help! One of these ones named Claxio ventured outside Little Solace alone. Alone is unsafe! Helpful one must find Claxio! Claxio struck west after leaving the settlement. Hurry before Claxio ends up in the belly of a beastly one!
What? Walking one wants this one to return to Little Solace? Don't make this one laugh! This one is weary of living with those who are not these ones. This one wants to be alone. These ones rely on walking ones for everything. No better than those ones that summoned a primal one! Small wonder this one chose to leave! This one thought this a likely place to build a home. But then meddling one arrives-forces this one to go deeper into the forest. Meddling one is forbidden from following this one! Away with meddling one!
Ginger is not a smart person sometimes. Because the NPC expressly said she was forbidden from following, despite orders to the contrary from the quest-giver, she actually listens. :facepalm:
This is blatantly padding so this quest doesn't last 5 minutes also. The padding makes it last 5 minutes and 25 seconds.
What? Claxio refused to return to these ones, and went deeper into the forest!?
B-But this one saw touched ones lurking in the forest! Helpful one must hurry-hurry and find Claxio! Helpful one should search for spools of thread on the forest floor. Those things will lead helpful one to Claxio. But hurry! Hurry, before touched ones take Claxio away!
That white blob is a spool of thread.
And another. We could follow these spools... or we could just go to the orange marker on the map.
Duty time!
Meddling one is back!? This one told meddling one to be gone! Tell Komuxio that this one will never go back! Never!
T-Touched ones? Touched ones should go away too! This one is good one! Every one should just leave this one alone!!!
Behold the only reason Papalymo and Yda came on this quest: so we could have backup in the duty.
Be on guard, Ginger. These sylphs have been tempered?brought under the thrall of the primal Ramuh. Akin to the Amalj'aa tempered by Ifrit, these sylphs exist only to serve their deity.
They'll not answer to words--only steel. I take no pleasure in this, but it must be done.
Claxio... These ones are your friends... Come with these ones... Serve primal one together...
No! This one is good one! Will never go with bad ones!
Meddling one not smart to anger this one... This one has many friends in the forest...
That's a morbol in the distance.
A morbol!? And things were going so well...
N-No...not stinky one! Stinky one is scary! Stinky one's stink makes this one's head go spinning!
Ick! Ginger--Papalymo and I can handle this beast. You take care of the sylphs!
There's something not right about this morbol. Ignore it and focus your attacks on the sylphs!
The sylphs fall like dominos to the coordinated punches of a newly-minted monk!
And then the morbol just fucks off. Sure... why not?
Komuxio is here with Claxio.
Th-This one is...safe? This one was so scared...
Claxio! This one has been worried! So very worried! Is Claxio unharmed? Still in possession of wits?
K-Komuxio? And meddling one as well... Why are these two here?
These two came to rescue Claxio! That Claxio is safe fills this one with joy!
Komuxio...forgive this one. This one did not mean to run away from Little Solace. This one was just...afraid. These ones who live at Little Solace were changing-becoming friendly with other ones. This one feared that these ones were forgetting who these ones are...like touched ones did. But this one was wrong. This one can see that now. Meddling--er, helpful one. This one is grateful. This one will return to Little Solace to be with Komuxio and friendly ones.
FFXIV in its early days relied a lot on the anime misunderstanding trope. Anime misunderstandings are different from regular misunderstandings because they involve one person jumping to the single fucking dumbest possible conclusion and running that train of thought into the ground. It's perfectly shown off by an early update in the LP where I covered the level 5 THM quest. It ended with one of the Coco brothers running off in a dramatic fashion before giving any of his other brothers a chance to explain themselves.
You know you're dealing with an anime misunderstanding when you just want to take the character being an idiot and shake their shoulders until their brain rattles, while shouting "USE YOUR FUCKING HEAD." In this case it was Claxio assuming that Little Solace was changing for the worse. Rather than talk about its problem like a normal person would, it just decided to jump straight to melodrama. It's still present, at least somewhat, in modern FFXIV, but it's greatly reduced from where it was in almost every fucking storyline.
Anyway that anime misunderstanding has been cleared up with the power of clear thinking.
Well, that should see to that. What say we return to Little Solace as well? I, for one, could do with a nice, hot bath.
Yes, god forbid you actually do anything in this investigation.
This one thought Claxio was lost forever. Helpful one saved Claxio?now these ones can be family again. This one has known many walking ones--even many kind walking ones--but helpful one is kindest and strongest of all. Helpful one is a hero to these ones. Helpful one will bring these ones and walking ones closer together--this one knows. This one would take helpful one to see elder one. But elder one is... Elder one is...
It's not often ARR quests have nice framing like this. Especially not early ARR quests like this one. So I'll take them where I can get them!
See that little line in the middle of the screen? At various points in the MSQ, you automatically get a mount speed increase in a bunch of old zones. The screen says Middle La Noscea, but it also goes through pretty much all the starting zones, including Central and West Thanalan. There's also riding maps to even further increase your mount speed, but they've been functionally depreciated.
Technically the riding maps still exist, and technically you can still buy them to get a speed increase on the ground. But, and this is a big but... there's zero need. I don't believe you can actually start buying them until level 50, and the second you hit 50 and finish 2.0, you can just fly in all the ARR zones. And flying mounts always go at the maximum possible speed while in the air.
Oh hey it's Buscarron. You may remember him as that guy we talked to for a third of a single quest in the LNC updates. Yes he's wearing a leather collar around his neck. No I don't know why. I guess the LNC unit he used to be a part of was Gridania's answer to the roughnecks?
This one must ask kind one's forgiveness. This one made promise to take kind one to see elder one, yes? But this one cannot... This one cannot because...elder one is not here. Elder one is not anywhere. Elder one went into forest yesterday, but has not come back... This one is worried. Elder one often goes into forest, but never, never for this long. Kind one will help find elder one, yes?
Near where elder one disappeared is the home of a walking one named Buscarron. Buscarron may know what happened to elder one. This one would talk to Buscarron...but walking ones do not always trust these ones. Would kind one talk to Buscarron for this one? And kind one comes from Gridania, yes? In Gridania live many kind ones, yes? This one begs of kind one. Please go to Gridania and ask fellow kind ones for help. And please hurry-these ones are not safe until elder one returns.
We have to return to Vorsaile first before Buscarron will talk to us.
I'm sure Yda and Papalymo have something witty to say here, and normally I'd check. But honestly? Can't bring myself to give a single fuck right now. What's weird is I used to like them too! Not sure what changed.
Well, if it isn't our intrepid ambassador. How fare your diplomatic efforts with the sylph tribes? Their elder's gone missing, you say!? Why, if he were to end up in the hands of the tempered ones, we'd have a crisis on our hands. You can assure the sylphs that my sharpest-eyed Serpents will be on the lookout night and day. No stone must be left unturned. I would ask you to call upon Giah Molkoh at Bentbranch Meadows and deliver the message that the Wood Wailers are needed in the search effort.
Vorsaile is good people. Most Gridanians would not want to enlist the aid of a Keeper of the Moon miqo'te, but he doesn't care. Molkoh is a Keeper surname that's how I know without checking.
Ashen gray skin with equally ashen-colored hair and fur... poor Giah is a mono-colored kitty.
A message from Commander Heuloix, you say? The sylph elder has vanished? Worry not, friend-the Wood Wailers have eyes under every leaf, behind every branch. If the elder is anywhere in these forests, we shall find him.
Back to the Druthers. This is supposed to be Ginger's first trip because this is supposed to be a level 24 quest I believe. So even thoug Buscarron has met and talked to us, he won't actually recognize us. Also leave it to me to somehow wind up on the unofficial RP server of Primal.
The Druthers is a bar, so of course Yda and Papalymo are here.
The sylphs are known to avoid the South Shroud. What could have compelled the sylph elder to come here? But the question of motive must wait--finding him is our foremost priority. With things relatively calm over in Little Solace, we can focus our search effort on this area.
Buscarron is a good friend of ours, and there's no better place like his for the latest gossip in the South Shroud!
Well met, adventurer! We have the finest grog and grub this side of-- Eh? Not here to fill your belly, then? Ahhh, a hunger for news, is it? Aye, there's been talk of a sylph lurking hereabouts, but I couldn't rightly say if it be the elder you seek.
I like the implication that Ginger's talking without actually putting words in her mouth.
Those woodland scamps all look alike. Short of painting one red and another one blue, most folk would struggle to tell two of 'em apart. If you've the time, mayhap you could stay a while and see what the gods have in store. You never know, you might even stumble across this sylph elder yourself.
The sylph elder actually looks aged is the funny part. Also the next several quests are just running around for lack of something to do while the main quest catches up with us. When I first played the rework, I was astounded the next series of quests was left in because it's literally just spinning wheels.
Eevee pointed out that the NPCs introduced in them feature prominently in a series of optional quests much, much, much later in the game.
That doesn't excuse their continued inclusion, but it does explain it. Also it's only like four quests long and is even a little charming. We're also going to need this quest reward egg in a moment. Seriously.
No word on the sylph elder yet, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time. In the meantime, how about doing a favor for old Buscarron in return? Right, then, let's put you to work. There's a customer outside who's spoiling for a fight and I need you to cool him off for me. No need to go cracking any skulls, though. Just take this tub of cold water and douse the drunkard. Tends to do the trick. My patrons can swill grog all night and carouse loud enough to wake the dead if they wish, but as soon as it turns violent, I've got to put my boot down.
This quest got heavily reworked. We used to have to hunt down an empty tub, cart it over to the nearby stream, fill it I'm pretty sure multiple times, pick it back up, and then finally carry it over to the loud drunk to douse them.
Now?
*uses the full tub she's been given to douse the drunk with cold water that's already in it*
Ugh! Nophica's teats, that's cold! What do you mean, 'no fightin''? This Duskwight scum was-- Yeah, yeah, I know the rules. That bastard gets to keep his skin...for now.
Thanks for steppin' in there, friend. Not that I couldn't handle myself against a bleatin' milksop like that bloke. And I don't want to cause no trouble for Buscarron. You know, havin' to mop up blood and bits o' teeth and the like.
Seems like everyone around here respects Buscarron enough to abide by his "no violence" rule.
Chocobutt
Nicely done, Ginger. I'll not have my patrons picking fights with each other over a bit of petty prejudice. In case you didn't see, the bloke who caught the brunt of that outburst is a Duskwight Elezen. They're a people who shun cities to live in the wilds, making them no better than brigands in the eyes of many.
To be fair, the Duskwights can be an unruly lot, but they ain't so bad once you get to know them. And it don't seem right to bar a whole race of people from the Druthers for the misdeeds of a few. There should be at least one place where anyone willing to pay the coin and drink in peace is welcome, don't you think?
I appreciate all the good you've done for our patrons. If you aren't disinclined, I have a favor of my own to ask you. There's a Qiqirn friend of mine, you see--name of Teteroon. A good lad. It was right after the Calamity that I came across him fallen in the Shroud. He nearly died in all the havoc. So, I took him in and nursed him back to health best I could.
He worked here at my Druthers for a spell after that. Got to talking about striking out on his own, he did, and not long after cast his lot with a merchant bound for La Noscea. Well, it just so happens I got to cleaning up around here and came across something of his-this scarlet earring. I know he was fond of the thing, but he must have just forgotten it when he left. So, I'd like to see that it gets to him.
Can't say for sure where he ended up, but might be a friend of mine can. A Roegadyn fellow named Baensyng. You can find him on Hawkers' Alley in Limsa Lominsa. He knows everything of the comings and goings of merchants there.
Qiqirn are cute little rat-men and they're largely pretty friendly. Anyway, like Buscarron said, we need to go from the middle of the Shroud to Limsa Lominsa.
We make more than enough from these quests to cover teleport costs anyway.
Ye found yer way to 'Awkers' Alley, friend. ...Hm? A Qiqirn what worked at the Druthers? Aye, ye speak of Teteroon. Related to that Kyokyoroon bloke just o'er there by some blood or another. Two of 'em put in together an' were makin' good coin. But ol' Teteroon up an' left Limsa not long ago. Couldn't say as to why or where.
Yer better off askin' Kyokyoroon himself. He can be tight of lip, though, I warn ye. Best to take this chicken egg with ye. Li'l bastard loves the bloody things. Heh... Good to hear about ol' Busc, though. Sounds as though he ain't changed a bit. Just like him to send a 'venturer along. Too shy to come his own self. Gods, I miss drinkin' with that fool.
Kyokyoroon is only involved in the quests in this arc, so he doesn't get a unique portrait.
Customer, be welcome! Not customer? Not come with custom? Kyokyoroon busy with business. Too busy for blather.
Can I interest you in a nice egg in this trying time?
Chicken egg! Kyokyoroon love chicken egg! Love chicken egg more than love customer! Looking for Teteroon? Teteroon no here no more. Teteroon leave Limsa. Teteroon go look for sparklies. Now working at trading post. Good trading post. Forget where trading post is.
Wineburg know Teteroon. Wineburg know trading post. Wineburg at ferry docks. You go to ferry docks. Kyokyoroon forget things. Wineburg remember things. You talk to Wineburg, not Kyokyoroon.
Teteroon? Aye, I seen him. That is to say, I saw him. He was headed somewhere up north, by way of the ferry to Aleport. Might as well head there and see what ye can suss out. The skipper here can take you there. When ye arrive, I'd start by askin' Ahldfoet. He's an old hand what knows a great deal about a great many things. All's I know is that Teteroon stopped in Aleport. If ye want to find him, ye'd best look there.
West La Noscea didn't get a mount speed upgrade sadly. Probably because only a small part of it is low level and the rest is for level 44+.
Teteroon? Aye, I saw him. That is to say, I seen him. He took himself north, through Skull Valley, into Oakwood. Was lookin' for a place run by his fellow Qiqirn. I reckon he meant the one right on the shore of Bronze Lake--Memeroon's Trading Post. Follow the road and yer sure to find it.
We need to go north past Sastasha and through a zone transition.
The trading post is just up the very dark road and past some unusually aggressive wolves.
Customer, be welcome! Not customer? Not come with custom? Bring something for Teteroon?
*hands over earring*
Teteroon forget this! Forget at Druthers. Teteroon swore would never forget earring...but never forget forgot. Teteroon thank! Teteroon thank! Good Buscaroon doing good? Good Buscaroon good to Teteroon. Teteroon miss good Buscaroon... <sigh>
I think I'm gonna call it here. Despite that quest name, I'm pretty sure this entire section is pretty forgettable. I sure as hell didn't remember its existence before July this past year! Believe it or not but we're actually almost done with the arc. Never Forget was 15/23! 