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Hello everyone and welcome back! Time for Ginger to continue her conjurer training.
Greetings, Ginger. You radiate the confidence of a conjurer who neglects not her study of the elements. I confess, I have no lesson for you to learn this day. Instead, I would ask that you aid me in the education of another. Yes, I speak of Sylphie.
After no small amount of prompting, bordering on coercion, the child has finally promised to attempt to embrace the forces of nature. But I am afraid the matter is not so easily resolved. Sylphie has never attempted to learn the basic offensive spells that you and most other conjurers mastered before first venturing into the wild. As such, she is ill equipped to undertake the trials which furnished you and your peers with an understanding of the elements. Put simply, she is no match for the tainted spirits of nature.
But if a more capable conjurer were to accompany her and purify the corruption in her stead, it may yet serve to impress upon her the power of the forces at work. I bid you take her on a pilgrimage around the Twelveswood, and give her the opportunity to witness these confrontations firsthand. Earth, wind, water-she must know them all. Show her the majesty and primal ferocity of nature.
As it was with you, let earth be her first lesson. Sylphie awaits you at Bentbranch Meadows. Pray forgive my presumption, but I thought it best to send her on ahead while her conviction remained strong. Once you have located the patch of corrupted soil at Bentbranch, draw forth the tainted sprite and let her witness the struggle that ensues. May the elementals aid you in this endeavor, Ginger.
At least Sylphie is taking all this seriously now that she understands the extremely dire consequences for not actually conjuring properly.
Sylphie is way over near the chocobo stables in the starting town south of Gridania.
Oh! I wasn't sure you'd come... You are...kind to help me. I've done nothing but mock you... Well, if you're ready, the corrupted soil is just there. I promise I'll be paying attention.
Ginger beats up more elementals. Conjury rules!
Aaah! I wasn't scared! I was...just a little startled, that's all! It was as if a mass of solid wrath had erupted from the ground. I've never felt anything li-- I mean, um, never mind. We have to head to the Bannock next. Let's get this over with.
Over in a fallen tree trunk is the next spot.
This seems to be the place. I'll be watching, so...do whatever it is you do.
Ginger puts another tainted elemental down.
Gods! The wind blew straight through me! It felt both gentle and sharp at the same time. I-I can't explain it... This is something you can conjure...? Let's be on our way. The last one is at Lilystone.
In the way far south of the zone we find Sylphie for the third trial.
The tainted water is here. Show me how it's done, then.
This questline is very cathartic.
The lake is so beautiful. I never noticed how clearly the sky is reflected in its surface. I never noticed... Let's head back. I'm ready to speak with the guildmaster now.
If you haven't figured it out yet, the CNJ questline is yet another one that doesn't face an existential crisis. Instead, Ginger mentors a lonely little girl, which is the most 
thing.
The glare on these lights is bothering me.
Sylphie, what did you sense as Ginger cleansed the sources of corruption?
It's hard to explain. It was...like hearing voices crying out in joy. And I felt their happiness wash over me. The world seemed sharper, more...alive. It was almost as if nature were speaking to me. But why, Brother E-Sumi? Why did my mother teach me to avoid this side of conjury? What was she so afraid of?
There are certain truths that hide behind the mask of our words, and there is much that your mother didn't tell you. But you needn't seek all the answers at once, Sylphie. Even now, your mind founders amid a sudden inundation of awareness. The first time we connect with nature can be a wonderful but disorienting experience. I suggest you allow yourself some time to adjust to this new perspective.
Sylphie leaves...
You have my gratitude, Ginger. Thanks to you, Sylphie has taken a most important step. You heard her mention "voices crying out in joy," did you not? It appears the mother's gift has been passed on to the daughter. Such sensitivity is not something one can achieve through meditation and training, but a blessing that only a few fortunate chosen receive. And, as you have no doubt surmised, Sylphie's mother was one such person.
The misunderstanding of that blessing, however, was what led her down such a tragic path. We cannot allow Sylphie's astonishing talents to consume her in the same manner.
...But we mustn't get ahead of ourselves. The girl has barely awoken to her potential. And for that potential to be fully realized, your support is yet needed. I suspect she failed to mention that the promise of your involvement in her lessons was the reason for her change of heart.
Ah, you underestimate the impression your quiet determination has made on young Sylphie. If modesty prevents you from acknowledging your own good deed, consider this task a part of your training-for conjurers are healers of wounds, be they physical or otherwise. Walk with her on her journey, Ginger, and together explore the myriad mysteries of nature.
Welcome, Ginger. The tales of your deeds reach me even here in the cloistered heart of Stillglade Fane. Glad I am that you have come, for I would ask your assistance in a matter of some delicacy. It concerns, yes, young Sylphie once again...
As you can no doubt imagine, the recent revelations concerning her mother have sorely troubled the poor child. It appears Sylphie needed some time alone to sort through the whirlwind of emotions which now beset her. She has, in short, fled from the guild. Fortunately, a party of conjurers who were dispatched to the South Shroud to investigate another instance of corruption sent word that they have spotted our wayward Sylphie.
Considering the importance of their mission, I would not seek to distract the conjurers from their task. Thus, I turn to you to escort Sylphie back here to the guild. You are, I believe, one of the few people to whom she will listen. Pray travel to Buscarron's Druthers and speak with Wulfiue. She was the conjurer who first chanced upon Sylphie, and will be able to tell you more of how the young lady fares.
If I know Buscarron well enough, I'm pretty sure I could ask him too and he'd gladly tell if he knew Ginger was trying to keep the young girl safe.
Also these three are the trio from the 5, 10, and 15 quests.
Ginger, you have grown much since last we spoke of the mysteries of earth. Though you are no doubt capable of defending yourself, I must nonetheless advise you against venturing out into the wilds until such time as balance has been restored.
Wulfiue divines the will of air, Nolanel is deeply rooted in earth, and I claim some small degree of mastery over water. False modesty aside, that we three were chosen to respond to this disturbance suggests that the situation is dire indeed.
We meet again, Ginger. I assume Brother E-Sumi warned you of the corruption my companions and I have been tasked with purifying here in the South Shroud? The source of this extensive blight is found to the southeast--the shrill, discordant voices of the elementals shriek their dismay in the vicinity of the withered treant. I suggest you give the area a wide berth.
Considering the potential dangers, you might imagine how alarmed I was to discover young Sylphie wandering about this part of the Twelveswood. It seems that her mother-a woman who healed with conjury, but remained untrained by the guild--called this region her home.
Sylphie herself had her head buried in some manner of tome, but if she is as sensitive to the elementals' murmurings as I am led to believe, then the din within her mind must be driving her to distraction. Pray speak with the child and see that she is well. I would do so myself if our current duty were not so pressing. We will, in fact, be setting out at any moment.
...oh. She's right inside. Fair enough!
Ginger!? Ah, I should've known that Wulfiue would tattle on me! And Brother E-Sumi sent you to take me back, didn't he?
*nods*
This is where my mother used to live, you know. Right up until she...passed on, folk were grateful for the healing she offered. And this is the journal she used to keep. There's an entry that explains how nature becomes furious when conjurers use their art; how there are always more people wounded in battles when "mortals abuse the power that is not theirs to take." My mother refused to draw on nature, because she was scared of making it angry.
She wouldn't lie about such things, and I want to do what she would've wanted. I'm going to stop using conjury altogether!
I bet it's because Wulfiue and the others are overusing their art. We have to go and stop them!
We're responsible for her well-being until she's back in the guild so, let's make sure she doesn't get into any trouble.
The trio from before are trying to quell elementals near a dead treant in the forest.
Gods, it's so loud... Can't you hear it? Nature is shrieking in rage...
This is more of the same. We have to heal the three other conjurers and put down the elementals. It's a bit of a juggling act.
Luckily Ginger is well geared and so she takes chunks out of its HP bar.
Nature is angry with us...
You mustn't use any more conjury! We are only making nature more furious!
Even the creatures of the woods know this is wrong!
Now nature sends thunder and lightning against us! What more proof do you need!
Elementals!? Are they angry too!? We're really in trouble now! They... The elementals are helping us!?
Never has the earth so confounded me... I must apologize.
Thank you for your timely assistance. With the origin of the corruption now neutralized, we should be able to cleanse whatever traces remain.
You possess quite an affinity for the elements... That was most impressive.
I... I can't believe nature actually helped us. There was nothing scary about it at all.
I might still wonder if it really was safe for conjurers to borrow that power if I hadn't seen the way you wield it. Nothing could seem more...natural. I think it's time I went back to the guild. There are a few things I need to collect first, so, please, go on ahead without me.
The other three conjurers are with her now, so she's in quite capable hands. So... back to the guild!
Those lamps are way too bright. Friggin' glare...
Welcome back, Ginger. And you also, Sylphie.
Brother E-Sumi, I'm sorry I ran away like that...
I understand, child. Did you find the answers you sought?
Yes--thanks to Ginger. She showed me that nature was nothing to be afraid of. ...I think I know why my mother refused to call upon its power--she believed the act caused suffering to nature itself.
I see. So it was her very love for nature that prevented her from drawing on its strength. Tell me, Sylphie--has the fog of indecision now lifted from your mind?
It has, Guildmaster. I understand now why my mother chose the path she did.
Full glad am I to hear that, for I must ask of you one more question.
Yes, Brother E-Sumi?
When you first witnessed Ginger cleanse a corrupted element, you mentioned hearing voices. How exactly did they sound?
The voices? Well...they sounded joyful, like a crowd letting out a sudden cheer. I really heard them, I swear!
I am sure you did, Sylphie. This is a gift. Conjurers may sense the power of nature, and borrow from its strength. But not all can hear its whispers. What you describe are the voices of the elementals. You may very well possess the talent to become a Hearer.
A Hearer!?
Hearers, if you recall, interpret the will of the Elementals. They're absurdly powerful politically in Gridanian society. Looks like Sylphie is destined for greatness!
Of course, much relies on your studies of conjury. You have a natural aptitude, but have thus far lacked commitment. You must not neglect your training, Sylphie. Putting aside such matters for a moment, I am curious to hear about the disturbance you observed in the South Shroud, Ginger. I assume from the reports I have received that it was of a different magnitude to those which you have previously encountered. Am I correct?
Hmmm... This bodes ill. The creatures known as "mud pies" are not native to the Twelveswood. I wonder what relation this may have to the seemingly ever-increasing frequency of these disturbances. Something beyond the damage wrought by the Calamity afflicts the Twelveswood. I shall commune with the elementals and seek to identify this threat.
Ginger, Sylphie, I may have need of you both before long. Until then, give yourselves over to the study of our art. Ever shall the earth meet your footfall, and the wind guide your path.
Ah, Ginger-your presence here is most welcome. I have another task to which your maturing skills are well suited. Attend me closely. Expansive wounds that ooze corruption have formed throughout the forest. After examining the traces of the sizable disturbance you previously cleansed, I can only conclude that this phenomenon is the work of a malign agent. It must be found swiftly, lest the corruption spread, and I would have you assist in the investiga--
Guildmaster! You must let me help!
Sylphie?
Since I got back from the South Shroud, I've spent all my time studying the forces of nature! I even sat through one of Hearer Nolanel's lectures! The Twelveswood is crying out in pain. My skills are still a bit...lacking...in some areas, but I want to do what I can for the forest.
Lacking? Sylphie, you have yet to master a single offensive spell. Without the means to defend yourself, it would be far too dangerous to send you off into the forest alone.
...So I am to stay here, then?
Ginger, with your consent, I would have Sylphie accompany you once more. I do not propose this arrangement solely with her safety in mind. Given the nature of the investigation, it is like that Sylphie's innate talent for hearing will prove as useful to you as your conjury will to her. There is much you might accomplish together.
Sylphie--you are not to approach any sources of corruption without Ginger at your side. Do I make myself clear? And should you chance to encounter the origin of these disturbances, do not initiate a confrontation. Too often, you allow your curiosity to overwhelm your good sense. Now go, and may the elementals watch over you.
I... Yes, Guildmaster. Something tells me we should start at Quarrymill in the South Shroud. Meet me there as soon as you can, Ginger. And hurry--the corruption is spreading!
This is probably leftover "corruption" from the battle in the previous quest. We're within spitting distance of the treant!
There's the tainted soil, Ginger. Please do what you can.
This goes about how you'd expect.
That was brilliant, Ginger! But it was only the start. The forest still groans in pain-I can hear it. I think it's coming from...the north-no, the northeast. Let's go and have a look.
More corrupted soil. Over to you.
Boom!
You're doing really well, Ginger...but I think there's another one. And, well...it calls to me even more fervently than the last. It's to the east, I think. Yes, to the east.
Right there, Ginger. This corruption is everywhere...
Nice work, the earth here feels healed. And yet... There's another disturbance. And it's big. Really big. It's hard to describe, but it feels...sort of...wrong-er. I think... I think it might be what's causing all of this.
I know Brother E-Sumi said we weren't to confront it, but we can't just let it corrupt the rest of the forest. And however powerful it is, it can't be any more powerful than you. You're...well...you're amazing. Wh-What I mean to say is, I'm willing to risk a scolding if you are! It's not far from here-somewhere to the southeast, I think. Shall we at least have a closer look?
This time it's hiding in a nook.
I don't think you need to be able to hear the voices of the forest to notice that, do you, Ginger? The corruption is definitely coming from somewhere around here.
Hmmm...that's odd. As soon as we arrived, that sense of wrongness I had suddenly felt less...well...it just felt less.
Ginger goes to get a closer look.
It's almost as if it's holding its breath. Or hiding.
Sylphie turns around...
Do you see that? Just in that one spot, there-the air seems...wrong.
Aaah!
Ginger is done with having people she cares about die on her. So she puts herself between the voidsent and Sylphie.
This creature is a voidsent! I've heard Brother E-Sumi speak of them!
Be careful, Ginger! You'll be paralyzed if you meet its gaze!
The voidsent is here, but there's also a bunch of corrupted aether wells as well. This fight gets really hectic!
It's drawing power from the corruption! We have to cleanse the disturbance first!
The voidsent doesn't have a lot of health, but the tainted earth is healing it. So we have to take them down first!
The corruption attracts the worst kind of monsters!
There's also a pair of imps here as well. This fight isn't hard, but it can be overwhelming at first. Just gotta take the adds out and keep yourself healed. They'll thankfully ignore Sylphie.
The power of nature is so incredible! I feel like I can do anything!
Midway through the fight, Sylphie gets a power-up and starts actually contributing with offensive magics and healing. 
Without a source of healing, the voidsent goes down like a bitch.
Sylphie immediately collapses.
Ginger runs over to see if she's alright when...
Heh. Heh heh. Ahahahahaha!
Isn't it amazing, Ginger? Did the breeze always feel this good?
Was the ground always this warm?
I'm so glad I finally understand.
The camera work in this cutscene is incredible.
I just wish I could tell my mother how incredible nature feels. Oh, you're injured. Here.
Don't worry--healing doesn't drain me anymore. Not since I learned how to borrow from nature. And I have you to thank for that, Ginger.
Let's return to the guild. We have to explain everything to Brother E-Sumi.
Welcome back, Ginger, Sylphie.
Our mission was a success, Guildmaster.
Quite. I take it the two of you conspired to defy my orders?
W-Well...the forest was suffering! We couldn't just walk away... It's not Ginger's fault! It's mine. It was all my idea. I take full responsibility!
Calm yourself, child. You did nothing I did not foresee. I am of no mind to lecture you. Indeed, Gridania is indebted to you for your heroic deeds. The corruption born of Akoman had taken root in the Calamity-weakened soil-there is no telling how much further it might have spread if you had not defeated the creature.
And if I am not mistaken, Sylphie, you succeeded in drawing upon the energies of nature during the battle.
How did you--? Yes. Yes, I did. I'm not really sure how it happened. I remember thinking how badly I wanted to help Ginger, and then I suddenly felt the power surging through me.
That is as it should be. One does not simply choose to borrow from nature's strength. The mind may command only that which the heart permits. In your desperation to help your friend, you opened your heart to nature, and nature responded to your need.
Ah, but we must not forget your part in this, Ginger. It is clear to me that your journey with Sylphie has brought you still closer to the pinnacle of our art. I believe you are ready for the last of my teachings. Thus it is with great pleasure that I pass on another of our guild's magicks-a more potent form of the Cure spell is now yours to command.
I have no doubt that it will serve you well in your continuing endeavors. Wheresoever you go, nature will go with you, my friend. Ever shall the earth meet your footfall, and the wind guide your path.
I already explained about Cure II last time. It's better than Cure I in every way that matters!
Anyway that's it for now! Ginger has learned to heal her friends, so hopefully there will be no more deaths if she can help it!
NEXT TIME: Ginger has to confront reality eventually. Time to face the truth that the Scions are gone...