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Hello everyone and welcome back! Now that Ginger's all caught up on job quests, the Coerthas arc continues.
There was another cut quest here. Haurchefant used to suggest that during Ginger's downtime that she spar with some of his knight trainees. When she returns he decides she's a woman of action and would much rather have an active hand in the investigation.
Now he just decides that from the get-go and here we are!
As you have doubtless realized by now, the High Houses of Ishgard--House Fortemps included--are either unable or unwilling to offer you formal assistance in your search. However, that does not mean that there are not influential individuals within each house who are sympathetic to your cause.
I shall be sending missives to their various representatives in Ishgard, though I suspect it would be quicker and more efficient if you were make inquiries of your own. Lady Ninne of mine own House Fortemps, who resides here in Camp Dragonhead, rather enjoys the company of travelers. There is also Cravellin of House Haillenarte, who can be found at Skyfire Locks--though any information you pry from the scribe may prove difficult to parse.
Have you spoken with the chief astrologian of House Durendaire yet? Really? Hm... Perhaps he will be more accommodating once I inform him that you are a friend of House Fortemps. Do not concern yourself with House Dzemael--I shall contact them myself. Seek the counsel of the three I mentioned, and return to me when finished.
This entire arc is so much better received, I think, than Titan's because you meet Haurchefant quickly. He's a friendly face in a very unfriendly place and while he can't work miracles, he does promise to help you as he is able. You're not spinning your wheels, you're actively engaged with the investigation and running down your own leads. It feels like it moves by much better.
To the surprise of absolutely nobody, this entire arc is the work of Natsuko Ishikawa, who we have most recently seen in the Rogue/Ninja quests.
The woman knows her stuff when it comes to storywriting. And while I have in the past accused her of being long winded, she is absolutely brilliant regardless. I've said a lot at length about the Rogue quests, but they were certainly not boring. They had stakes and pacing and a memorable cast of characters! Coerthas is the same way.
Why, hello, good madam. What's that? An airship, you say? I hate to disappoint you, but I know nothing of what you seek. Likely no one of House Fortemps does, for if they did, I would definitely know as well. The topic on everyone's lips these days is what will become of young Lord Francel. Some say the allegations are long overdue, given how many members of House Haillenarte have been found guilty of heresy in recent days...
Not surprisingly, Francel's accusation is big news.
Back at the Skyfire Locks, we dip into one of the bunkers...
Halone, grant me strength! There must be some way to- Oh, who are you? A friend of Lord Haurchefant? I want to help you, I truly do! But these accusations of heresy have thrown House Haillenarte into chaos. Right now, we must focus on combating these charges and preserving our reputation.
To the surprise of nobody, House Haillenarte is currently unable to help.
Back up the damn observatory tower...
This wouldn't be so bad, I think, if it weren't so tall.
I gather you have been busy since last we spoke. Lord Haurchefant's missive was positively glowing. But if you think that his endorsement is cause for me to disregard Ishgardian policies, then you are sorely mistaken. We are at war, madam, and the enemy grows bolder by the day. Why, in the short time since Inquisitor Guillaime arrived in Coerthas, countless heretics have been discovered, even amongst the elite of Ishgardian society!
If Lord Haurchefant wishes to waste his days chasing after a long-lost airship, then that is his choice. But if he expects others to share in his folly, then he is truly blind to the present state of affairs.
House Durendaire is unwilling to help. Also this guy continues to be a prick.
By your countenance, I take it you did not learn anything of use. Nor did I, I fear. It seems the whole of Coerthas is consumed by this talk of heretics in the High Houses. We can only hope that my sources in Ishgard proper provide more pertinent information.
Just for my own personal tracking, this is 12/23, which makes it as good as any halfway point for the arc.
I had another personal request to make of you. It concerns Lord Francel, of whom much has been whispered in recent days. I have received a report that he and three knights were seen heading north towards the Steel Vigil.
The outpost was long ago overrun by the Dravanian Horde, so I am not certain what he intends to accomplish with such a small force. Whatever his motives, I fear for his safety. Pray journey to the Steel Vigil and see if Lord Francel's party requires assistance.
Even quests like this don't feel like you're wasting time, even if you technically are. Haurchefant isn't threatening to withhold his support if Ginger doesn't. He's asking her as a personal favor while he continues to ask after the airship on her behalf. This arc is a night and day difference from the one that just came before it and I can't stop pointing out the differences.
I didn't angle the damn camera up, but we're climbing up past Witchdrop to an abandoned fort at the top of the hill.
We can find a few members of Francel's entourage here, so where is he at...
The previous screenshot was on the far side of the wall now in front of Ginger, to give you an idea.
Who goes there!? Ginger!? No, stay back! The fiend is still here!
It's a single, admittedly large, dragonkin. Ginger dispatches it because she's a dragoon. 
Halone be praised, you did it! But what of the others? The three knights who accompanied me, where are they!?
I heard the beast's cries from over yonder. Then Lord Francel is safe? Bless you, miss, bless you!
1...
Confound it all! How are we to redeem House Haillenarte if we cannot even slay a single aevis!? <sigh> We are fortunate you came along when you did, miss. House Haillenarte will remember your kindness.
2...
Curse those fiends! It's as though they knew we were coming...
and 3.
Also the nearby hilltop has a nice shot of Ishgard and the Steps of Faith.
Anyway, back to Francel.
It was a foolish thing to do, I know, but I had hoped we might demonstrate our devotion by slaying a number of the scalekin. Moreover, it was House Haillenarte that yielded the Steel Vigil to the Horde many years ago. One might say that our defeat here heralded the slow decline of our house's once-great name.
We have been brought even lower by these despicable accusations of heresy. And despite my best efforts, I have done naught to improve the situation. The day of my trial approaches. Soon I must accept the judgment of the inquisitors, whatever it may be. But even should my protestations fall on deaf ears, I will proclaim my innocence to my dying breath!
The kid is earnest, but not very bright. Of course, that goes for Ishgardians as a whole. If he had died there he probably would have been posthumously declared innocent or something. Their whole society is fucked up.
What did you find at the Steel Vigil? Ah, I see... A reckless plan, but at least it did not cost him and his knights their lives. I have news for you as well. A witness to the final flight of the Enterprise has been found. Alas, there is a complication.
It has become common knowledge that you paid a visit to Lord Francel at Skyfire Locks not long ago. Upon learning of this, the witness became understandably reticent to make your acquaintance, for fear of being seen in the company of a woman who might later be declared a heretic.
A not unreasonable fear, given the zeal with which Inquisitor Guillaime has conducted his investigations. In any case, if we wish to obtain his testimony, we must first clear Lord Francel's name--and, by association, yours.
I would like to point out that Ginger can't be declared a heretic because that actually requires her to be a believer of the religion in the first place. Of course this is also a society known for declaring Estinien a thief for taking an artifact that is rightfully his by law. So who knows.
As I see it, the key to proving Lord Francel's innocence is discrediting the evidence against him. I speak of the draconian rosary found in the chest you yourself recovered. If you would, please tell me of the incident in question.
Well...
...So it was found in a locked chest labeled as the property of Lord Francel. If the rosary was not his, then someone else with access must have planted it. Here is what you must do: return to Skyfire Locks and speak with Rickeman. He works closely with the porters who ferry goods across Coerthas, so he may have some inkling of who could be responsible.
The story at least does a pretty good job of getting Ginger peresonally involved. Not because there's a threat to her life, but because her investigation will be made next to impossible without clearing her name.
You can actually see the Skyfire Locks from here. So at least we don't have to go across the world zone and back.
Eh? Someone tamperin' with shipments? Fury strike me down, if all them rosaries found in our people's possessions were planted... Hey now, don't you give me that look, lass! I'm a House Haillenarte man through an' through. This heresy nonsense is bad for me an' my family too!
I ain't sayin' the porters what were bringin' the shipment did it, though. I know most of them what work the trade routes, an' I've never had cause to question their faith. But if it wasn't them neither, then your guess is as good as mine. After all, most every shipment is thoroughly inspected before it--
There's another explanation...
Eh? Could it've been the fellas what were responsible for the inspections? Hah! Ishgardian knights and inquisitors, the lot of them. As if they'd ever turn their cloaks. <sigh> Reckon that means the porters are your most likely suspects. Hate to think it, but maybe you should question them. There's a crew comin' to Camp Dragonhead from Whitebrim Front this eve. You might consider havin' a word with them.
Back at Camp Dragonhead, Alphinaud and Cid are standing around.
We came to find an airship, yet now we meddle in Ishgardian affairs of state? Gods, if Alisaie were here, I would never hear the end of it...
I'm glad we left the Observatorium. The people there were no friendly. Though even here, I can feel eyes upon us. We... we are not safe.
Standing near our companions are some porters. Let's make friends.
Beg your pardon? You suspect that we porters have been planting draconian rosaries in House Haillenarte shipments!? What nerve! If you truly believe such nonsense, search our parcels and see what you find!
There's three packages. There are rosaries in two of them. Both of them belonging to Haillenarte.
Are we finished? If so, I would appreciate an apology.
And I'd like to find an airship, but it sounds like both of us are gonna be disappointed.
But...but that's impossible! Once the knight at Whitebrim Front concluded her inspection, I loaded the parcels into the wagon myself! And if I had been the culprit, I would have never allowed you to search my shipments! Say what you will to Lord Haurchefant--I will not be held accountable for this!
Did something happen outside? I thought I heard shouting... Ah, but more importantly, what did Rickeman have to say?
You'll never guess...
More draconian rosaries!? In every single parcel bound for Skyfire Locks? That beggars belief! Even the inquisitors must acknowledge that this is no more than a crass attempt to sully House Haillenarte's reputation. Whoever is responsible has overplayed his hand. And praise Halone that he did! Lord Francel's trial is upon us, and we must act now if we are to clear his name!
I like how it's obvious to literally everyone but the Ishgardians that the inquisitor is responsible for this. All the NPCs keep saying how he's uncovered an unprecedented number of heretics. I guess it just doesn't occur to them that a "holy man" could be corrupt.
From the very first, I knew it could not be that so many members of House Haillenarte were heretics. At last, we can give the lie to these poisonous allegations, and put an end to this travesty!
I will need to prepare a formal statement regarding these developments for the Holy See. In the meantime, I would have you bear my words to Inquisitor Brigie. Tell her that House Fortemps asks--nay, demands that Lord Francel's trial be postponed until a full investigation has been conducted!
Birgie is standing up above Haurchefant's little office.
What is it, my child? Hm? Lord Haurchefant would have the inquisitors do what?
But that is not possible. Inquisitor Guillaime presides over Lord Francel's trial at Witchdrop even as we speak. Fear not: if Lord Francel is indeed innocent, he shall walk in Halone's halls with the fallen heroes of Ishgard.
They have taken Lord Francel to Witchdrop!? This is madness! The inquisitor does not have sufficient grounds to subject him to that manner of trial! I will not stand idly by and allow an innocent man to die. Ginger, I would dispatch you and one of my knights to Witchdrop to forestall the proceedings until such time as I am able to join you and petition Inquisitor Guillaime in person. I will endeavor not to keep you waiting too long. Do whatever you must to keep Lord Francel alive!
The NPC is over near where Ginger went down for her level 40 job quest last update.
Hail, Ginger. As you can see, Lord Francel yet lives. We must try to reason with the inquisitor--but if his guards judge us a threat, we must also be prepared to defend ourselves.
Joacin Charlemend Francel de Haillenarte-you stand accused of heresy against the Holy See of Ishgard. Is there aught you wish to say in your defense?
Hear me, brothers--these charges are false! The men and women of my line have ever opposed the Dravanians, and I am no different! Since the very birth of our nation, we have gladly shed blood in service to the Holy See! Condemn me and you will strike a blow for the enemies of Ishgard!
It is for Halone to judge if you speak the truth. Prove your innocence in the eyes of gods and men. Leap from the cliff and entrust your fate to the Fury. The righteous shall take their place in Halone's halls, while the wicked shall reveal their drachen forms and be put to the sword!
Yeah. I might have forgotten to mention that the pit is full of angry voidsent. There's a really good reason for that.
In the name of House Fortemps, I beseech you--stay your hand!
Inquisitor, we are come on behalf of Lord Haurchefant. My lord has uncovered evidence which suggests that the charges against Lord Francel are without merit. We humbly request that these proceedings be suspended until such time as a full reexamination of the facts has been conducted.
Lord Haurchefant has allowed his personal relationship with the accused to cloud his judgment. That he should harbor private doubts, I might have allowed...but that he would dare interfere in legal proceedings sanctioned by the Holy See, I cannot. To defy the will of an inquisitor is to commit heresy! A crime for which there is but one punishment!
Hmmm. Gee. I wonder if the inquisitor is evil. He MIGHT have allowed peresonal doubts. Second guessing him is heretical. Like Haurchefant said, the "guilty party" overplayed his hand.
We must hold them until Lord Haurchefant arrives, Ginger! And remember--no harm can come to the inquisitor!
The number of emdashes is starting to get annoying. Every fucking dialogue box has at least one. I know this is the most petty thing I've complained about in these 60 updates, but each one I have to delete the web version and type two hyphens. It really adds up to a drain on my time.
Your shield bears no sigil, ser! Do you serve the Holy See or one of the High Houses?
I serve a higher power!
It's just wave after wave of jobbers that we have to cut down. Ginger's exceptionally well geared and so these guys fall like wheat before a thresher.
The main bad guy himself doesn't have all that much health either!
Look, look! Lord Haurchefant is come!
In the name of House Fortemps, I demand that you lay down your arms!
By this deed, you do disgrace your line, Lord Haurchefant!
Ishgardian scum! Today you shall answer for your sins!
This obvious heretic runs off to hide behind an invulnerable wyvern.
A wyvern!? But there were no reports of Dravanian activity!
You would call upon your allies to save you!? At last, your treachery is laid bare!
Billy here is the world's worst liar.
At the end of the melee, the guy runs off and starts chain casting cure to try and stay in the fight. Ginger pokes him to death.
And then the inquisitor knight drops a rosary.
It is not our intention to defy the will of the archbishop.
But this trial--ike many others, I fear--has been orchestrated by enemies of House Haillenarte. They have used you and your fellows to sow discord, Inquisitor--to set brother against brother, that we may tear ourselves apart.
...The fevered imaginings of a desperate man. What proof have you of this?
Check this shit out. Your buddy was carrying it.
By the Fury...a draconian rosary! Then the knight who refused to yield--it was he who summoned the wyvern!
A heretic in the ranks of the Temple Knights. This has grave implications... Your claims...would appear to have merit, Lord Haurchefant. I shall withdraw my charges against Lord Francel, pending further investigation. I trust you have not lost sight of that which first brought you to Coerthas, Ginger. Pray locate your errant airship...and use it.
Billy will continue to impede Ginger's progress in finding the airship. Also I'm calling him Billy and not Guillaime because that's harder to type and because I have zero respect for the dipshit. Also because I don't want to do two arcs in a row where the primary villain's portrait is strawman.
Lord Haurchefant, I have not the words to express my gratitude. But why would you risk your reputation to save mine?
Because I know you, boy. You're too loyal to betray Ishgard, and too devout to question your sentence. Had we been any slower, you'd have jumped of your own free will.
I...I would have done whatever it took to redeem House Haillenarte.
Praise Halone it did not come to that. But it profits us little to dwell on what might have been. Let us quit this place, Ginger. Pray visit me at Camp Dragonhead once you have recuperated.
You look well, Ginger. May I say what a pleasure it was to fight alongside such a fearless and skillful warrior. Were it not for you, Lord Francel would surely have died defending the honor of his house--and I might well have perished at the hands of a heretic and his wyvern. House Fortemps and House Haillenarte shall never forget your service. Now, let us return to the matter of your missing Enterprise!
The man with knowledge of the Enterprise awaits you outside. I pray his information proves useful to you.
This quest got changed. Used to be we'd have to go all the way back to the Observatorium to get a specific book from its archives, which need I remind you have been closed to us becuase Durendaire is full of assholes. The extra step was more blatant padding and so it was removed and the world was made a better place for its removal.
How quickly the commoners' opinions change. They say Lord Francel is innocent now, but just a few days prior...
Anyway, you were inquiring as to the whereabouts of an airship last seen in Coerthas several days before the Calamity, yes? Well, it so happens that I was monitoring the night sky at the Observatorium during that period. I recall that a small vessel came from the direction of Gridania and landed near the Stone Vigil, in the far northwest.
The garrison almost certainly seized the vessel and brought it within their walls. If so, then you would need an army of knights to have any hope of securing it. Though Lord Haurchefant is, from all indications, quite fond of you, so mayhap he can lend you a few? In any case, I have done my part. I shall pray for your success, friend.
Oh, so you've at last located the Enterprise! I believe congratulations are in order.
It's in the Stone Vigil.
The Stone Vigil? Ah...perhaps I spoke too soon. The outpost has been held by the dragons for years, and all access is restricted by decree of House Durendaire. I will write a letter to Lord Drillemont of Whitebrim Front and request that he grant you permission to enter. That said, I fear my influence alone will not suffice, so I suggest that you request Lord Francel do the same.
Now that your business in Camp Dragonhead is concluded, I suspect we may not meet again for some time. I wish you well in your journeys, Ginger. May Halone guide you.
He was nice.
Wonderful to see you again, Ginger! If there is anything I can do to repay you, name it.
Would you mind writing me a letter?
...So the airship you seek is likely inside the Stone Vigil. It shames me to say that it too was once an outpost held by House Haillenarte. In the chaos that followed the Calamity, the Dravanian Horde caught us unawares. The fiends have held the outpost ever since. As we lack the strength of arms to retake the Stone Vigil, House Durendaire instead has been charged with the duty. Given that, I doubt that my words will carry much weight with Lord Drillemont. Nevertheless, I will write you your letter.
Before you depart, a word of caution: the cravens who attempted to destroy House Haillenarte have yet to be unmasked. Though their plans were foiled, they doubtless still harbor great hatred towards us--and towards you now as well.
There's a settlement just outside of the Stone Vigil, so that's where we go next! Also Francel's words are true. The inquisitor told us to find the airship, but he's going to be doing his absolute best to prevent us from getting it because he has potato salad instead of brains.
Setting out west from Camp Dragonhead, we just folllow the road to its destination.
I'm legitimately surprised that a 30minute FATE boss isn't spawned here right now. The giant bird boss is always up!
This is actually the entrance to the Steps of Faith, that I mentioned earlier. That's a huge bridge that separates Ishgard from the rest of the mainland.
Moving on, I'm not actually sure what that glow in the distance is.
All the way down at the bottom of the hill is the Whitebrim Front. This place is tedious to get to if you're doing crafter levequests because they end here, but don't start here. So you're often teleporting in to Camp Dragonhead and then running down the hill to here. It's the Horizon problem, but more tedious because you don't come here nearly often enough to require special teleport tickets to ameliorate the trip.
You desire an audience with Lord Drillemont, do you? Hah! I desire a night in a warm bed with my wife, but wishing won't make it so.
I have some letters.
What do we have here? Letters from Lords Haurchefant and Francel, is it? A likely-- ...Oh, you're serious. Hmmm...what to do, what to do...
Here's a hint... someone that comes by bearing two letters of introduction from the sons of noble houses means that they're an important person.
Your timing could not have been worse, traveler. Lord Drillemont's attentions are focused solely on the Stone Vigil at present. In any case, it is not my responsibility to escort visitors. Take your letters and show them to...Ser Alboise. Yes, Ser Alboise can surely accommodate you-seek her in the storeroom on the opposite side of the yard.
Alphinaud is randomly standing around in Whitebrim Front. Good for him.
Time is a resource we can ill afford to squander. We must gain entrance to the Stone Vigil without delay.
Alboise is down on the lower floor. Remember this for later. This runaround is solely to introduce you to the characters so you know who they are when you're asked to visit them in 3 quests.
Ser Brunadier bade you speak with me, did he? I know not why he presumed I would be in a better position to help, but I assure you that he is mistaken. Lord Drillemont hasn't the time to spend speaking with low-ranking knights such as I. However, he always has a moment to spare for head chirurgeon Astidien. Why not visit the infirmary upstairs and show your letters to him?
I hate this layout so much.
You see those stairs to the right? We gotta go up those.
Cid is up here along with our next guy.
If the Enterprise is indeed inside the Stone Vigil, then we must convince Lord Drillemont to cooperate.
Are you here to visit a patient, madam? What's this? Letters of introduction from House Fortemps and Haillenarte... With documents such as these, you needn't seek an escort. Pray proceed to the barracks and speak with Ser Goudernoux. He should know Lord Drillemont's current whereabouts.
On the opposite end of the settlement is the tower. It's a lot shorter than the Observatorium. But I'm pretty sure literal space elevators are shorter than the Observatorium tower.
It takes actual seconds to run up. Handy!
What reason have you for barging into--
*flashes letters*
Oh, I see. Well, you are in luck--Lord Drillemont is just up these stairs. Letters or no, though, I would not expect much. House Durendaire as a whole does not hold adventurers in high regard. You had best state your intentions quickly and succinctly. Show proper respect, and it shall be returned in kind.
Ser Goudernoux permitted your passage? Very well. Speak.
I have letters for you.
You wish to brave a ruined outpost filled with scalekin to secure an airship that may or may not be there. Are you the avatar of the Fury Herself?
We are the Scions of the Seventh Dawn, Lord Drillemont. You know our name, and you know our deeds. We are come to Coerthas to slay Garuda, Lady of the Vortex. To that end, we seek the Enterprise, the airship of Master Cid nan Garlond, who stands before you now.
Master Garlond, you're alive!? But that's impossible!
Indeed it is, my lord.
Do not be deceived by their honeyed words. These foreigners are not to be trusted. At this critical moment in Ishgardian history, as House Durendaire marshals its forces to retake the Stone Vigil, who should appear in Whitebrim Front but three mysterious strangers...
Cid Garlond--missing and presumed dead since before the Calamity, and two Scions of the Seventh Dawn--a defunct band of misfits recently exterminated by the Empire. The lesser houses may have been duped by these grandiose lies, but I should hope that House Durendaire would have greater sense. I know not why these three seek the Stone Vigil, but I know that we cannot permit them to pass.
Thank you for your counsel, Inquisitor. For a moment, I nearly believed this mummer's farce. You three will not enter the outpost until we have reclaimed it--and until you declare your true intentions as well.
All Billy had to do was just step aside and let us into the Stone Vigil. But he had to make it personal and get involved. This is his own fault because now Ginger is going to go out of her way specifically to fuck up whatever his plans are.
It could be moons before House Durendaire purges the dragons from the Stone Vigil. We cannot afford to wait that long! Cid, Ginger-we must do whatever it takes to earn Lord Drillemont's trust. Understood?
