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Hello everyone and welcome back! Today we're gonna be tackling a very terrible dungeon. Not because we have to, but because it's on my list. It's better to get it out of the way early in my opinion.
Thanks to you, Biggs and Wedge are with us again. Now we must find a way to rescue Minfilia and the others. Gods know we've kept them waiting too long already. Based on what we've learned, I believe it's safe to say they're being held at Castrum Centri.
Based on being told so by multiple people, we believe that Minfilia is being held at Castrum Centri. First Y'shtola told us. Then that elezen guy told us. Then Wedge told us. All three were very sure of themselves. So Cid feels comfortable saying that Minfilia and the missing Scions are probably being held there.
Great job, Sherlock.
So let us convene at Revenant's Toll in Mor Dhona-'tis as good a place as any to prepare, and better than most. The road leading east then south will get you there. When we arrive, let us seek the advice of the local adventurers. We're bound to learn a thing or two that will benefit our mission.
Down past the Whizzard's Magical Realm we find the zone border to Mor Dhona.
And to my surprise, the sky doesn't look like an oil spill. That's actually a legitimate concern more than half the time.
Revenant's Toll is the largest settlement in the area, and it's in the middle of the zone. In the early days of FFXIV, Revenant's Toll used to be a couple of tents around a dirt road. But as the 2.x patches rolled on, they built the area up until it became a huge fortress.
It's actually a legitimate pity that they don't phase the area to your quest completion, because it would be nice to see the area build up. I've never actually seen the old Revenant's Toll. For me it's always looked like this.
Supposedly the town keeps growing too. I've seen people in the main XIV thread claim that Revenant's Toll keeps getting bigger with each patch. It wouldn't surprise me!
Also for this entire time, Ginger's "home" has been the default. Revenant's Toll is a good place to set it for... pretty much the rest of the game. Anyway, now let's get the terribleness out of the way first.
You might imagine I'm being hyperbolic. No. The Aurum Vale is a terrible dungeon, and it's the last of the 1.0 holdovers. There's a better than even chance when you show up here that it's gonna be a shitshow.
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Dare you enter my magical realm?
This first room is where you're probably gonna wipe. There are a lot of enemies in here, and the maximum level syncs to 49, so the majority of players who are insanely overgeared get synced down to item level 50 gear at most. Also nobody is gonna have their capstone abilities.
All that's a preamble to say that you need to be careful. Those pools of pee hurt if you stand in them.
This tank, I'm not even sure of his name, is awesome. He immediately pulled everything to the severe left wall and well away from any freestanding puddles of urine.
You see, the enemies in the middle of the room patrol from left to the right. So they can and will aggro on your group randomly. Even better, there's a huge toad with them. Toads, if you don't remember, will use their tongue to grab whoever they aggro onto and yank them away from the party. Usually it's one of the DPS standing 0.000000000000001 micrometers too closer to its patrol route.
Also Eevee has informed me that everything in the room except for the toad aggros based on sound. So you can just RP walk through it and be fine. 
The first room went with military precision. I've never seen it go so smooth before. 
Locksmith is the first boss and it's just an ochu. It poisons people.
Gold Lung is its debuff of choice, and it deals damage based on its stacks. Most healers would prefer you clear the debuff at 2-3 stacks. How, though?
These fruits growing around the room, that continually regrow, clear all debuffs. All. Debuffs. Remember that for later.
There's a room full of baby morbols and seeds. Just kill the seeds before they germinate. Or let them germinate and kill them to get more XP. There's also a large morbol hanging around.
It has Bad Breath, which inflicts every status at once. You probably shouldn't stand in that.
You also have an opportunity to get a baby morbol minion here! Nobody else wanted it, so now Ginger has her own horrible monstrosity. If you're an absolute dick, you can turn this cute little devil into furniture. No really. He's an ingredient in some pieces of house furniture.
The next boss is just ahead, Coincounter. This guy is the training wheels version of cyclops enemies. They'll pop up infrequently for the rest of the game, so learning how they work here will be integral later.
The patch that restarted this LP actually changed Coincounter to have tells for his attacks. You used to just have to know what to do.
The only truly dangerous one is 100-tonze Swing. If you get hit by that, and you're not a tank, you're dying. Full stop. It deals more damage than you have health.
We've already seen all the gimmicks the dungeon has. So here's some out of context shots of the liminal bits between Coincounter and the last boss.
It's just more of what came before, but with more involved.
After this last group is the final boss.
A giant morbol.
The Miser's Mistress also has a stacking debuff. Just clear it at 2-3 and that's seriously it. And if you somehow get hit by Bad Breath, then there's plenty of curative fruits around.
Twice in the fight, the morbol will run halfway across the arena and...
Spawn like 7 morbols-to-be. The little ones can cast bad breath. So just AOE them down. It's seriously not a problem. This boss is easy if everyone is awake!
I do like that Piss Vale is the random high level area in a Final Fantasy title that has morbols for no adequately explained reason. Just because they're there.
The dungeon isn't even all that bad, but nobody likes it because it has a Reputation for being a pain.
Aurum Vale is the last leveling dungeon in A Realm Reborn! 
While there are many more optional dungeons to come, they are all max-level affairs. So let's take a moment to savor the fruits of our labors.
Also while sitting here, Rich Uncle Moneybags appeared in front of me. Jesus Christ. That mount cost that person 50 million gil! Ginger has... 369k as of the most recent screenshot. And double that as of the most recent reording.
Let's move on. Slafborn here is who we need to talk to!
Well met, friend. What brings you to Revenant's Toll?
...Did I hear you rightly? Your friends are being held captive at Castrum Centri, and you want to rescue them? I don't mean to discourage you, but that might prove...difficult. The stronghold has been on high alert of late, with armored patrols seen about the perimeter around the clock. Not even a fly could get within a hundred yalms of the walls undetected.
If the Garleans were alerted to our coming, we cannot know what they will do to Minfilia and the others. We must act with the greatest stealth.
Aye, it has to be good old-fashioned infiltration.
But with security so tight, how are we going to smuggle ourselves in?
Why, I've a mind to walk through the front door.
Huh? The front door?
Aye, we'll disguise ourselves as imperial troops and march right in. For this, we'll need a few sets of imperial uniforms, a suit of magitek armor, and impeccable timing.
Heh, that's a bold strategy, but it just might work. Where we are, there's certainly no shortage of opportunities to borrow the equipment. Knowing those imperial bastards, they won't even suspect that we savage Eorzeans would think to use their technology.
Then it's settled!
If you're determined to go ahead with this, I'd recommend you speak with Glaumunt. The fellow's got a personal grudge against the Empire, and happens to know a deal about Castrum Centri besides. I've no doubt that he'd want to be of aid.
Yda and I shall go to reconnoiter Garlean activity at the stronghold. It would not do if something were to befall our comrades before we had the chance to act.
Come and join us when you're ready, Ginger! Let's do this!
Sometimes I wonder, Yda... Are there ever times when you are not enthused?
I'm nothing if not enthused, Y'shtola! And you're beginning to remind me of Papalymo!
Glaumunt here is gonna be giving us most of our quests for the arc. I'm not sure he ever shows up again after this, though. So he doesn't get a portrait.
Lookin' for Glaumunt, are you? Well, you've found him, whoever you are.
Slafborn sent me!
...Eh? You're lookin' to get inside Castrum Centri, and you need my help? Heh, somethin' tells me we're gonna get along just fine.
...So you have friends at Castrum Centri what want for rescue. That Slafborn knows me too well-aye, you can count on my help. I've got a score to settle with the imperials, an' I never pass on an opportunity to get back at the whoresons. But enough about me, let's talk strategy. Rescuin' folk from captivity's right delicate business. A single oversight-just one little blunder-an' it's all over. You can't leave any room for uncertainty.
For starters, you need to confirm beyond the shadow of a doubt that your friends're where you think they are. You don't want to risk your neck only to discover they've been moved elsewhere. But how can you find out, you ask? By followin' these instructions:
If you approach Centri from the east, you'll see a swampland to your left called the Tangle. Get in there, never mind all the morbols, an' navigate your way to the southwestern corner. You'll come upon some drainage pipes comin' down from the stronghold. Don't ask me how I know, but one o' them leads back up to the command tower. If you listen closely, might be as you can eavesdrop on some o' the happenin's within.
Once we know for certain your friends're there, we'll move to the next stage o' the operation. Now, get goin', and godsspeed!
The remainder of this arc takes 2 hours of recording time. Most of that is running forward and back and forward and back and forward and back and then stepping forward.
This is also lengthened considerably by a little fact here. See that toad on the left?
We avoided it, right?
WRONG! There are toads all over this roadway and you have to go back and forth more than a half dozen times over the course of the entire arc. Each time you go by, one of the fuckers will pull you over and completely interrupt your autorun so it can then start charging up a slow leap attack. It really drags the experience down.
If you're lucky, you ony have to deal with one on each trip.
The bastards are everywhere. E V E R Y W H E R E.
I wasn't even anywhere near this one! 
Moving past the godawful Nixes, we come to a pool full of morbols. Grrrrrreat.
I'm eternally grateful that this is not WoW. If it was, Ginger would have been dazed off her mount by each of the Nixes, let alone the three morbols currently following her. Even now running past enemies, I have this small wild fear that I'm gonna get knocked off my mount. FFXIV doesn't even have that as a mechanic!
Eevee has also informed me of the old Lame mechanic, which used to apply an insanely strong Heavy debuff if you got hit from behind while mounted. God forbid you don't want to run past a bunch of weak enemies that can still aggro onto you. 
But enough complaining from me about mechanics that haven't existed for 4 years now. We're here to put our ear to a drainpipe and listen.
...after killing an arbitrary number of low level fleas. S...ure?
The faint sound of conversation echoes down the pipe.
What of the captive? Does she still refuse to speak?
She may as well be a deaf mute for all the information we've gotten out of her.
The others aren't much better. The Elezen gets on my nerves most of all. Every time he opens his mouth, it's only to spout gibberish.
I do wonder, why is the tribunus so obsessed with this Minfilia woman?
They say she possesses some mystical power. Something we Garleans don't have.
Mystical power? Like the kind the beastmen use?
How am I supposed to bloody know? If you're so curious, why don't you ask the tribunus yourself?
As well try to tumble her! I like my head where it is, thank you very much!
Our break is over. Best we get back to our stations.
The footfalls grow fainter until all is silent.
Back to Revenant's Toll... Also just assume that Ginger gets nabbed by at least two Nixes every time she passes.
Dressing up as soldiers and sneaking in the front door, eh? Well, if you've got the guts to go through with it, then so do I!
Oh, boy. I always wanted my own reaper! I would wash her and wax her and name her and...
Stealth and subterfuge, Ginger, are how we will free our friends. I have every confidence you can play the part of an imperial soldier.
Just gotta march around like I shit my pants and scream racial epithets at the top of my lungs. Easy as cake.
'Tis good to see you again, Ginger. I'm given to understand you have conducted some reconnaissance. Tell me, what were you able to learn?
I heard tell that Minfilia and the others may or may not possibly maybe kinda-sorta potentially be at Castrum Centri. Cid agrees with me.
...So Minfilia and the others are indeed at Castrum Centri! Their presence thus confirmed, we may proceed with the mission. While you were afield, Cid took the liberty of devising a plan of action. Pray have the details from him.
Good work, Ginger. As Alphinaud has already told you, we've plotted out a course for the rescue. The gist of it is unchanged: we disguise ourselves as imperial soldiers and infiltrate the stronghold. Glaumunt is looking into ways to procure a suit of magitek armor. In the meantime, I need your assistance for some preparation of my own.
Minfilia and the others are counting on us, Ginger. Let's not keep them waiting any longer than necessary!
I swear to the Twelve that if one more person asks me to investigate where Minfila and the others are located, I'm going to personally boot their asses over the gates of Castrum Centri... while standing here in Revenant's Toll.
While Glaumunt goes about devising his plan, we need to see to some preparation of our own. It wouldn't do if the imperials were to discover that they're short an armor. To prevent this from happening, I'm going to put together a makeshift communications-jamming device. The explanation is like to get a bit technical, so bear with me.
Imperial forces communicate at a distance via electromagnetic waves. Simply put, voices are borne upon aetheric lightning energy that permeates the air. Now, the hill-sized cluster of corrupted crystals to the west has been observed to amplify the selfsame energy. By making use of this property, we should be able to drown out imperial voices.
To ensure that we have enough amplification, we must identify the most potent crystals among the cluster. For this, I need you to go there and use this device to take readings. I'll mark the likely places on your map. Oh, and just so you know, plasmoids are drawn to lightning energy. Don't be surprised if you run into a few.
This big orange and blue and purple crystal formation in the distance is the lightning crystal cluster Cid mentioned.
We just
need to
check five
different spots
around it. Also we need to climb up on top of some platforms near the middle of the cluster so we can drop down. Remember where the path up is because the MSQ wants to be sure you know. We'll be back to it later. So remember!
You have the readings? Excellent. Here, let me see the numbers.
Here's the data.
...Yes, four of these crystals should suit our purpose, though I pray that we won't have need of their power. My thanks, Ginger.
I really think that the MSQ could easily have given you the previous quest, this one, the next quest, and the one after that all at the same time and let you accomplish them all in a single trip out. It would feel a little less like you're constantly running out on errands while The Important People think big thoughts.
Clean the wax out o' your ears now, 'cause there's somethin' I want you to do by way o' preparation. The plan's to have you enter Castrum Centri all decked out in imperial duds, but a disguise is more'n just the clothes you're wearin'. You also gotta act the part. At the very least, you need to know how to perform a convincin' imperial salute. First impressions're everythin', as they say.
I could teach you the salute myself, o' course, but it's best you learned it from the experts. So get yourself near as you dare to Castrum Centri, an' watch the imperials doin' what they do.
Don't mind me, just beating two people to death with my bare hands. How are you all?
Nothing to report, sir!
We have received an anonymous warning that insurgent forces are near. We must redouble our vigilance. I shall recommend that patrols be increased.
Seriously, tell me that these middle quests in this arc couldn't all be done in one gigantic lump.
It's just fruitlessly running back and forth to do just one more favor or errand.
So, did you manage to learn the imperial salute? No, no, no, best you don't demonstrate-I'm liable to fly into a rage an' crack skulls. I'll just take your word for it.
I don't even mind doing them. They're not wastes of time, but the way they're implemented weirdly are. The quests are obviously building toward something, but Ginger could easily have done everything all at the same time. It would have been fine to do so!
Also Ginger now knows how to /imperialsalute
Sark Malark has the next quest. This is the last of the five that could have been done in a batch. Why? Because we're going back out to Castrum Centri once again. 
You are called Ginger Pepper, yes? I have heard of your plight from my friend Glaumunt. As a fellow adventurer and son of Eorzea both, I would offer you my assistance. In order to infiltrate Castrum Centri, you and your comrades must disguise yourselves as imperial soldiers. The question is how to go about acquiring the uniforms and helms.
There are places a man might purchase them, but individuals who deal in such wares are not the sort to whom you would entrust your secrets. It would be more prudent, I believe, to procure what you need via traditional means-from the bodies of their recently deceased owners.
The fortified area before Castrum Centri never lacks for imperial patrols. It ought not take long to obtain three sets of gear, one for each member of the infiltration team-Biggs, Wedge, and yourself. When you have what you need, please return here and allow me to inspect the spoils.
We need to run all the way out here and kill six different imperials all so we can get suits of equipment. We kill six hyurs and from them we find equipment for two lalafells and a male roegadyn. I'm not gonna question it! It's much better than the alternative.
Now here's where the quest does a major divergence from the old days!
Were you able to obtain three sets of imperial equipment?
Here they are!
...Damaged, as I had suspected. In their present condition, I fear these uniforms and helms are like to draw suspicion. They must be repaired, if only superficially.
Fortunately, the blacksmith Eginolf at the Diamond Forge in Rowena's House of Splendors should be able to hammer them into shape in no time. I've already sent word ahead, and have been assured that he is expecting you. Worry not-we have already impressed upon him the need for utmost secrecy as to the nature of your mission.
Back in the old 2.0, we used to have to leave Revenant's Toll and go clear across Eorzea to both Ul'dah and Limsa Lominsa. There we would have to find both Redolent Rose of the Weaver's Guild and H'naanza of the Armorer's guild to repair these suits of imperial armor.
Now?
An asshole riding a magitek claw comes in and decides that they absolutely have to be in the middle of my shot. We just have to go up the hill to the Diamond Forge and talk to a dude that most players have long since forgotten exists.
Hm? So yer the 'venturer Sark Malark sent, are ye? I've been waitin' for ye. Now let's see what ye got for me.
They're in kinda rough shape...
...I see. Ah, yes-I reckon I can hammer these back into shape for ye. After all, I owe yer friend Sark Malark a favor or two. Took good care of ol' Eginolf back in the days before I fell in with old Rowena, he did. Did ye know he's the son of one o' the wealthiest families in the sultanate? Wouldn't expect someone like that to end up in the life he did, but I s'pose he always felt the 'venturer's life callin' him.
...But here I go blabberin' on when there's work to be done. Just hold yer horsebirds for a moment or two and the great Eginolf will have yer gear lookin' good as new.
Ginger's passing the time staring at the fire. Probably feels nice to just relax for a little bit. Feels like everyone needs her to do "just one more thing."
...And there we have it. Won't do ye much good in battle, mind ye, but from what I hear, that's not yer priority anyhow. Do send Sark Malark my regards, will ye?
Have you had the uniforms and helms repaired?
Good as new. Check it out!
Yes, these will serve beautifully. The great Eginolf never fails to impress. The quality of these repairs would fool even a legatus. Thus equipped, you should not have any trouble blending in amongst imperial forces. Lest you fear that the Garleans might detect your "foreignness," foreigners in fact form the greater part of the Garlean invasion force in Eorzea.
You see, when the Empire subjugates new territory, it assimilates the people of that land into its armed forces. In turn, these conscripted forces are sent to subjugate faraway lands. In this way, Garlemald nips rebellion in the bud and expands its territory in one fell stroke. With that, my part in your mission is done. I am full glad to have been of assistance to your cause.
...Hm? Why would I, a wealthy merchant, wish to help you? I know not where you heard such a tale, but believe me when I say that I am but another humble adventurer, one who desires only to act in the best interests of the realm.
Sounds like Sark Malark doesn't want to be reminded of where he comes from. Anyway, that's enough of that for now!
NEXT TIME: More preparations. Ginger's work is never done!
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