View source for In Crimson It Began

{{Quest infobox
| title = In Crimson It Began
| description = Pipin is looking forward to the assault on Castellum Velodyna.
| image = In Crimson It Began.png
| quest-giver = Pipin
| location = The Fringes
| location-x = 9.3
| location-y = 11.3
| type = main scenario
| quest-line = Stormblood Main Scenario Quests
| organization = 
| class = 
| job = 
| level = 61
| requirements = 
| req-items = 
| exp = 101000
| gil = 2203
| unlocks = 
| prev-quest = Crossing the Velodyna
| next-quest = The Fires Fade
| release = stormblood
| patch = 4.0
| msq-index = 403
}}
==Notes==
On beginning the reconnaissance of Castellum Velodyna, several cutscenes and instanced fights will run in sequence.  It is recommended that you set aside approximately '''25 minutes''', more if you have trouble with the fights.

==Steps==
*Speak with [[Pipin]].

*Aid the Resistance and find your comrades!

*Defeat Zenos yae Galvus!

*Speak with [[Raubahn]].

==Journal==
*Pipin is looking forward to the assault on Castellum Velodyna.

*Mindful that intelligence is the key to any successful operation, Pipin would have you, Alphinaud, and Alisaie accompany him on a reconnaissance mission. Your destination is a cliff to the north of Castellum Velodyna, which should afford you an excellent view of the imperial installation.

*Your mission is interrupted by the sound of cannon fire from the east. You turn to see a column of smoke on the horizon...rising from Rhalgr's Reach, you realize, with dawning horror. Alphinaud's attempts to contact your comrades via linkpearl are unsuccessful, all but confirming your suspicions that a coordinated attack is underway. With no other recourse, you abort your mission and race back to the Resistance stronghold.

*Outside Rhalgr's Reach, you encounter a number of fleeing Resistance fighters, as well as Krile and Arenvald. They tell you of the chaos within the valley, of imperial soldiers cutting people down left and right, and of a last desperate stand by Conrad and the others. His face grim, Alphinaud declares your place is in the Reach, and so, joined by Krile, you press on into the bloodbath.

*Aided by your comrades, you manage to beat back the imperial forces and reach your comrades. Lyse is unharmed, and Conrad merely unconscious, but Y'shtola is on the verge of death, her lifeblood pooling beneath her prostrate form. You turn to confront the man who dealt the blow: Zenos yae Galvus, the imperial viceroy himself. Lamenting the disappointment that was your comrades' performance, he raises his blade and bids you entertain him.

*Though you endure Zenos's onslaught far longer than Pipin and Alisaie, even you are no match for him. With a flourish, the viceroy sends you flying─the only testament to your resilience the broken blade he flings to the earth as he turns his back on you and walks away. Raubahn and his Immortal Flames soon arrive, but he has seen enough death for one day, and orders his men to let the imperials withdraw and instead attend to the wounded.

*After taking in the carnage in silence, Raubahn reminds you that your actions saved lives, and that you should remember that, no matter what happens. Yet having come face-to-face with the crown prince himself, having seen the superhuman feats of which he is capable, you know exactly what it is that you will remember...

==Walkthrough==
The solo duty here has two phases.  During the first phase, simply follow your party around and kill enemies until you get to the imperial captain [[Fordola rem Lupis]].  Upon defeating her, some cutscenes will begin, with phase two afterwards.

During the second phase, you will face off against [[Zenos yae Galvus]], who cannot be defeated.  For this phase, you must instead survive a sufficient period of time by killing swords placed around the area and/or avoiding AoE attacks. You must deal a minor percent of damage to trigger the next cut scene and complete the quest. If you notice you are running the timer out without completing it, try dealing more damage to him (keep in mind your damage is reduced significantly).

Note: If you are experiencing the inability to target enemies during the first phase. Then retry the quest and allow the party to run ahead first before running to the next fight.

==Dialogue==
===Speak with Pipin===
 '''Pipin:''' Thank you for volunteering to join me. This should be a fairly straightforward reconnaissance mission, so long as we do not have the ill fortune to run afoul of an imperial patrol. Come - our destination is beyond East End, just north of Velodyna. 

===Speak with [[Pipin]]===
 '''Pipin:''' This ought to be close enough. Now we settle in for a long watch. That said...it would be prudent to keep your weapons at the ready, in the event a passing patrol stumbles upon us, or worse...

===Cutscene===
 '''Pipin:''' Excellent...The disposition of the imperial forces is exactly as expected. I will notify Father. Cannon fire! Where did it come from? 
 '''Alisaie:''' Smoke! There! Is that - Oh gods, it's Rhalgr's Reach! 
 '''Alphinaud:''' It's no use - I think someone's jamming our communications. 
 '''Alisaie:''' You don't think.... Could this be part of a coordinated attack? 
 '''Pipin:''' Too early to draw conclusions. We must abort the assault and return to the Reach at once. 

 '''Fordola:''' Forward! FORWARD! Give them no quarter! 
 '''Meffrid:''' You! Traitor! Kinslayer! 
 '''Fordola:''' You're no kin of mine! (''Fordola slashes Meffrid, and Lyse notices''). 
 '''Lyse:''' Meffrid! (''Lyse attacks Fordola''). Hells take you!  
 '''Fordola:''' Hurgh...
 '''Zenos yae Galvus:''' Well, well... Stand aside, Pilus. This one has promise. 
 '''Fordola:''' Have a care, my lord. She's not like the others. 
 '''Zenos yae Galvus:''' Hm. Do not disappoint me, girl. Or I will kill you. 

 '''Conrad:''' Seven hells... It's him! It's Zenos! 
 '''Lyse:''' The viceroy? Oh...you are a dead man!  (''Lyse attacks Zenos'').
 '''Zenos yae Galvus:''' So spirited...and yet so empty.  (''Zenos's slash knocks down Lyse, and Y'shtola shields Lyse'').
 '''Yshtola:''' Lyse, run! 
 '''Zenos yae Galvus:''' Ah, a magical barrier. Alas... It will not save you. (''Zenos strikes Yshtola through her shield'')
 '''Conrad:''' Hold the line, by Rhalgr! Hold the line! (''Fordola slashes Conrad'').

 '''Alphinaud:''' Krile! 
 '''Krile:''' Alphinaud! 
 '''Alphinaud:''' We saw the smoke and thought we heard explosions. Are we under attack?
 '''Krile:''' The imperials were all over us before we realized what was happening. No one knew where to run or what to do - it was chaos. Lyse and Master Kemp rallied the guards and bought us enough time to get some of the wounded to safety, but I haven't seen either of them since...
 '''Pipin:''' Confound it! If we lose the Reach, this will all have been for naught! 
 '''Alphinaud:''' Arenvald - can you escort these people to the wall? 
 '''Arenvald:''' Aye, sir. 
 '''Alphinaud:''' Our place is at the Reach. We must offer such aid and succor as we are able. Saving lives is now our paramount concern. 
 '''Pipin:''' If we can hold back the imperials until Father sends reinforcements, we may yet turn the tide...
 '''Krile:''' I'll join you. I've done all I can for these people, and you'll be crying out for a healer in there. 
 '''Alphinaud:''' I fear you're right. Come, there is no time to lose! 

===Post-Battle===
 '''Lyse:''' What took you so long? 
 '''Krile:''' Alphinaud, I need your help! (''Alphinaud and Krile start resuscitating Conrad and Y'shtola'')
 '''Fordola:''' My lord, the prisoners! 
 '''Zenos yae Galvus:''' See to your men, Pilus. 
 '''Fordola:''' Ugh. As you command, my lord.
 '''Zenos yae Galvus:''' Your friends were a disappointment. But you... You will entertain me, will you not? 

 '''Zenos yae Galvus:''' (''Zenos breaks his sword attacking the Warrior of Light, whom he slashes to the ground''). Pathetic. 
 '''Raubahn:''' Seven hells... (''Raubahn sees Zenos and wants to attack, but holds back instead'').
 '''Flame Officer:''' Shall we give chase, General? 
 '''Raubahn:''' Nay. There has been enough death this day. See to the wounded. 
 '''Flame Officer:''' Aye, sir! 
 '''Raubahn:''' You all right, lass? 
 '''Warrior of Light:''' (''What will you say?'') (I think my pride might have taken a knock. / Well enough. Next time, he will pay. / ...) -> Well enough. Next time, he will pay.
 '''Raubahn:''' Aye. I do not doubt it. 

 '''Lyse:''' Don't you die on me, Y'shtola! Hold on! (''Lyse is hovering over Y'shtola's body'')
 '''Krile:''' Don't worry! It's going to be all right!  Alphinaud! Master Kemp is all yours!  
 '''Alphinaud:''' Understood! 
 '''Krile:''' (''Looking at the Warrior of Light''). Don't just stand there gawping! Hold her down while I work! The worst is passed, but without proper facilities I can do no more. 
 '''Alphinaud:''' Master Kemp too would be better served in the infirmary. Let us take them there without delay. 
 '''Krile:''' Give us a hand, would you, Lyse? 
 '''Lyse:''' O-Of course! 
 '''Krile:''' I know you must be exhausted, but there will be others who need our help. Leave these two to us and look to the other wounded. 

===Speak with Raubahn===
 '''Raubahn:''' You did well, [Forename]. You saved lives. No matter what happens, remember that. Now then - let's do what we can for the wounded. Every minute counts!