Where Shadows Reign

Where Shadows Reign

Quest giver

Stacia

Location

The Sea of Clouds (X:6.2, Y:5.8)

Quest line

Shadow of Mhach

Level

60

Gil

 7,500

Previous quest

Freedom for Our Skies

Next quest

A Redbill Farewell

Patch

3.5

“

Stacia has been searching for you at Cait Sith's behest.

— In-game description

Rewards

• 1   Promises Orchestrion Roll
• 1   Shadow of the Body Orchestrion Roll

Unlocks

• 
  Dun Scaith

Steps

• Speak with Cait Sith in Leofard's chambers.
• Speak with Leofard at the Parrock.
• Enter Dun Scaith.
• Speak with Leofard at the Parrock.

Journal

• Stacia has been searching for you at Cait Sith's behest.

• Stacia hails you on Coldwind, and explains that Cait Sith has made some significant discoveries in the recovered Mhachi tome. It seems the feline familiar is eager for you to return to the Parrock so that he can share his revelations with you and the Redbill crew. Fly over to the sky pirates' hideaway, and speak with Cait Sith inside Leofard's chambers.

• Cait Sith once more holds court atop Leofard's table, and reveals the history behind his master, High Voidmage Cessair, and the summoning of Diabolos. As if in response to the mention of his name, the bat-winged voidsent descends upon the Parrock, and, after a decidedly one-sided battle, seizes the Nullstone scepter from Cait Sith's paws. Diabolos then threatens to tear the Parrock from the sky, only to withdraw when Radlia and a fleet of Talons arrive to reinforce the Redbills. Speak with the injured Leofard, and discuss what is to be done in the aftermath of the fiend's attack.

• With the secrets of the Nullstone's power now revealed to him, Cait Sith is desperate to recover the relic from Diabolos's clutches and carry out the will of his long-dead master. The familiar is convinced that the island where Radlia uncovered the Mhachi tome is the logical location of the fiend's stronghold, and counsels a swift and sudden assault. Reasoning that Leofard's injuries will only endanger the mission, however, Cait Sith instead recruits Radlia and her crew to escort you to the floating haven. Gather your party of battle-hardened adventurers, and ride the winds into the voidsent's lair!

• You have recovered the Nullstone and defeated the nightmarish Diabolos. Make your way back to the Parrock.

• Despite besting Diabolos in combat, the wily voidsent is not so easily banished. Even as the fiend stands poised to flee with the Nullstone in hand, however, Leofard's unexpected and forceful arrival turns the tables in your favor. You retrieve the artifact for Cait Sith, and the Mhachi familiar unleashes its power upon Diabolos. With your demonic foe annihilated, it is time to return to the Parrock and discuss events with the Redbills' irrepressible captain.

Dialogue

Accepting the Quest

Stacia: [Forename]! Cait Sith just sent me out to find you! ...You've a proper knack for showin' up at just the right time, you know that? 
Stacia: Anyway. Cait Sith cracked open that tome what we got from Radlia, and has been studyin' all the Nullstone's secrets. 
Stacia: He thinks he may be onto somethin' important—not just concernin' Diabolos and the Shadow Queen, but also the cat himself. 
Stacia: Come on back to the Parrock, and we can all hear what he has to say together. 

Optional Dialogue

Stacia: You don't need me to remind you how to reach the Parrock, do you? It's just a short flight from the standard there.

(In the Parrock)
Redbill Tarboy: Is it true that Radlia's disbanded the Talons? I mean, it ain't as if we were mates or nothin', but the skies'll seem a little emptier without 'em.

(In Leofard's chambers)
Stacia: Thanks for comin'. Now let's ask Cait Sith what this is all about...

Utata: Cait Sith has had the darkest look on his face...

Leofard: Ugh, thank the winds you're here at last. The furball refused to share until you'd arrived.

Speaking with Cait Sith in Leofard's chambers (Cutscene)

Cait Sith: As I suspected, this tome was penned by a Mhachi sorcerer of superior standing. As well as detailing the methods by which the full power of the Nullstone might be unleashed, its pages also contain a number of revelations concerning my master, High Voidmage Cessair. 
Cait Sith: If these histories are to be trusted, the it seems that Cessair herself was responsible for summoning Diabolos! 

Stacia: But...I thought you said your master was opposed to supportin' the war effort. Why would she be the one to call up that bat-wings monster? 

Cait Sith: Cessair only agreed to the ritual as a means to bring the conflict to an early resolution. From what I can glean from these passages, Diabolos was intended as a bluff—a threat that was never to be exercised.  
Cait Sith: But those arrogant imbeciles ignored my master's carefully laid restrictions, and elected to unleash the fiend upon Amadpor. It was when Cessair moved to protest this act that she was branded a traitor and imprisoned! 
Cait Sith: Once they had contained the "opposition," the voidmages studied all manner of otherworldly arts at the taloned feet of their new pet... 
Cait Sith: ... The most dangerous of which was the rite for summoning Scathach, and the method for chaining her power. 
Cait Sith: Yet even after all they had perpetrated, these ambitious fools had the gall to come crawling to Cessair when the coming of the great floods was predicted. They begged her to take control of the Void Ark, for the "salvation of the Mhachi people." 
Cait Sith: As you saw for yourself, however, the energies of the Shadow Queen broke loose and turned the vessel into a derelict nest of voidsent. It seems obvious now that the arts taught by Diabolos were deliberately flawed... 
Cait Sith: The only saving grace in all this madness was when that damnable fiend was sealed away by the white mages of Amdapor. I shudder to think what would have happened had he been reunited with his queen.

Leofard: So now, fifteen hundred years later, Diabolos is lookin' to finish what he started? I thought the bat-faced bastard was just some opportunistic underling, but it turns out he's the main villain behind this whole mess...

Cait Sith: Were Cessair alive today, she would accept responsibility for unleashing Diabolos upon the world. As the high voidmage's familiar, it is my duty to act in her stead! 
Cait Sith: I have deciphered the secrets of the Nullstone, and with its undiluted power shall I erase Diabolos from existence! 

Leofard: ...Heh. I like your spirit, puss, but try not to rush in too quickly, eh? Gettin' yourself killed won't do us - or your master—any good.

Stacia: Wait, wait wait! No one's rushin' in anywhere just yet! Or have you forgotten that we're still in the middle of scoutin' out the fiend's lair? 
Stacia: We've got the compass to go by, aye, but who knows what kind of place it'll lead us to or how many demons'll be lyin in wait when we get there. We fly in with our eyes open, or risk gettin' slaughtered just like the Talons! 

Cait Sith: Oh, yes, speaking of which, the tome made mention of a potential location for—

Stacia: Leofard!

Leofard: ...Ouch. 
Behind...He's behind you! 

Cait Sith: Nyah! Curse you, fiend!

Diabolos: ...At last. At long last! 

Cait Sith: <cough> This is far from over, demon! We'll not allow an abomination like the Shadow Queen to rule this world! 

Diabolos: ...Then thou knowest naught of ruling. It is might which decideth dominion. 
Diabolos: But believe what thou mayest, frail creature. You are playthings. Your screams of denial shall amuse me as I send this rock and all upon it to shatter upon the ground below...

Stacia: Gods, is that Radlia!? ...Where's she been hidin' that ship?

Diabolos: I would not tire my arm with the swatting of so many flies. The Nullstone is mine, and there is yet much to be done. 

Optional Dialogue

Stacia: I ain't a healer, but I'd say you've broke your arm, a couple of ribs, and bruised half your innards. We need to get you some splints and bandages...

Cait Sith: The loss of the Nullstone is on my head...and I shall see that we win it back.

Utata: How are there still so many Talons? I thought they were massacred at Mhach...

Radlia: Would you look at that sorry excuse for a sky pirate. I knew Redbill and his ragtag crew couldn't be trusted with saving the skies.

Talons Deckswab: Consider our debt to you repaid!

Speaking with Leofard at the Parrock (Cutscene)

Leofard: ...Well, well, ain't I a lucky sod: two demons in one day. Found some new dogs to lick your boots, Radlia? 

Radlia: Is that any way to welcome me back to the life? You needed allies, and persuading our reluctant fellows to join in common purpose is a feat only a woman of my charming beauty could accomplish! 
Radlia: And besides, you look too injured to be of much use to anyone. You'd best take to your bed, old man, and let me and your champion there take care of the voidsent. 

Leofard: ...What, so you can tuck tail and run again at the first sign of trouble? You'd not even be standin' there if it weren't for me, and even with me arm busted up I'm still twice the pirate you are. 

Cait Sith: ...Nay, I think you should stay behind this time, Leofard. We must pursue Diabolos without you. 
Cait Sith: Time is of the essence, and we cannot afford to wait for you to heal. We must take advantage of Captain Radlia's reinforcements, and proceed with all haste. 

Leofard: Did the demon drop you on your head, furball? Without me  to run things, you'll just end up gettin' in [Forename]'s way. And no one's makin' haste anywhere until we know what we're flyin' into! 

Cait Sith: Again, Captain Radlia may hold the answer to that dilemma. I suspect that the island where she uncovered the Mhachi tome is the very location where Diabolos has chosen to lair! 
Cait Sith: This floating marvel I speak of is not a natural occurrence—it was constructed as a haven for refugees of the floods. The tome makes very clear reference to the island's purpose, and describes in detail the voidsent sorcery employed in its creation... 
Cait Sith: As the Void Ark never arrived at its destination, however, the island remained uninhabited. I can imagine no more suitable hideaway for our scheming fiend. 
Cait Sith: Even better, Diabolos will not expect us to suddenly arrive on his secluded doorstep. The Talon fleet will carve us a path through the lesser fiends, and we shall strike swiftly into the heart of the confusion to seize the Nullstone. Once the relic is secured, I will use its power to obliterate our devilish foe!  
Cait Sith: As a sky pirate, surely you understand how such an assault relies on speed and surprise. We cannot have a wounded companion slow us down...and potentially doom the entire enterprise. 

Leofard: ...So, you think you're in charge now, do you, puss? Poor, broken Leofard's just some dead weight you need to cut away? 
Leofard: You know what? I've had a bellyful of your mewlin' in any case. Go on—fly off without me, and see how far you get with your thrice-damned "enterprise".

Cait Sith: ...Captain Radlia, compare the direction indicated by the ectocompass with your navigational records, if you please. I think we'll find the coordinates coincide with the island in question.

Radlia: Certainly.  And feel free to board our flagship when you're set to depart. My darling's large enough to accommodate your adventurer and her/his fellows with room to spare!

Optional Dialogue

Utata: Don't you worry, I'll keep an eye on the captain while everyone is off on this grand adventure. Without him. Hmmm. Are you certain you don't need me to go with you...?

Leofard: This adventure's all yours, [Forename]. I'll be cheerin' for you from my sickbed like a good little pirate. Promise.

Cait Sith: ...This is the way it must be. Considering our need for haste and the extent of Leofard's injuries, my conclusion was merely logical.
Cait Sith: Captain Redbill's primary concern should be securing the freedom of the skies, not limping into almost certain death at the hands of the voidsent—no matter how much he chafes at being excluded from the voyage.

Stacia: Cait Sith was only talkin' common sense. The captain took it hard, but I think he knows it, too We're doin' the right thing leavin' him behind...ain't we?

Radlia: I acquired our splendid flagship after the Ishgardians saw fit to abandon her. I hear she was an attempt to match the airborne agility of their dragon enemies, but the vessel never did live up to expectations.
Radlia: When she passed to me, we replaced all their "improvements" with structural reinforcements, and made ourselves a flying fortress. Our stately lass'll not soon be knocked from the sky!

Redbill Engineer: Aye, well, our ships survived without a scratch, but I'm afraid I can't say the same for the crew. That bastard better get what's coming to him.

Redbill Tarboy: Those damned demons think they can just fly in and start smashin' up the place? We'll show them not to mess with the Redbills...

Entering Dun Scaith

Deathgaze Hollow: Insolent mortals...
One does not come uninvited to the Shadow Queen's castle!
Deathgaze Hollow: I see the blossoms of your fragile lives...
I need but reach froth and pluck them from their stems!
Deathgaze Hollow: Reaping winds, heed my command!
Strip the souls from their worthless shells!
Deathgaze Hollow: Forgive me, my queen...
This wretched wraith has failed you...

Cait Sith: There it is up ahead—the island from the tome!
Let's find somewhere to dock this behemoth!
Cait Sith: These buildings were meant to house the refugees of Mhach.
A promised land, forgotten by time...

Ferdiad Hollow: What's this? Visitors to our fair abode?
Pray allow me to be the first to welcome you!

Cait Sith: ...The voidsent have claimed this place, just as I suspected.
It is become a nest of shadows and despair.

Ferdiad Hollow: Oh, how I love entertaining unexpected guests!
And do I spy some familiar faces in the crows!?
Ferdiad Hollow: Dance with me! Prance with me! Choose your stage!
A fiery demise or a watery grave!
Ferdiad Hollow: Come closer, come closer!
I promise I will give you a show to die for!
Ferdiad Hollow: Pay attention, or you'll miss the big reveal!
Ferdiad Hollow: Where is the laughter? The thunderous applause?
There is simply no pleasing you!
Ferdiad Hollow: Alas, we come to the ed of my show...
There shall be...no encore...

Cait Sith: Something comes...but it is no voidsent!
Be ready for anything!

Proto Ultima: Ultima systems...online. Performing systems check...
Proto Ultima: Systems check complete. Initializing armageddon sequence...
Proto Ultima: Reactor capacity exceeded.
Gravitations collapse imminent.
Reactor cells charged. Supernova ready.
Proto Ultima: Aetheromagnetic induction beacon active. Commending aether transfer.
Proto Ultima: Reactor cells hypercharging...

Cait Sith: By the twitching of my whiskers, there is fell magick ahead.
Only the queen herself could radiate malice of this magnitude!

Scathach: Welcome, mortals, to my citadel of shadows.
Have you come to deepen the gloom with an offering of souls?
Scathach: Creeping shade and silhouette, gather unto me!
Scathach: To me, my protege!
Smother these intruders with the arts that I have taught thee!
Scathach: And still you refuse to dim and submit...
Must I try a different tact?
Scathach: From a chrysalis of light shall I birth the deepest shadow... 
Scathach: Your fate was sealed the moment you set foot in my domain!
Scathach: Accept my touch, and bask in tenebrous brilliance!
Scathach: Such pervasive light...
It doth steal into the darkest corners, and chase away my shadows...

Diabolos: And thus the Shadow Queen doth fall.
I commend you on your victory.
Diabolos: Yes, such skill and strength are deserving of a more fitting stage.
Come, mortals—the true master of shadows awaiteth you...
Diabolos: Shall we begin?
Let dominion of your precious skies be decided here and now!

Diabolos: You expect the creature I was before, enfeebled by confinement?
Hah! Face me now in the fullness of my power!
Diabolos: Shall I thrust open the gate to the void?
The night hounds slaver at the scent of your fear...
Diabolos: Not even in eternal sleep shall you be free from the terror of my weaving!
Diabolos: This tiresome battle hath dragged on overlong. Enough.
Diabolos: The energies of the nether will be mine!
I will bathe in primordial darkness!
Diabolos: Bow before the shrieking majesty of the void!
Diabolos: What have you done!?
You seek to wrest from me control of the portal!?
Diabolos: So be it. A contest of strength, then! 
A content you have no hope of winning.
Diabolos: Impossible! I am a lord of the void, you cannot—
Aaarrrggghhh!
Diabolos: <pant> <pant> Mine imprisonment...weakened me more than I imagined...
Diabolos: But you have not bested me yet! 
Witness now my true purpose for seeking the queen's rebirth!

Diabolos Hollow: Yes. The glory! An infinite well of shadow!
You have breached Scathach's unholy vessel, and released her power unto me!
Diabolos Hollow: Shadow itself shall be mine armor!
Come! Strike your feeble blows in vain!

Cait Sith: Such defenses will be difficult to pierce...
But mind not his boasts! A persistent assault will prevail!

Diabolos Hollow: Another rift... Another chance to test your might?
Diabolos Hollow: From the depths of shadow's well shall rise your ruination!
Diabolos Hollow: Must I entreat the very specter of death to be rid of you!?
I care not! I will wager all for your destruction!
Diabolos Hollow: What more must I have...?
How great the flood of darkness...to drown out your light...

Post Battle Cutscene

Cait Sith: Do not relax your guard yet, [Forename]! The air is still heavy with his foul presence...

Radlia: Already taken care of the fiend, have you? And you didn't even need that dusty old relic to do it! 

Cait Sith: Be careful, Captain! Diabolos yet lurks in the shadows!  

Diabolos: Finally have I claimed the Shadow Queen's power for mine own, yet still am I harried by you noisome weevils! 
Diabolos: I must needs quit this realm for a time... And when I have grown accustomed to my newfound might, there shall be a reckoning for your insolence! 

Familiar Voice: >> This ain't the time for nappin', furball! You've still got a job to do! <<

Cait Sith: ...Aye, my work here is unfinished. 
In Cessair's name, I unmake thee, Diabolos! My master's will be done! 

Diabolos: Gaaarrrggghhh! For fifteen centuries have I yearned for this power! Thou canst not unmake me! No! Nooooo! 

Stacia: ...I should have known we were wastin' our breath. The captain only heeds the siren in his heart, and damn the consequences...

Leofard: Heh...I told you you'd be lost without me, didn't I? 
Leofard: And look at you, puss, gettin' knocked out cold in your moment of glory. You weren't like to get another chance to honor your master's memory and you almost missed it...
Leofard: But I suppose you pulled through at last...Aye, I'll give you that much.

Optional Dialogue

Radlia: How vexing to once again be rescued by Redbill...
He'd better recover from those injuries so we can go back to hating each other on an equal footing.

Cait Sith: The plan was a resounding success... though it did require some intervention on Leofard's part. I am afraid I misjudged his commitment to our cause...

Stacia: Well, I think he'll live. Which is surprisin' considerin' he crashed his ship into a bloody demon... Damned fool.

Utata: I hope you don't think I let the captain leave his sickbed without so much as a word of protest. I turned my back for a moment and he was just...gone!

Redbill Tarboy: I told you we'd take care of them fiends! We ought to crack open a few casks and celebrate!

Redbill Engineer: It's a damn shame what happened to the Raimille, but I'm glad to see the captain made it back in one piece. There're some things even me and my wrench can't fix!

Speaking with Leofard at the Parrock

Leofard: Spare me your concern and your lectures. You all knew I wasn't like to stay abed with such a grand adventure in the makin'. And I'd rather break every bone in me body than be stripped of the freedom to go where I please. 
Leofard: Besides, all's well that ends well, eh? Diabolos is dead, and we're all alive. That counts as a victory in my book. 
Leofard: It's just a pity that it cost me the Raimille in the doin' of it. I hope she rests easy on that island refuge.