An Ending to Mark a New Beginning

An Ending to Mark a New Beginning

Quest giver

Alphinaud

Location

Southern Thanalan (X:21, Y:21)

Quest line

Post-Dragonsong Main Scenario Quests

Level

60

Experience

 5,000

Gil

 1,420

Previous quest

One Life for One World

Next quest

Tidings from Gyr Abania

Patch

3.4

---

Main Scenario Progress: 370 / 960 (38.5%)

   

Heavensward Progress: 129 / 138 (93.5%)

   

“

Alphinaud seems to be at a loss for words.

— In-game description

Rewards

• 1   Wind-up Moenbryda

Unlocks

•   No Retreat, No Surrender

Steps

• Speak with Alisaie.
• Speak with Papalymo.
• Speak with Alphinaud in the Rising Stones.
• Speak with Alphinaud.

Journal

• Alphinaud recalls that the Ishgardian crystals are still somewhere within Zahar'ak, prompting Thancred to interject that he will see to their recovery -- alone. Unable to persuade the bard to accept assistance, Alphinaud resolved to go and find Yda and Papalymo, leaving you with a tired Alisaie and a morose Urianger, who are doing their best not to speak to each other.

• You finally break the silence, giving the others an excuse to speak. Alisaie declares that she wanted to believe Urianger would never betray them, but that some small part of her feared the worst. In response, the Archon once more expresses his sorrow for his deception, though it is plain that he still believes the ends justified the means. Alisaie, however, cannot bring herself to condone his actions. Even so, she allows him to escort her to safety, suggesting that any rift that may have grown between them is already on its way to mending.

• Having returned to Little Ala Mhigo, you and Alphinaud met with Yda and Papalymo, who are understandably dumbstruck to hear the tale of your visit to the aetherial sea. After a pause, Papalymo declares that it is past time he and Yda rejoined the Scions. A statement of the glaringly obvious, no doubt, but a welcome one nonetheless. As you all prepare to return to the Rising Stones, you are accosted by Gundobald, who is apparently acquainted with both Yda and her father, with whom he fought in the revolution against the King of Ruin twenty years ago. He goes on to recall how Yda once played an active role in the Resistance... until she vanished one day, leaving him fearing the worst. Though plainly startled, Yda musters an apology, explaining that her involvement in the Circle of Knowing and its successor, the Scions of the Seventh Dawn, necessitated absolute secrecy. Suddenly conscious that her friends are waiting for her at the Rising Stones, she runs off, leaving Papalymo to reassure Gundobald that they will both return ere long.

• With every surviving senior Scion now safely back at the Rising Stones, Alphinaud takes the opportunity to propose that the structure of the organization be revised. Rather than holding to a strict hierarchy, he believes that each member should be allowed to pursue whatever activities they think would best serve to ensure the safety and security of the realm. The others are amenable to this idea in principle -- though in practice, all seem content to carry on with their current activities. With thoughts now turning towards the future, Krile and Alisaie are welcomed as a fully fledged Scions, though the latter accepts the honor with rather less enthusiasm than the former. Still more negative is Urianger, who is plainly haunted by feelings of guilt towards his role in Minfilia's fate -- but after some urging from Thancred, he too agrees to resume his research, thus completing the party -- save, of course, for one. Expectantly, your friends and colleagues turn to you, eager to hear what you intend, and after looking deep within your heart, you know the answer.

• The people you have met. The moments you have shared. The losses you have suffered. The tragedies you have overcome. All of it has made you and the Scions of the Seventh Dawn who you are today. Where you go from here and what the future holds, only the Twelve know... but Alphinaud knows that you will find out together.

Dialogue

Speak with Alphinaud

Alphinaud: ...Hm? Forgive me. MY thoughts were elsewhere. And this when I know full well there is yet work to be done. The crystals - 
Thancred: Leave them to me. I will go back into Zahar'ak and secure them. The Amalj'aa will still be in disarray after the thrashing the Warriors of Darkness gave them. They are not like to notice a lone bard skulking about. 
Alphinaud: But Thancred, you -
Thancred: Don't have to do this, I know. But I want to. I will see you at the Rising Stones. 
Alphinaud: ...I should go and find Yda and Papalymo. They must have finished searching the Masks' camp by now. Not that it matters anymore...

Speak with Alisaie

Alisaie: You must be tired, [Forename]. I know I am...
Urianger: If thou wilt permit me, my lady, I would ask a question. When didst thou become aware of mine independent pursuits? 
Alisaie: When I saw you meeting with that Warrior of Darkness and the Ascian in white at the Great Library. I tried not to think the worst. You've never been one to confide in others, so I knew that even were your intentions pure, you would not share your plans with us until you felt the time was right. But I cannot deny that a part of me feared you had simply betrayed us. 
Urianger: Would that there had been another way. Know that I took no pleasure in deceiving thee, and that these sins will forever weigh heavy on my heart. 
Alisaie: ...I understand why you did what you did. That you but sought to achieve the greatest good while inflicting the least harm. Not many would have the courage to make that choice. But even knowing what came of your actions...I find that I cannot condone them. I'm sorry. [Forename], forgive me, but I believe the events of the day have taken their toll on me. I should like to rest for a while. 
Urianger: If thou wilt grant me leave, I would gladly escort thee unto a refuge of thine own choosing. Once my lady hath regained her strength, we shall join thee at the Rising Stones. Until then, Warrior of Light. 

Speak with Papalymo

Papalymo: Well met, [Forename]. Alphinaud said you would be joining us. 'Twould seem the Griffin's double was telling the truth, insofar as we found nothing resembling a sizable cache of crystals in the Masks' camp. Did you perchance find one in Zahar'ak? 
Alphinaud: Actually... 
Yda: ...I don't believe it. The crystals, Minfilia, all of it. It's just - I don't know what it is.
Alphinaud: I sympathize, Yda. Even now, I struggle to comprehend that which I saw... The only thing I can say with any certainty is that I feel blessed to have been granted a final chance to speak with her. 'Twas bittersweet, aye, but also...affirming. 
Papalymo: ...Alphinaud, I believe it is past time Yda and I rejoined the Scions. We have been away for far too long. Though I am loath to leave the Griffin to his own devices, I feel our investigation would benefit from your more dispassionate perspectives. And I hope that we might, in turn, offer our own opinions on the many challenges that you have faced in our absence. 
Yda: Gods, it's been absolutely ages, hasn't it? I can't wait to hear about everyone's adventures. 
Alphinaud: We should be glad to recount them. And Tataru's tales may well surprise you. 
Gundobald: Yda...? Yda! Rhalgr be praised, it is you! Yda, alive and standing before me, in the flesh! I can hardly believe my eyes! 
Yda: I...Er...
Gundobald: Oh, come now, has it really been so long you don't remember me? It's Gundobald! I fought beside your father in the revolution! Do not think less of her, friends! It's been twenty years since the occupation sent us our separate ways. But the Resistance were always welcome in Little Ala Mhigo. They gave us hope - and young Yda most of all! Aye, Yda here was always full of fire, ever the first to volunteer for a mission. Until the day she up and vanished, that is! There were rumors, and we feared the worst, but here you are, alive and well, looking nary a day older! 
Yda: W-Well, what can I say? I...I'm sorry for running off like that and making you all worry. It's a long story, but you see...I...I got involved with my friends here, the Scions - Oh, sorry, we were still in the Circle of Knowing back then, right! A-Anyway, I wanted to come back and tell you, but it wall very secretive stuff at the time and, uh...as you can see, I'm completely fine! (Yda turns to the Warrior of Light). I know we've got a lot to talk about - and we will - but right now I've got to hurry back to our headquarters! My friends are expecting me! 
Papalymo: Pray forgive her. It has been a very long day for us all. I promise we will visit again at the first opportunity. Let us return to the Rising Stones. Hells take me for giving you that mask...

Speak with Alphinaud in the Rising Stones

Alphinaud: Welcome home, [Forename]. I trust your journey was uneventful. You will be pleased to hear that Thancred has secured the crystals. He sent word a short while ago. Once he has delivered them safely into the Temple Knights' care, he will rejoin us here, and we can declare this matter officially resolved. While awaiting your arrival, I took the opportunity to contact Y'shtola and Krile, and briefed them on all that has occurred. I also requested that they return to the Rising Stones at their earliest convenience. Now that our lost friends have been found, it would seem meet to discuss the future. 

Yda: Back in the solar! It's been too long since we were all together like this. Not since...not since after Moenbryda...
Papalymo: Much has changed since then - we ourselves most of all. 
Alphinaud: Though not all who were lost could be gathered here today, we may take comfort in the knowledge that those who are not are carrying on the fight. 
Tataru: While I am grateful to our friends in the north for their hospitality...it isn't half-good to be back! 
Alphinaud: But, as Papalymo rightly said, much has changed since we last stood here. The Scions of the Seventh Dawn are not as they once were. Nor should we be. Our travels in the north brought us in contact with a host of fine and generous people, and their selfless deeds served to show me that it is not lofty causes that should inform our actions, but our hearts. And I hope that the Scions might continue in this manner: as individuals driven by individual principles. Provided we all sincerely desire to work towards Eorzea's salvation, I believe the paths we follow to achieve it need not - and should not - be dictated by any single ideal. 
Y'shtola: Companions bound by a common purpose, free to go whither they will... The idea is not without merit. Very well. I shall resume my research of the primals and the elder gods of Eorzea. Should anyone have need of my findings, you need only ask. (Glances at Krile). I should be glad of your continued assistance. 
Krile: Well, my main purpose in coming here was to see the Scions of the Seventh Dawn restored and my dear friend found...Nevertheless, having involved myself in your struggles, I feel compelled to see them through to the bitter end. For Minfilia's sake. That is, if there are no objections? 
Alphinaud: You will always be welcome here, Krile. 
Thancred: Urianger, can we trust you to carry on your investigation of the Ascians as before? 
Urianger: Regardless of mine own desires, I am undeserving of your trust, having so villainously deceived you all. 
Thancred: Now, now, I'll hear no more of that. 'Twould be disrespectful of Minfilia's wishes. She entrusted matters here to us, that he might protect this star and understand the truth which hides at Her heart. Mayhap I can handle the former, but I think you far better suited to the latter, no? 
Urianger: Very well. Then out of love for my lady Minfilia and Moenbryda both, this shall be my solemn charge. 
Yda: I...Papalymo and I should probably return to Thanalan to keep an eye on the Resistance. There's still the matter of the Griffin and the Amalj'aa,not to mention the new imperial viceroy. That little lot must be worthy of our attention, right? 
Alphinaud: And what will you do, Alisaie? 
Alisaie: You know I have no great love for organizations and formalities. That being said...this new approach you propose is not wholly objectionable. And we've always got her to keep us from bickering. But I will suffer no titles. I am not here for House Leveilleur, nor to walk in Grandfather's shadow. 
Alphinaud: Upon that point, we see eye to eye. If it please you, you may think of me as but another comrade-in-arms. 
Tataru: Well then, Alphy - I, for my part, shall see to the paperwork and the finances with my characteristic aplomb. 
'Alphinaud: I would not have it any other way, Tataru. And we mustn't forget you. What now for the Warrior of Light? 
Warrior of Light: (A new adventure, what else? / The road goes ever on... / To strive for those we have lost. For those we can yet save. / ...) -> The road goes ever on...
Alphinaud: Indeed. 
Y'shtola: The path behind us was fraught with hardship, and the path before us will be no less unforgiving. But a new dawn shall break over the realm, and I see before me the faces of those who will deliver it. 

Speak with Alphinaud

Alphinaud: Look at them, [Forename]. The Scions of the Seventh Dawn. Look how far we've come... The people we've met. The moments we've shared. The losses we've suffered. The tragedies we've overcome. All of it has made us who are today. Where we go from here and what the future holds, only the Twelve know... ... But I know that we will find out together.

Cutscene

Narrator: One world's heroes are another world's villains. One world's loss another world's gain. "Where men go as one, there is life...And where there is life". 
Papalymo: My friends. If I may, I would ask that you entrust Tupsimati to me. Clouds gather upon the horizon, and as Master Louisoix's disciple, I would keep it close at hand. (Warrior of Light hands it to Papalymo).  Thank you. I shall guard it well. 
Narrator: "...There is cause to hope". For every ending, every parting, marks a new beginning. 

Additional Cutscene=

The Griffin: (Talking to the fake Griffin). Well done, brother. You may resume your normal duties and rejoin the other.s The coming battle shall be our greatest yet, and I intend to stand with you all on that glorious day. 
Elidibus: ...True believers are so readily led. 
The Griffin: I have given them everything they desired. All for which they have prayed. I doubt you can say the same for your pawns. Get what you wanted, then? Was it all worth it in the end?  
Elidibus: There were some...unexpected developments, but they were ultimately to our advantage. Be it host to a surfeit of Light or Dark, a world bereft of equilibrium is but a void in waiting. And a void is of no use to my master. I shall follow Her emissary with great interest. As for the "pawns" whom you so pity...they have delivered unto me a gift, which I do now present to you. (A crystal with Nidhogg's eyes floats towards The Griffin). The Eyes of Nidhogg. Many were the candidates considered, but by your deeds, you have proven yourself the most deserving. A man of boundless rage and bottomless despair, in whose breast beats a heart which thirsts for vengeance. Only you are fit to wield these eyes - for weal or for woe. 

Cutscene, a desert with Allagan imagery

???: Hmph. So it was here all along...
Nero tol Scaeva: Oh, you just wait, my pretty! You and I are going to have so much fun!