An Engineering Enterprise

Quest giver: Alphinaud
Location: The Pillars (X:14, Y:11)
Quest line: Heavensward Main Scenario
Level: 57

Experience: 52,260
Gil: 533
Previous quest: One Good Turn
Next quest: Aetherial Trail
Patch: 3.0

Main Scenario Progress: 316 / 960 (32.9%)

Heavensward Progress: 75 / 138 (54.3%)

“

Alphinaud appears relieved to be standing on solid ground once more.

— In-game description

Steps

Speak with Aymeric at the Seat of the Lord Commander.

Speak with Tataru.

Journal

Alphinaud has called a meeting to discuss how Azys Lla's defenses might be breached. Proceed to the Congregation of Our Knights Most Heavenly, and speak with the guardsman within to be admitted to the Seat of the Lord Commander.

Cid believes that it may be possible to pierce the barrier surrounding Azys Lla by mounting a ram of condensed aether on the Enterprise. There is just one problem: he has not the faintest idea how to make one. Apparently, designing such a device would require the expertise of a true authority in the field -- an authority such as an Archon. Even as Alphinaud laments their absence, Edmont recalls a discussion he had with Tataru, wherein she claimed to have acquired a clue pointing to the whereabouts of one of your missing comrades. Make your way to the Forgotten Knight and trouble her for the particulars.

Tataru confirms that she has made progress in the search for the Archons. Hearing this, you cannot help but smile. With your lost friends at your side, surely nothing will prevent you from reaching Azys Lla.

Dialogue

Speak with Alphinaud

Alphinaud: Assuming Cid is correct - and I have no reason to think that he is not - the Vanu's key is required to pass through the barrier protecting Azys Lla. But even without it, we must find a way to reach the isle. I shall have everyone convene at the Seat of the Lord Commander, that we might discuss how best to proceed. As before, make yourself known to the guardsman when you arrive, and he will show you in.

Temple Knight Guard: Ah, you returned! Ser Aymeric and the others await you within!

Speak with Aymeric at the Seat of the Lord Commander (Cutscene)

Cid: ...In summary, the isle owes its lofty position to the industry of the Allagans. And we can be all but certain that the archbishop and his cronies are enjoying the view from its top.
Aymeric: I see.
Cid: If we are to join them, we will first need to pass through the isle's aetheric barrier - which is, alas, more powerful than most. Powerful enough to make a mess of a perfectly good airship, at any rate... As far as I can gather, the barrier mechanism draws aether from the surrounding environment, and polarizes its elemental aspect to produce what is, in effect, a wall of lightning.
Alphinaud: It seems plain that without the Vanu's key, any attempt to reach the isle will end in failure.
Cid: Alas, the key was careless enough to leave without us, and I don't think the Vanu keep a spare.
Aymeric: Master Garlond - based on your experience, is there no other way that we might breach the barrier?
Cid: Well, in the past, we've beaten similar barriers by nullifying them with elemental converters. But the one we're up against this time dwarfs aught we've encountered before. The Enterprise simply isn't large enough to bear the requisite amount of crystals.
Alphinaud: I am reminded of the quantity needed to nullify Leviathan's command of the sea... A veritable mountain of crystals that could only be borne by lashing two galleons together to form a "twin vessel" scarcely able to propel itself, much less fly.
Cid: That said, we're not without options. If it isn't feasible to nullify the barrier, we might try piercing it.
Aymeric: How?
Cid: We create a ram of condensed aether and mount it on my ship. There's just one problem - I don't have the faintest idea how to build one. It's going to take a true authority in the field, I reckon.
Alphinaud: Would that the Archons were still with us...
Count Edmont de Fortemps: But yesterday evening, I chanced to find Mistress Tataru in unusually high spirits. Assuming I understood her excite ramblings correctly, she has acquired a clue pointing to the whereabouts of one such individual.
Alphinaud: An Archon!? Truly!?
Cid: Hah, fortune favors the righteous, eh? Well then, let's not waste any time. While you go and look for our missing friend, I'll work on modifying the Enterprise. Her hull will need reinforcing to bear the punishment, not to mention a mount for the ram. Just you wait, my prety - by the time I'm finished, you'll be an airship reborn!

Speak with Tataru

Tataru: Welcome back, [Forename]! How goes the mission? Did you manage to catch up with the archbishop and his cronies?

Tataru: So, you finally arrived at Azys Lla...only to find your way barred by some sort of barrier... Typical. But it's not all bad news! I've made progress in the search for our friends! Don't worry, [Forename] - we'll get to Azys Lla yet!