Way of the Lancer

Quest giver: Jillian
Location: Old Gridania (X:14.1, Y:5.8)
Level: 1

Experience: 400
Gil: 0
Next quest: My First Spear
Spear of the Fearless
Patch: 2.0

“

Jillian wishes you to reaffirm your desire to join the Lancers' Guild.

— In-game description

Rewards

1 Weathered Spear

Unlocks

Lancer
If starting the game as a lancer, the rewards will instead be: 5 Marmot Steak

Steps

Speak to Guildmaster Ywain.
(If starting the game as a lancer, you will have additional objectives):
Slay ground squirrels.
Slay little ladybugs.
Slay forest funguars.
Report to Ywain at the Lancers' Guild.

Journal

Jillian wishes you to reaffirm your desire to join the Lancers' Guild.

You have been referred to Ywain, the master of the Lancers' Guild. Seek him out in the rear chamber.

Having formally accepted you into the Lancers' Guild, Guildmaster Ywain presents you with a weathered spear. Arm yourself with it, and speak to him once more.

Dialogue

Jillian: Welcome to the Lancers' Guild, adventurer.

[Jillian: Welcome to the Lancers' Guild. I see you brought your own spear.] <-- Jillian says this if you start as a Lancer.

Jillian: If you seek to refine your skills with the polearm, then you have come to the right place.

Jillian: Here at the Lancers' Guild, spear wielders gather to train with one another, and further hone their abilities under the tutelage of our fine instructors. Do you seek membership with us?

Join the Lancers' Guild?

> No

Jillian: I see. It would seem you are already occupied with other pursuits.

Jillian: In which case, you have no further business here. Please be on your way.

> Yes

Jillian: Very well. I shall provide you with an insight into the history of our guild.

Jillian: More than just an instrument of war, the spear is also a tool for hunting, and with game ever plentiful in the Twelveswood, the weapon has been the mainstay of the locals here since before the founding of Gridania.

Jillian: With the passing of time, our nation became a gathering place for spearmasters from across the realm─many eager to test their mettle against the famed might of our Wood Wailers.

Jillian: And it was here in Gridania that their myriad fighting styles came into contact, eventually giving rise to the art taught here today.

Jillian: That spear technique could be formalized at all owed much to the founding of the Lancers' Guild by Wood Wailer captain Mistalle nigh on a century past.

Jillian: The tradition of accepting students from without as well as within Gridania's borders persists to this day, ensuring that the art of the polearm may not only survive, but also continue to evolve.

Jillian: Well, there you have it. I hope this brief history of the guild has helped settle any doubts in your mind.

Jillian: The Lancers' Guild is always eager to welcome new initiates.

Jillian: If you've a will to enlist, speak with me again and we can begin the enrollment procedures.

Speaking with Jillian again:

Jillian: Well then, have you made up your mind to enlist in the Lancers' Guild?

> Decline

Jillian: It is no small thing to join our guild, and all the more welcome are they who weigh the decision with due care.

Jillian: Our doors are ever open should you later decide to take up the lancers' art. Till then, I wish you the best of luck.

> Accept

Jillian: Excellent! I shall let Guildmaster Ywain know to expect you.

Jillian: All who seek admittance to our ranks must present themselves before him. He will judge if you are fit to become one of us.

Jillian: Pray make your way to the training area within. Our guildmaster awaits you there.

Speaking to Guildmaster Ywain:

[Unskippable Unvoiced Cutscene START]

Ywain: Well met, adventurer. I understand you wish to learn the lancers' art under our roof.

Ywain: I see you have some combat experience. Yet it remains to be seen if such skills as you have acquired will avail you here.

Ywain: But no matter. In my capacity as guildmaster, I shall guide your training, beginning with the very basics─the principles of our art.

Ywain: There exist myriad fighting styles, each of which has its own unique qualities. None, however, can claim to be as offensively minded as ours. Our approach is ever one of attack, no matter who─or what─we face.

Ywain: An experienced lancer is able to wield a polearm as if it were an extension of his body. He transforms into a raging storm before his foes, delivering a barrage of devastating thrusts and slashes.

Ywain: To facilitate such a relentless assault, we lancers forgo plate, favoring armor of leather and chain─such materials as provide adequate protection without unduly hindering movement.

Ywain: A lancer's worth may be measured quite simply─in how swiftly and decisively he can pierce his enemy's defenses.

Ywain: By its nature, the polearm is a simple weapon to wield─for good or ill. Even in a farmer's hands, it is capable of wreaking considerable havoc. Thus has it been a mainstay of every great army since ancient times.

Ywain: Yet know that a lance alone does not a lancer make. Faced with unfavorable odds, an unseasoned spearman will break formation and flee without a moment's hesitation.

Ywain: A true lancer, however, flinches not before his enemies, for he knows not the meaning of fear. Ever does he press forward, disdainful of the odds, that he might pierce the enemy line and open a path to victory.

Ywain: Needless to say, doing so requires no small amount of courage. And that is why our guild has striven from the first to instill this essential quality in every soul who passes through our halls.

Ywain: Arduous trials await you should you join our ranks. Knowing this, have you the resolve to wield the lance?

Have you resolve to wield the lance?

> No

You wordlessly shake your head.

Ywain: Hah hah hah! Your honesty does you credit, adventurer.

Ywain: It takes a kind of strength to admit that something is beyond you. Should you ever muster the resolve to take up the lance, I will be here.

> Yes

You nod silently. #WoLNodTally

Ywain: Well said, adventurer. I see no reason to deny you a place within our ranks.

Ywain: Ah, but I neglected to introduce myself. I am Ywain, master of this guild.

Ywain: Pleasantries duly exchanged, I shall add to your hunting log the names of the creatures against which a lancer might hone his skills.

Ywain: In celebration of the occasion, I hereby present you with your very own spear. Arm yourself with it, and speak to me once more.

Ywain: I would have you undertake your first task─a trial, to be precise.

[Unskippable Unvoiced Cutscene END]