May you ever walk in the Light of the Crystal! Let's Play Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn

[TyrMcDohl]

Yeah, probably not a good look.

Satznswys picks up Wilred, the young Ala Mhigan who was duped by Lahabrea into trying to summon Rhalgr.

And this fellow seems to have it that the Syndicate's already gotten their fingers into this pie. A likely story...

Checking back in with Alphinaud, he's a little bummed that the recruiting was so slim here. Nevertheless, the sultana approved.

Alphinaud's a rich kid, but even his own family's coffers couldn't handle forming an entire new grand company.

One step at a time, he says. Yep, that's generally how these things go. And with that, the two return to Revenant's Toll.

Raubahn thinks that Alphinaud could pave the way for a united Eorzea. He shares Alphinaud's impatience, given how the nations have retreated to their own matters, instead of helping each other.

Nanamo is skeptical, though. Sure, Alphinaud's organization could be one of the greatest military bodies in Eorzea. However, even under the Scions' watchful gaze, the company could in some way be misused.

Raubahn does confirm that none of the financial backing came from Lolorito or any of his cronies. And the Warrior of Light is there too. For her to betray Eorzea at this juncture is unthinkable.

Nanamo is also concerned about Teledji Adeledji.

 

[TyrMcDohl]

She's incensed at this.

Even heads of state need a shoulder to cry on.

No rest for the weary, though, Alphinaud. If you're gonna be leading this new trial company, you've gotta be the one to spearhead things.

Checking in next with Slafborn...

Uh oh.

The heretics of Ishgard, those who have thrown their lot in with the Dravanian horde. He asks where the provisions were coming from.

Slafborn, having heard the story of Satznswys getting on well with the knights of House Fortemps during her search for the Enterprise, asks her to head to Camp Dragonhead and lend whatever aid she can.

Word has just arrived at Camp Dragonhead for Lord Haurchefant from Slafborn as well, so good timing, that.

 

[TyrMcDohl]

Haurchefant gets a voice actor now! He is glad that Satznswys has been instrumental in getting Alphinaud's new company off the ground. He also reminds Satznswys that House Fortemps never forgets the efforts of her allies, or her debts. That's why he arranged for supplies to be delivered to Revenant's Toll.

Iceheart, huh?

The villains have not been so brazen as to attack near to Camp Dragonhead, but a few have been sighted to the west. He suggests that Satznswys talk to her friends in Whitebrim Front to know more.

Checking in with her old friend Lord Drillemont, he does confirm the presence of heretics in the area, but they haven't been able to track any of them down with any reliability. But it's not just their organization that's changed.

Got it, off to Snowcloak!

Onward!

Ominous!

 

[TyrMcDohl]

The knights are of a mind to report back to Lord Drillemont.

He says that it's wise to just write the supplies off, and to chase them would likely blunder into the heretic's lair.

Haurchefant's actor does a wonderful job of carrying a friendly warmth to the character. Satznswys brings him up to speed. Of all Coerthas, Snowcloak suffered the harshest of the climate's change in the wake of the Calamity. He thinks that more robust reconnaissance is called for.

This cutscene shows the direction the developers want to take things, with thought given to more than multiple people standing stock still, talking to one another. In this scene, Haurchefant walks from behind his desk, arms behind his back, looking around with light amusement, then back behind his desk.

That was sort of the goal of this venture, sure.

Hope we get to meet them. He says that though Iceheart's identity remains a mystery, Satznswys has given them a place to start looking, and sometimes it takes but a single stone to cause an avalanche.

Back with Slafborn, he's happy Haurchefant is replacing the shipment.

So things are almost ready for the ceremony, but Tataru is flustered.

She wants Satznswys to hand out uniforms to the new recruits.

Among the recruits is their leader, Ilberd.

 

[TyrMcDohl]

And back with Alphinaud.

Huzzah!

A rousing speech for the Crystal Braves' inaugural party!

Minfilia teases Alphinaud, who says he's not the "leading the troops in to battle" type.

Later, in Minfilia's solar...

She gets a call on the linkpearl. Sounds like dire news of the island of Val and the Students of Baldesion.

Good news for Minfilia, though!

Though, from this context, it sounds like this Krile is hospitalized.

Happy to hear, Minfilia. Now for the reports from the survey party. The aetheric disturbance that heralded the disappearance of the island was alarmingly close to Ultima. Minfilia suspects the Ascians having a hand in it.

 

[TyrMcDohl]

Y'know...now that you mention it, no.

MEANWHILE...

Haurchefant is out surveying the land for signs of the heretics and their leader, Lady Iceheart.

Also, meanwhile, in the Holy See of Ishgard...

The current king of Ishgard, Archbishop Thordan VIIth.

With some familiar, unseen companions. WHAM TEASER!

And with that, the main scenario is concluded for today! Next time, Alisaie has found the final coil of Bahamut, and she and her brother will finally know the truth of what happened on that day, five years ago!

 

[Cadenza]

Just wanted to chime in and say that I'm still enjoying the thread! I know I don't always post after your updates, and speaking from personal experience a lack of replies can be a little disheartening. But I'm here for the long haul!

....And I've decided I'm going to play this game at some point, eventually! Once I'm a little less busy with life stuff. And it's all your fault! =p

 

[TyrMcDohl]

As I stated earlier, I want to record commentary for the final coil with people, just have to get them together to do it.

 

[TyrMcDohl]

Welcome back, everyone! Today, Alisaie and Satznswys finally solve the mysteries surrounding the Calamity five years ago, the shade of her grandfather and Bahamut's thrall, Louisoix, and put to rest the tale of the Binding Coils of Bahamut.

Satznswys heads over to the Waking Sands to confer with Urianger and meet Alisaie.

Alisaie arrives promptly, asking Urianger for advice. With the remaining two internment hulks sustaining Bahamut's physical form, they need to disable them both. Alisaie has found them both, but cannot gain access to either.

It still troubles Alisaie, that much is clear. Urianger reminds her that whatever was Louisoix died that day at Carteneau. Like Nael, Bahamut has claimed whatever remained of his essence and cobbled together a half-man of a thrall that speaks with Louisoix's voice, but not his words.

Urianger suggests something silly on its face: go there with Satznswys, on the grounds that just by her being around things, stuff tends to happen.

Alisaie can't argue. The two shards are at the Burning Wall in Thanalan, and the Singing Shards in Mor Dhona. Off they go!

Meeting Alisaie's assistant at Burning Wall, Deks has not found a viable path to the fragment of Dalamud.

There's a whole lot of corrupted crystals there, yeah.


Uh oh, that ain't good.

They make for Mor Dhona posthaste.

Deep in Corrupted Crystal territory, Satznswys finds Deks' brother.

Well, dang, another bust, it seems.

Urianger calls Satznswys on the linkpearl. He says a way has been found to get in, and to bring Alisaie to the Ceruleum plant in northern Thanalan.

Arriving at the plant, Urianger elaborates: reverse-engineering the pathway out that Satznswys and she have used twice now, ending at that crystal formation. Alisaie thinks that it would do little but bring them back to places they've already explored, but Urianger says not quite. With a little aetheric technobabble, he explains it's possible, but very dangerous. Even attempting it could cost them their lives.

Caution to the wind, eh, Alisaie? She is curious about the royal "we" that Urianger is employing.

 

[TyrMcDohl]

Again, caution to the wind?

Why are the Flames here?

Alisaie, get out of my head.

Why am I not surprised?

Alphinaud is Urianger's mysterious assistant. He reassures her that this is being kept in strictest confidence, to avoid causing a panic. Given the circumstances, Alisaie would be wise to accept Alphinaud's aid since so much is at stake.

Alisaie is deadly serious here.

Alphinaud accuses her of working on borrowed resolve. Alisaie retorts that protecting Eorzea was their shared goal, and they took it on themselves of their own volition.

I think what Alphinaud is trying to get at is that Alisaie needs to find the motivation within herself to stay the course, rather than do it because that's what Grandfather Louisoix would have wanted.

Alphinaud insists on coming along this time, and he is well within his rights, as he's Louisoix's grandchild too.

He agrees, and makes ready to go.

Warping into the internment hulk, our heroes press on in. Seems the aetheryte plan worked.

They need to hurry.

Better stay on guard, then.

 

[TyrMcDohl]

Arriving at the innermost base, Alisaie realizes what's in the stasis chambers all the way back here: dragons, and lots of them. The Allagans and dragons were bitter enemies, for sure, but why keep them imprisoned? Dalamud had no need of additional defenses, as Satznswys's previous forays have demonstrated. The neurolink collar they saw on Twintania means they could keep control on all these dragons. Why place them in stasis?

Penny in the air.

And it drops: Allag shackled these dragons here, fully aware and conscious of what is going on around them, in a perpetual state of distress and terror. And able to call out for their god to deliver them salvation.

At this time, I want to post the lyrics to the song, Answers, the song that played in the A Realm Reborn trailer.

I close my eyes, tell us why must we suffer
Release your hands, for your will drags us under
My legs grow tired, tell us where must we wander
How can we carry on if redemption's beyond us?
To all of my children in whom Life flows abundant
To all of my children to whom Death hath passed his judgement
The soul yearns for honor, and the flesh the hereafter
Look to those who walked before to lead those who walk after
Shining is the Land's light of justice
Ever flows the Land's well of purpose
Walk free, walk free, walk free, believe...
The Land is alive, so believe...

Suffer (Feel) Promise (Think) Witness (Teach) Reason
(Hear) Follow (Feel) Wander (Think) Stumble (Teach) Listen
(Speak) Honor (Speak) Value (Tell) Whisper (Tell) Mention
(Hope) Ponder (Hope) Warrant (Wish) Cherish (Wish) Welcome
(Roam) Witness (Roam) Listen (Roam) Suffer (Roam) Sanction
(Sleep) Weather (Sleep) Wander (Sleep) Answer Sleep on

Now open your eyes while our plight is repeated
Still deaf to our cries, lost in hope we lie defeated
Our souls have been torn, and our bodies forsaken
Bearing sins of the past, for our future is taken
War born of strife, these trials persuade us not
(Feel what? Learn what?)
Words without sound, these lies betray our thoughts
(See what? Hear what?)
Mired by a plague of doubt, the Land, she mourns
Judgement binds all we hold to a memory of scorn
Tell us why, given Life, we are meant to die, helpless in our cries?

Witness (Feel) Suffer (Think) Borrow (Teach) Reason
(Hear) Follow (Feel) Stumble (Think) Wander (Teach) Listen
(Blink) Whisper (Blink) Shoulder (Blink) Ponder (Blink) Weather
(Hear) Answer (Look) Answer (Think) Answer together

Thy Life is a riddle, to bear rapture and sorrow
To listen, to suffer, to entrust unto tomorrow
In one fleeting moment, from the Land doth life flow
Yet in one fleeting moment, for a new it doth grow
In the same fleeting moment
Thou must live
Die and know

Onward and downward.

Awful. Alisaie comments that Bahamut's hatred found an ideal puppet: Nael van Darnus. Alisaie empathizes with the elder primal, but that will not stay her hand.

 

[TyrMcDohl]

Her grandfather's soul as well.

Arriving at the Burning Wall's coil control center, Bahamut's looking more and more complete by the minute.

Alisaie says that she won't dishonor Louisoix's memory by addressing him as such.

Alphinaud returns that it was their conviction that led them this far, and that Eorzea will never be safe as long as Bahamut exists.

At the end of the third Astral Era, Allag invaded the southern lands of Meracydia. They were unstoppable.

Much like King Moggle Mog, or any of the other primals of the land. However, this miracle fell to the same horrible cycle, and Allag capitalized on it, creating the setup we've seen already, with the dragons imprisoned, unable to die, crying out to Bahamut for salvation. Louisoix called the Twelve to stop the Seventh Umbral Calamity. Why were the dragons cursed and Louisoix exalted?

Louisoix condemns the condition of man.

Alisaie has had enough of this.

Alphinaud has another idea: that Louisoix has transcended the limits of man's existence.

Golly!

 

[TyrMcDohl]

Alisaie begs Satznswys to do this thing.

Oh hey! So, yeah, funny thing about becoming the Phoenix of all things is that you're kinda...reborn after you die.

Alisaie can hardly believe what's happened.

Louisoix is, indeed, proud of how canny Alphinaud has become to deduce what happened to him. He says if any should beg forgiveness, it is he himself.

Louisoix agrees. At the battle of Carteneau, Bahamut broke free of his prison. As you already know, Louisoix summoned the Twelve to create a prison of aether to contain Him. But Bahamut's rage and might were too much for the Twelve to contain. With that, he used the last of his strength to send those Warriors of Light at the Battle of Carteneau into the future, to safety, and prepared to meet his end.

The energy formed to cage Bahamut resonated with the prayers of the people below, and with his own desperate wish to save the realm, to infuse him with the power of a primal.

Why was the Realm Reborn? The fervent belief of the many players of this game, of the developers. Every single name in the staff credits, and the legacy players' credits. Think back to the first post in this thread, and of the documentary by Noclip, of the death and rebirth of the game. The company wanted to repair the game's tarnished reputation, and with Naoki Yoshida's leadership, they succeeded. But the effort put forth would not have been seen as worthwhile, if not for those faithful Warriors of Light, who kept with the game in its dark times, the transitionary period of the 1.x patches, and the fall of Dalamud. This story of Final Fantasy XIV really transcends the game and reaches into the real world, so it's no surprise that the primal form that Louisoix took was that of the Phoenix.

However, Bahamut's wrath and will were not so easily overcome, and He took hold of Louisoix.

This would explain the heavy warping of Eorzea as well. The land sought to restore itself, but the flow of aether was intercepted by Bahamut.

There wasn't enough aether around to fully restore Bahamut, but it wasn't needed, thanks to the binding coils and the forced prayer of His brood.

 

[TyrMcDohl]

Louisoix asks Satznswys to stop Bahamut's regeneration, regardless of why. The question of justice is irrelevant, because the problem at hand is Bahamut's ability to reduce the world to ash. In many ways, Louisoix's words are an echo of the same conversation that Admiral Merlwyb has said about Titan and Leviathan: however why the primal was summoned is irrelevant. It's here, now, and will destroy Eorzea if left unchecked.

He deactivates the coil, and conjures a portal to transport Satznswys to the final internment hulk.

Louisoix says goodbye to his grandchildren, and tells Satznswys that he has faith in her strength.

And, so ends the story of Archon Louisoix Leveilleur.

Kablooie!

 

[TyrMcDohl]

Within the Crystal core...

 

[TyrMcDohl]

And so, it's finally over.

 

[TyrMcDohl]

And yeah, all that was present that day.

Alphinaud does not deny it, though now he sees that he shouldn't have doubted her conviction.

What truth, indeed? That the prayer of Eorzea gave birth to Phoenix, that Phoenix was responsible for putting Eorzea on the path it's on now? If word of this got out, people would offer their prayers in earnest, beseeching Phoenix to finish what He started.

So only Alphinaud, Alisaie, and Satznswys can know the truth of what took place five years ago.

Back in Thanalan, Alisaie recommends that the shards of Dalamud be sealed, to prevent knowledge of what happened from escaping. But first, best to check in with Urianger, who's beside himself with worry.

Returning to the Plant, Urianger is relieved to see Satznswys come back more or less unscathed.

And yes, Urianger is capable of expressions of emotion.

Alisaie can't contain her laughter.

 

[TyrMcDohl]

Alphinaud suggests that he and Urianger can take care of that, and that Alisaie has earned some rest.

Alisaie asks if they share the same goal.

Alisaie asks Satznswys to join her at a shrine near the Burning Wall.

Indeed, the fragments of Dalamud will be there long after any of them are dust. Though the world changes irrevocably, life goes on.

Though she did agree that what transpired down there should remain secret, she is grappling with the fact that nobody will ever know.

 

[TyrMcDohl]

I like to think that Satznswys says, "The three of us know, and I think that's good enough for your grandfather." Alisaie thanks Satznswys for freeing Louisoix's soul from bondage, and saving Eorzea from Bahamut's wrath a second time.

"For those we could not save, and for those we can yet save."

She lays the flower, and it is carried by the wind toward the shard.

After the dust has settled, Alisaie means to depart, to find her own reasons for fighting for Eorzea. And when she does, she'll give it her all. She hopes to repay Satznswys for all she's done.

And, with that, Alisaie takes her leave. Where will her journey take her? Who knows.

Tune in next time, everyone, for the continuation of the Main Scenario! Alphinaud has been a busy boy discovering the truth of the Seventh Umbral Calamity and also finding the time to found an entirely new Grand Company! Plus, there's the mystery surrounding the Dravanian heretics in Coerthas!


------

As always, here's the vote tally for Satznswys's job going into Heavensward!

1. Summoner - 5 votes
2. Dark Knight - 4 votes
3. Ninja - 2.5 votes
4. Black Mage - 2 votes
5. Dragoon - 1 vote
5. Astrologian - 1 vote
7. Scholar - 0.5 votes

 

[TyrMcDohl]

The Digital Fanfest this weekend filled me with a lot of motivation, and I finally got EVERYTHING done I want to do. So the LP is, for all intents and purposes, in the can. There are 4 more updates to go, with a potential 5th, if an ARR job gets picked for Satznswys's adventure, as I'll need to level that job up to 50. If it's a Heavensward job, then it'll be rolled into the prologue update in the new thread! I'm going to be posting these finale updates throughout the week, so next weekend, I can get started on that new job!

There is a lot of level 50 end game content I didn't cover, in the form of dungeons, but I just don't know if I have it in me to go back and do that stuff. If I get in the mood to do a highlight reel, I might, but there's a LOT of ARR dungeons.

 

[Zef]

Voting for Ninja!

 

[TyrMcDohl]

Welcome back, everyone! Last time, Satznswys, Alisaie, and Alphinaud solved the mysteries of the Seventh Umbral Calamity, and only they will know the truth of what happened that day.

Previously, when we last left off the main scenario, Alphinaud, busy boy he be, had just formed a trial grand company under the banner of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn: the Crystal Braves. Also, the heretics of Dravania have been growing more bold of late. Satznswys helped Haurchefant and Drillemont, lords of two of the High Houses of Ishgard, start their investigation into their leader, the mysterious lady Iceheart.

The Rising Stones is significantly more crowded these days.

Minfilia is anxious. Things around here are calm...a little too calm for her taste.

Seems the Crystal Braves are off to a rocky start. He is insistent on handling the company himself, and has rebuffed offers of help from Minfilia and the rest of the Archons. She suggests that Satznswys offer to help, since he's always accepted her help in the past.

Alphinaud is not the only one overwhelmed.

Something sensitive that he wants to handle himself? Look, kid, first thing about leadership you gotta learn is how to delegate. You can't be everywhere at once, and you need to put trust in your subordinates to get the job done.

Oh, good, glad you're already picking it up.

Very polite, Captain.

Ilberd's glad for the help, as he didn't feel his own people up to the job yet. He looks around a little surreptitiously, and asks Satznswys to keep his confidence.

Looking around quietly, they found a suspect among the Immortal Flames, and detained them for questioning. But he was merely a catspaw for the true agent, one of many.

This Ivy has apparently coiled around most of the Immortal Flames. The imperial agent joined up some time ago, and had been working his inroads slowly, but surely.

So what's Satznswys's role in all this?

Easily done, I suppose. Ilberd is concerned that the Ivy might move against them...so the plan is to place our heads into the lion's jaws? Sounds like fun.

 

[TyrMcDohl]

Well, Satznswys is pretty splendid. Off to Ul'dah!

Old friends reunite, it seems.

Raubahn explains that they've been friends and rivals since childhood. The last they had seen each other was just after the fall of Ala Mhigo, 20 years ago.

Raubahn is pretty hardcore, yeah. Also, Thal's balls. Raubahn is humble though, and says that next to Satznswys, he's little more than a glorified butcher.

Ilberd praises Satznswys's mettle as well, and then goes grim after a moment's quiet.

Raubahn is already aware of the hidden elements within his Grand Company, and has taken steps to have a cover story for this visit.

With Teledji Adeledji's machinations to lay claim to the lands of Carteneau, Ul'dah is in uncertain times under the surface. Under these circumstances, a man's loyalty could be bought. However, if the Ivy has been in place for a long time, Raubahn suspects conspiracy with the Monetarists and the Empire.

Yeah, better when things don't end with fists flying.

 

[TyrMcDohl]

Back to check in with Commander Alphinaud!

Back in the Rising Stones, Alphinaud wastes no time in informing them that something has happened: a unit of the Braves was tasked with spying on a suspected rendezvous site with the Ivy and their minions, and were ambushed en route.

Of course, a rescue party will be dispatched, though their numbers are few, and time is short. Ilberd asks Satznswys to help again.

Alright, let's get going!

Causing a commotion is one of Satznswys's many talents, yes.

Done and dusted. Alianne and Satznswys meet up outside the castrum, and then head back to Revenant's Toll.

Despite Satznswys's proof of deeds, he was still concerned for her safety. But the job's done, and everyone is back, safe and sound.

Ilberd thanks Satznswys for rescuing Rhesh as well.

Alphinaud says this Ser Aemeryic represents a strong potential ally within Ishgard, if his favor could be earned.

Minfilia seems on board.

 

[TyrMcDohl]

That is a question that will need answering, yeah.

So, Ishgard was a member of the Eorzean alliance as recently as then? Given what Satznswys personally knows with her dealings with the Azure Dragoon Estinien, she can probably hazard a pretty good guess...

Ishgard has rebuffed all calls to reopen diplomatic channels, even as Dalamud loomed large in the sky, and afterward.

Nothing to show for it, unfortunately.

Alphinaud hopes so. Instead of messengers and middlemen, he'll be talking with the head of the Temple Knights, a man of high influence and station. Alphinaud is tempering his expectations, though. The Scions have something they want, though he could only guess as to what it might be.

Alphinaud intends to capitalize on the positive relationship that Satznswys forged with Haurchefant, in the business with Lord Francel and the last flight of the Enterprise. And, so, Satznswys and Alphinaud depart to meet up with good old Lord Haurchefant.

How kind of you Haurchefant. Alphinaud's wardrobe is as resistant to cold as it ever was, after all.

He even teases that House Fortemps might seek aid from the Crystal Braves. After all, they are pretty much neighbors.

Ser Aymeric has arrived, and is awaiting the meeting at Alphinaud's earliest convenience.

 

[TyrMcDohl]

And here's the man himself.

Alphinaud wastes no time in starting the diplomatic sweet talking.

Staring directly at Satznswys when he says this.

And they settle in for the negotiations.

Alphinaud lays out the stakes that Eorzea faces, and that rejoining the Eorzean Alliance is the only thing that makes sense.

Aymeric says that the Ixal in Coerthas have their sights set on Gridania, not Ishgard, and the Holy See does not interfere in the internal affairs of other nations. Even still, their military forces are all set against the forces of Dravania.

He concedes the point on the Empire, but not yet. Gaius van Baelsar is dead, and those forces that remain are conscripts of conquered nations. If they desert, then their lives are forfeit on either side of the conflict, and so are not likely to come out of the castra any time soon.

Alphinaud is puzzled. Aymeric expounds: he cannot change Ishgardian foreign policy, regardless of his own feelings. However, he can exert influence in another direction. Concerns have been raised within the Holy See of House Fortemps' aid, and restrictions are being proposed.

 

[TyrMcDohl]

And here comes the catch.

Their astrologians, tasked with observing the Dragon Star to divine the movements of the Dravanian Horde, noted that it waxes unusually bright now, and rumors are mounting that it portends the resurrection of the wyrm Midgardsormr.

However, the problem is that no knights can be spared to investigate Silvertear Lake, so great the Dravanian Horde's threat is. And so, the proposal is made: The Scions will keep an eye on the Keeper of the Lake, in exchange for the continued supplies.

He agrees. Though Aymeric holds a lot of influence within Ishgard, his grasp extends only so far.

Uh oh.

Yeah, this is a situation. Alphinaud wants to know more about what has happened.

It was indeed Lady Iceheart's heretics, attacking the caravan in Boulder Downs. Taken down quick as you please, every knight slain, every crate taken.

Alphinaud agrees, and says that the root cause of this treachery can wait until they've dealt with the more immediate threat. Haurchefant agrees, and offers to send some knights to help out.

 

[TyrMcDohl]

Things certainly are a mess here. The knight does say that there was one lone survivor, receiving treatment at the Observatorium.

The woman he mistook for a lost lamb in search of salvation, but she was anything but. The leader let her get close, and before this squire knew better, his leader's blood was already on the snow. He tried to fight back, and took a blow to the head, and was knocked out. He regained his senses while the heretics were stealing the supplies, and feigned death to listen.

Hmm. Better check back with Alphinaud. I don't like the sound of that name, Shiva.

It's a name Alphinaud has never heard, so he inquires with Haurchefant and Aymeric's subordinate about the name "Shiva".

She says that Shiva was a traitor to kith and kin. An apostate who lay with dragons. Haurchefant explains that Shiva is the patron saint of heretics.

Alphinaud asks what the caravan was carrying.

Alphinaud suggests that Iceheart and the heretics intend to summon Shiva. Aymeric's assistant moves to inform him of the situation, and Haurchefant asks Alphinaud's support to help with this situation. He agrees and moves to contact the Scions to get the ball rolling on addressing this new summoning threat.

Wouldn't miss it, kid. Alphinaud says he'll inform Minfilia, and then mobilize the Crystal Braves. He makes for Whitebrim Front to find out if they've seen anything since Satznswys sighted Iceheart at Snowcloak.

Drillemont is glad for the help. A band of pilgrims was seen moving a large number of crates to the west, matching the description given by the squire who survived. His scouts lost them at Snowcloak.

Alphinaud volunteers the assistance of the Crystal Braves as well. Aymeric agrees, reluctantly.

Meanwhile...

Our heretics in question inspect their ill-gotten goods.

 

[TyrMcDohl]

Calling back to the heretic that assumed the guise of an inquisitor, Drillemont thoroughly questioned everyone at Whitebrim Front, and came up with one possible heretic.

He asks Satznswys to tail this man if he heads out of the front, and not to interfere with his business, just to gather intel.

He leaves through the southwest gate. Satznswys gives chase.

He heads south into Danaffen Pass.

They certainly seem to be up to no good. Satznswys overhears them mention the Temple Knights and Snowcloak.

He wishes that Satznswys could've heard their conversation more clearly. He now knows that the heretics are aware of the investigators' movements, and they're confident they can thwart his efforts.

Off she goes!

Not good.

She collects some effects from the heretics and returns to Whitebrim.

Unfortunately, none can be spared to perform last rites, not while Iceheart prepares her summoning.

 

[TyrMcDohl]

The heretic watchman had been in place long before he had aroused suspicion. But this explains how the heretics could move with impunity.

He asks Satznswys to meet the knights and Crystal Braves at Snowcloak to warn them of the potential for ambush.

Aymeric is grateful for the information, and will tell his people to be extra vigilant for ambush.

It's clear the heretics have the advantage here.

Thanks, Yda.

Yuyuhase reports that the Braves have secured entrances to half-a-dozen tunnels, and that the heretics threw themselves on the Braves' swords to defend them.

Papalymo cautions against it, because who knows how many heretics lie in wait?

Right.