The Unending Journey

As the serpent lieutenant concludes his explanation of your impending operation, you are suddenly approached by a distraught sylph. Maxio, an inhabitant of Little Solace assigned to guide the Scions, describes how the party was ambushed by a touched sylph at the threshold to the Sylphlands. It appears the Twin Adder escort was incapacitated by a stinging scalebomb, and your Scion companions scattered. Take the cleansing water offered to you by Komuxio, and use it to ease the suffering of the scouts at the ambush site.

You have tended to the stricken scouts. Confront the touched sylph responsible for their suffering.

His sack of mischief seemingly misplaced, the touched sylph retreats into the forest to prepare more stinging scalebombs. Speak with Maxio at the border to the Sylphlands and plan your next move.

Maxio proudly confesses to the theft of his fellow sylph's sack of scalebombs, and suggests that you track down his touched counterpart before he can acquire more of the stinging agent. Offering to render you unseen with his magic, the Little Solace resident hands you a scalebomb with which to incapacitate the touched sylph. Speak with Maxio when you are ready to begin the hunt, and he will cast the spell of invisibility.

You signal your readiness to Maxio, and he uses his “clever trick” to turn you invisible. Track down the touched sylph and use the stolen scalebomb to give him a taste of his own medicine.

You treat the touched sylph to an intimate encounter with one of his own stinging scalebombs, forcing your vengeful victim to flee. Report your success to Maxio.

After hearing of your success, Maxio seems confident that the touched sylph will be unable to work any more mischief for a time. Speak with the teary-eyed private, and see if he can shed any light on the whereabouts of your comrades.

Much recovered from his tearful ordeal, the private appears ready to explain the fate of your fellow Scions...

According to the private, the Scions escaped the worst of the stinging scalebomb and continued on into the Sylphlands. Head northeast towards the Goldleaf Dais and search for Papalymo.

You find Papalymo waiting for you at the Goldleaf Dais. Before you can exchange more than a few words with him, however, a fearsome denizen of the forest crashes into view, and you are forced to defend yourself. Needless to say, you have faced worse, and the creature is soon subdued. With the coast apparently clear, resume your conversation with Papalymo.

You speak with Papalymo, but find his manner to be oddly stilted. Plainly, he is not quite himself. Return to Maxio and share your suspicions.

Maxio believes that the touched sylphs are using an enchantment to disguise themselves as your fellow Scions. Accordingly, he provides you with scalebombs that will nullify their illusory magic. Throw the trueform scalebombs at Papalymo and Yda's doubles, and defeat the devious dissemblers.

You have defeated the touched sylphs who were masquerading as Yda and Papalymo. Report your success to Maxio.

Your sylphic guide suggests continuing the search for your comrades elsewhere. It seems you have no choice but to press on into the Sylphlands.

You locate Yda and Thancred, but have no way of knowing if they are who they seem to be...save one. Make use of the trueform scalebombs given to you by Maxio, and defeat any tricksters you reveal.

Though your scalebombs have no effect on Yda ─ besides affront and discomfort ─ they do serve to unmask the sylph posing as Thancred. With the impostor out of the way, you may now speak freely with your fellow Scion.

It would seem that Yda had no inkling of the touched sylph's deception, nor does she know where the real Thancred might be. Give the exasperated pugilist a moment to think before discussing how best to proceed.

Although unsure of Thancred's whereabouts, Yda is certain that Y'shtola paired up with Papalymo and headed south. Continue your search for the scattered Scions.

You finally locate Papalymo, only to find him accompanied by not one, but two Y'shtolas. Confer with Maxio, and devise a strategy to reveal which of the Scions are real and which are impostors.

Maxio suggests that you attempt to unmask any potential impostors all at once. Toss a trueform scalebomb at the suspect Scions, and reveal their true identities.
Maxio's handy gift explodes in a cloud of choking dust, revealing one of the two Y'shtolas to be a skin-changed sylph. Confront the trickster, and show him the error of his ways.

You have defeated the touched sylph's boar ally. It is time to confront the sylvan trickster himself.

Though he has apologized for his mischief, the touched sylph is nevertheless determined to convince you of Lord Ramuh's absence. Return to Papalymo and discuss the obvious deceit.

Based on your tiny antagonist's dubious claims to the contrary and his own aetheric measurements, Papalymo believes he has pinpointed the spot where Lord Ramuh was summoned. Your audience with the Lord of Levin looms ever closer...

Somewhat ironically, the touched sylphs' efforts at misdirection have enabled the Scions to collect aetheric readings throughout the Sylphlands. Based on the latest of these, Papalymo is convinced that he has identified the location of the summoning ritual. Head to the southeast, and investigate the area surrounding the sylphs' aetheryte.

Upon approaching the beastman aetheryte, you find yourself in the presence of Lord Ramuh. Though initially dismissive of your attempts at mediation, the primal elects to suspend judgment until you have undergone a trial by combat. Enter the Lord of Levin's domain, and prove your worth!

※The Striking Tree (Hard) trial.

You have defeated the Lord of Levin, and thus earned the right to champion the cause of peace in the Black Shroud. After witnessing your battle with the primal, it appears that Urianger has also found that which he sought...

Return to Little Solace and make your report to the serpent lieutenant.

You inform the Twin Adder lieutenant of your encounter with ─ and subsequent victory over ─ the primal Ramuh. His shocked at the news that your audience culminated in combat soon gives way to joy as he realizes the ramifications of your deed for both Gridania and Little Solace.

After hearing the account of your battle with Ramuh, the serpent lieutenant urges you to make your report directly to Kan-E-Senna. Return to Gridania, and speak with the silent conjurer to gain access to the Lotus Stand.

You describe your encounter with the sylph's guardian deity to the Elder Seedseer. The words of Ramuh appear to resonate with Kan-E-Senna, and she is unable to refute the Lord of Levin's claim that wherever man wanders, darkness follows closely behind. You exit the Lotus Stand at the conclusion to your audience, leaving Gridania's leader troubled and thoughtful despite the news of your victory. Report the details of your meeting to Papalymo who awaits you at Nophica's Altar.

Unlike the Elder Seedseer, Papalymo appears satisfied with the outcome. Return to the Rising Stones and report to Minfilia.

After listening to your report, Minfilia alludes to some news of her own. Before divulging anything more, however, the Antecedent suggests you first listen to Urianger's latest discovery concerning the nature of the Ascians' immortality. Could it be that the scholar has stumbled upon a means to bring about the permanent destruction of the Paragons?

Minfilia informs you that a letter has arrived expressing gratitude for the Scions' efforts in quelling the primal threat. Though the realm is not yet free of strife, the Antecedent stresses that your deeds inspire countless Eorzeans to continue along the difficult road to peace.

Conscious that you cannot be expected to spend your every waking moment attending to realm-shaking matters, however, she encourages you to stay awhile in Revenant's Toll. Just when it seems as if you have been granted leave to rest, Minfilia recalls that Slafborn has requested your assistance. Seek out the old soldier, and find out what he would have you do.

You gather that the inexperienced adventurers who now flock to Revenant's Toll are sorely testing Slafborn's patience. According to him, one young lady in particular would benefit from the guidance of a grizzled veteran like you. Make your way to the Singing Shards, and rescue the would-be hapalit slayer from her intended target.

You have slain the scabrous hapalit. Offer your aid to the struggling adventurer.

You have rescued the adventurer from almost certain death, but the young lady appears intent on blaming others for her own failings. Show her what you think of her attitude with a resounding 'huh'.

Devastated by your disappointment, the green adventurer swears to do better before slinking off in the direction of town. Return to Revenant's Toll and report to Slafborn.

You return to the bustling settlement to find an appreciative Slafborn. He has witnessed the result of your chastisement, and claims ─ somewhat hopefully ─ that the lesson will soon spread through the ranks to the rest of his young charges. He then speaks of the unavoidable hard work required to become a hero, and praises you as a fine example of what dedication and perseverance can achieve.