How much knowledge has been lost over the centuries ─ over the millenia? And how differently would we view the world had we a better understanding of its past? Little is known of Shiva's life and deeds, yet the heretics venerate her as a saint. Ser Aymeric's ancestors are said to have founded Ishgard by the will of Halone, yet he admits that scripture only tells so much. Ultimately, however, the details of his people's war with the dragons are irrelevant. Regardless of how the conflict began, it is destined to continue ─ unless Iceheart's plan succeeds, which the Scions cannot allow. While Minfilia and the others search for a means to breach Iceheart's sanctuary, you are to assist Yuyuhase and the 3rd Unit Braves in tracking down the heretics who attempted to ambush the allied forces.

The heretics were last seen heading towards Daniffen Pass, and the 3rd Unit Braves are already in pursuit. Yuyuhase leaves to join them and bids you follow. Do as bade and speak with any 3rd Unit Braves you find.

Many of the 3rd Unit Braves are unaccustomed to the frigid conditions in Coerthas, and the young man you find kneeling in the snow is no exception. Having twisted his ankle, he is no longer able to keep up. Press on without him and join the others south of Daniffen Pass.

You come across several sets of tracks which appear to belong to the Braves and their quarry. Follow them southwest and keep your eyes peeled for both friend and foe.

You find a solitary Brave. Though not seriously injured, he is clearly disoriented and in no condition to fight. According to him, the heretics split up, prompting the Braves to do so as well ─ and Yuyuhase followed one trail alone. Search for the officer in the woods to the east.

You rescue Yuyuhase from certain death, slaying Iceheart's followers before they can deliver the telling blow. Speak with the Crystal Brave and confirm his condition.

Yuyuhase reveals that he was able to slay one heretic, and was in the process of searching his victim's body when the dead man's comrades surprised and overpowered him. With a grin, he then produces a piece of parchment and proceeds to read you the message written thereon. It would seem to be an escape plan devised in the aftermath of the heretics' failed ambush at Snowcloak. The plan mentions a rendezvous point near the Observatorium, as well as a merchant sympathetic to the heretics' cause. Search the outskirts of the Observatorium and seize the fugitives before they escape.

Outside the walls of the Observatorium, you chance upon the merchant and a single heretic, who subsequently attempt to flee. However, they are stopped in their tracks by the unexpected arrival of Captain Ilberd, Alphinaud, and Yugiri. After Ilberd takes them into custody, Alphinaud explains that they had been seeking the merchant in connection with their investigation into the Ivy. Wait with Alphinaud outside the gates while Captain Ilberd interrogates the merchant.

The interrogation of the merchant is not expected to take long, but Alphinaud is doubtful that it will yield any useful information. The Ivy would surely not be so careless. Be that as it may, all you can do now is wait and hope that your fellow Scion is wrong.

At the Observatorium, Ilberd furnishes you and Alphinaud with a progress report on his hunt for the Ivy. It is revealed that one of the imperial spy's confederates, a Flame stationed at Revenant's Toll, had been selling secrets to the merchant you apprehended, who had in turn been passing information to the heretics. Yet even as this revelation explains how the heretics came to possess knowledge of the caravan routes, it raises the question of how they and the imperial agents might be connected. Could it be a purely financial arrangement, or something more worrying? Whatever the answer, Ilberd seems confident that he is drawing closer to discovering the Ivy's identity. After issuing the captain further orders, Alphinaud bids you accompany him to an emergency meeting between Alliance members. Speak with him again to be informed of the particulars.

The council of Alliance leaders will convene at the Lotus Stand in Old Gridania. Alphinaud bids you join him at Nophica's Altar prior to the meeting.

The council of Alliance leaders will be convening shortly. Speak with the silent conjurer to be shown to the Lotus Stand.

At the Alliance council, you learn that the Garlean war of succession has concluded with the crowning of Varis zos Galvus, the late emperor's grandson. Under his leadership, it is feared the Empire will soon resume its march upon Eorzea. If the realm is to stand against the reinvigorated might of Garlemald, it seems clear that the Alliance must not only regain its former unity, but find a way to entice the long-estranged Ishgardians back into the fold. Speak with Alphinaud to hear his thoughts on the matters discussed.

Having bent your ear with his philosophical musings, Alphinaud informs you that Ilberd has made further progress in his hunt for the Ivy. Seek the captain in front of the Adder's Nest in New Gridania, and place yourself at his disposal.

You have reported to Ilberd. At your word, the final hunt for the Ivy will commence.

Ilberd reveals that the Ivy is none other than Flame Marshal Eline Roaille, Raubahn's second-in-command. He believes that she has come to Gridania with treachery in mind, and means to catch her in the act. Join him in watching her every move.
Eline Roaille appears to be bound for the Blue Badger Gate. Continue to shadow the suspect.

Eline Roaille has entered the Carline Canopy, and Ilberd bids you look for her within. If she is not on the upper level, take your search to the landing area below and speak with Crystal Brave Ephemie.

Ephemie is certain that Eline Roaille has not boarded an airship. Make your way back outside the Carline Canopy, and report her mysterious disappearance to Ilberd.

Ilberd believes that Eline Roaille may have availed herself of a room at the Roost to throw pursuers off her trail. While he conducts a thorough search of the premises, speak with the Crystal Braves posted at Gridania's four main egresses—the Blue Badger Gate, the White Wolf Gate, the Yellow Serpent Gate, and Westshore Pier. If the flame marshal has left the city, one of them will surely have spotted her.

It would seem that none of the Crystal Braves stationed around Gridania have seen Eline Roaille. Report your findings to Ilberd, who awaits you at the Aetheryte Plaza.

Just when it seems as though your quarry has eluded you, a shinobi of Doma appears with word that Eline Roaille has left Gridania by way of Westshore Pier. Your hunt will next take you to the East Shroud.

Thanks to the Domans' watchful eyes, you have picked up Eline Roaille's trail once again. Rejoin Ilberd at Sweetbloom Pier in the East Shroud.

After joining Ilberd at Sweetbloom Pier, the two of you are met by Yugiri, who informs you that Eline Roaille is headed in the direction of the Hawthorne Hut. However, your reunion with the Garlean spy must wait, for another matter requires your immediate attention. An imperial squadron has set forth from Castrum Oriens on a mission to destroy an Alliance communications-jamming device in the South Shroud. If they succeed, Eline Roaille may well abort her secret rendezvous, thus depriving you of the chance to secure damning evidence of her treachery. Make haste to the South Shroud, and seek out the shinobi at Quarrymill who will brief you on the situation.

The shinobi informs you that the advancing imperial squadron is presently near Amdapor Keep. Intercept the Garleans, and destroy their magitek weapons.

You have destroyed all the death claws. Report your success to the shinobi who awaits nearby.

With the imperial squadron defeated, the jamming device is now safe. As such, Eline Roaille will have no choice but to communicate with her accomplices in person. All that remains is to catch her in the act.

Having thwarted the Garleans' attempt to destroy the jamming device, you are now free to resume your pursuit of Eline Roaille. Make your way to the Hawthorne Hut in the East Shroud, and report to Yugiri.

You arrive at the Hawthorne Hut to find that Eline Roaille has already departed for the Bramble Patch. Rendezvous with Yugiri ahead of what promises to be the dramatic conclusion of your hunt.

With the Domans' aid, you have apprehended Eline Roaille in the act of meeting her imperial contact. Her guilt is now surely beyond dispute. Speak with Yugiri to hear her thoughts on the mission.

Yugiri promises to attend to the aftermath of your hunt, leaving you free to report your recent adventures to Minfilia, back at the Rising Stones.

Minfilia is shocked to learn of Eline Roaille's arrest and the accusations that have been brought against her. Setting aside her dismay, she informs you that the Scions have made progress in their quest to gain entry into Iceheart's sanctum.