Previous posts in this series:
Oh boy, folks. My post-Stormblood recap was really long. We're talking eighteen pages of loose leaf paper, both sides, long. That's because I did it while re-watching cutscenes from the journal in my house, so I described everything I could.
I did the same for Shadowbringers, but also discovered that Gamer Escape's wiki had the dialogue for non-cutscene quests. Oh boy. So while working on this, I used both the wiki and in-game scenes and the result is that I have seventeen pages and we've barely gotten started! So I'm dividing my recap into parts. This part deals with searching for the twins.
During the final moments of Stormblood, the Scions had fallen into a slumber they could not be roused from. The slumber was the result of an otherworldly voice crying out to them, which afflicted you, the Warrior of Light, as well. The last time the voice cried out to you occurred as you were fighting Lord Zenos' "imposter". Then, you found yourself transported to a plane in space and speaking with a mysterious robed figure. The figure tells you to go to the Crystal Tower, where he has left a beacon for you. His words suggest the beacon will lead to the First, a planet which is a reflection of your homeland known as the Source.
As Shadowbringers begins, Tataru and the remaining Scions are eager to help you find the beacon, believing it the key to awaken your slumbering friends. They've discovered a path to the base of the Crystal Tower. You ferry across Silvertear Lake and descend the path, and soon find the beacon. Soon after picking it p, the voice calls again, asking you to focus on his voice. Tataru bids you safe journey and asks you to find our friends and bring them home, and all becomes white.
You find yourself floating in space, and crystals of people you know pass by you. A large crystal appears, holding an image of the Oracle of Light -- Minfilia, who gave herself to Hydaelyn. She says, "Your time has not yet come" as her crystal shines with a brilliant light, obliterating the scene.
Next you see a shadowy figure who appears to wield a large axe walking down a path.
You then awaken, and find yourself in a strange purple forest. Soon you stumble upon a merchant, at a campfire with his chocobo. The merchant asks you what brings you to the forest this time of night, causing you to look up at the sky, which is bright as day. The merchant laughs you off, saying it was last a dark night 100 years ago. At your continued confusion, the peddler mentions something about, "They have got to you, huh?" and tells you to head east to the Crystarium, a nearby town.
You walk on, but are ordered to halt as you come to the gates of the town. The gatekeeper says she does not know your face, and that you must answer her questions should you wish to enter.
She first asks, "From where do you hail?" You're given the voices to answer with your starting city (Gridania for me), "The Source", or to remain silent. If you answer the first two, she says, "What is this cryptic nonsense?" She goes on to say she would have let you pass if you had given an honest answer, but since you chose concealment you cannot pass.
She then gets a look of alarm on her face, and you watch as she draws her weapons and rushes by you, striking down a white flying monster. The monster dissipates, and the remains of a hand with a ring on its finger falls to the ground.
You recognize the ring as belonging to the peddler you had met.
Then, the robed figure you had met in the plane in space rushes out of the Crystarium, asking the gatekeep if everything is all right. The gatekeep answers, saying it was just a weak, stray sin eater.
The robed figure, identified in his speech bubble as the Crystal Exarch, says to be on the lookout for more. He then looks at you, smiles, and turns back to the captain, saying, "I see you've met my guest". The captain says, "Another of your mysterious friends, is it? I should have known."
After walking a bit, the Exarch stops, and thanks you for answering his summons. He had intended to bring you directly to his personal quarters, but says his aim was slightly off.
You've given the choice to either ask after the other Scions, or to complain about the trouble the Exarch has caused. I asked after the Scions (got to make sure Alisaie is all right, after all!). He says that is a question without an easy answer, and instead goes on to explain about the glaring skies above. "Here in the First, the world has been all but consumed by primordial Light." It began a century ago, as more than nine-tenths of the star was lost. The sin eater you saw is an abomination born of that catastrophe. He goes on to say that it was to save the First from this menace that he learned to bridge the rift between worlds, so that he might call upon the aid of the greatest of heroes. By saving the First, you would bring salvation to the Source as well. He then says we'll continue the talk in the Crystarium, and walks on, leaving you to look yup at the familiar tower before following him.
You enter the Occular of the Crystal Tower, the Exarch's private study. He cautions that what he is about to tell you would disturb and confuse the residents of the First, and asks you keep that in mind. He then tells you of your fellow Scions. They are here in the First, but as time flows different than it does in the Source, their arrival was not as recent as you might expect. Y'shtola and Urianger have been in the first for three winters, and Thancred for five. Alphinaud and Alisaie have been there for almost a year.
The Exarch says he meant to summon only you, but since the art of reaching across worlds was difficult to master, he managed to grasp those who fates are most closely bound to yours as well. Additionally, their transference was not complete, and although they appear to have bodies, they are merely spirits one can see and touch. Because of this, they are stranded in the First, unable to return to the Source, while your summoning, being more complete, will allow you to pass between worlds with freedom.
At this, you're given the choice between saying, "Then find a way to send them back." and "What have they been doing all this time?" I chose the first. The Exarch says they researched how to send them back, at first, but abandoned the research once Urianger shared a vision he had witnessed during his journey through the rift. Apparently, Urianger saw a future in which the First was rejoined with the Source, bringing about the Eighth Umbral Calamity in which many countless died... including yourself. This vision led the Scions to work towards forestalling the coming catastrophe. It was the Scions who determined that the elimination of the sin eaters would prevent the calamity.
The Exarch then says he would not be surprised if you doubted his tale, and suggests tracking down your comrades to hear the tale from their lips.
Once you tell him he's earned your trust for the moment, he says he will prepare a room for you to rest in, and will show you around the Crystarium.
During the tour, you find out that the money used in the First is also called "gil", and is based on the worth of the metal in the coin, so your gil should work fine for purchases in the First. However, the Exarch recognizes that they can't provide you with everything, and introduces you to Feo Ul, a pixie. You make a pact with her, which allows her to visit the Source and retrieve belongings from your retainers.
Your room now ready, you retire for a time. Your room is large, and features a balcony window. You walk to the window and throw it open, looking out at the gleaming sky. Just then, a voice speaks behind you. "....You...?" it says. You turn to see a figure shrouded in darkness. The darkness evaporates, and a familiar looking man with an axe strapped on his back stands before you. He recognizes you as the Warrior of Light from the Source.
You're given the voice to either say "The Warrior of Darkness...?" or "ANd who are you?" in return. I chose the first option. The man reacts in surprise, shocked that you can hear him. He then identifies himself as Ardbert, and reminds you that is was his comrades and him who caused the Flood. "We thought our home doomed. And so we listened to the Ascians -- let them guide us to the Source, and tried to hasten their godsdamned Ardor. I remember when we fell, defeated by you and yours. I remember our audience with Minfilia -- how she listened to our pleas, and returned our souls to the First." The Flood was about to swallow Norvrandt, but Minfilia along with Ardbert's friends gave everything they had left to hold it back. They faded away afterwards, leaving Ardbert to bear witness.
Ardbert then asks you if you know how much time has passed since the Flood. You tell him it's been 100 years.
He walks to the table and attempts to pick up a cup of water, but his hand passes through it. He's just a glowing shade, and no one can see or hear him except for you. He asks you what you're doing here, and you tell him you were summoned to save the First. He responds that this is a waste of time--the world beyond saving. He wonders why he still exists, and perhaps if he found out, then his journey could come to a close. He tells you to be careful, that this world has had its fill of heroes. He then takes his leave, and you rest a while.
When you awaken, you go to see the Exarch in the Ocular. He asks if you were able to rest , and you're given the option to respond with, "Well enough, thank you." or "I had a ghostly visitor...". I chose the first option. The Exarch says that is good to hear, then speaks of the Scions' whereabouts. The Crystarium lies in the center of Norvrandt, in a region known as Lakeland. To the north is the faerie kingdom of Il Mheg, where you'll find Urianger. To the east lies the once-prosperous civilization of Rak'tika. Y'shtola is stationed there, in the heart of the forest. Each of these regions is difficult to reach, so the Exarch recommends you first seek out one of the twins.
Alphinaud is in Kholusia, an island off the western shore. It is home to a city called Eulmore, where the rich and priveleged while away their days in idleness. Alphinaud has tasks himself with forging alliances.
Alisaie traveled south to the arid wastes of Amh Araeng, which is on the very edge of the inhabitable world where the Flood of Light was halted. Those who dwell there live in constant fear of attack by the sin eaters. Alisaie felt her energies would be better spent learning about the enemy, and so she sells her services as a guard.
The Exarch says it doesn't matter which twin you visit first, just simply tell him when you've decided. At your look of concern, he says you must be wondering about Thancred. Thancred has taken up with "a new companion, and is presently engaged as a wandering hunter of sin eaters." The Exarch says he is certain your paths will cross soon.
So now you must decide which twin to seek out first. THe game assumes you go after Alphinaud (there's a few lines of dialogue later on that weren't written very well and was obviously of the "Alphinaud first" variety), but I chose to go after Alisaie because THAT'S MY GIRL and I wanted to see her again. In a way, I'm glad I did because her story is rather heartbreaking and I don't think it would have had the same impact if I did Alphinaud's first.
To get to Amh Araeng, you'll need to fly there using an Amaro. The Exarch gives you a letter of introduction, which you give to Cassard, who agrees happily to escort you.
Once you arrive in the desert, you set forth, crossing a bridge. Cassard bids you to look back on the structure behind you, and your eyes take in the imposing edifice of Qasr Sharl. You then continue on your journey.
Soon you reach the village of Mord Souq, where you're surprised to see what looks very much like a Kobold. However, the word used for these beastmen of the First is Mord, not Kobold. Mord Souq boasts the largest marketplace in Amh Araeng. Cassard explains that not many visit Amh Araeng by choice, but Mord Souq's a different story. Merchants come from malms around to purchase the relics the Mord dig up.
To get on with the locals, you must purchase on thing from the markets. The Exarch gave Cassard a Voeburt gold piece for you to spend. At hearing this, everyone turns to look in your direction excitedly, and soon surround you, bidding you to spend your gold with them.
Ghen Gen, the Mord you've been talking to, suggests you spend your money at Rhon Ron's place, as there is nothing better for the road than a full belly. Upon talking to Rhon Ron, you're presented with three "delicacies", each one more unappetizing that the rest. I chose what sounded like the most palatable item and purchased it.
Haven eaten, if unwillingly, you continue on in your journey. Your next stop is an Inn, which is little more than some beds in a cavern. It's called an Inn but serves more like a hospital. Alisaie is not to be found inside the Inn, however, and Tesleen, one of the Inn's keepers, suggests you venture out to the watchtower where Alisaie usually begins her patrol.
So you head out to the watchtower, but find only a small set of footprints, which you follow north, then northwest. Just as you wonder how much further you'll have to go, a sin eater emerges from behind a building. Alisaie calls out "Get back here!" AND LEAPS FROM THE TOP OF THE BUILDING! On her way down, she spots you. "Is that...? No, it can't be," she says, before landing with catlike grace and taking out the sin eater with a few swishes of her sword.
Here I pause to *swoon*.
You're then given a choice to say either: "Impressive!" or "You almost lost that one." OF COURSE I CHOSE THE FIRST OPTION. Alisaie says, "Just a lesser sin eater. Nothing to write home about. I knew you'd turn up sooner or later, but I had been hoping for sooner." She's had her back to you, but finally turns and smiles at you, asking, "How are you?" You tell Alisaie about what ocurred after she fell in slumber, and she says, "We've fought them to a standstill, then... The Exarch did say that the Empire seemed to have drawn back when he last looked in on the Source. But without knowing for sure how fast time was passing there, I couldn't help worrying that a lot might have happened since then." After speaking about how relieved the other Scions must be at this news from the Source, she goes on to say, "When I think of how frantic Tataru and the others must be, I want nothing more than to rush back and reassure them. But we still haven't found a way to reverse the summoning. And even if we had, we couldn't just ignore Urianger's vision." She's convinced Urianger did in fact see a vision of the Eighth Umbral Calamity.... and your death. Sher goes on to say, "As much as I might want to go home, I don't want to go home to that. We can't allow the Rejoining to happen, which means we have to save the First from the sin eaters."
She speaks on, about how the Light enveloped the First, all except Norvrandt, then says, "For the most part, living things are composed of aether of various different aspects. But when exposed to such a Flood, their aetheric harmony is shattered and their natural form breaks down. Then they either perish... or are warped into mindless abominations." Sin eaters were once living creatures--or people--that were caught in the path of the Flood. Once the change is wrought, there is no going back. In that instant, they are gripped by an insatiable appetite for aether and will happily gorge themselves on any living thing within reach.
"But even that is not the worst of it," Alisaie says. "The stronger sin eaters can plant Light in us like seeds in soil, corrupting our aether, and triggering the birth of new monstrosities."
And so you learn the truth of the Inn: It's full of the sin eater's victims, left here to spend their final hours waiting for the change to overtake them...
Once back at the Inn, yo help Tesleen tend tot he patients. One is a young boy named Halric, whose time is coming soon. Tesleen then sends you to the market in search of a nectarine, Halric's favorite fruit So you go back to Mord Souq, accompanied by Alisaie.
While at Mord Souq, Alisaie takes you to top of the tower for a private chat. You gaze out on the landscape, where Alisaie points to a hole in the wall left by the Flood. Through the hole you can see what's left of the land touched by the Light: an empty white nothingness. Alisaie reiterates again that life cannot survive the primordial Light, and talks about the nectarine you bought. Tesleen mixes poison in her patient's favorite food when their time is near an end. The patients are all aware this will happen, and Alisaie says in her time here, she's born e witness to a lot of last meals.
She goes on to confide in you, saying, "I feel just as helpless as before. No matter how hard I fight, it's never enough. But it's a war I mean to wage, nonetheless.. speaking of wars, do you remember how I made you promise not to leave me, and then promptly collapsed? Well, let's just say I had a few choice words for the Exarch concerning the timing of his summons... But even if the fault lay with someone else, I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd abandoned you on the battlefield. So I swore that I'd make up for my absence there by making a difference here. And that's what keeps me moving forward... even when things seem hopeless."
After this, you head back to Tesleen to give her the nectarine.
Tesleen is feeling gloomy, but determines not to let her gloom affect her patients. She suggests a meal to lighten the mood. You are treated to a delicious stew. Alisaie comments that Tesleen added something special to the broth, and Tesleen admits she did because of your presence--it's not often they have visitors from the Crystarium. After you ask for a second bowl, she turns back to the fire to warm the stew, then bows her head and says, "In a place like this, you learn to take what moments of happiness you can get." She goes on to tell you she first came to the Inn with her mom, who was showing the early signs of eater corruption. "I knew there was no way to save her, but I just couldn't face what needed to be done. That's the way of it for most people--why they travels for malms to stay here. Beaten, broken souls come to wait out the inevitable. To receive the mercy of a painless death.... It's never easy, ending a life that you've cared for. Even if you believe they go to a better place. I often find myself wishing the Warrior of Darkness would come and do that part for me."
Alisaie hasn't heard of the Warrior of Darkness before, and upon her questioning, Tesleen recites of poem:
Warrior of Darkness, servant of death,
take care of our souls at our dying breath...
Let sinners and eaters of sin go with thee,
That all may return tot he sunless sea.
Alisaie says he sounds rather ominous, but Tesleen responds, "Do you think so? I always liked the idea that he treated every soul the same, even the sin eaters."
Just then, the patients look up to the sky. One says, "They're coming..." A panicked caregiver runs up to Tesleen: Halric has gone missing.
Alisaie suggests splitting up to search for him, so Tesleen heads east, Alisaie goes north and west, leaving you to go south.
During your search, you encounter a ravenous sin eater, but quickly dispose of it. Your search continues. Eventually you meet up with Alisaie. As you wonder where to look next, a large sin eater flies overhead, and you decide to give chase in the hope that the creature might lead you to your quarry.
You finally find it, with Halric standing in front of it. The sin eater raises its sword to strike him, but Tesleen rushes it, cutting off one of the sin eater's wings. Tesleen grabs Halric's hand, telling him, "We have to run!" but the boy just looks at her silently.
Then blood spurts from Tesleen's mouth--the sin eater has stabbed her. Her wound glows with primodial Light.
"We all deserve happiness... wherever we can find it..." she says, and reaches out to Halric. "The time left to you... is precious... No one should die... in pain...."
She calls for her mother. The sin eater removes her sword from Tesleen, and Tesleen screams as the change overtakes her. Halric looks at her blankly as Tesleen turns into an abomination.
The sin eater flies away, and Tesleen, who still has enough sense left in her to say, "Forgive me... Alisaie." then flies away after it. Alisaie falls to her knees in grief.
With Alisaie still reeling from the loss of her friend, it falls to you to console the Inn's surviving carers. Once you do, Alisaie makes it known she plans to leave the Inn and return to the Crystarium:
Cassana: Wait! You're leaving this very moment? I understand how you must feel, but surely this is a bit hasty? Do you even have anywhere to go?
Alisaie: I have a destination in mind, yes. And a purpose. This damned Light, building without cease... It's the reason we can't save those corrupted by the eaters. But what if we corrected the balance? Even if it were only little by little─even if it took years─it would surely make things better.
Willfort: Now, hold on there. Everyone knows there's too much Light, but how could you ever hope to get rid of it? You'd have to change the whole world!
Alisaie: That's right... We should return to the Crystarium. I may not be able to repel the eaters on my own...but I can still use the skills I have gained here to hurt them.
Once you're back at the Crystarium, you can talk to the Exarch to start your search for Alphinaud. The Exarch gives you a folded letter to present to Szem Djenmai, the Master of Beasts at the Rookery. Once you hand over the letter, he agrees not only to provide you with an amaro, but to accompany you on the first leg of your trip.
Upon landing in Kholusia, your guide warns you it is not the wildlife that should concern you, but its people. He also tells you something to help you find Alphinaud. Your search leads you to a small village, where after doing some quests for the local barkeep, she agrees to let you wait in the bar as long as you'd like. Eventually Alphinaud enters. He doesn't notice you at first, asking the barkeep how business is that day. The barkeep responds. "Oh, frenetic. Look, I have a new customer!" You stand, and Alphinaud turns to you and smiles, saying, "I... 'Tis good to see you, my friend." He expressed relief to see you, and upon saying, "Me? I was more worried about you," he responds: "Hah! Alisaie said much the same thing! I don't think I've ever had such a scolding." He then asks you to tell him all that's happened since you last saw each other. You do. He mentions that Tataru must be sick with worry, and that "'Twould be nice to bring her good tidings for a change." You nod to this.
He goes on to say that we must prevent the Eighth Umbral Calamity from happening. By Urianger's description, the catalyst for the Calamity was a formless and deadly weapon employed by the Garlean Empire: Black Rose. Alphinaud says that Gaius had insisted that the Black Rose project had been scrapped, but that they saw evidence that the gas was being made again in their travels in Garlean territory. Destroying the existing stores of Black Rose wouldn't do much to prevent the Calamity, and he says, :"In that sense, our involuntary journey here to the First was something of a boon." They've developed a theory as to how they believe the Rejoining will be set in motion. Urianger could explain in more detail, but Alphinaud can tell you the process requires that both worlds -- the Source and the First -- be facing an existential threat; one being sin eaters, of course.
Alphinaud will not stand idly by while innocent people are slaughtered, and so he came to the gates of Eulmore. Ignoring its pretentions as a kind of capital city to what remains of the world, it is nonetheless a center of power and authority. Alphinaud believes Eulmore has the answers they seek, and asks if you're up for another adventure. You stand and give your traditional "Let them at me!" move, and so you two take to the road once more.
You journey to Gatetown, the village of shacks that lies outside Eulmore's gates. The gate itself is known as the "Open Arms". Gatetown is full of desperate souls eager to be chosen to live in Eulmore.
Just then, a begrimed bloke comes up. Upon spotting you, he says, "Heh heh heh heh.. I'll bet you've a trick or two up your sleeve. Maybe even three! Care to show me?" You take a step back, and Alphinaud steps in front of you, telling the bloke, "She's not here to compete. Leave her be." The bloke says he was only making conversation, and Alphinaud just stares at him in reply.
Then a horn sounds, and a women calls out for attention. The bloke smiles and runs off. Two women dressed as jongleurs stand surrounded by canvas sacks.
Red Jongleur: "Greetings to our hopeful petitioners, one and all! Eulmore extends its warmest regards! Let it be known that a lady of distinction wishes to dine on fish divine!"
Blue Jongleur: "We seek a master culinarian who can guarantee seafood perfection! Dazzle the matron with your delicious dishes, and life in the city will be yours to emjoy. Even on days when fish is not on the menu!"
The villagers all make noise among themselves. You and Alphinaud stand some distance away from the crowd. Alphinaud now speaks: "Do you recall how I said Eulmore was a center of power and authority? Well, that is not the only reason for its fame. It is also known as the 'City of Final Pleasures'. The noble and the wealthy who survived the flood gathered here to live ou the rest of their days in decadent abandon. (...) The only way the commonfolk can enter this perverted paradise is if they fulfill the whim of one of the priveleged. And so they are picked over like market produce..."
A woman then approaches the jongleurs, who examine her with approval. They invite her into the city, and the audience that has gathered cheers.
The jongleurs then open their canvas sacks, and bring out what looks like a lump of bread. Meol, they call it. They pass the meol out to the villagers, who cheer.
Alphinaud has a plan to get into Eulmore: establishing trade with the Ondo, the beast tribe you know as the Sahagin. The Ondo are fond of fresh fruits grown on land, and in exchange for these fruits they have promised ot pay Alphinaud in pearls. "Surely even the most jaded Eulmoran lord woud have time for a merchant who can make pearls from plums and pumpkins?" he says.
His meeting with the Ondo is due in a few hours; he just needs to collect the harvest, and asks for your help, which of course you readily agree to.
So you head to the village of Wright, but when you speak to Alphinaud's supplier, you find the harvest has already been claimed by a blue-haired Mystel (think Mi'Qote) lad who presented himself as Alphinaud's lackey.
The two of you go after the Mystel, and Alphinaud confronts him when you find the him. The lad says he has to get into the city, and begs forgiveness. He has no family, and all his friends have already been chosen. He says he's lucky to get a scent of the meol when it's handed out. "I'm so tired! I'm so bloody hungry! I thought maybe I could steal your idea--get in that way..."
Alphinaud looks off tot he side for a moment, then crosses his arms and asks the Mystel lad for his name, who responds, "Kai-Shirr". "Tell he then, Kai-Shirr--must it be Eulmore or nothing? What of the Crystarium? They may not offer charity, but you would be fairly compensated for any work you did." Kai-Shirr shakes his head and says it has to be Eulmore. You look at Alphinaud, who bows his head and closes his eyes a moment. Then he looks at Kai-Shirr directly, and tells the lad the details of his plan so that Kai-Shirr may make use of it instead.
Kai-Shirr waves and runs off, and Alphinaud's smile fades. "This was but one path--there will be others. But for young Kai-Shirr, it was the difference between life and death. I do not regret my decision... yet I will admit part of me wonders if it was for the best." Alphinaud wonders if he should have forged on regardless of the cost of one man. I chose to respond, "That's not who you are." Alphinaud smiles at you and says, "I suppose not... Were Estinien here, he would most likely scoff at my soft-heartedness. 'Same old Alphinaud. Ever the slave to sentiment.' But I thank you for your kind worlds nonetheless. Let us see to it that both these stories have a happy ending."
Alphinaud suggests returns to Wright, and the two of you head off, but then Alphinaud spots something: what looks like a person laying prone on the beach in the distance. The two of you rush to the person's aid. Alphinaud heals the man's injuries, and soon the man awakens, spluttering, and asking for mercy. Alphinaud assures him that no harm will come to hem here, and set about making a fire to warm the shivering man. The man says, "I thought for certain I was d-dead. How am I ever to repay this kindness?" Alphinaud responds, "We'll settle for the tale behind your current predicament. Why don't you begin by telling us your name?"
Tristol is his name, and he was invited into Eulmore to work as an artist, only to be cast out when the wealthy couple who were his patrons took a dislike to his artistic style. Tristol was brought in front of Lord Vauthry himself, leader of Eulmore. When Vauthry asked him what he meant to do, Tristol told him he wished to leave...so Vauthry had hi8m thrown over the balustrade into the ocean! It's a miracle he wasn't dashed to pieces on the rocks below.
Alphinaud is more determined than ever to enter Eulmore now and see exactly what kind of place it is. Tristol wants to help, even though the thought of sending his saviors into the city sickens him, and he gives Alphinaud his favorite paintbrush. Alphinaud doesn't wish to take his livelihood from him, but Tristol says he has not the heart to paint again. Tristol will make for new lands and a new profession -- and keep the two of you in his prayers until his dying day.
With Tristol's brush in hand, Alphinaud comes up with a new scheme to enter Eulmore: he will pose as a painter, and you his faithful assistant. Surely Tristol's former patrons will be looking for a new artist?
So you return to Gatetown, and your wait isn't long at all before the jongleurs emerge to recruit a new artist. Alphinaud's act passes muster, and soon you are being escorted into the city.
There's several steps you need to go through before you meet your new patrons: you must present yourself to the clerk at the Bureau of Immigration. The immigration officer explains how Eulmore works: the citizens are divided into two classes, the "free" (those blessed with the favor of Lord Vauthry) and the "bonded" who work in the employ of the free You will be joining the ranks of the bonded. Should your patron dismiss you for any reason, you must find another sponsor among the free, or accept work as a general laborer.
Once your immigration papers are approved, it's on to the registration officer, who takes offense at your odor and orders you to bathe. The showers are in the open in a small room. You take your shower and emerge, only to find Alphinaud lurking in the hallway. "Oh, you've showered and dressed already, have you...?" he says. "Is it not--Th-that is to say... Ahem. It seems rather... *exposed* for one's ablutions, does it not...?"
You're given the choice of response:
I chose the third (of course), to which Alphinaud responds, "...Wouldn't she just. Very well.... I shall endeavor to emulate her boldness, then. Courage, Alphinaud!"
(The second response is also humorous. Upon mentioning Estinien, Alphinaud responds: "Good gods... You will mention nothing of this! Swear to me!")
After showering, you make your way to the Canopy, the uppermost level of Eulmore, where you meet a Mystel couple named the Chais. Alphinaud introduces himself and you, referring to you as being like a family member: the two of you have stood together through life's travails. He also asks the CHais if you can explore the city while Alphinaud is painting, for your assistance is only needed at the beginning stages of his work. Permission granted, you set out and explore.
Your first task is to explore the Canopy. You soon come across an amiable maiden who's looking for her lost attendant. Seems she dropped her handkerchief and he's off searching for it. She asks if you see him to tell him to forget the handkerchidf and return to her, for she's getting lonely.
You venture out to the Skyfront - the open-air pathway that encircles the Canopy - and soon discover a man hanging off the railing, holding on for dear life. You rescue him and pull him over the railing. Seems this is the missing attendant, who had tried to reach the lost handkerchief which had caught on a edge over the railing.
You ask him why he would risk his life over something as small as a scrap of cloth, and in reply he waxes poetic about his mistress and the citizens of Eulmore: "The residents alol treat each other with warmth and respect. My mistress haws been ever so kind to me."
Upon telling the attendant that his patron was getting lonely, he rushes off to her. You follow, and the mistress thanks you for your assistance. She too tells you about Eulmore: the free surrender their belongings upon registration, giving them over to the city. In return, they are provided with ample funds and commodities to live a life of pampered luxury.
The maiden then says she hopes she hasn't interfered with your duties. You tell her you're on a tour of the city, and she suggests visiting the Beehive and speaking to Tista-Bie. The Beehive is a club complete with pole dancers. You find Tista-Bie sitting near the entrance, and she challenges you to a card game where you have to guess whether the total of your cards is higher or lower than hers. Upon you winning, she shares some knowledge of Eulmore with you: "In my humble estimation, the most wondrous thing about this town is how safe we are from the sin eaters. They say Lord Vauthry was born with the power to command them--which means no Eulmoran need ever raise a weapon in defense of the city."
She then suggests talking to Atharn, who's sitting nearby. Atharn orders you to dance on the stage first before he will talk, so you do. He then tells you Eulmore wasn't always so peaceful: "The Eulmoran Army may be the very essence of military might, but even our forces saw greivious losses in the war against the sin eaters. Things changed for us, oh, around 20 years ago now, when the old ruler's son came to power! He's got this way with the eaters, you see--turns them docile as house cats. I wouldn't be exaggerating to say they've become something of an ally to Eulmore."
You return to Alphinaud then, to find Dulia-Chai (the wife of the couple) has been treating him like a dress-up doll: he's in entirely new clothing. Alphinaud bids you continue to explore the city some more while Dulia-Chais continues dressing him.
So you head to the next layer down, which houses the military HQ. There, you find a weeping young lady in a cell. Sher's one of the bonded--a singer, but her throat is irritated and she can't sing. She begs for your help, asking you to go to the Derelicts and describe her condition to one Thoarich there.
Your talk with Thoarich is horrifying. He has no0thign to cure the songbird's ailment, suggesting it is a "lump ibn her throat that must be cut out". He then goes on to ponder, "Will they kick her from the nest, I wonder? Or simply silence her chirps?" From his words, it appears that Eulmore simply kills those that are of no use to them.
You return to the warbler empty-handed. Her patron soon arrives. He frets that she's been suffering al this time, and says he can talk to Lord Vauthry and arrange for her "ascension: To that paradise where resides neither pain nor illness."
At your questioning, the patron explains further: "As all know, the sin eaters exist to devour the sinful. But also do they serve to gather the souls of the innocent, and shepherd them to celestial paradise. It is through Lord Vauthry that we learned this truth. (...) We are blessed to spend our days surrounded by love and merriment, until at last we are called to our final rapture."
You return to Alphinaud again, and share your findings while the Chais are distracted. Alphinaud does not like what he hears, and wonders what happened to all the citizens who've entered Eulmore over the years.
Just then, Chai-Nuzz (the husband) interrupts your "chattering" and demands to see the outline Alphinaud has sketched. Chai-Nuzz is most displeased with Alphinaud's realistic painting, saying he wanted "perfection, not realism." He's just telling Alphinaud to fetch a blank canvas when a scream sounds, and the jongleurs announce that "there was a villain on the loose, set to ruin our fair city... But our lord has got him now, and his fate will not be pretty!" The jongleurs invite the crowd to the Offer--the level above the Canopy where Vauthry resides--to see justice being served. You and Alphinaud join the crowd.
Lord Vauthry is a grotesque of a man, sitting on a throne with docile sin eaters around him. A voice asks for mercy, and you and Alphinaud move to the front of the crowd to see Kai-Shirr, the blue-haired Mystel lad, on his knees, hunched and bloodied, a knife laying before him. The two of you run to help him.
Vauthry calls you impudent louts and questions who you are. Alphinaud stands and addresses Vauthry directly, questioning him as to "why this poor man's bleeding to death on your floor?"
Vauthry responds that "Criminals must be punished, and this man is guilty of fraud... (...) Eulmore is a city built on love for one's fellow man. Those who have naught to give and live only to take are a blight upon our society! To atone for this crime, I ordered that he fling himself from the balcony." When Kai-Shirr pleaded not to do that, Vauthry "offered" him another way to show his contrition. Alphinaud asks what exactly Vauthry means. Vauthry then says, "Sin eaters are part of Eulmore's society. But the must be fed with aether--living aether. So--I demanded an offering of flesh! Carved by his own hand, from his own hide!" Vauthry rages that Kai-Shirr still could not do as asked. You get a grr-face, but Alphinaud steps forward calmly. "'Tis true that Kai-Shirr won his place here by fraud. But his actions where driven only by a desire to share in your paradise." Alphinaud then speaks passionately: "That you would cast him out I could almost accept, but to humiliate him thus? To demand his very life!? Is this truly the way of Eulmore!?"
The crowd looks on impassively.
Vauthry goes on, explaining that his actions are necessary to have a life of peace. "The knowledge that if one abides by the rules, one has naught to fear," he says. "I alone can control the sin eaters. And thus am I alone the voice of justice--and any who oppose me villains to be punished!"
The crowd claps at this. You clench your fists, grr-face on, and take a step forward but Alphinaud stops you. "And people call this paradise..." he says in a low voice.
Vauthry then asks Alphinaud what skill he possesses that granted him a place in the city. When Alphinaud answers, Vauthry demands Alphinaud paint a picture of Eulmore for him. "If I find your art pleasing, then I may excuse this display of insolence."
Alphinaud just looks at Vauthry, and ignores him. He turns to Kai-Shirr, kneels down next to the Mystel, and begins healing his wounds. You assist. Vauthry rages at this, btu you ignore him. Once Kai-Shirr is healed, Alphinaud stands, and, looking over his shoulder, tells Vauthry, "What you need is a mirror, not a painting. It will capture the horror I see before me far better than I ever could."
Vauthry just stares. Alphinaud helps Kai-Shirr up and escorts him from the room, you in tow. It's only then that Vauthry reacts: "Did... did that little worm just insult me?" Then he flies into a rage. "I'll kill them! I'll kill them on! I'll enslave their minds!" The crows looks on, still impassive.
In his anger, Alphinaud marched the three of you outside. He says, "It is probably best we leave the island altogether, I believe we've worn out our welcome in Eulmore. In any case, I've seen enough of the world's self-proclaimed 'capital city' to convince me that our battle against the sin eaters will find few allies in Kholusia. I will accompany you back to the Crystarium. We need to regroup and think on our strategy anew."
He then turns to Kai-Shirr and tells him he's done the lad a great disservice. Kai-Shirr says, :It was me who made a mess of things, not you." Alphinaud suggests he come back to the Crystarium with you, but Kai-Shirr says, "No... that would just be leaning on your kindness again." Kai-Shirr says he needs to stand on his own two feet. Alphinaud asks him to be careful.
It's then that Dulia-Chair comes running up, calling Alphinaud's name, her husband in tow. Chai-Nuzz asks Alphinaud, "What in the blazes did you do!? They have the entire city looking for you!", but Dulia-Chai ignores this, saying, "I took a peek at your unfinished portrait. (...) It was as if you had caught the very essence of our love, and rendered it naked upon the canvas. It was bold, unflinching, and I adored it." She wants Alphinaud to return and finish the portrait, but he says, "I am sorry, Lady Chai. There are more important matters to which I must attend." Dulia-Chai says she will smooth things out with the guards so you can slip out the gate, and makes Alphinaud promise to visit and finish her painting some dya.
And with that, your return to the Crystarium, where you reunite with Alisaie and tell the Exarch of all you've discovered.