First Impressions

Main story quest #45, level 20. 117th of 173 in play order.

Quest giver: Rolfe Hawthorne, East Shroud (X 16.7, Y 27.1).

Next: First Contact ›

Steps

Speak with Rosa Hawthorne.
Use amber syrup on the curious tussock and slay the ochu.
Present the milkroot to Rolfe Hawthorne.

Journal

Rolfe Hawthorne would share further knowledge to assist you in befriending the sylphs.
Rolfe tells you that it would be unwise to greet the sylphs without a proper gift, but he has trouble remembering exactly what that gift should be. However, it is possible that his wife, Rosa, can tell you. Speak with her at Fullflower Comb to see what she has to say.
Though she does not fully understand why, Rosa informs you that the sylphs are said to be quite fond of milkroot, which can be obtained from ochus. In order to find one such ochu, take the amber syrup given to you by Rosa and pour it on the curious tussock in the Honey Yard. Once uncovered, slay the ochu, and pray that you find some milkroot among its remains.
Your prayers have been answered, and you have the milkroot in your possession. Take your prize back to Rolfe at the Hawthorne Hut to ensure that it is indeed a suitable offering for the sylphs.
Rolfe immediately recognizes the milkroot upon your presentation of it, and is sure that the sylphs will appreciate the offering. Just take care not to inhale too many of the fumes yourself before giving it to the sylphs.

Hidden

FF nod The ochu is a plant monster that keeps coming back in Final Fantasy. It first appeared in the very first game.

In-game text The

Amber Syrup's item text says it is made to help seedkin grow faster. Rosa calls the ochu a seedkin, which is why the

syrup draws it out of the grass.

Characters 1

Rolfe Hawthorne
Rolfe Hawthorne has one more tip on befriending the sylphs, if he can remember it.
What you know from earlier quests 2
- #115 We Come in Peace: Amelain names Rolfe as the master of the Hawthorne Hut. Amelain says Rolfe knows much more about the sylphs and should have the answers you seek.
- #116 Sylphic Studies: Rolfe is the head of the Hawthorne family of beekeepers and a former adventurer. His memory fails him, so he sends you to people who heard his stories. Your retold tales bring it back: dancing is how sylphs greet.

What happens in this quest spoilers for this quest

Rolfe Hawthorne: Rolfe says sylphs dislike guests who arrive empty-handed, but forgets the right gift and sends you to his wife Rosa. He knows the milkroot at once, compares it to mead, and starts to feel woozy from its smell.

Dialogue 9 lines

Accepting the quest

Rolfe

Oh, still here, eh? Great! There's one more thing you should know about the sylphs. They don't take kindly to guests who show up empty-handed. To earn their trust, you'd do well to bring along a...a... Uh...

FR Mais j'avoue que je ne saurais pas trop quoi vous conseiller... ‘But I admit I wouldn't really know what to advise you...’ English has Rolfe trail off, unable to recall the gift; French has him admit he would not know what to advise.
JA とはいえ、オレはシルフ族の好みは知らなくてな……。 ‘That said, I don't know what sylphs like...’ English has Rolfe trail off, unable to recall the gift; Japanese has him admit he does not know sylph tastes.

Drat! What was it, again? And my wife Rosa and I were just speaking of the matter not days ago...

FR Vous savez comment sont les bonnes femmes, avec les cadeaux... ‘You know how the ladies are with gifts...’ English recalls discussing the gift with Rosa days ago; French jokes about how women are with gifts.

Forgive me, friend. Speak to Rosa at the Comb─her memory should prove more reliable than mine own.

FR Je pense qu'elle connaît bien les goûts de ces petites créatures, elle qui doit toujours protéger ses ruchers de leurs farces ! ‘I think she knows the tastes of these little creatures well, she who always has to protect her hives from their pranks!’ English says Rosa's memory beats his; French says she knows sylphs from guarding her hives against their pranks.
JA 蜂箱にイタズラをされないために、シルフ族の生態についてかなり詳しく調べてたはずさ。 ‘To keep them from pranking the beehives, she must have researched the sylphs' habits quite thoroughly.’ English says Rosa's memory beats his; Japanese says she studied sylphs to protect her beehives from pranks.

Speak with Rosa Hawthorne.

Rosa

A peace offering for the sylphs? Were it anyone else, I'd recommend a jar of honey, but I fear that wouldn't get you past their front doorstep, dear. No, their tastes run more to the unusual.

Are you, perchance, familiar with milkroot? That's what we call the root of that most fiendish seedkin, the ochu. When chewed, it exudes a cloudy liquid that's said to induce curious visions in the imbiber. You'd not catch me dead trying the stuff, but the sylphs seem to enjoy it to no end.

FR Les Sylphes raffolent de leur jus blanc, ça a le don de les émoustiller. ‘The sylphs are crazy about their white juice; it has a knack for getting them excited.’ English says the liquid induces curious visions; French says it gets the sylphs excited.
JA 噛むと出てくる白い液が、彼らの気分を高揚させるの。 ‘The white liquid that comes out when you chew it lifts their spirits.’ English says the liquid induces curious visions; Japanese says it lifts the sylphs' mood.

I've not seen an ochu around the Comb in quite some time, but I did encounter a suspicious clump of grass the other day. Were you to stimulate it somehow─with some of this amber syrup, for example─you might be surprised at what comes out. Good luck.

DE Wenn du das ein wenig beleben könntest - zum Beispiel mit flüssigem Dünger, erlebst du womöglich eine interessante Überraschung. ‘If you could liven it up a little - for example with liquid fertilizer, you might get an interesting surprise.’ English suggests using amber syrup; German suggests liquid fertilizer.

Present the milkroot to Rolfe Hawthorne.

Rolfe

Ah, you're back. Was my wife able to direct you to a suitable offering?

Milkroot! But of course! Those sylphs quaff that cloudy stuff as quick as I do a flagon of mead. The effect's just about the same, as well.

FR Quoi ? ‘What?’ English has Rolfe recognize milkroot with delight; French has him react with dismayed surprise.
JA げ……ミ、……！？ ‘Ugh... M-...!?’ English has Rolfe recognize milkroot with delight; Japanese has him react with disgust.

Anyroad, a gift of milkroot will have the sylphs calling you friend and sister/brother the moment they lay eyes on it. Now let me wrap that up for you─I'm startin' to feel a bit woozy...

FR Mieux vaut dissimuler cette odeur infâme... ‘Better to hide this vile smell...’ English says the fumes are making Rolfe woozy; French says the smell is vile and must be hidden.
JA ……いや、包ませてくれ……臭いがきついからな。 ‘...No, let me wrap it... the smell is that strong.’ English says the fumes are making Rolfe woozy; Japanese says the smell is too strong.