Forest Friend

Main story quest #48, level 21. 120th of 173 in play order.

Quest giver: Papalymo, East Shroud (X 21.9, Y 25.6).

Next: Presence of the Enemy ›

Steps

Consult with Imedia.
Slay a ziz gorlin.
Slay a gall gnat.
Obtain brownie brushes.
Report to Komuxio at Little Solace.

Journal

Papalymo has a notion of how you might endear yourself to the sylphs of Little Solace.
Papalymo believes that offering aid to the troubled sylphs in Little Solace would go far toward earning their trust. As the sylphs are not wont to share their troubles with outsiders, seek the advice of Hearer Imedia.
As Imedia would tell it, the sylphs live in constant fear of attacks by ill-tempered forest creatures. She bids you slay a ziz gorlin and a gall gnat, that the residents of Little Solace might rest easy, and suggests that procuring three brownie brushes in the process would also go far to curry the sylphs' favor.
You have dispatched the invasive fauna, and obtained brownie brushes for the sylphs. Report to Komuxio of Little Solace and impress upon him your good intentions.
Komuxio expresses gratitude for your efforts on behalf of Little Solace. It would seem the sylphs have begun to warm to your presence, albeit gradually.

Hidden

Easter egg Brownies come from Scottish folklore. There they are small house spirits who do chores at night while people sleep.

In-game text The

Brownie Brush item text tells of brownies, tiny folk said to have once lived in Eorzea. They painted their faces for battle with this mushroom's spores.

Characters 3

Papalymo
Papalymo has a plan to help you win the trust of the sylphs at Little Solace.
What you know from earlier quests 6
- #97 Into a Copper Hell: Papalymo has watched you since you left Gridania: you served well as envoy and helped people without pay. Papalymo offers to explain your visions, mentions a friend with the same gift, and asks you to join their cause. Momodi knows where to find them.
- #99 The Scions of the Seventh Dawn: In one version of this scene, you come at the request of Yda and Papalymo, and Tataru is startled to hear their names.
- #100 A Wild Rose by Any Other Name: Papalymo is an Archon, one of the Sharlayan scholars who stayed to protect Eorzea. He watches over the Twelveswood with Yda. He was confident you would help, and he calls Thancred their man in Ul'dah.
- #114 Sylph-management: Papalymo explains that the sylphs worship the primal Ramuh but seem unable to summon it now. He warns the threat may not be over, and notes that Gridania is busy fighting Garuda. He agrees to go, reminding Yda it is "Us, Yda. Us!"
- #115 We Come in Peace: Papalymo agrees it is better to be safe than sorry about Ramuh. He expects a pleasant chat with the sylphs and knows the ferry from Westshore Pier goes to the Hawthorne Hut.
- #118 First Contact: Papalymo tells Komuxio they want to meet the elder and learn about Ramuh. He protests that your letter is an oath of peace. Baffled, he thinks recent events have made the sylphs wary and suggests asking around.
Komuxio
Komuxio still does not fully trust you, even after your dancing.
What you know from earlier quests 1
- #118 First Contact: Komuxio distrusts strangers until you dance for him. He loves the milkroot and agrees to pass on the letter. When Yda and Papalymo arrive as envoys from Gridania, he feels tricked, refuses, and says the elder has no words for Gridania.
Imedia
Hearer Imedia is a Gridanian who lives at Little Solace and knows the sylphs' troubles best.

What happens in this quest spoilers for this quest

Papalymo says tales of good deeds spread fast. The sylphs of Little Solace were driven from their home, so he suggests easing their troubles. Since sylphs rarely share worries with outsiders, he sends you to Hearer Imedia.
Komuxio is pleased with the brownie brushes, since he can dye thread again. He hates the biting, buzzing beasts you killed. He admits few visitors are this friendly and thinks he was wrong not to trust you.
Imedia is glad to see a gentle-hearted adventurer. She explains that Little Solace is a temporary camp with weak defenses, so beasts roam in. She asks you to slay a ziz gorlin and a gall gnat and gather brownie brushes.

Dialogue 14 lines

Accepting the quest

Papalymo

[name]. As an adventurer, you're no stranger to helping distressed folk, I'd wager.

Tales of good deeds are quick to spread. The adventurer who comes to the aid of the local populace can go from stranger to hero o'ernight.

No doubt you see what I'm getting at. The sylphs who make their home in Little Solace do so having been driven from their woodland home. Surely, they have their fair share of troubles.

Seek out troubled sylphs, and see what might be done to ease their worries. A sound plan, would you not say?

That said, the sylphs are not known to share their worries with outsiders. You would be better off inquiring with Hearer Imedia; of the Gridanians who reside here, she is most like to be privy to the sylphs' troubles.

Consult with Imedia.

Imedia

Praise be to the elementals─I cannot express how happy I am to see an adventurer with a truly gentle heart. The sylphs of Little Solace are sorely in need of aid. Pray hear me out.

Being a temporary settlement, Little Solace wants for amenities, not least a stout set of defenses. Consequently, beasts from malms around are free to wander in and terrorize the hapless residents.

The ziz gorlins and gall gnats that roam these parts are especially troublesome, but slaying one of each should serve as a warning to the rest.

Furthermore, perhaps you could gather three brownie brushes as well. They play an important role in sylphic culture─I do not claim to know the details─and what with such feral beasts prowling the forests, they are not easily come by.

When you are done with the deeds, seek out Komuxio. He is slow to warm to outsiders, but your good intentions will not be lost on him. My own experience speaks to this.

Report to Komuxio at Little Solace.

Komuxio

Dancing one is still here? Dancing one can dance all night/day─this one's trust is not so easily earned.

Hm? Dancing one brings brownie brushes for this one? This one can dye thread once more. This one is pleased.

Dancing one kills bitey, buzzy one? This one hates, hates, hates bitey, buzzy ones! Dancing one is kind... Too kind.

Many walking ones come to these ones' abode, but few are friendly like dancing one. Perhaps this one was wrong not to trust dancing one, after all.