Lord of the Inferno

Main story quest #38, level 20. 108th of 173 in play order.

Quest giver: Minfilia, The Waking Sands (X 6.9, Y 6.1).

Next: Pincer Maneuver ›

Steps

Report to the flame sergeant at Camp Drybone.
Lie in wait at the Invisible City.
Speak with the flame sergeant.
Confront Ifrit in the Bowl of Embers.
Speak with Thancred at Camp Drybone.
Report to the Scion of the Seventh Dawn at the Waking Sands.

Journal

Minfilia would like you to assist the Immortal Flames.
In a bid to learn the whereabouts of the abductees, the Immortal Flames have devised a plan to capture Amalj'aa, using the false priest Ungust as bait. Minfilia bids you take part in the operation as the Scions' representative. Head for Camp Drybone and assemble with the Flames.
You have been briefed on the details of the operation. The Flames anticipate that the Amalj'aa will offer fierce resistance, and you are urged to prepare accordingly. When you are ready, proceed to the Invisible City, and lie in wait at the designated location.
Mere moments after surrounding the enemy, you learn that there is a traitor in the ranks, and are swiftly subdued. After an indeterminate amount of time, you awake to find yourself imprisoned within an Amalj'aa stronghold, along with the Flames. Speak with them to ascertain the situation.
It appears the Amalj'aa mean to make an offering of you and your companions to their primal, Ifrit. If it must end, let it be with weapon in hand. Wait for the right moment, and strike back at the beastmen. ※Challenge the Bowl of Embers with other players via the Duty Finder, or with a party of NPCs via Duty Support. Both systems are accessible from the main menu as well as the trial's entrance point.
It would appear that Ifrit has the power to bind mortals to his will, but for reasons yet unknown you are immune to his influence. Having failed to make you his minion, Ifrit elects to exterminate you instead, only to find himself outmatched. Quite how you found the strength to resist the godlike being is a question for another time. For now, make your way back to Camp Drybone, and speak with Thancred.
Having lavished you with praise, Thancred takes his leave to return to the Waking Sands. Minfilia will be eager to hear back from you as well. Report to her at the earliest opportunity.
At the Waking Sands, Minfilia and Thancred take turns bombarding you with information, explaining to you how the crystal robbery and the abductions served to advance Ifrit's cause. Thancred then reveals a disturbing truth: in order to prevent the primal from gaining strength, his “tempered” victims must be put to death. Though this revelation casts a grim shadow over your victory, you find yourself more determined than ever to play your part as a Scion.

Hidden

Lore Thancred's

last line names Louisoix

. Louisoix Leveilleur founded the Circle of Knowing, a group of twelve of his pupils, and Thancred was one of them.

Spoiler about later in the story

Foreshadowing As he falls, Ifrit says 'the blessing of Light' still shields you. Minfilia can only say it is 'as though a greater power protects us'. Remember the words Ifrit uses for that power.

Spoiler about later in the story

Foreshadowing Ifrit says 'the Paragons' warned him about your kind, and calls you one of 'the godless blessed'. The quest never says who the Paragons are. Remember the name.

Spoiler about later in the story

Foreshadowing The short scene with Nero and Livia shows Garleans measuring Ifrit with an old meter. Remember these two, the 'VIIth Legion' they name, and the 'troubles at court' back in their motherland.

Characters 8

Glazrael
Glazrael is someone you have met before. Nothing at the start of this quest shows where Glazrael is.
What you know from earlier quests 2
- #3 Suspiciously Sober: Glazrael thanks you and promises to have her captain put the Yellowjackets, the city guard, on high alert. She sends you to warn Frydwyb, who deals with many adventurers. She also explains the Octant is named after a navigation tool invented by Jovanni Gnonno.
- #69 Feint and Strike: Glazrael is fed up with the pirates' "feint after bloody feint." In the fight, Glazrael battles beside you, eager to "split some heads," and urges you to keep pummeling the masked mage.
Louisoix Leveilleur
Louisoix Leveilleur is a name you have heard before. He does not appear in person in this quest.
What you know from earlier quests 5
- #47 Just Deserts: Y'shtola says the rising seas and the falling lesser moon are as Louisoix foretold. He called on the Twelve, Eorzea's guardian gods, to prevent the Seventh Umbral Era (an age of calamity), then vanished in a blinding light.
- #71 A Mizzenmast Repast: Your vision of the final moments of the Battle of Carteneau also shows Louisoix.
- #73 The Lominsan Envoy: Kan-E-Senna calls him Archon Louisoix. She says he might have explained the mysteries of Carteneau, but like so many, he never returned from that battle.
- #99 The Scions of the Seventh Dawn: Minfilia says you came back after five long years, just as Louisoix said you would. She hopes he is watching, and that he may now rest in peace, his mission fulfilled.
- #100 A Wild Rose by Any Other Name: Minfilia mentions Louisoix. She believes the power he called upon to save your life is the likely reason no one remembers you.
Nero tol Scaeva
Nero tol Scaeva is someone you have met before. As this quest begins, there is no word of where he is.
What you know from earlier quests 1
- #73 The Lominsan Envoy: Nero appears among the imperials in a scene alongside Gaius van Baelsar, and mumbles about someone called "Garlond."
Ungust
Ungust, the false priest, has been caught. The Immortal Flames plan to use him as bait to trap the Amalj'aa he deals with.
What you know from earlier quests 4
- #97 Into a Copper Hell: He accuses a poor refugee woman of stealing dodo meat and sneers at refugees. He offers to spare her if she serves him "in whatever capacity" he wants. He sets his bodyguards on you. When witnesses say she bought it, he backs down.
- #102 What Poor People Think: Ungust angrily recognizes you as the adventurer who threatened him in Ul'dah. Born in Drybone and raised in the Golden Bazaar, he brags about tricking locals into hard labor. He shrugs off the disappearances, saying the missing simply moved away.
- #103 A Proper Burial: Thancred says he spoke with Ungust many times, and sees some truth in the idea that the commonfolk tell secrets only to those who serve the gods.
- #106 Dressed to Deceive: Ungust is the false priest. To spare the Golden Bazaar from raids, he dealt with the Amalj'aa, leaking crystal shipment times from the Nanawa Mines and luring the poor to them. He admits the coin was good and blames you or the gods.
Thancred
Thancred is away on another matter as this quest begins. He sends word through Minfilia that you should "save some for him."
What you know from earlier quests 7
- #97 Into a Copper Hell: Thancred has watched you since you left Ul'dah and praises your work as envoy and your selflessness, though the rescue was a happy accident. Thancred asks about your visions, knows a woman with the same talent, and invites you to join the Scions.
- #99 The Scions of the Seventh Dawn: In one version of this scene, you come at Thancred's request, and Tataru is startled to hear the name.
- #100 A Wild Rose by Any Other Name: Thancred is an Archon, a charming bard, and the Scions' man in Ul'dah. He explains the caravan robbery and the missing people, which point to the Amalj'aa, worshipers of the primal Ifrit. He sends you to Isembard at Camp Drybone.
- #103 A Proper Burial: Thancred meets Isembard at Camp Drybone. He spoke with Ungust many times. He suspects Sister Ourcen, since people confess to her behind closed doors. Ourcen heard he took offense at the lichkeeper Marques, and he thinks he has seen that face before.
- #104 For the Children: Isembard says Ourcen's risky search for an orphan's keepsake is not the kind of evil deed Thancred would have them believe.
- #105 Amalj'aa Wrong Places: Thancred admits his suspicion of Ourcen was misplaced. While following her, he tracked a band of Amalj'aa to their camp, but he asks you to search inside. He finds the leaflet badly written and thinks the culprit poses as a priest.
- #106 Dressed to Deceive: Thancred plans for you both to pose as poor vagrants. At the pond north of Sandgate he unmasks the false priest as Ungust. He scorns Ungust for trading lives for coin, questions him, and stays to learn more while you report to Minfilia.
Minfilia
Minfilia has word from Thancred: Ungust, the false priest, has talked. She asks you to help the Immortal Flames ambush the Amalj'aa, as the Scions' only representative.
What you know from earlier quests 5
- #99 The Scions of the Seventh Dawn: She welcomes you home after five years, as Louisoix said. The Scions protect Eorzea from the primals, godlike beings. Your power, the Echo, shows people's pasts and lets you understand any speech. She has it too, asks your help, and shares the password "wild rose."
- #100 A Wild Rose by Any Other Name: Minfilia welcomes you to the Scions and introduces its leaders. She thinks people forget you because of the power Louisoix used to save your life. She asks you to lead an investigation into crimes in Ul'dah that may involve a primal, a godlike being.
- #101 Unsolved Mystery: Isembard says Minfilia names the Amalj'aa as the culprits behind the disappearances, so he advises you to look into them first.
- #106 Dressed to Deceive: Thancred sends you to report to Minfilia. She praises your work and says only the Amalj'aa know where the abducted were taken. She fears blood must be spilled before this is over.
- #107 Life, Materia and Everything: Minfilia lends you a dagger to take to Mutamix. She admires how much one piece of materia improves it, and urges you to use materia, since good gear can decide victory or defeat. She then turns to your next mission.
Adala
Adala is new to you in this quest. Little is said about who Adala is.
Raubahn
What you know from earlier quests 2
- #71 A Mizzenmast Repast: You glimpse Raubahn in your vision of the final moments of the Battle of Carteneau, which comes to you as Merlwyb tells of the Warriors of Light.
- #73 The Lominsan Envoy: Raubahn Aldynn is General of Ul'dah's Immortal Flames. You remind him of an old comrade. He says wolves, like the Garleans, cannot be tamed, fears Legatus Gaius van Baelsar could strike, calls the realm "an alliance in name only," and backs Merlwyb's memorial.

What happens in this quest spoilers for this quest

Glazrael speaks only once, in a deadly fight, crying out a last message: "Tell my daughter...I love her..." So Glazrael has a daughter and fears not living through it.
Louisoix Leveilleur: Thinking of the tempered captives who must die, Thancred says Louisoix "would never have allowed this to happen." Thancred compares himself to Louisoix and feels he falls short.
Nero tol Scaeva: Nero took readings of Ifrit with an old meter and calls the primal a disappointment. With Livia, he says they reached their main objective. Your strength troubles him, as it may hinder their plans. Livia warns him to obey her lord.
Ungust turns the ambush into a trap: a traitor in the Flames fed him their plans. Then the Amalj'aa break their deal and drag him to their rite too, and he begs for mercy. After that, he still laughs and taunts.
Thancred arrives late, after fighting Amalj'aa zealots, and blames himself for leaving you alone. He praises your win over Ifrit. Then he tells you the truth: the tempered captives must be put to death. Alone, he swears to be stronger.
Minfilia is relieved to see you safe. With Thancred, she explains that primals feed on crystals and worship. She says those with the Echo, like you, cannot be tempered, or forced to serve a primal. She leaves out the captives' fate.
Adala speaks once, around the time you and the Flames are prisoners of the Amalj'aa. Adala asks in surprise if someone means to rescue "our comrades", so Adala cares about the captured soldiers.

Dialogue 154 lines

Accepting the quest

Minfilia

Word has arrived from Thancred concerning our ongoing investigation.

Filthy traitors! When I get my hands on you...

JA やるしかないのか！ ‘Damn it! Is there nothing for it but to fight?!’ English threatens the traitors; Japanese asks whether there is no choice but to fight.

N-Not here...not like this...

Arrrgh!

Glazrael

Tell my daughter...I love her...

FR Tenez bon ! Adieu... ‘Hold on! Farewell...’ English asks someone to tell his daughter he loves her; French says "Hold on! Farewell".
JA あとは頼む……！ ‘I leave the rest to you...!’ English asks someone to tell his daughter he loves her; Japanese says "I leave the rest to you".

Ifrit

My flames shall consume thy flesh and soul both!

Succumb to the Inferno!

JA されど我が敵にあらず！ ‘A hard-fought struggle... yet thou art no foe of mine!’ English orders them to succumb to the Inferno; Japanese says despite their struggle they are no match for him.

Surrender thyself to the fires of judgment!

Thy soul shall burn for all eternity!

Thou art strong, mortal!

Such energies have I spent...yet the blessing of Light shieldeth thee still...

Another wave! Stay sharp, men!

Godsdammit, is there no end to them!?

We mustn't give up!

JA このままでは…… ‘At this rate...’ English urges not giving up; Japanese only trails off in despair, "at this rate...".

Gods have mercy...

FR Ce sale traître... ‘That dirty traitor...’ English prays for the gods' mercy; French curses the dirty traitor.
JA くそっ……国賊が……！ ‘Damn... that traitor...!’ English prays for the gods' mercy; Japanese curses the traitor.

Minfilia

It appears he was able to extract some information from our friend Ungust, the false priest.

He revealed that he is due to meet with the Amalj'aa to discuss their dealings.

The Immortal Flames believe that the meeting will present an ideal opportunity to ambush and capture the Amalj'aa responsible for the abductions, and so they mean to have Ungust attend as planned.

As the Amalj'aa are anticipated to offer fierce resistance, the Immortal Flames have requested our support.

I would have you provide it to them, [name]. Thancred is presently attending to another matter, but will join you as soon as he is able. Until such time as he does, you will be the Scions' sole representative on the ground.

Before he left, he bade me tell you to “save some for him.” Such is his confidence in you─a confidence I share.

DE Und nicht nur das - falls wir diese Mission erfolgreich bewältigen, könnten wir auch der Lösung des Primae-Problems um einen bedeutenden Schritt nähergekommen sein. ‘And not only that - if we succeed in this mission, we could also have come a significant step closer to solving the primal problem.’ English relays Thancred's request to "save some for him"; German says success could bring them closer to solving the primal problem.

When you have made ready, pray take yourself to Camp Drybone and report to the flame sergeant leading the mission. May you walk in the light of the Crystal.

Ah, you're [name] of the Scions? My thanks for coming, friend. We're stronger for your assistance.

FR Dépêchez-vous, l'opération est sur le point de commencer. ‘Hurry, the operation is about to begin.’ English says your help makes them stronger; French tells you to hurry because the operation is about to start.
DE Nicht gerade ein mächtiges Aufgebot, oder wie siehst du das? ‘Not exactly a mighty force, or how do you see it?’ English thanks you and says they are stronger for your help; German mocks that you are not much of a force.
JA 待っていたぞ、作戦開始まであまり時間がないのでな。 ‘We've been waiting for you, as there is not much time before the operation starts.’ English says your help makes them stronger; Japanese says there is little time before the operation.

Allow me to brief you on our mission. Our objective is to capture Amalj'aa and prise from them the whereabouts of the abductees.

The lizardmen aren't aware that their man, Ungust, has been exposed. When they come to the rendezvous point to meet the traitor, we'll spring the trap.

Owing to the clandestine nature of the mission, we can deploy only a small contingent. Every member must count, and so we requested the aid of the Scions.

FR Si vous ne vous sentez pas au niveau, vous pouvez rester ici et attendre que l'élite s'en occupe. ‘If you don't feel up to it, you can stay here and wait for the elite to take care of it.’ English says every member counts, so they asked the Scions for aid; French says you may stay behind if not up to it.
DE Und dann werden wir ihnen zeigen, mit wem sie's zu tun haben, kapiert? ‘And then we'll show them who they're dealing with, got it?’ English explains secrecy limits them to a small contingent; German says they will show the enemy who they're dealing with.
DE Klingen schärfer als Hyänenzähne und Fäuste härter als Granit! ‘Blades sharper than hyena teeth and fists harder than granite!’ English says every member counts, so they asked the Scions for aid; German boasts a motto of blades and fists.
JA 自信がなければ、ここで快報を待つがいい。 ‘If you lack confidence, you may wait here for good news.’ English says every member counts, so they asked the Scions for aid; Japanese says you may wait here if unsure.

The rendezvous will take place at the Invisible City. Please make your way there and lie in wait.

We stand to learn much and more of the Amalj'aa plot if the mission succeeds, [name]. Let's make sure it does.

DE Machen wir dem lustigen Treiben der Echsen ein Ende. ‘Let's put an end to the lizards' merry goings-on.’ English says success will reveal much of the Amalj'aa plot; German says to end the lizards' antics.

We stand to learn much and more of the Amalj'aa plot if the mission succeeds, [name]. Let's make sure it does.

DE Wenn du jetzt einen Rückzieher machen willst, Mädchen/mein Freund, dann bist du hier an der falschen Adresse. ‘If you want to back out now, girl/my friend, then you've come to the wrong place.’ English says success will reveal much of the Amalj'aa plot; German warns that anyone wanting to back out is in the wrong place.

Is the bait in place?

Report to the flame sergeant at Camp Drybone.

Flame private

Our man is in position, sir.

Lie in wait at the Invisible City.

Good. We make our move as soon as the Amalj'aa appear.

Speak with the flame sergeant.

Flame private

Yes, sir!

Ungust: Uwaaah!

Amalj'aa

What is the meaning of this!?

Flame private

Wait. Something's amiss...

Ungust: Hee hee hee...

Ahahahahaha!

I'm afraid your little ambush ends here!

Ungust: I eluded the Immortal Flames' clutches for moons before finally being caught. Did you not wonder how I managed it?

'Twas almost as if someone was feedin' him information from the inside! Gahahaha!

FR Faut dire qu'on tenait nos infos du grand Raubahn en personne !! ‘Gotta say, we got our info from the great Raubahn himself!!’ English hints someone inside fed him information; French says the info came from the great Raubahn himself.
JA そりゃ、俺が「ラウバーン様」に聞いていたからさぁ。 ‘Well, that's because I was getting it from "Lord Raubahn".’ English hints someone inside fed him information; Japanese says he was getting it from "Lord Raubahn".

Ungust: Aye, your every movement was known to me ahead of time! Hee hee hee!

FR Quelle bande d'abrutis ! ‘What a bunch of morons!’ English gloats that he knew their every move in advance; French calls them morons who fell into the trap.
JA バカな奴らだぜ！ ‘What stupid fools!’ English gloats that he knew their every move in advance; Japanese just calls them fools.

Ungust: Now, as much as I'd love to chat awhile, I have appointments to keep.

DE Ihr habt ja noch was vor - den Löffel abgeben nämlich. ‘You still have plans, after all - kicking the bucket, that is.’ English says he has appointments to keep; German jokes that they have plans: dying.

They're all yours!

Put up your weapon, or your comrade's a dead man!

FR Restez bien tranquilles, ça va pas faire mal ! ‘Heh heh heh! Stay nice and calm, it won't hurt!’ English threatens to kill your comrade; French mockingly says it won't hurt.

Flame private

Behind you!

Ungust: Bring her/him.

The rest of you, march!

Traitorous scum...

I fear the Amalj'aa mean to give us to their god as an offering. If I must die, then let me die a soldier's death─with steel in hand!

Flame private

The lizardmen marched us to their stronghold.

They're preparing for something...and I for one do not want to be around when they finish.

Damn it all... A traitor in the Flames! What has become of us...?

I'm sorry you were dragged into this. Were I a better judge of character, we wouldn't be in this mess...

Flame private

They're going to kill us, aren't they!? Gods, I don't want to die! I want to go home!

Rejoice, heathens, for your worthless lives shall soon have meaning!

Adala

You mean to go and rescue our comrades!?

Amalj'aa

Amalj'aa Zealots: Lord of the Inferno, hearken to our plea! Lord of the Inferno, deliver us from our misery!

O mighty Ifrit, Lord of the Inferno!

Your humble servants beseech You! Grace us with Your divine presence!

O mighty Ifrit! We bring before You ignorant savages who know not Your godhead!

If it please You, Lord, scorch their heathen souls with Your cleansing flame, and mark them as Your own!

B-Bloody hells...

Amalj'aa

Bring those two as well!

FR La mort, ces pitoyables peaux-tendres méritent aussi. ‘Death these pitiful soft-skins deserve too.’ English orders the two brought as well; French says these soft-skins deserve death too.

Ungust: Unnngh...

Wh-What's going on!? Th-This ain't what we agreed!

Amalj'aa

None but servants of Lord Ifrit may behold the rite of summoning. The souls of unbelievers are forfeit!

FR Dévoiler notre plan, vous n'auriez pas dû ! ‘Revealed our plan, you should not have!’ English says only Ifrit's servants may see the summoning; French punishes him for revealing their plan.
JA 我らが秘策を、露見させたるは貴様の失態なり！ ‘Letting our secret plan be exposed was thy blunder!’ English says only Ifrit's servants may see the summoning; Japanese punishes him for exposing their secret plan.

Ungust: Nooo! Spare me, I beg you!

Confront Ifrit in the Bowl of Embers.

Ifrit

Pitiful children of man! By my breath I claim you!

FR Vos âmes brûleront éternellement ! ‘Foolish humans... Your souls shall burn eternally!’ English has Ifrit claim them by his breath; French says their souls will burn forever.

Arise once more as my loyal minions! Feed my flames with your faith, and all who stand against us shall burn!

O mighty Ifrit...

Flame private

My one true god...

Your words are my bread...

Impossible! By what sorcery do you resist my master's will!?

Could it be...?

Your soul already belongs to another!? Yes, that is the only explanation!

Ifrit

Forsooth, thy frail mortal frame can serve as vessel to the blessing of but One.

DE Dein sterbliches Fleisch soll Gefäß sein nur für einen, den einzigen Gott! ‘Your mortal flesh shall be a vessel for only one, the one god!’ English explains a mortal frame can hold only one blessing; German demands your flesh be a vessel for him alone.

Yet I smell not the taint of another upon thee...

The truth of thine allegiance waxeth clear─thou art of the godless blessed's number.

The Paragons warned of thine abhorrent kind. Thine existence is not to be suffered.

FR Le messager divin Nous avait mis en garde contre les “sanctifiés sans dieux”. ‘The divine messenger had warned Us against the "godless sanctified".’ English names "the Paragons"; French says "the divine messenger".
DE Die Götterboten warnten uns vor solchen deiner Art. ‘The messengers of the gods warned us of your kind.’ English names "the Paragons"; German says "the messengers of the gods".

Speak with Thancred at Camp Drybone.

Thancred

Pray forgive my lateness!

I was delayed by a congregation of Amalj'aa zealots. I swear, each seemed more evangelical than the last.

Hmph! Persistent lot!

Phew...

I see the Bloodsworn wasted no time extracting the captives. No less than I'd expect from the Flame General's handpicked men.

FR Je reconnais bien là l'efficacité des Ronces sanglantes... ‘I recognize there the efficiency of the Bloody Brambles...’ English calls the unit the Bloodsworn; French calls it the Bloody Brambles.
JA さすがは局長直属の「ブラッドソーン隊」だ。 ‘As expected of the director's own Bloodthorn squad.’ English calls the unit the Bloodsworn; Japanese calls it the Bloodthorn squad.

As for those two...it is fair to say their hardships have only just begun. They have much to answer for.

JA 爪の5、6枚は覚悟してもらうさ。 ‘They'll have to be ready to lose five or six fingernails.’ English says their hardships have only just begun; Japanese says they should expect to lose five or six fingernails.

I feel I owe you an apology, [name]. Had I known this mission would prove so dangerous, I would never have left you to face it alone. You have been given a veritable baptism of fire.

But let us continue this conversation in more agreeable surrounds. Camp Drybone, shall we say?

Ungust

Hee hee! Our Amalj'aa friends will keep you company!

Hee hee! How long will you last, I wonder!?

Hee hee! The show is only just beginning!

FR Qu'il serve d'exemple ! ‘Ha ha ha! Let him serve as an example!’ English gloats that the show is only beginning; French says let him serve as an example.

Report to the Scion of the Seventh Dawn at the Waking Sands.

Flame soldier

This way, sir!

Nero

So that was the mighty Ifrit...

And what a disappointment he was. The readings are nowhere near what I had anticipated, even taking Ul'dahn interference into account.

FR Les Uldiens ont réussi à le mater facilement... ‘The Ul'dahns managed to subdue him easily...’ English says readings were low even allowing for Ul'dahn interference; French says the Ul'dahns subdued him easily.
JA さては、ウルダハが上手く抑え込ンでやがったな。 ‘I see, Ul'dah must have kept it well suppressed.’ English says readings were low even allowing for Ul'dahn interference; Japanese blames Ul'dah for suppressing it.

???: You should know better than to rely upon five-year-old data left by the VIIth Legion.

???: Nor can we expect any form of support from the motherland, given the troubles at court. We have only ourselves to rely upon.

Nero

Ever the pessimist, my dear Livia. Promise me you'll never change.

FR Laisse-leur donc une chance... ‘So give them a chance...’ English teases "Promise me you'll never change"; French says to give them a chance.

We've wasted enough time here. That meter of yours is too old to give any reading worth a damn.

Nero

Not that there was aught worth a damn for it to read...but I take your point. I suppose we must content ourselves with the knowledge that we've achieved our primary objective.

Yet I find that I am troubled by that adventurer's unexpected show of strength. Could such a foe prove a hindrance to our plans?

Perhaps─but that is a consideration for another time.

You have been given a task. That is your priority. I suggest you treat it as such.

Fail to do as my lord commands...

...And I will spare him the trouble of punishing you.

FR Je me ferai un plaisir de te tuer de mes propres mains. ‘... I will take pleasure in killing you with my own hands.’ English says she will spare her lord the trouble of punishing him; French says she will gladly kill him herself.
JA 殺すわよ。 ‘I'll kill you.’ English says she will spare her lord the trouble of punishing him; Japanese says flatly she will kill him.

Nero

With allies like that...

FR Que de violence dans une si jolie bouche ! ‘Such violence from such a pretty mouth!’ English jokes "With allies like that..."; French remarks on such violence from such a pretty mouth.

Beware a woman in love. I shall need to be on my best behavior.

Thancred

Ah, there you are, [name]. Come, rest awhile─you will have no better opportunity. After witnessing their god's ignominious defeat, the Amalj'aa will be less inclined to risk our wrath─for a time, at least.

Now, where were we? Ah yes, I was in the process of apologizing. I do hope you can forgive me. I arrived too late to be of any use...to you or the abductees.

FR Je suis désolé, j'étais au courant, pour Ifrit, mais je n'ai pas pu vous venir en aide. ‘I'm sorry, I knew about Ifrit, but I couldn't come to your aid.’ English says he arrived too late to help; French says he knew about Ifrit yet could not help.
JA 蛮神イフリートのことを知っていたのに、お前に何もしてやれなかった。 ‘Even though I knew about the primal Ifrit, I couldn't do anything for you.’ English says he arrived too late to help; Japanese says he knew about Ifrit yet could do nothing.

They may be whole of body, but the same cannot be said of their minds. For once a man is tempered...

Ah, but it ill suits me to dwell on the negatives. Amidst all our misfortunes, there is still reason to rejoice. Ifrit is slain, and by your hand, no less!

That is the deed of no ordinary individual, [name]. Not that I ever thought you were ordinary. On the contrary, I have long suspected that you have the potential to shape the fate of this realm. What can I say? My fine eye for talent remains undimmed.

FR Vous êtes décidément un membre exceptionnel de notre groupe. ‘You are truly an exceptional member of our group.’ English ends with Thancred praising his own eye for talent; French calls you an exceptional member of the group.
JA [name]……お前は、かけがえのない同志になる。 ‘[name]... you will become an irreplaceable comrade.’ English ends with Thancred praising his own eye for talent; Japanese says you will become an irreplaceable comrade.

Minfilia will be proud beyond all reckoning when she hears of your deeds. I trust you shan't object to my bearing the tidings to her. That way I can claim to have contributed something to this mission.

You, meanwhile, have earned yourself a rest. Take some time to relax, and return to the Waking Sands when you are good and ready. We can discuss matters in more detail then. Just don't take too long, will you? The realm's problems won't solve themselves.

Ah, the triumphant hero returns!

Thancred told us the news upon his arrival. He is presently in the solar, giving a full report to Lady Minfilia.

You should join them at once. Lady Minfilia is most eager to see you.

Thancred

...My late arrival nearly cost [name] her/his life. I wasn't there when the Amalj'aa took her/him prisoner...

And I wasn't there when they served her/him to Ifrit...

Yes, by some miracle, she/he survived─but that does not excuse the fact that she/he should never have had to face such dangers alone. I failed her/him utterly.

FR Si [name] n'avait pas été là, je ne sais pas comment on s'en serait sortis. ‘If [name] hadn't been there, I don't know how we would have made it out.’ English says you survived by some miracle; French says without you they would not have made it out.
FR Moi qui fanfaronnais en pensant que ce serait facile, je regrette d'avoir fait le malin... ‘I who was boasting, thinking it would be easy, I regret showing off...’ English: Thancred says he failed you utterly; French: he regrets boasting that it would be easy.
JA 今回の事件、結局は、あいつの力に頼ってばかりだった。 ‘In this affair, in the end, we relied on nothing but that one's strength.’ English says you survived by some miracle; Japanese says they relied entirely on your strength.
JA 俺に任せろだなんて、大きな口を叩いた自分が情けないよ。 ‘I'm ashamed of myself for talking big, saying "leave it to me".’ English: Thancred says he failed you utterly; Japanese: he is ashamed of having talked big.

Just as I'm failing you all...

FR J'espère pouvoir me racheter auprès d'elle/de lui. ‘I hope I can make it up to her/him.’ English: Thancred says he is failing them all; French: he owes you and hopes to make it up to you.
DE Wenn ich doch irgendetwas tun könnte, um mich zu entschuldigen! ‘If only I could do something to make amends!’ English: Thancred says he is failing them all; German: he wishes he could do something to make amends.
JA あいつのために、俺にも何か、できることがあればいいのだけど……。 ‘If only there were something I could do for that one...’ English: Thancred says he is failing them all; Japanese: he wishes he could do something for you.

Minfilia

What's done is done, Thancred. You can ill blame yourself for every─

[name]! It is so good to see you again!

Thancred

Impeccable timing, my friend. I had just finished regaling Minfilia with your heroic exploits.

Minfilia

Thancred has told me everything. You have done well to return to us.

Thancred

The perils you faced were undeniably great, yet a part of me believes that I had no cause to fear. And now we can put paid to our long investigation.

As we suspected, the Amalj'aa undertook both the robbery and the abductions with the aim of summoning their primal, Ifrit.

Minfilia

Nor is this tale limited to Ul'dah. Similar incidents have been rife in both Limsa Lominsa and Gridania of late.

Thancred

I daresay you've been curious as to how these crimes are linked to the primals. Permit me to explain.

Having manifested in the physical realm, primals must consume aether if they are to maintain their presence here. And the stronger they become, the more aether they require.

Now, aether exists throughout creation. It flows through all life, and permeates the very air that we breathe.

Alas, this alone will not suffice to sustain the likes of Ifrit. Nay, he and his kind require a more concentrated source of aether─crystals.

Minfilia

It is for this reason that incidents involving crystals can often be traced back to a primal.

Thancred

Which leaves us with the why of the abductions. To understand this, you must first understand how primals are born.

When all is well with the world, primals possess no physical form. Their essence is dispersed across the great river of aether.

FR Ils ne sont pas censés exister dans notre monde, du moins pas en temps normal. ‘They are not supposed to exist in our world, at least not in normal times.’ English says their essence is dispersed across the river of aether; French says they are not supposed to exist in our world.
JA つまり「生まれないはずのもの」だ。 ‘In other words, they are "things that should never be born".’ English says their essence is dispersed across the river of aether; Japanese calls them things that should never be born.

Minfilia

However, when the world is plunged into chaos, those who worship the primals cry out to their gods for deliverance from suffering.

These cries serve as a beacon toward which a primal's essence is irresistibly drawn. It is this coming together─or “aetheric coalescence”─which grants the beings physical form.

Once born, a primal gains strength from its followers' worship. The more numerous and fervent they are, the more powerful their god becomes.

Thancred

But the primals are seldom satisfied with such reverence as their adherents freely give, and in order to gain more power, they do not scruple to create followers. They do this by “tempering” mortals─a process to which you yourself were subjected.

FR Et pour devenir encore plus redoutables, les adorateurs des Primordiaux s'arrogent de nouveaux fidèles, qu'ils n'hésitent pas à convertir de force. ‘And to become even more fearsome, the worshippers of the Primals claim new faithful, whom they do not hesitate to convert by force.’ English says the primals themselves create followers; French says the primals' worshippers forcibly convert new ones.

Minfilia

Yet even as Ifrit took your comrades in his thrall, you alone remained unaffected. This is thanks to the power you possess─the Echo.

DE Interessanterweise warst du allerdings nicht davon betroffen ... und zwar, weil du die Kraft des Transzendierens besitzt. ‘Interestingly, though, you were not affected by it... and that is because you possess the power of Transcending.’ English names the power "the Echo"; German calls it "the power of Transcending".

We know not the why of it, but those blessed with the Echo are immune to primal influence.

JA わたしや、あなたの能力である「超える力」。 ‘The "Power to Transcend", the ability you and I possess.’ English names the power "the Echo"; Japanese calls it "the Power to Transcend".

It is as though a greater power protects us...

When first you came to us, I told you that the Echo would be instrumental in dealing with the primal threat. I trust you now begin to see why.

Thancred

The recent incidents all share a common trait: meticulous planning. Such elaborate designs are a new development, and one which fills me with an unshakable sense of foreboding.

FR Il y a sûrement quelque chose ou quelqu'un d'autre derrière tout ça, et cela ne me dit rien qui vaille. ‘There is surely something or someone else behind all this, and I don't like it one bit.’ English says such elaborate designs are a new development; French suspects someone else is behind it all.

Minfilia

While I share your concern, my presiding feeling is one of relief at your safe return.

Ah, the Immortal Flames assured me that they will deal with the aftermath, so you need not concern yourself with that. We may rest easy for a time.

I suggest you take full advantage of the respite, [name].

You may be sure it won't last long. Once the people learn the identity of the hero who felled Ifrit, I fear you will have nary a moment to yourself!

Thancred

Whether she intended to or no, Minfilia neglected to tell you something─something I think it would be best you heard from one of us.

It concerns the tempered abductees that were rescued... I am sorry to report that all are to be put to death, the Flames with whom you were imprisoned included. Needless to say, this information must not be made known to the public.

I swear to you that we would not do this if there were any other recourse─but once a man is tempered, he is tempered for life. His very existence lends strength to the primal whom he cannot choose but worship.

FR Je regrette profondément cela, mais il semble qu'ils aient jugé que c'était nécessaire pour éviter qu'Ifrit continue de gagner en puissance. ‘I deeply regret it, but it seems they judged it necessary to keep Ifrit from growing ever stronger.’ English says "we" would not do this if there were other recourse; French says "they" judged it necessary.

And so we Scions continue our fight, that no more innocents need be sacrificed. I hope that you will continue to stand with us, [name].

But I should be going. I must offer my apologies to the Flame General for the losses his people suffered. Till next time!

Gods forgive me... How many more lives...? Louisoix would never have allowed this to happen.

FR Nous avons perdu Louisoix, et notre monde se relève à peine du traumatisme du Fléau... ‘We have lost Louisoix, and our world is barely recovering from the trauma of the Calamity...’ English says Louisoix would never have allowed this; French says they have lost Louisoix.
JA ルイゾワのじいさんは逝っちまったんだ。 ‘Old man Louisoix is gone.’ English says Louisoix would never have allowed this; Japanese says old Louisoix has passed away.

I have to do better... I have to be stronger...