Shadow of Darkness

Main story quest #62, level 24. 136th of 173 in play order.

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

Next: Highbridge Times ›

Steps

Speak with Swift at the Hall of Flames.
Speak with Hihibaru at Highbridge.

Journal

Minfilia would have you investigate the mysterious Lahabrea.
The Immortal Flames reportedly have information regarding Lahabrea. Make your way to the Hall of Flames in Ul'dah, and speak with Commander Swift.
According to Commander Swift, a Brass Blade stationed at Highbridge has reported seeing a suspicious masked man, but the sentry has since died in the line of duty. Even so, you may still be able to learn something of use from the people in the area. Take yourself to Highbridge in eastern Thanalan, and speak with a merchant named Hihibaru.
Hihibaru hints at knowing of the masked man, but his mannerisms do not instill you with much confidence. Nonetheless, your investigation must begin somewhere...

Hidden

Easter egg 'Ascian' is a real English word. It names people near the equator who, twice a year at noon, cast no shadow. A fitting name for beings who hide in the shadows, in a quest called 'Shadow of Darkness'.

Easter egg The rat-like Qiqirn share their name with a spirit from Inuit myth. In those stories, Qiqirn is a large, bald dog.

Characters 3

Minfilia
Minfilia wants to look into the masked man, the Ascian called Lahabrea, while no primal is keeping the Scions busy.
What you know from earlier quests 11
- #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.
- #108 Lord of the Inferno: 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.
- #111 A Hero in the Making: Minfilia warns that fame has a price. Officers from all three Grand Companies (city armies) come to recruit you. She urges you to join one for safety among friends, gives you a linkpearl to keep in touch, and hopes you still aid the Scions.
- #113 Till Sea Swallows All: Minfilia calls you by linkpearl to congratulate you on joining the Maelstrom. She reminds you that you are still a Scion and asks you back to the Waking Sands. There she says Biggs and Wedge are now under the Scions' protection.
- #114 Sylph-management: Minfilia explains a study of the sylphs, a beast tribe of the Twelveswood, done for the Order of the Twin Adder. She wants a peaceful approach. She asks you to use the Echo, the only sure way to show your intentions.
- #134 Believe in Your Sylph: Yda says she and Papalymo are going back to the Waking Sands to tell Minfilia all about the talks with the sylphs. Papalymo promises to mention the part you played.
- #135 Back from the Wood: Minfilia praises your work and reviews the primals left to watch. Hearing of Lahabrea, she is alarmed that the Ascians no longer hide, and wants him investigated. She is glad the Scions' family grows, yet feels deep foreboding.
Swift
Swift is a Flame Commander of the Immortal Flames, a Grand Company based in Ul'dah. You find Swift at the Hall of Flames.
Hihibaru
Hihibaru is a merchant at Highbridge, a stop on a trade route in eastern Thanalan. He is always short of customers.

What happens in this quest spoilers for this quest

Minfilia fears the Ascians are behind the chaos in the realm. She asked each Grand Company for help, and the Immortal Flames answered. She sends you to Commander Swift in Ul'dah and asks you to be careful.
Swift has word of the masked man. A Brass Blade sentry at Highbridge saw him, but the sentry was killed by Qiqirn two days ago. Swift sends you to Hihibaru, a merchant there who is always short of customers.
Hihibaru greets you warmly and says he can provide anything, probably. At first he takes your question as a shopping request. Then he hints that the masked man is in some rumors he heard, and asks you to linger.

Dialogue 13 lines

Accepting the quest

Minfilia

I am afraid there is no rest for the weary, [name]. We must delve further into the motivations of the masked man─the Ascian known as Lahabrea. This is an ideal moment to do so, while our hands are not bound dealing with another primal.

At present, we know little and less about the Ascians─only that destruction follows in their wake.

I should not be surprised if these beings are behind the chaos that racks the realm. If my fears prove to be reality, we must do all in our power to stop them.

Earlier, I sent word to each Grand Company to solicit cooperation. The Immortal Flames responded to the effect that they have information on a potential sighting.

This is intelligence that we can ill afford to ignore. Go speak with Flame Commander Swift at the Hall of Flames in Ul'dah to inquire further. How you go about the investigation thereafter, I leave wholly to your discretion.

But whatever you do, never forget that we are dealing with the unknown. You cannot take too many precautions. Be safe, [name].

Speak with Swift at the Hall of Flames.

Swift

The masked man? Ah, you are come on behalf of the Scions, of course. Yes, as we've already relayed to Lady Minfilia, there has been a sighting of this rogue near about eastern Thanalan.

A Brass Blade stationed at Highbridge described him in detail when he alerted us to suspicious activity. I would point you to the witness, but I'm afraid he died not two days ago, slain by a marauding horde of Qiqirn. Fate can be a cruel mistress.

But do not be too quick to despair. Being situated on a trade route, Highbridge sees its fair share of travelers. Folk are always coming and going, and some among them may well have caught a glimpse of your target.

FR Je n'en sais pas plus, mais comme Le Viaduc a un aérodrome, il y a beaucoup de passage là-bas. ‘I know nothing more, but since Highbridge has an aerodrome, there is a lot of traffic there.’ English says Highbridge sees travelers because it is on a trade route; French says because it has an aerodrome.
JA 傭兵から聞き出せたのはそれだけだったが、あそこは飛空艇の発着場で、出入りする商人も多い。 ‘That was all we could get from the mercenary, but the place is an airship landing, and many merchants come and go.’ English says Highbridge sees travelers because it is on a trade route; Japanese says because it is an airship landing.

You could do worse than to speak with a merchant named Hihibaru. The fellow's always starved for customers, and he'd no doubt welcome your attention, whether or not you have coin or the mind to spend it.

DE Ein Bekannter von mir - ein Händler namens Hihibaru - ist für gewöhnlich ausgezeichnet informiert. ‘An acquaintance of mine, a merchant named Hihibaru, is usually excellently informed.’ English says Hihibaru is always starved for customers; German says he is usually excellently informed.

Speak with Hihibaru at Highbridge.

Hihibaru

Welcome to Highbridge, adventurer! Whatever you seek, I, Hihibaru, can provide it. ...Probably!

FR Êtes-vous ici pour prendre un peu de bon temps ? ‘Are you here to have a bit of a good time?’ English has Hihibaru boast he can provide anything, probably; French has him ask if you came for fun.
DE Dann könnte ich dir ein Zimmer in der Herberge meines Cousins ... ‘Then I could offer you a room at my cousin's inn ...’ English has Hihibaru boast he can provide anything, probably; German has him pitch a room at his cousin's inn.
JA 冒険者さんとお見受けしますが、ご休憩ですかい？ ‘I take you for an adventurer, are you here for a rest?’ English has Hihibaru boast he can provide anything, probably; Japanese has him ask if you came to rest.

You're after a masked man? Hmmm, I'm not sure I have one of those in stock...

DE Ja, der hat neulich einen Rundflug überm Finsterwald gebucht, obwohl ich ihm gleich gesagt habe, dass es da außer Baumwipfeln nichts zu sehen gibt! ‘Yes, he recently booked a sightseeing flight over the forest, although I told him right away there was nothing to see there but treetops!’ English jokes he may not have a masked man in stock; German says such a man booked a sightseeing flight.

Ohhh, you're after a masked man! Why didn't you say so sooner? Such an individual might have featured in one of the many rumors I've heard. If you linger awhile, mayhap you'll learn a thing or two, eh?

DE Der trug gar keine schwarze Robe, die war eher dunkelviolett. ‘Although ... he wasn't wearing a black robe at all, it was more dark violet.’ English says such a man may feature in rumors he heard; German says that man's robe was dark violet, not black.