The Company You Keep (Maelstrom)
Main story quest #40, level 20. 112th of 173 in play order.
Steps
- Speak with the personnel officer at Maelstrom Command.
- Head to Cedarwood and determine the fate of the airship and its crew.
- Speak with the personnel officer at Maelstrom Command.
Journal
- The Maelstrom recruitment officer seems eager to welcome you to Limsa Lominsa's Grand Company.
- You have confirmed your intention to join the ranks of the Maelstrom. Visit Maelstrom Command in Limsa Lominsa, and speak with the personnel officer to be formally inducted into the Grand Company.
- Your formal induction into the Maelstrom is interrupted by an urgent report concerning an imperial attack on a Highwind Skyways airship. Head to Cedarwood and determine the fate of the crippled vessel and its crew.
- You have defeated the imperial soldiers intent on requisitioning the downed airship. You learn that the vessel's crew, Biggs
and Wedge, are engineers from Garlond Ironworks, and that Master Garlond himself has been missing since the Calamity. Return to Maelstrom Command and report to the personnel officer. - Back at Maelstrom Command, the personnel officer praises your efforts, and assures you that the two engineers you encountered made it home without further incident. He then expresses his eagerness to complete your induction into the ranks of the Maelstrom. Speak with him once more when you are ready to attend to the formalities.
Hidden
Spoiler about later in the story
Foreshadowing Remember the name Garlond. Biggs and Wedge work for Garlond Ironworks, their master has been missing since the Calamity, and the imperial soldiers speak of 'the man's treachery'.
and Wedge are a running Final Fantasy joke. The names come from Star Wars pilots, and a pair called Biggs and Wedge shows up in many Final Fantasy games.Characters 2
General Raubahn does not appear in this quest. He is only spoken of.
What you know from earlier quests 3
- #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. - #111 A Hero in the Making: Raubahn mourns those lost in the battle at Carteneau, then scolds a divided, greedy Ul'dah. He names the Amalj'aa and the Garleans as threats and calls all to unite under the Immortal Flames, in the name of the sultana.
- #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
Biggs is a crewman on an airship that imperial forces have shot down. He is hiding near the wreck in Cedarwood.
What happens in this quest spoilers for this quest
- Raubahn: A Flame officer is shocked that you chose the Maelstrom. He asks if General Raubahn did not inspire you. He admits Raubahn can seem a little scary, but says you could warm to him with time.
- Biggs is a Garlond Ironworks engineer. He first calls you an imperial spy. He begs you to save Wedge, who hid inside their airship, the Tiny Bronco, their first since Master Garlond went missing. In the end he says sorry and thanks you.
Dialogue 62 lines
Accepting the quest
Gut the bastards!
Keep them away from the airship!
Savages! You cannot stand against the might of the Empire!
- DE Die eorzäischen Barbaren machen Ernst! ‘The Eorzean barbarians mean business!’ English boasts that the savages cannot withstand the Empire; German admits the Eorzean barbarians mean business.
This has gone on long enough!
- FR Sortez l'artillerie lourde ! ‘Bring out the heavy artillery!’ English only says this has gone on long enough; French orders the heavy artillery brought out.
- DE Zeit für größere Geschütze! ‘Time for bigger guns!’ English only says this has gone on long enough; German calls for bigger guns.
- JA おい、アレを使うぞッ！ ‘Hey, we're using that thing!’ English only says this has gone on long enough; Japanese orders the use of a special weapon.
Exterminate these barbarians! Teach them the futility of resistance!
Thal's balls... I'm done for.
Retreat! Retreat!
- FR S-soyez maudits... ‘Urrgh! C-curse you...’ English orders a retreat; French only curses the enemy.
- DE Verdammte Garlear ... sie sind stärker als befürchtet ... ‘Damned Garleans... they are stronger than we feared...’ English orders a retreat; German says the Garleans are stronger than feared.
Is that my blood? Oh, bollocks...
- FR Ce fut un honneur de combattre à vos côtés... ‘It was an honor to fight at your side...’ English is a comic curse at seeing his own blood; French is a solemn farewell.
- JA ここまでか……あとは頼む……。 ‘Is this the end... I leave the rest to you...’ English is a comic curse at seeing his own blood; Japanese is a solemn farewell entrusting the rest.
Storm officer
How was the Admiral's speech? Ah, but you need not explain─that you stand before me now is answer enough. You have resolved to join the Maelstrom, have you not?
That's the spirit, lass/lad! With allies like you, how much stronger is our crew! Let us brave the seas together, friend!
- FR J'avais prévu une liste d'arguments en acier trempé pour t'inciter à rejoindre notre organisation, mais je n'aurai même pas à m'en servir finalement. ‘I had prepared a list of ironclad arguments to persuade you to join our organization, but in the end I won't even need them.’ English cheers how much stronger the crew is with you; French jokes he had arguments ready but needs none.
Now the choice is made, it is time to add your name to our rolls. Make your way to Maelstrom Command back in LimsaMake your way to Limsa Lominsa and seek out our Grand Company's headquartersMake your way to Limsa Lominsa and seek out our Grand Company's headquarters.
'Tis on the upper decks, in case you have forgottenMaelstrom Command is located on the upper decksMaelstrom Command is located on the upper decks. I will send word to our personnel officer to expect you.
The duties of a Maelstrom soldier can be both arduous and challenging, but I promise you: you will not regret this choice. May your passage be swift and your bearings sure.
...Well, I daresay you have your reasons. But mark me: in stormy seas, the strong of arm and stout of heart must pull together or the vessel will founder. And when a ship goes down, the passengers always share the fate of the crew. Remember that.
- FR Je ne veux pas te mettre la pression, mais il me faudrait une réponse le plus tôt possible. ‘I don't want to pressure you, but I would need an answer as soon as possible.’ English warns that passengers share the crew's fate when a ship sinks; French only asks for a quick answer.
- DE Schade, wir hätten eine/einen wie dich gerne in unseren Reihen gehabt. ‘Pity, we would gladly have had someone like you in our ranks.’ English warns that passengers share the crew's fate when a ship sinks; German only regrets not having you.
- JA 焦らせるつもりはないが、迅速な決断を頼むぞ。 ‘I don't mean to rush you, but I'm counting on a quick decision.’ English warns that passengers share the crew's fate when a ship sinks; Japanese only asks for a quick decision.
Speak with the personnel officer at Maelstrom Command.
Serpent officer
Pray keep in mind that you are at liberty to transfer between Grand Companies. Should you ever experience a change of heart, the Order of the Twin Adder would be proud to have you.
- DE Gridania wird dich jederzeit mit offenen Armen empfangen, wenn du irgendwann genug von dem Piratenpack hast. ‘Gridania will welcome you with open arms at any time if you ever get fed up with the pirate rabble.’ English speaks politely of a change of heart; German sneers at the Maelstrom as pirate rabble.
Speak with the personnel officer at Maelstrom Command.
Flame officer
What's this!? You mean to take up with the Maelstrom!? B-But...did the awe-inspiring figure of General Raubahn not stir you? He can seem a trifle intimidating...but I'm sure you'd warm to him, given time.
- DE General Raubahn wird sehr enttäuscht sein, aber vielleicht entdeckst du ja doch noch irgendwann deine Liebe zu der Schönheit und dem Reichtum von Ul'dah. ‘General Raubahn will be very disappointed, but perhaps you will yet discover your love for the beauty and wealth of Ul'dah someday.’ English asks whether Raubahn's awe-inspiring figure failed to stir you; German says Raubahn will be very disappointed.
- DE General Raubahn wird sehr enttäuscht sein, aber vielleicht entdeckst du ja doch noch irgendwann deine Liebe zu der Schönheit und dem Reichtum von Ul'dah. ‘General Raubahn will be very disappointed, but perhaps you will yet discover your love for the beauty and wealth of Ul'dah someday.’ English says you would warm to Raubahn in time; German hopes you will come to love Ul'dah's beauty and wealth.
- JA ラウバーン局長では華がなかったか！？ ‘Did Director Raubahn lack flair!?’ English asks whether Raubahn's awe-inspiring figure failed to stir you; Japanese asks whether Raubahn lacked flair.
Storm officer
Report to Maelstrom CommandReport to Maelstrom Command in Limsa LominsaReport to Maelstrom Command in Limsa Lominsa to be officially sworn in to our ranks. And do not tarry. There is much work to be done─work to which your skills are well suited.
Hail, adventurer. What business have you at Maelstrom Command?
[name]! Aye, our recruitment officer sent word of your coming. It shall be my honor to induct you into the ranks of the Maelstrom.
Then well met, and welcome to the Maelstrom. I'll need a name for the roll, so─ Wait a moment. You're her/him, aren't you? [name]! Aye, you're just as our recruitment officer described. Glad to have you aboard, friend!
- DE Ja, die frohe Botschaft hat mir schon ein Papagei geflüstert. ‘Yes, a parrot already whispered the good news to me.’ English says you match the recruitment officer's description; German jokes that a parrot whispered him the news.
Now, before I can accept your oath, you must be made aware of several─
Sir!
What is it, Private? And this had better be important.
Sir! We've received a report from a lookout in lower La Noscea, sir! Imperial forces have fired upon a Highwind Skyways airship.
The vessel is in a bad way, sir, and appears to be banking for an emergency landing in Cedarwood.
Cedarwood? Damn it. We have no troops available in that area. The bulk of our infantry is bogged down on the coast, skirmishing with the fishbacks.
[name]─this is highly irregular, but I fear your first duty in service to the Maelstrom must needs be unofficial.
If our man in lower La Noscea is correct, the airship will come down in territory crawling with imperial scouts. If there are any survivors, we must reach them before the Garleans do.
Make haste to Cedarwood, locate the airship, and if any of its occupants are alive, make sure they come to no further harm. We'll see about swearing you in upon your return.
- FR Ne commets surtout pas d'imprudence et reste discrète/et en attendant que les renforts arrivent. ‘Above all, do nothing reckless and stay discreet until the reinforcements arrive.’ English promises to swear you in on your return; French tells you to keep a low profile until reinforcements come.
- JA 緊急事態につき、この場でお主を特別任官する！ ‘Given the emergency, I hereby give you a special commission on the spot!’ English postpones swearing you in until your return; Japanese commissions you on the spot.
Biggs
Airship Crewman: An adventurer!? What're you doing out here? No, wait─let's find some cover first...
Airship Crewman: Maelstrom Command sent you? How do I know you're not an imperial spy? You don't even have a uniform!
- FR Tu me prends pour un con, ou quoi !? ‘Do you take me for a moron, or what!?’ English suspects you of being an imperial spy; French crudely asks if you take him for a fool.
- DE Willst du mich etwa verschaukeln? ‘Are you trying to pull my leg?’ English suspects you of being an imperial spy; German only asks if you are kidding him.
- JA ……まさか、騙してるんじゃないだろうなッ！？ ‘...Surely you're not deceiving me!?’ English suspects you of being an imperial spy; Japanese only asks if you are deceiving him.
Be at ease, sir. We are of the Maelstrom. You're a Garlond Ironworks engineer, yes? One of our lookouts reported the attack on your craft─we're here to rescue you.
You must be [name]. Good work on reaching our friend here before the imperials.
I've never seen a craft of this design... It must be Garlond's work. Is there no end to the man's treachery?
The secrets of magitek belong in imperial hands. They are not to be squandered on Eorzean savages!
We are taking this craft back to the fortress! Dismantle it if you must! And bring the engineer! Someone must pay for Garlond's crimes.
- FR Et n'oubliez pas de capturer le technicien qui se cache à l'intérieur, il pourra nous être utile. ‘And don't forget to capture the technician hiding inside; he may be useful to us.’ English says someone must pay for Garlond's crimes; French says the technician may prove useful.
- JA 撤収準備にかかれ！ ‘Get ready to withdraw!’ English says someone must pay for Garlond's crimes; Japanese only orders preparations to pull out.
...Hm. Scouting party from Castrum Occidens, I'd say. Seems they want your ship, engineer.
- DE Hm, die Jungs sind bestimmt aus Castrum Oriens. ‘Hm, these lads are surely from Castrum Oriens.’ English names Castrum Occidens; German names Castrum Oriens instead.
Biggs
Airship Crewman: Wedge! You have to help him! That fool of a Lalafell was hiding inside the Tiny Bronco!
The Tiny Bronco? Isn't that the new design people have been whispering about?
Biggs
Airship Crewman: It's the first airship we've built since the Calamity─the first since Master Garlond...well, since he went missing.
After years of work, she was finally ready for her first test flight. And she was soaring, she really was─till those bastards blasted her out of the sky!
All right, pay attention: we're going to hit these imperials hard and fast. If they want a souvenir from Eorzea, they can have a knife in the gut, but they're not getting that ship. Oh, and...don't forget to save the Lalafell.
What say you, [name]? Ready to give those curs a hiding?
Like a tidal wave, lads! Charge!
An ambush! To arms!
Wedge
Biggs!
Biggs
Wedge! You shouldn't have stayed with the ship!
- FR Ça va, tu n'as rien ? ‘Wedge! Are you all right, you're not hurt?’ English scolds Wedge for staying with the ship; French only asks, relieved, whether he is hurt.
- DE Wedge, da bist du ja! ‘Wedge, there you are!’ English scolds Wedge for staying with the ship; German only greets him with relief.
- JA よかった、無事だったか！ ‘Wedge! Thank goodness, you're safe!’ English scolds Wedge for staying with the ship; Japanese is only relieved he is safe.
Wedge
Th-That was a close one!
Biggs
Too damn close. So...how's she look, anyway?
Wedge
The auxiliary propeller is a dead loss, but I think we can wring enough thrust from the main propeller to get us airborne.
Biggs
A few minor modifications and we should be able to fly the Tiny Bronco home.
We'll stand watch until the ship is ready to take off. The imperials will come looking for their scouts eventually, but I doubt they'll get here for a good while yet.
[name]─you're free to return to Maelstrom Command and complete your induction.
Ordinarily, I'd ask you to stay, but I think we'd all feel better knowing an adventurer of your ability was safely sworn in and ready for the next mission! Rest assured, I'll inform Command of the part you played today.
Biggs
I, um...just wanted to say sorry...you know, for calling you an imperial spy and all that... Got that one wrong, didn't I!? Ha ha! Seriously, though─if it hadn't been for you and the Maelstrom lads there, we'd be chained up in a dungeon by now. I'm in your debt, friend─we both are.
- FR Désolé d'avoir mis ta parole en doute, tout à l'heure, mais on n'est jamais trop prudent, tu sais. ‘Sorry for doubting your word earlier, but one can never be too careful, you know.’ English laughs at his own mistake; French defends his suspicion as caution.
Wedge!
Wedge
Thank you! We're very grateful!
Welcome back, [name]. I just heard the report.
You needn't be concerned about the engineers─they completed their return trip without further imperial interference.
...I must admit, I had my doubts at first, but it seems the stories about you are true.
I look forward to seeing what else you're capable of...after you're properly inducted into the Maelstrom, of course!
Now, speaking of your induction...