Summoning a primal is no small feat. It requires a tremendous concentration of aether, which is why the beast tribes go to such lengths to obtain crystals.

Once they manifest in physical form, their unquenchable thirst for aether only grows stronger. They would drink the land dry with nary a thought to the consequences.

Considering their fearsome strength, it could be well within their ability to do so. It is for this reason we must do our utmost to oppose them.

Summoning a primal is no small feat. It requires a tremendous concentration of aether, which is why the beast tribes go to such lengths to obtain crystals.

Once they manifest in physical form, their unquenchable thirst for aether only grows stronger. They would drink the land dry with nary a thought to the consequences.

Considering their fearsome strength, it could be well within their ability to do so. It is for this reason we must do our utmost to oppose them.

You've put us all to shame with your recent performance in the field. If I'm to keep up, I daresay I'll need bigger knives!

The incident with the traitor still weighs heavily on everyone's minds─the Flame General's most of all.

And although he cannot be expected to know what evil lurks in the hearts of every man under his command, the revelation is nevertheless a devastating blow to his authority.

Even so, it warrants saying that you should not let this tragedy color your opinion of the man. In all my years working with the Flame General, I've never had reason to doubt his capacity to lead.

Traipsing around in the woods is hardly my forte. 'Tis only fitting that those two be the ones to assist you this time.

Lest you harbor concerns about me and my idle hands, know that I will be busy conducting my own independent investigation while you entreat the sylphs.

...Ah, Forename. Pray do not concern yourself with my welfare. My current investigation has yielded some curious results, and at present I am pondering how best to proceed.

I realize I have been the cause of tremendous consternation, and for that I deeply apologize.

Ah, but you haven't time to waste chatting with me. Minfilia is expecting you.

Believe me, I am quite eager to resume active duties and redeem my good name. But I have not forgotten that similar sentiments nearly led me to my doom once before.

I will not question the wisdom of our Baldesion colleagues. They have bid me rest, and so I shall.

As ravishing as ever. Perhaps, for old times' sake, she would─

Gods, Forename! Don't sneak up on me like that. We bards are an easily startled lot.

Her soft features belie a strong will and quick wit. Aye, this Doman maiden would be─

...Forename, I think we may need to have a chat about your habit of sneaking up on people.

Y'shtola has been rather long away on her investigation. Barring any unexpected delays, I daresay she will report back any moment now.

Some fifteen years ago, a mission─hic─took me to Ul'dah. 'Twas then that I first chanced to gaze upon your beauty.

I was utterly transfixed. I dared not blink, lest I─hic─deprive myself of even a split second of your radiance.

Curious about our investigation's progress, are you? I'm afraid I have naught to share.

Y'shtola and I have our suspicions, of course, but we think it best to confirm them before delivering our report.

The area has been altered beyond recognition. 'Tis sad indeed when the places of your past may only be visited in memory.

Though the mission ended in failure, I take solace in the knowledge that Minfilia is unharmed.

Never is a woman more lovely than when she's hard at work, I say. A wild rose, strong and beautiful, blooming tall in the face of the frozen winds...

You've done well, Forename. Why don't you join me at the counter for a drink? My treat. Might I suggest those seats over there by F'lhaminn and Higiri? Though, of course, anywhere would suffice!

Your bout with Hoary Boulder was more stirring than a hundred lines of my most passionate poetry. Mayhaps I should arrange a sparring match of my own...

Ever since Higiri started preparing our meals, I swear I've never felt better.

They say Doman cuisine is highly nourishing, but I'd sooner attribute it to the loving care she puts into her culinary creations.

They say the fastest way to a man's heart is through his stomach, and I'm not wont to disagree.

A dazzling floral arrangement, each blossom a peerless beauty in her own right. Ahhh, the blessing─and the burden─of an overactive imagination.

Ballads of bloody battles, valiant knights, heroic sacrifice... Trite fare, but who am I to question the preferences of Ishgardian noblewomen?

Mayhap I ought to delve into Ishgardian doctrine...appeal to her traditional values or some such? Hmmm... Where is that damned hymnal...

Yes, but─ Higiri, you're not─ you're missing the point! The individual doesn't matter. It was a team effort, and I was the one who...who...

Hey... Hey... I jus' gotta say... Yer a─hic─a pretty─hic─a... A... Yer all right.

When one is in need of precious commodities, it helps to have friends in the right places. Fortunately, I am well acquainted with the charming daughter of a successful Ul'dahn import merchant.

In hindsight, mayhaps sending a lady in my stead was not the wisest of decisions... Ah, pray ignore my ramblings!

We must find some means of protecting ourselves from Ascian intrusions. There must be a way.

Ladies, please, this is no way to─ Oh, hello, Forename!

I was just, er, entertaining some friends! Ahahaha. Oh gods...

I have my acquaintances here in the city attempting to round up volunteers.

But I'm afraid the only cause the average Ul'dahn fights for is his own purse...

If I have to descend into the bowels of the seventh hell to find her, I will. Whatever it takes, Forename. Whatever it takes.

I told her everything that happened. She needed to know, and I thought it would be best if it came from me.

It's...strange to think back on the circumstances of our first meeting. We were all so very young. So foolish, so...powerless...

Papalymo and I have known...knew...each other for a long time. When I saw that look in his eyes, I could not refuse his plea...

We encountered our fair share of enthralled outside the palace. Enough to delay us from lending you a timely hand, I'm afraid...

So long as we are in their realm, we must expect to be subjected to the faeries' mischief. Indeed, Minfilia and I have experienced more than our fair share of it. From the harmless to the downright murderous, we've seen it all.

Reasons notwithstanding, to live here for as long as Urianger has requires no small amount of forbearance. In that regard, he is a better man than I.

The girl is in the tent, fast asleep. Or possibly in a coma. One or the other. Either way, we have little choice but to wait for her to wake up.

Though only a short time has passed in the Source, for me it has been several long years.

'Tis passing strange to see how little has changed here in the Rising Stones. Sometimes I can't help but feel as if I'm dreaming.

Then I see the equipment Tataru prepared for us, and it helps to bring me back to reality. Ryne continues her fight in the First, and I must resume my own here.

It strikes me as odd that rather than marching on one of the city-states, the Telophoroi have so far made only sporadic attacks. I doubt they'd go to the trouble of putting up all of those towers if that was all they had in store for us.

This truce with the beast tribes should mean we have far fewer primal summonings to worry about. Well, the traditional sort, that is.

When Arenvald tried to free the Amalj'aa held in the tower, it triggered some sort of alarum and the captives were killed instantly. As such, we have no choice but to leave them in the clutches of the Telophoroi until a means of rescuing them has been found.

In the meantime, the summonings of lunar primals will continue. Just as we must rely on the Grand Company of Eorzea to put down such entities and prevent any further abductions, so too do they rely on us to come through with our investigation.

On the way back from Garlemald, I spotted one of those towers on the horizon. It appeared to be located in occupied imperial territory, but what purpose would it serve in a region that's already been conquered?