An Unwelcome Guest

Quest giver: Manager of Suites
Location: The Crystarium (X:12.5, Y:16.2)
Quest line: Shadowbringers Main Scenario Quests
Level: 72

Experience: 218,880
Gil: 1,026
Previous quest: Warrior of Darkness
Next quest: The Crystarium's Resolve
Patch: 5.0

Main Scenario Progress: 565 / 960 (58.9%)

Shadowbringers Progress: 24 / 157 (15.3%)

“

The manager to suites is wearing a grave expression.

— In-game description

Steps

Head to the Ocular.
Speak with Moren at the Cabinet of Curiosity.
Search the shelves.
Deliver the book to Moren.
Speak with Alphinaud.

Journal

The manager of suites is wearing a grave expression.

In worried tones, the manager of suites informs you that Eulmore has dispatched its military to Lakeland, and that the Exarch has yet to decide how to respond. It sounds as if you may be needed in the Ocular.

Angered by the death of a Lightwarden, Eulmore has sent the commander of its army, the formidable General Ran'jit, to demand answers of the Exarch. As you observe their frosty meeting in secret, Ran'jit threatens retribution upon both the villains responsible and their abettors, but the Exarch is uncowed. After the old soldier departs, it transpires that a woman believed to be Minfilia, the Oracle of Light, has been taken prisoner by the Eulmorans. While the Exarch makes provisions for war, he bids you seek out Moren at the Cabinet of Curiosity to learn about Minfilia, who does not appear to be quite the person you once knew.

You ask Moren to enlighten you on the subject of Minfilia, and the librarian is eager to oblige. By way of a teaching aid, he sends you to fetch a book entitled The Illustrated Tale of the Oracle of Light.

Scouring the shelves of the Cabinet, you finally manage to locate the volume in question and bear it back to Moren.

Book in hand, Moren tells you the history of the Oracle of Light. It appears that, after a mysterious maiden named Minfilia halted the Flood a century ago, a succession of young girls emerged who bore a striking resemblance to her, each of whom was immune to the sin eaters' blighted touch. Believed to be reincarnations of the original Minfilia, they came to be called by her name, and brought their powers to bear against the sin eaters as soldiers of the Eulmoran Army. This continued for generations, until the Eulmorans chose to join hands with the enemy, after which they hunted down and imprisoned the current Minfilia, deeming her a threat to the peace. Though she was subsequently rescued by an unnamed hero, it would seem she has fallen into Eulmoran hands once more...

Seeing you labor to make sense of these dizzying revelations, Alphinaud invites you to step outside for a brief discussion.

Alphinaud confirms your suspicion that Minfilia's gallant savior was none other than Thancred. Anticipating that he will attempt to liberate her again─no doubt at great personal risk─you decide to spare him the trouble. At that moment, the Exarch makes an unannounced appearance, however, and after confirming that Minfilia is indeed being held at Laxan Loft, he asks that you allow the people of the Crystarium to lead any rescue effort.

Dialogue

Quest Acceptance

Manager of Suites: Ah, begging your pardons, [sir/miss], but do you perchance intend to head outside? If so, I would strongly advise you not to stray too far from the Crystarium. Word has it Eulmore has dispatched its military to Lakeland. Given the timing, one can only assume they do not welcome the return of night. Even now, the Exarch is in the Ocular, deliberating a response.

Head to the Ocular

Crystal Exarch: You are come at a good time. As you may have heard, we have something of a quandary on our hands. Laxan Loft, here in Lakeland. Eulmore has sent one of its airships. They have questions for us concerning the death of the Lightwarden. Their emissary makes his way here even as we speak.
Alisaie: I suppose the sky does rather give the game away.
Crystal Exarch: Indeed. 'Twas inevitable they would come knocking. The only question was how soon.
Lyna: My lord. I am come with the Eulmoran emissary. May I show him in?
Crystal Exarch: A moment, Captain, if you would.  Everyone, gather round. I do not wish to show our hand prematurely. Forgive me this liberty. Vanish! (Everyone other than the Exarch disappears)
Crystal Exarch: Enter.

Crystal Exarch: Well, well... The commander of the Eulmoran Army himself. To what do I owe the honor, General Ran'jit?
Ran'jit: The Lightwarden is dead, Exarch. Were your people responsible?
Crystal Exarch: You are clearly in some haste, my lord. But before I address your question, you must allow me one of my own. What is Eulmore's interest in this?
Ran'jit: His Benevolence Lord Vauthry is gravely concerned that the actions of an ignorant few may jeopardize relations between man and sin eater. Should it transpire that the Crystarium is guilty of abetting the villains responsible for this outrage...
Ran'jit: My lord has decreed that it suffer the same...retribution.
Crystal Exarch: I see. Since you have been so candid, I too shall speak my mind. Regardless of who is responsible, the Crystarium rejoices in the Lightwarden's death, and welcomes the return of the night sky. If Eulmore considers this tantamount to aiding those you term “villains,” then by all means carry out your retribution. Know, however, that even should every innocent soul in the Crystarium perish, nothing can stop that which has been set in motion.
Ran'jit: <sigh> Folly. The death of one or a thousand thousand sin eaters changes nothing. The world is dead, and writhe as we might, like maggots in its rotting corse, it will not be reborn. Only by my master's grace may we live out our days in peace. But I waste my breath. You have made your stance clear. I shall relay your words to Lord Vauthry. In the meantime, you would do well to counsel any here who have done more than merely “rejoice” in recent events to throw themselves upon Eulmore's mercy. Promptly. Ran'jit stops as he's about to leave.

Ran'jit: One last matter. We are searching for a young artist and his assistant. Know you of whom I speak?
Crystal Exarch: An artist and his assistant... No. I cannot say I do. 
Ran'jit: What a pity. Should they reveal themselves to you, I bid you hand them over at once. My master is most eager to see them again. (Ran'jit appears to stare at the invisible Warrior of Light)

Alisaie: Am I imagining things, or did he just stare straight at us?
Crystal Exarch: I fear he did. The general is not a man to be trifled with. He is a warrior of fearsome repute who has led Eulmore's army since before Vauthry's time, when the nation still spearheaded the fight against the sin eaters. One does not command the world's mightiest army, and for so long, without possessing exceptional instincts.
Alphinaud: If Eulmore chose to send such an individual, we must assume this talk of retribution is more than an idle threat. While we are grateful for your support, my lord─we cannot in good conscience put your people in harm's way.
Crystal Exarch: 'Tis noble of you to say, Master Alphinaud, but my people have been in harm's way since long before you arrived. Eulmore has ever yearned to rule over what remains of the world. Even should we surrender the Warrior of Darkness to them, they would find some other pretext upon which to invade.  The people of the Crystarium know this only too well, which is why, when the time comes, I am certain they will fight to the last man.  If truth be told, I would not have been surprised had Ran'jit declared war here and now...

Lyna: He may have reason to delay. According to reports, the Eulmoran forces at Laxan Loft were observed taking a prisoner. A young woman believed to be none other than the Oracle of Light─Minfilia. It may be that General Ran'jit wishes to convey her to Eulmore before commencing hostilities.
What will you say? Wait, is this the Minfilia? / I'm sorry, "generations of Minfilias? -> I'm sorry, "generations of Minfilias?

Lyna: Having mentored generations of Minfilias, it would not surprise me if he had made her capture his chief concern.
Crystal Exarch: Ah, of course. How remiss of me. I had intended to speak to you of Minfilia. There is, however, much to say, and precious little time in which to say it...
Crystal Exarch: I think it best that you seek out Moren at the Cabinet of Curiosity. He will be able to enlighten you.

Crystal Exarch: Alphinaud, Alisaie─would you care to accompany your friend? You doubtless have insights of your own to offer on the matter.
Alisaie: All right. Though I'm still not sure I understand it all myself...
Crystal Exarch: In the meantime, I will set about making provisions for war.

Speak with Moren at the Cabinet of Curiosity

Moren: Yes? If you're after books pertaining to the Warrior of Darkness, I'm afraid most are out on loan at present. They are experiencing quite a surge in popularity.

Moren: Oh, you wish to learn about the Oracle of Light? Then it would be my pleasure to assist!
Moren: ...After I have finished off some few outstanding tasks, that is. While I attend to them, perhaps you could fetch me a book: The Illustrated Tale of the Oracle of Light, it's called. Though it's intended for younger readers, it provides an excellent summary of the subject matter, and the artwork is quite lovely besides! I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone with an interest in learning about Minfilia!
Moren: ...But you must see for yourself. The book should be located on the level below. Should, I say...for while there is a place for everything here, not everything is always in its place─despite my best efforts. In short, if the book is not where it should be, it will almost certainly be somewhere it shouldn't. So, uh...good luck!

Search the shelves

Just as your eyes begin to blur, they finally come to rest on a copy of The Illustrated Tale of the Oracle of Light.

Deliver the book to Moren

Moren: Have you found the book?

Moren: Yes, this is the one! I hope it wasn't too difficult to track down. I'm happy to say I've finished all my pressing tasks. If you want to call your friends over, we can begin learning at once! Without further ado, then...

Moren: It began a hundred years ago, when the Flood of Light threatened to swallow Norvrandt. Just as all seemed lost, a savior appeared who halted the all-consuming radiance. A maiden with hair of spun gold and eyes of clearest sapphire. Naught was known about her save that her name was Minfilia. And for delivering the realm, she came to be revered as the Oracle of Light.  After stopping the Flood, the mysterious maiden vanished without a trace. But fifteen years later, her name would unexpectedly reappear in the annals of history.  When sin eaters laid ruin to the Kingdom of Voeburt, a young girl was discovered who was immune to the creatures' blighted touch.
Moren: ...One with hair of spun gold and eyes of clearest sapphire. She was hailed as the Oracle reborn and came to likewise be called Minfilia. Enlisting in the Eulmoran Army, this Minfilia fought and vanquished countless sin eaters.

Moren: Alas, like so many other soldiers, she eventually met her end in battle. Yet with her dying breath, she whispered unto her grieving comrades, “Minfilia will return.” And true to her words, some years later, another young girl was discovered who possessed the selfsame eyes, that selfsame hair, and those selfsame powers. She too took the name Minfilia. She too fought sin eaters as a soldier of Eulmore. And she too fell in battle. Many more were to follow in her footsteps. And so the cycle continues to this day.

Moren: ...And that concludes the tale. By their valor and sacrifice, these women have saved Norvrandt on numerous occasions. And were it not for them, we might never have learned of the Lightwardens and their nature.
Alisaie: They sound like formidable warriors.
Moren: Some, perhaps... The truth is rather less simple. Though the Oracle is reborn with certain common traits, she does not inherit the memories or the knowledge of her previous incarnations. All of the Minfilias thus far were discovered as ordinary girls, unversed in the ways of war and ignorant of the power they harbored.  While some embraced their fate and devoted themselves to training, others did not... But all were made to face the sin eaters, and all died to keep our hopes alive.

Alphinaud: What can you tell us of the current Minfilia?
Moren: She was found by the Eulmoran Army some ten years ago and taken into their care. ...Or rather their custody. She was a prisoner in all but name. For by that time, under Lord Vauthry's rule, Eulmore had already abandoned resistance in favor of decadence. Minfilia was an uncomfortable reminder of the war they no longer wished to fight. A potential threat to the peace. And so they kept her under lock and key.  For a long while, we heard nothing more of her. We couldn't even be certain she was alive, save that it was in the Eulmorans' best interests for her to remain under their control. But then, three years ago, a gallant soul stole into the city and rescued her from their clutches! Just like a hero from the tales!

Alphinaud: Indeed. Well, I believe we now have a good grasp of Minfilia's tale. Thank you for your time, Moren. Might I trouble you for a word, [Forename]? Outside?

Speak with Alphinaud

Alphinaud: As you will have already surmised, the gallant soul who rescued Minfilia was none other than our own dear Thancred. They have since been wandering the land together, never remaining in one place for long─which is why we have not yet had a chance to  meet them.
Alisaie: We know that Minfilia journeyed here as Hydaelyn's emissary to halt the Flood of Light. It could only be her that the people of the First witnessed a hundred years ago. The original Oracle of Light. But while there's plainly some connection between the woman we knew and her namesakes, the fact that these girls do not share her memories must surely mean they are not the same person. Thancred has to understand that.
Alphinaud: I have no doubt that he understands. The question is how he feels. Regardless, the Thancred we know would not forsake his charge. If she has been captured, we may be certain he will not stand idly by.
Alisaie: Hmph, there you go again, talking in your roundabout way. If you think we should rescue Minfilia, just spit it out. It just so happens I agree with you. It's quite clear that this Minfilia possesses Hydaelyn's blessing.  And it wouldn't hurt to have a second such individual on our side. Right, [forename]?

What will you say? Quite. / One's generally been enough... But fine. -> One's generally been enough... But fine.

???: I see you've made up your minds.
Alphinaud: Exarch! What brings you here? 
Crystal Exarch: A report and a proposal. First, the report. Our scouts have confirmed that the Eulmoran forces at Laxan Loft do indeed have Minfilia in their custody. For the present, they are holding her there, but we can be certain they will move her to Eulmore ere long. Should that happen, we may be forced to give her up as lost.
Alisaie: So if we mean to act, we should do so quickly.
Crystal Exarch: Which brings me to my proposal. I ask that you entrust this undertaking to us, the people of the Crystarium.