A Little Slow, a Little Late

Quest giver: Alphinaud
Location: The Dravanian Forelands (X:26, Y:17)
Quest line: Post-Heavensward
Level: 60

Experience: 5,000
Gil: 843
Previous quest: In the Eye of the Beholder
Next quest: Dreams of the Lost
Patch: 3.1

Main Scenario Progress: 340 / 853 (39.9%)

Heavensward Progress: 99 / 138 (71.7%)

“

Alphinaud would like very much to continue the search for Thancred.

— In-game description

Steps

Speak with the Vath storyteller.

Proceed to Loth ast Gnath, defeating any foes who stand in your way.

Wait for your comrades to arrive.

Speak with Thancred.

Journal

At Alphinaud's impassioned urging, you set out for Loth ast Vath to continue the search. Speak with the Vath storyteller and see if he recognizes Thancred from the sketch.

Though wary at first, the storyteller soon confirms that the Vath have indeed had dealings with Thancred. The “fleshling clothed in skins,” as they call him, came to them from Sohm Al weak and disoriented, and was given succor in exchange for meat and hides. According to the storyteller, he stayed with them for some time, but left recently, after learning that the Gnath had summoned forth Ravana from the aether once more -- news which comes as a shock to your allies, but does much to explain the beastmen's recent aggression towards Anyx Trine. Fearing what may happen if Thancred is forced to face the Gnath alone, you resolve to find him before they do. Clear a path to Loth ast Gnath that your allies might follow.

You quickly dispatch the sentries stationed outside the stronghold's entrance. All that remains is to wait for the others to arrive.

Moments after being rejoined by your comrades, you hear the unmistakable sounds of battle coming from deep within the Gnath stronghold. Fearing that Thancred may be in danger, you rush towards the source of the cacophony, only to be confronted with an unexpected sight: a party of adventurers locked in combat with the Lord of the Hive, and having seized the upper hand no less. As you look on in silence, their leader cuts down the Gnath god in a display of power far beyond that of any common adventurer. An equal, perhaps? ...Or a rival? Cautiously, you and your allies approach the strangers, and as you lock eyes with their leader, you find yourself overcome with a vision of his past.
You see him and his comrades stand against an Ascian, just as you once stood against Lahabrea, and watch as they forge a blade to strike him down. A blade not unlike your own blade of Light.
“So you are the Warrior of Light. The savior of Eorzea.” Your counterpart regards you coldly, his every word dripping with disdain. A rival, then. Seeking to defuse the tension, Alphinaud warily requests an introduction, only to be greeted with a sudden display of force which scatters your allies, leaving you to face the leader alone. Grimly, you draw your weapon and prepare to meet his attack in kind, when suddenly, from on high, Thancred descends to duel with the warrior. After finding themselves to be evenly matched, the stranger withdraws, but not before declaring that he and his comrades are the Warriors of Darkness -- and that you shall meet again.

After escaping the Gnath stronghold, Thancred explains how he survived in the wilderness before making contact with the Vath, who furnished him with his new garments, and told him of Ravana, whom he was certain you would be drawn to face. However, he did not account for the intervention of the self-proclaimed Warriors of Darkness, who clearly harbor ill will towards you and yours. Yet how could they best primals and Ascians both if not through the power of the Echo? And if they are indeed blessed as you and Krile are, what would drive them to stand in apparent opposition to your cause?

Dialogue

Speak with Alphinaud

Alphinaud: Well, what are we waiting for? For all we know, Thancred could be waiting for us in Loth ast Vath! We must go and see the Vath right away. Come along, everyone! Come along!

Speak with Vath storyteller

Vath Storyteller: <click> <click> Great hunters, we welcome you once more to Loth ast Vath. What do you seek this day? 
Alphinaud:  We seek a man. A man with whom we are told you may have had certain dealings. 
Vath Storyteller: ...How curious. The hunters tire of godly sport and pursue mortal prey? 
Alphinaud: No, no, he is not prey, but a friend long missing.
Vath Storyteller: <click> <click> Good, good. He is a friend to the Vath as well, one with whom we have traded many times. 
Alphinaud: Truly? And you are quite certain it was this man? 
Vath Storyteller: There is no doubt. <click> <click> The fleshling clothed in skins came to us from Sohm Al, lost and weak. He offered meat and hides in trade, and in exchange we tended his wounds. He brought us much flesh, so skilled a hunter he was. Much flesh. When he asked for garments, we were glad to provide them. 
Y'shtola: And where is he now?
Vath Storyteller: <click> <click> Gone to Loth ast Gnath. Not long ago. When he heard the Onemind had summoned our god once more.
Y'shtola: Ravana is returned!? 
Alphinaud: Vidofnir did say that the Gnath had grown as before. But what could Thancred hope to accomplish by himself? Honored elder, we thank you for your help. Would that we could repay this kindness ere we depart, but we must hasten to our comrade's side. 
Vath Storyteller: Go, great hunters, lest the Gnath claim him as a sacrifice. <click> <click>

Proceed to Loth ast Gnath, defeating any foes who stand in your way

Wait for your comrades to arrive.

Alphinaud: Who else could be... Thancred! It could be Thancred! We must hurry!

Warrior of Light flashback

???: This day we reclaim the reins of history! This day we rid ourselves of the Ascians forever! 
Black-robed Ascian: Fools playing at heroes, all of you. Is this how you believe you can save your world? 
???: We can and we will, Ascian! You shall see - or perhaps you will not!

Talking to ???

???: So you are the Warrior of Light. The savior of Eorzea. It's a wonder you didn't come sooner, what with the primal and all. Lost a step, have we? 
Y'shtola: Have care. The aether moves strangely around him. 
Alphinaud: It would seem we share a common enemy. Mayhap you would tell us who you are? 
???: ...Shall we show them? (an Archer shoots an attack into the air, and Y'shtola shields the group from being hit by it. Everyone fights).  (Fighting stops when daggers are thrown at the ground).
???: Not very sporting of you to interrupt, but so be it.  
Warrior of Darkness: Mark well our faces, Warrior of Light, for we are the Warriors of Darkness. Walkers of a different path. And we shall meet again.  (the Warriors of Darkness teleport out).

Krile: Warriors of Darkness? ... Really? (Thancred and the warrior of light smile).
Alphinaud: Thancred! Are you all right? 
Thancred: Pleasantries can wait. I'd rather not be here when the Gnath arrive. Agreed?

Speak with Thancred

Y'shtola: Suffice to say, our reunion was not at all as I pictured it. Waiting until the last instant to join the fray. 'Tis plain you have not lost your appetite for the dramatic.
Thancred: My appetite for the dramatic!? Have you forgotten the circumstances of our parting? The heroic last stand, the tunnel filling with light, and then...<sigh> Had I known you intended to use forbidden magicks to deliver me to some godsforsaken wilderness... ...I would have thanked you in advance.
Y'shtola: Thancred...
Thancred: If nothing else, you might have warned me that I would emerge from the Lifestream in the altogether. Eventually, I managed to fashion knives from some obsidian I found, and set about hunting for meat and hides. Given that I'm not all that skilled in leatherworking, it's proably for the best that I met with the Vath before I was reunited with you.
Alphinaud: So you were the "fleshling clothed in skins" of whom the storyteller spoke.
Thancred: A description which fit me as ill as the skins themselves. Happily I was able to trade with the Vath for garments better becoming a man of refinement. From then I learned of Ravana, and of the great warrior who had once laid him low.
Y'shtola: And thence did you conclude that were you to track the primal's movements, it would surely bring you into contact with the Scions once more.
Thancred: It seemed a reasonable assumption. I could think of no one else with your enthusiasm for slaying beastman gods. Until now, that is.
Alphinaud: Ah yes...the self-proclaimed "Warriors of Darkness." 'Tis only fitting that they stand in opposition to the Warrior of Light, I suppose.
Krile: I glimpsed the leader's past - if only for a moment. They were confronting a man in black. An Ascian, I think.
Alphinaud: If these warriors are capable of doing battle with Ascians and primals both, they must be possessed of powerful protection - protection not unlike the Echo...