For Thavnair Bound

So it's back to Thavnair... Had I known earlier, I would have considered more suitable attire.

Though I have read much on the subject of Radz-at-Han, this visit shall be my first. 'Twill be interesting to see how the Hannish mean to contend with the tower, different as their magical and technological disciplines are.

Accepting the quest

Start of cutscene.

I have Krile's instructions in hand. If you are ready to set out, then so are we.

Having been to Thavnair before, I can travel by aetheryte, but what of the rest of you? Another sea voyage would waste time we do not have.

Krile was of the same mind, and has already secured the aid of the good folk of the Confluence. We'll take ourselves there.

The Confluence, thou sayest...

I'm afraid so, my friend.

Thou wilt recall the hunt for Iceheart, unto whose sanctuary we delivered thee owing to the knowledge of our comrade Moenbryda.

Moenbryda was an authority on aetherology ─ a field of study she did embark upon in pursuit of her parents' example.

Both are authorities in their own right...and both are researchers at the Confluence.

Haven't you gone to see them yet?

Urianger shakes his head.

I attempted to do so earlier, but to my shame, my courage failed me at the last.

As it hath the many times I thought to reach out to them after sending that fateful letter.

Neither time nor introspection have revealed unto me the words I should speak, and thus have I kept my silence...

Whether you come with us or no is your choice and yours alone.

If it is too difficult, we'll manage.

Thou art kind to say so, but I have no intention of forsaking our cause. I shall go to the Confluence, and I shall face that which hath long been overdue.

If it's settled, then let us be off. When we arrive, we should look for a researcher named Kytte.

End of cutscene.

Speak with Kytte at the Confluence.

Start of cutscene.

Well now, this is rather a lot of stern faces... Are my library books overdue again?

Not to our knowledge. We're associates of Krile of the Students of Baldesion. We seek passage to Thavnair, and understand that you can assist us.

Ah, the test subjects! Welcome, welcome!

...“Test subjects”?

Oh, you hadn't heard? Well then, allow me to explain.

So, in order to travel to an aetheryte, you ordinarily need to be attuned to it beforehand.

Otherwise you can't use it as a beacon to seek out while you're a mess of aether hurtling along the Lifestream.

An inconvenient but incontrovertible limitation of aetheryte teleportation.

But what if I were to tell you that there's a way to travel to an aetheryte without being attuned to it?

A way to teleport instantly to places you've never been!?

For long years, we've labored to make such travel possible, that people might move about more freely.

And we've finally done it! We've created a new kind of aetheryte that doesn't require attunement!

Truly!? That changes everything!

Well, my language may have been a bit misleading. The user need not attune to these aetherytes, but the aetherytes themselves must have been pre-attuned to each other, thereby facilitating travel between the two points.

But it just so happens that of our first test pair of aetherytes, one has been installed here in Sharlayan, and the other over in Yedlihmad, a port town in Thavnair!

As you may know, our nation has long maintained strong ties with Radz-at-Han. And indeed, we owe much of this breakthrough to the contributions of their alchemists.

So to sum up, we're to “test” these aetherytes. How fortuitous...for you...

I should mention that an accident has impaired my ability to channel aether. Will this be a problem?

Not at all! As a matter of fact, you might say these aetherytes were made for people like your good self. The magicks imbued within will whisk you away without any effort on your part.

A veritable dream come true. And far be it from me to worry about such things, but do we have permission to make use of your shiny new invention?

The only permission required is yours, so assuming you're willing, we're all set!

It may come as a surprise, but we actually struggle to find test subjects. Most people seem to have an unreasonable fear of their souls gradually disintegrating as they drift helplessly in the Lifestream ─ in the statistically unlikely event that something goes awry.

But it's plain that you aren't most people! Heh heh, Mistress Krile truly knows how to pick 'em!

If I might change the subject... Are Master Wilfsunn and Mistress Bloewyda not present today?

Oh, you didn't hear? They've recently resigned their posts. Their expertise was needed elsewhere.

A large-scale project helmed by the Forum itself, as I understand, but I'm not privy to the details.

I see...

Any other questions? No? Then let's get going before you change your minds! Please see to your preparations and head outside to the aetheryte plaza. I'll be along shortly.

End of cutscene.

Optional dialogue

In case you were wondering, the aetheryte still functions like a normal one. It's just been upgraded to allow unattuned travel. I'll see you there shortly.

Though words unsaid yet weigh heavy on my heart, I shall devote mine all to our task in Thavnair.

Given my experience with teleportation, I'd be lying if I said I didn't have reservations, but I will trust in Krile.

I shall teleport the tried and trusted way. Good luck.

Wait at the aetheryte plaza in Old Sharlayan.

Start of voiced cutscene.

Right, we're all set!

Just the four of you, was it?

Three. I am already attuned to the crystal in Thavnair.

You are? Oh. I would have preferred more test subjects...

Oh well, never mind. If our three travelers could line up here, please?

Yes, right there is fine! Take a deep breath, and I'll soon have you soaring through the aether.

Kytte presses a button. Thancred, the player, and Urianger begin glowing.

Oh, and one last thing!

You might experience a teensy-weensy touch of violent aetherial sickness. Good luck!

Wha-

Thancred teleports away. Urianger and the player follow.

Emet-Selch (Narration)

Thavnair, home to city-state Radz-at-Han.

Rising from the southeast waters of the Bounty, this isle of plenty served as the battleground for a conflict between two peoples.

Their cultures bled into one another until a unique amalgamation was distilled from the chaos, in a process not unlike their precious alchemy.

Once solidified as a single nation, an adamant stance of neutrality would hold invaders at bay. For a time.

Now across this vibrant isle creeps a fog of malice. What choice do you have...

...what chance...

...against such an insidious foe?

The player, Urianger, and Thancred are inflicted with aether sickness. They rest while Estinien watches.

I've seen fairer faces after a bout of bad shellfish.

Let me bring you something to drink. That should help settle your bellies.

Estinien walks away.

There was a note...with Krile's instructions...

Don't let Estinien roam the markets alone... He's alarmingly bad with coin...

You manage to will yourself to your feet, but given your condition, will you be able to reach Estinien in time...?

End of cutscene.

Optional dialogue

...

Heh, no stopping...our champion... Now, quickly... Find Estinien...before he─ Hurrrk!

Search for Estinien

You there, I need three drinks. Something that helps with aether sickness.

Junkmonger

B-By the Manusya, a traveler! Er, I mean...greetings! Greetings and welcome!

You are wise, good sir, to come to me! My special amra lassi, made with only the finest and freshest ingredients, is famed for calming unruly bellies!

By way of a warm welcome to Thavnair, I'm pleased to offer it to you for the low, low price of nineteen thousand and eight hundred gil! For not one, not two, but three bottles! A bargain amongst bargains!

Hm...

The price is highroad robbery, and you want to say as much to Estinien, but you realize any words of warning you cry out would be accompanied by your last meal...

You must stand before Estinien and, using gestures, deny that the deal is fair.

Optional dialogue

Nineteen thousand and eight hundred gil... That's a reasonable deal...isn't it?

/deny to Estinien that the deal is fair.

Hm? I thought you could barely stand. What do you need to tell me that's so urgent?

...Wait. I shouldn't buy the lassi. This merchant is swindling me.

Junkmonger

Uwaaah!

S-Sincerest apologies, sir, but I appear to have my prices confused! It's actually one thousand eight hundred and ninety gil for the three bottles of lassi!

Hmph. That confusion would've been quite costly. For both of us. Very well, then ─ your coin.

Here, a bottle for each of you. Take them to the others and get some rest.

I'll be back after I've explored the town.

Optional dialogue

“A teensy-weensy touch,” she says... Not even my hardest night's drinking comes close...

Deliver a bottle of special amra lassi to Urianger.

...

The player hands over the Special Amra Lassi.

Praise...be to the Twelve... My stomach doth loosen its death grip...

My heartfelt thanks to thee and Estinien ─ and to the fine fruits of this land.

Optional dialogue

Ne'er hath teleportation induced such terrible discomfort... 'Twas torturous in its intensity, and I would sooner swim a score malms...

Deliver a bottle of special amra lassi to Thancred.

You were...in time? Excellent... You've spared us Tataru's wrath...

The player hands over the Special Amra Lassi.

Sweet...sweet release... If you haven't already, you should have yours too.

Start of cutscene.

Right, I'm ready to get on with it. That lassi truly worked wonders.

Back on your feet, I see.

Th-Thy hair...

Estinien has tied his hair into a ponytail.

Aye, I've bound it. 'Tis the most I could do against this heat short of shedding my armor.

...May I ask where you got the cord for it?

A local vendor. The man said it's a Thavnairian weave─tough and not easily unraveled.

...And how much did it cost?

Ninety-four hundred gil─a steal, I was told. 'Tis nothing fancy, but I've always valued function over form.

That's...incredible. I daresay not even Alphinaud could hold a candle to you.

What will you say?

It's not uncommon for merchants to set their prices high, but doesn't it seem excessive here?

I am inclined to agree with thine assessment. It doth seem excessive ─ unusually so.

Are all Hannish merchants so unscrupulous?

One mustn't be too quick to paint a diverse people with a single brush. If such doth prove to be commonplace, I would presume it symptomatic of societal instability.

I expected the Azure Dragoon to put more of a fight.

...On that subject, I shall refrain from making comment. Yet I cannot help but observe that the merchants seem overzealous in their pursuit of profit.

Claiming Thavnair as its dominion, the nation of Radz-at-Han hath long thrived as a hub of commerce.

In the beginning, there were the Arkasodara, a Matanga tribe indigenous to this island.

Over time, they came to be joined by other races, and through their intermingling a culture rich and distinct did emerge.

From alchemy to textiles, the products of Hannish culture have come to be celebrated and coveted the world over. A development only aided by the nation's prime location as a waypoint betwixt east and west.

All of this hath combined to make a trading power of Radz-at-Han, yet such a status cannot be taken for granted. Nay, it must needs be maintained through judicious governance and stringent regulation.

Neither of which I see any evidence, given that merchants at a gateway town are free to fleece hapless travelers and tarnish the reputation of the nation at large.

Just so. That opportunistic pricing is rampant doth suggest that oversight is much weakened...or mayhap that the people have fallen upon hard times.

Whatever the truth may be, 'twould be prudent to ascertain the current state of affairs.

Prudent and practical, aye. We've naught to lose by learning more.

So, ere we seek out Krile's acquaintance, shall we see what information we can gather here in Yedlihmad?

Excellent. We didn't exactly get off to a flying start, but we'll make up for it.

End of cutscene.

Optional dialogue

Be thou assured that I am quite recovered. Lassi is truly a boon for unruly stomachs.

Is it truly so amusing to see my hair bound? 'Tis how I used to wear it. A functional fashion.

Perhaps you were confused by how you found me following Nidhogg's demise. It had fallen loose after the chirurgeons removed me from my armor and put me to bed. I simply decided to leave it that way for a time, seeing as I would not don the Azure Dragoon's helm again.

In Old Sharlayan (You can now travel from Old Sharlayan to Thavnair (West), by talking to Kytte again).