I Could Have Tranced All Night

I Could Have Tranced All Night

Quest giver

Dancing Wolf

Location

Ul'dah - Steps of Nald (X:8.7, Y:9.3)

Job

Summoner

Level

58

Experience

 53,040

Gil

 1,906

Previous quest

Mad, Bad, and Ebon-clad

Next quest

A Flare for the Dramatic

Patch

3.0

“

Dancing Wolf is ready to go on the offensive.

— In-game description

Rewards

Unlocks

•   Dreadwyrm Trance
•   Aethercharge Mastery

Steps

• Speak with Y'mhitra in Gridania
• Speak with Dancing Wolf at the Hall of Flames
• Speak with the elite flyer at the airship landing
• Complete duty
• Speak with Dancing Wolf at the Hall of Flames

Journal

• Dancing Wolf seems impatient to confront your elusive enemy.

• Dancing Wolf reports that since your victory over the unfortunate Kahedin, the number of attacks along Thanalan's trade routes has considerably diminished. Such a lack of activity, however, has the officer at a loss as to how to track down your Ascian foe. He urges you to instead speak with Y'mhitra, who apparently has other findings to share. Visit the researcher in Gridania, and learn what new secrets her studies have uncovered.

• Y'mhitra greets you with great enthusiasm, claiming to have unlocked a good many mysteries during her latest bout of study. She goes on to explain how you might circumvent the intrinsic aetheric limitations that prevented you from summoning Ramuh-Egi by adopting a method used by the ancient Allagans─a technique known as a “trance.” After suggesting that you attempt to infuse yourself with the essence of the terrible Bahamut, she admits that you will need Captain Wolf's assistance to enter what may be the only appropriate ritual location. Make your way to Ul'dah, and speak with Dancing Wolf at the Hall of Flames.

• Against his better judgment, Dancing Wolf has agreed to help you enter the contested territory of the Carteneau Flats. Head to the airship landing and petition the elite flyer to transport you to the edge of the aether-soaked wasteland.

• Your meditations in the Carteneau Flats are interrupted by the Ascian of the Twelfth Chalice, who vows to deny you the advantage of Bahamut's might. Despite the relentless onslaught of egi, however, you are able to complete the ritual and enter the trance of the Dreadwyrm. Wary of your newfound strength, your immortal foe chooses to withdraw rather than risk defeat. Return to Ul'dah, and speak with Dancing Wolf at the Hall of Flames.

• Though pleased with the success of your clandestine mission, Dancing Wolf is also frustrated at his failure to exact a proper vengeance. Y'mhitra reminds him, however, that the true destruction of an Ascian is not so easily accomplished. Explore the power of your Dreadwyrm Trance, and prepare yourself for your next confrontation with the malevolent Paragon.

Dialogue

Accepting the Quest

Dancing Wolf: Ah, [Forename]. If you've come for word on the Ascian, I fear I've little progress to report. We did, however, hold a service for Kahedin. I assembled the soldiers from his old unit, and together we conveyed his remains to the priests of Thal.
Dancing Wolf: As for Thanalan's trade routes, there is still the odd raid by bandits or beastmen, but naught that involves men in black robes... I must confess, I am at a loss as to how we might track our foe.
Dancing Wolf: ...Ah, have you spoken with Y'mhitra? I believe she had new findings to share with you.
(Optional)
Dancing Wolf: Y'mhitra mentioned she wished a word with you. The lass is back in Gridania, the last I heard...

Speaking with Y'mhitra in Gridania

Y'mhitra: [Forename], there you are! We have much to discuss!
Y'mhitra: I have been engrossed in my studies, you see, seeking every advantage for our inevitable clash with the Ascian.
Y'mhitra: And as I struggled to unravel the ancient knowledge of the tomestones, I unlocked a good many mysteries...including the reason why you were unable to call forth Ramuh-Egi.
Y'mhitra: When you summon an avatar, you draw upon your body's reservoir of aether to grant life and form to what is known as an arcane entity─that much we already knew.
Y'mhitra: I had, however, overlooked the simple fact that our aetheric reserves are finite─thus the magnitude of egi that you are able to summon is limited by the extent of your own life force. Simply put, if the egi is too powerful, then the summoning fails...
Y'mhitra: But do not despair! The summoners of Allag devised a method by which one might circumvent this intrinsic limitation.
Y'mhitra: Rather than attempt to summon a separate, physical manifestation of certain egi, the most accomplished mages discovered that far less aether was required to infuse themselves with the essence of a primal's power.
Y'mhitra: The technique by which a summoner would achieve this heightened state was known as a “trance.”
Y'mhitra: What say you, [Forename]─shall we see if you can master this method? It may even allow you to contend with a Paragon...but not if the essence is of an ordinary primal. Nay, we must set our sights on the most potent entity, the most fierce─I speak of the elder primal Bahamut.

(If 1.0 Player)
Y'mhitra: You were there at the Battle of Carteneau. You were there on the day of the Calamity when aether infused with the dragon's essence rained down upon the field. 

(If not)
Y'mhitra: On the day of the Calamity, the dragon vanished in an explosion so massive that his aether was carried to the far corners of Eorzea. You, among many others, have already been touched by his essence.

(Both)
Y'mhitra: All that remains is to perform the meditative ritual in a place steeped in Bahamut's energies, and you should be able to enter the trance of the dreadwyrm. As for setting foot within the only suitable location, I believe Captain Wolf can assist us... Shall we pay him a visit?
 (Optional)
Y'mhitra (at Apkallu Falls): If we are to unlock the power of the ancient summoners' trance, then we shall require Captain Wolf's assistance. Let us make haste for Ul'dah. 

Y'mhitra (at the Hall of Flames): As I anticipated, the good captain here has agreed to help us enter the only truly suitable ritual location.

Speaking with Dancing Wolf at the Hall of Flames

Dancing Wolf: Y'mhitra here is certainly not one to do things by half...
She petitioned me to help gain entry to the aether-soaked wasteland of the Carteneau Flats.
Dancing Wolf: The Flats are disputed territory, jointly administered by the three member nations of the Eorzean Alliance─and attempting to earn full admittance to the area is a bureaucratic nightmare. As matters stand, I was only able to secure permission to visit the Immortal Flames' airship landing.
Dancing Wolf: If we wish to enter the Flats proper, we will have to do so under the cover of night. Prepare yourself for a tense journey, then make your way to the landing here in Ul'dah. I have one of our elite flyers standing by.

Optional

Y'mhitra: Mastery of this trance will greatly increase your chances of standing against the Paragon. Pray inform the elite flyer that we are ready to depart for Carteneau.

Dancing Wolf: If they catch us creeping into the Flats, the General will have my head on a platter. ...But I must have vengeance for my soldiers!

Speaking with the elite flyer at the airship landing

Elite Flyer: I'll fly you to the front door of the Flats, but that's as far as you're authorized to go. Stay on the landing, or face the consequences.

Cutscene

Y'mhitra: So this is what became of the Carteneau Flats. Never before have I sensed such tainted aether...
Y'mhitra: Let us not linger long, [Forename]. Turn your mind now to Bahamut's terrible majesty─allow his power to seep into your very being...
Y'mhitra: ...Nothing? We may need to deepen your meditations...

Haughty Voice: Do you truly attempt to harness the might of Bahamut? The essence of the elder primal shall tear your mortal frame asunder!
Ascian of the Twelfth Chalice: Chaos rises in the presence of power, but you, Bringer of Light, can be allowed to shine no brighter. Come, and be doused in the endless waters of the Twelfth Chalice!  

Solo Duty

Ascian of the Twelfth Chalice: Bahamut's power shall never be yours!
You die here, mortals!

Dancing Wolf: Thal's teeth!
We needed more time!

Y'mhitra the Learned: You must not abandon the ritual!
Use Bahamut's residual energies to unlock the trance!

Ascian of the Twelfth Chalice: You would play with fire...?
Then perish in infernal flames!

Y'mhitra the Learned: [Forename], quest with your senses!
There will be pockets of lingering aether! 
Y'mhitra the Learned: Find the densest concentrations! Focus!
Will yourself one with Bahamut's essence!

System: Your senses heighten, allowing you to see Bahamut's aethertrails. 
System: You concentrate on the image of Bahamut's flames.

Ascian of the Twelfth Chalice: I will cut you down with blades of wind!

Dancing Wolf: Another egi!?
He won't stop, will he...?

Y'mhitra the Learned: [Forename], concentrate!
Enfold your mind in Bahamut's wings!

System: Your senses heighten, allowing you to see Bahamut's aethertrails.  
System: You concentrate on the image of Bahamut's wings.

Ascian of the Twelfth Chalice: You are persistent, Bringer of Light...
I will bury you in stone!

Dancing Wolf: For the love of Thal...
[Forename]! Might you meditate a little faster!?

Y'mhitra the Learned: It's working, [Forename]!
Find another pocket of aether!

System: Your senses heighten, allowing you to see Bahamut's aethertrails. 
System: You concentrate on the image of Bahamut's claws.

Ascian of the Twelfth Chalice: You still do not understand.
The waters of the Twelfth Chalice are endless...

Y'mhitra the Learned: Where does he find such stamina...?
Do not yield, [Forename]!

Dancing Wolf: ...Did he summon three egi at once!?
I should have brought reinforcements...

Y'mhitra the Learned: Continue seeking the aether!
Without the trance, we cannot prevail!

System: Your senses heighten, allowing you to see Bahamut's aethertrails. 
System: You concentrate on the image of Bahamut's scales.
System: Your senses heighten, allowing you to see Bahamut's aethertrails. 
System: You concentrate on the image of Bahamut's fangs.
System: Your senses heighten, allowing you to see Bahamut's aethertrails.
System: You concentrate on the image of Bahamut's roar.
System: You ease yourself into the Dreadwyrm Trance!

Dancing Wolf: What just happened!?

Ascian of the Twelfth Chalice: No! The might of the dreadwyrm...

Y'mhitra the Learned: It is done! The trance is yours!
Now sweep aside these lesser avatars!

Cutscene

Ascian of the Twelfth Chalice: Hmph. I did not anticipate this. You should not have been able to complete the meditations under such duress. 
Ascian of the Twelfth Chalice: ...But I shall not underestimate you again. Our next meeting shall be our last, Bringer of Light!

Y'mhitra: We did it... We faced a Paragon, and lived. 
Y'mhitra: And it is all thanks to you, [Forename]─you, and the towering might of Bahamut that you now command!

Dancing Wolf: Aye, despite the Ascian's interference, we achieved what we came here for. But I'm afraid this is not the place to celebrate─let us return to the landing before the dawn's light finds us in forbidden territory.

(Optional)
Y'mhitra (on the airship landing): 'Twas a daring journey, but I believe the rewards merited the risk. We should return now to the Hall of Flames, and see that Captain Wolf has not been stripped of his station... 

Y'mhitra (at the Hall of Flames): That Paragon did not come across us by chance. We are being watched...

Speaking with Dancing Wolf at the Hall of Flames

Dancing Wolf: We have reason to rejoice, my friends─it would seem our clandestine adventure went unnoticed by my superiors. And, more importantly, we seized the upper hand in a battle against an Ascian.

Y'mhitra: The trance did appear most effective against our immortal foe. For such a hurried night's work, we managed to reap quite a harvest indeed.

Dancing Wolf: Aye, but it is a pity the bastard fled when he did. I would have liked to have settled the score then and there...

Y'mhitra: 'Twas for the best, Captain Wolf. If we would truly defeat the Ascian, then we must be prepared to destroy him utterly, body and soul...