In the Image of the Ancients

Quest giver: Alka Zolka
Location: Limsa Lominsa Upper Decks (X:11.1, Y:6.2)
Job: Scholar
Level: 45

Required items: 1   Direwort Leaves
1   Well-learned and Well-dressed
3   Incomplete Scholar's Garb
Experience: 11,880
Gil: 0
Previous quest: The Consequences of Anger
Next quest: For Your Fellow Man
Patch: 2.0
Links: EDB GT

“

Alka Zolka has news which should be of great interest to you.

— In-game description

Rewards

Walkthrough

See also: Artifact Armor

Steps

Search for a direwort shrub in Mor Dhona.
Harvest leaves from the direwort shrub.
Deliver the leaves and thesis to Redolent Rose in Ul'dah.
Ask Serendipity to finish Redolent Rose's work.
Ask Geva in Gridania to finish Redolent Rose's work.
Ask Beli to finish Redolent Rose's work.
Speak with Alka Zolka at the Marauders' Guild.

Journal

Alka Zolka has news which should be of great interest to you.

Alka Zolka has come into possession of ancient engravings which purport to show the traditional raiments of Nymian scholars. Coupled with information gleaned from other sources, he believes he has deduced the raiments' design. However, he wishes to conclusively verify their historical accuracy by recreating the garments and gauging your faerie's reaction. In order to do so, he will need to enlist the aid of a preeminent Eorzean weaver─namely, Master Redolent Rose of Sunsilk Tapestries. Approaching him now would be premature, though, as you must first gather the leaves of a direwort. These plants, which can be found only in the Fogfens of Mor Dhona, are essential for producing the distinct colors of a Nymian scholar's uniform.

Your initial attempt to gather the direwort leaves is foiled by the sudden appearance of belligerent wildlife, which you are forced to dispatch. Hopefully, your second attempt will not be so rudely interrupted.

To your relief, no rampaging beast attempts to devour you this time. Journey to Ul'dah and speak with Redolent Rose, who should have hopefully been contacted by Alka Zolka by now.

Redolent Rose works feverishly to render the ancient designs into modern creations. Alas, his skill is insufficient to produce more than the culottes; the other pieces will require the skills of a master goldsmith and leatherworker. Realizing that you were not aware of this fact, Redolent Rose offers to contact Mistresses Serendipity and Geva of the Goldsmiths' and Leatherworkers' Guilds on your behalf, so that you need only visit each guild and present the items to receive their help.

The ever-cheerful Serendipity requires but a moment to fashion a mythril tassel for your mortarboard. You can only hope that Geva will work with similar alacrity.

Geva effortlessly crafts a pair of fingerless gloves in accordance with Alka Zolka's designs. However, she has no intention of spoiling you further, and bids you speak with Beli, her subordinate, about the boots.

Beli relishes the opportunity to finish the famed Redolent Rose's work, wasting no time in constructing the leather boots. Now that the set is complete, all that remains is to show Alka Zolka what the craftsmen have wrought.

Alka Zolka is thrilled by the resemblance you bear to the Nymian scholars of eld. He is not alone in his excitement, as your faerie also appears to approve of your new raiments. Wear them with pride as you continue to pursue your studies.

Dialogue

Alka Zolka: Good to see you, [Forename]. I have made yet another discovery which pertains to you and your scholarly arts.
Alka Zolka: I have come into possession of several ancient engravings, including some which show the traditional raiments of Nymian scholars.
Alka Zolka: In fact, the extraordinary detail of these illustrations, coupled with information gleaned from other sources, was sufficient to deduce their design.
Alka Zolka: At present, it is impossible to say how historically accurate my designs are. That is why I propose we enlist the aid of Eorzea's preeminent artisans, so that we might recreate these garments. Should they prove sufficiently authentic, I expect your faerie will regain more of her missing memories.
Alka Zolka: In the hands of a preeminent weaver─say, Master Redolent Rose of Sunsilk Tapestries─this information should be sufficient.
Alka Zolka: Ah, but you cannot journey to Ul'dah until you have gathered the leaves of a direwort. My texts explicitly mention that the plant's pigments were used to dye Nymian uniforms.
Alka Zolka: Alas, direwort is much rarer than it was in the days of yore. It can only be found in the Fogfens now.
Alka Zolka: Lest you think I mean to make you do all the work, worry not. While you scour Mor Dhona for the plant, I will contact Master Rose and convince him to help─though I doubt it will require much effort!
Alka Zolka: Do not forget to obtain the direwort leaves before journeying to Ul'dah! Without them, it will be impossible to reproduce the distinct colors of a Nymian scholar's uniform.

A foul stench fills your nostrils...

Redolent Rose: ...I suppose you do have a rather scholarly air about you. I've been expecting you, [Forename]. Have you the leaves and Alka Zolka's designs, then?
Redolent Rose: Crafting raiments that have not been seen in fifteen hundred years... This is indeed a daunting challenge.
Redolent Rose: But it is one I suspect I will enjoy a great deal, for rare is the day a weaver revives ancient fashion!
Redolent Rose: I shall begin at once. You may observe if you like, but be aware it will be a lengthy process...
Redolent Rose: It...it has been some time since I labored with such...intensity.
Redolent Rose: I adhered to Alka Zolka's designs as best I could, though there were certain aspects I felt compelled to change. His lack of familiarity with textiles and weaving led to what I can only assume are errors.
Redolent Rose: You will note that I could only complete the culottes. This is because the other garments require skills which I do not possess.
Redolent Rose: Mistresses Serendipity and Geva of the Goldsmiths' and Leatherworkers' Guilds, respectively, can provide the finishing touches to the remaining pieces.
Redolent Rose: Ah, but you were unaware that I could not craft the full set by myself, weren't you?
Redolent Rose: Very well. I shall send word to them on your behalf, [Forename]. You will need only visit each guild and present to them my unfinished work.
Redolent Rose: You may wear the culottes at your leisure, but the boots, gloves, and mortarboard remain unfinished.
Redolent Rose: Only a master goldsmith and leatherworker have the skill to complete the three remaining pieces.
Redolent Rose: So, if you wish to finish what you have started, then make haste for the Goldsmiths' and Leatherworkers' Guilds.
Redolent Rose: I will see that the two guildmasters know to expect you.

Serendipity: Greetings, [Forename]! Red said you'd be along shortly. So, let's see that mortarboard!
Serendipity: Hmmm... This shouldn't take long. Wait here a moment.
Serendipity: Here it is, as promised. Amazing what a difference a mythril tassel can make, isn't it?
Serendipity: Wear it with pride, [Forename]. Now, off you go! And be sure to enjoy your time in Gridania!

Geva: Ah, [Forename]─the woman who would single-handedly revive the scholarly arts. All right, then, show me what you've got.
Geva: Master Rose's work is marvelous, as to be expected. This will be a pleasure.
Geva: There you go─one pair of fingerless buffalo leather gloves, perfect for the scholar who prefers that her protection does not come at a cost to dexterity.
Geva: Oh, the boots? Beli will see to those. He's an expert cordwainer, so you needn't worry about the quality. Besides, I've already spoiled you by making your gloves for free.

Beli: You're the scholar, yes? I've been instructed to assist you. If you would please let me see Master Rose's work...
Beli: This craftsmanship is amazing! I cannot wait to get started.
Beli: Here you are, madam. Made with the finest boar and buffalo leather, in accordance with Alka Zolka's designs─which are very impressive, I must say.
Beli: He must be dying to see the completed set. I know I would be, had I gone to such great lengths. You ought to surprise him by wearing the garments when next you meet him.

Redolent Rose: ...Should a chirurgeon humor the imbecile who sticks his hand in a fire just to see what will happen? You are a fool, and you know it. Fortunately for you, so did I, which is why I prepared another pair of culottes for this eventuality.

Serendipity: Wow, you really are as foolish as Red said! He came by earlier and gave me additional mortarboards, saying that you'd probably come back and ask for another.

Geva: I don't know what's more impressive: Master Rose's prescience, or your idiocy. Be thankful I don't skin you for this.

Beli: Matron's teats! Why would you go and do a foolish thing like that? I mean, really, that's just...damn. You should count your blessings that Master Rose leaves nothing to chance.

Alka Zolka: ...Although I am certain this is not necessary, on the off chance you misplaced any pieces of the set, go back and speak with the artisans. If we are fortunate, they may be able to furnish us with replacements.
Alka Zolka: [Forename]! By your return I take it the raiments are ready? If so, would you consider donning them so I might see if they match the ancient descriptions?
Alka Zolka: By the gods, I feel as though I have been transported backwards through time!
Alka Zolka: You are the very image of the Nymian scholars of eld!
Alka Zolka: Well, minus the gown, but still! Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would turn out this well.
Alka Zolka: Hah, I see you approve as well, little one! Suffice it to say, we can consider this a great success.