Patch 2.2
Introduction
Patch 2.2: Through the Maelstrom is the second major content update introduced for A Realm Reborn.
Notable Features, Additions, and Changes
New Content
- Main Story: Through the Maelstrom (19 quests, later reduced to 14 in patch 5.3)
- Side Story: Hildibrand, Agent of Enquiry Chapter 2 (4 quests)
- Dungeons:
The Lost City of Amdapor, Halatali (Hard), Brayflox's Longstop (Hard) - Trials:
The Whorleater (Hard), The Whorleater (Extreme), Thornmarch (Extreme), Battle on the Big Bridge - Raid Series:
The Second Coil of Bahamut - Beast Tribe Quests and Reputation: Sahagin and Kobolds
- Zodiac Weapons third and fourth part added
- Zodiac Weapons fifth part added (2.28)
System Changes and Additions
Cast Glamour: Allows the player to transform the appearance of his or her gear to match that of other gear, with some restrictions.- Housing: Gardening added
- Retainer Ventures added
Duty Roulette: Expert and Duty Roulette: Trials added- Challenge Log added
- Sightseeing Log added (2.28)
- Big Fishing added
- PlayStation 4 support added (April 14, 2014)
Miscellaneous
- New Allagan Tomestone currency:
Allagan Tomestones of Soldiery
Allagan Tomestones of Philosophy are now deprecated and can be exchanged for 
Allagan Tomestones of Mythology for a limited time.- Allagan Tomestones of Mythology are no longer limited to 300 per week.
- The visual appearance of the Goblet residential area has been redesigned.
Note: Not all content listed here will launch on the same day. This article is about the 2.2x season as a whole.
Main Story Summary (Spoilers)
During an audit in Thanalan, the Scions of the Seventh Dawn uncover a series of covert crystal thefts at Amajina & Sons Mineral Concern, suspected to be tied to the Amalj'aa. Y'shtola, preoccupied with other matters, defers to Fufulupa of the Brass Blades, who informs the Warrior of Light (WoL) and Thancred of a recent smuggler arrest. However, Thancred quickly identifies the suspects as mere somnus traffickers. Further investigation reveals corruption within the Brass Blades and a plot to use Y'shtola as bait exposes a band of Sea Wolf thieves with distinctive tattoos. Though lacking clear affiliations, this clue prompts Y'shtola to conduct further inquiries, leaving Thancred and the WoL to monitor developments.
Meanwhile, Alphinaud summons the WoL to assist with a diplomatic matter in Ul'dah, where refugees from the fallen eastern nation of Doma have arrived seeking asylum. Led by Lady Yugiri, the Domans petition the Sultana and the Syndicate but are ultimately denied sanctuary due to political maneuvering by Lolorito. Despite the setback, General Raubahn and Alphinaud explore alternative solutions and settle on sending the Domans to Revenant's Toll, where they might find purpose and shelter as frontier workers. The WoL escorts the first group to Ul'dah and then on to Revenant's Toll, protecting them from beasts along the way and ensuring their safe arrival.
Upon arrival in Revenant's Toll, Yugiri formally meets with Minfilia and is welcomed into the fold of the Scions' growing alliances. Y'shtola returns with dire news: the Serpent Reavers, acting on behalf of the Sahagin, were responsible for the earlier crystal thefts, intended to fuel the summoning of the primal Leviathan. Minfilia joins the WoL and Y'shtola in answering Admiral Merlwyb's call for aid in La Noscea. After scouting the enemy's movements and suffering losses among Maelstrom scouts, the Scions and the Maelstrom mount an assault on the Sapsa Spawning Grounds. Despite their efforts, Leviathan is summoned and escapes to the open sea, threatening devastation with a tidal wave.
To stop Leviathan, Storm Marshal Eynzahr proposes using corrupted crystals aboard a twin-hulled vessel to counter the primal's command of water. The WoL engages Leviathan in a perilous naval battle aboard the Whorleater and successfully defeats the primal, earning the admiration of Merlwyb and gratitude from both Limsa Lominsa and the Doman refugees. Inspired, Yugiri decides to study the Lominsan underworld's martial arts and promises to pass on her knowledge to Eorzeans. As the WoL returns to the Rising Stones, Minfilia reveals that recent events may hold the key to understanding the Echo and defeating the Ascians - just as Urianger arrives with grim news: the Isle of Val, home to the Students of Baldesion, has been destroyed by a cataclysmic spell.
The Second Coil of Bahamut (Spoilers)
Hildibrand, Agent of Enquiry (Spoilers)
Lore
Long-dormant forces had begun to stir, their awakening a presage of night eternal. For the betterment of Eorzea, the Scions of the Seventh Dawn had re-established themselves beyond the reach of those who would sway them for personal gain. However, to stave off the encroaching darkness and pull the realm back from the brink of destruction, the Warrior of Light and his comrades would need to plunge headlong into a political maelstrom.
The Doman Dilemma
The Scions of the Seventh Dawn continued to receive all manner of petitions, even at their new headquarters, the Rising Stones, in the frontier lands of Mor Dhona. Though some were of questionable merit, one in particular warranted their immediate attention.
The Amajina & Sons Mineral Concern had recently discovered that they had been the target of a series of covert robberies, which were currently under investigation by the Brass Blades. Normally, mere theft would not be deserving of the Scions' attentions. However, significant quantities of crystals—and only crystals—had been stolen, suggesting that the thieves acted not out of self-interest but in service to a primal. Given their proximity, the Amalj’aa were considered the most likely suspects. However, with the assistance of the Brass Blades of Horizon, the Scions eventually concluded that the thieves were not native to Thanalan at all.
Meanwhile, in Vesper Bay, a small vessel bearing refugees from the Far Eastern land of Doma had unexpectedly arrived, their leader loudly proclaiming that she sought an audience with the ruler of Ul'dah. Urianger, who had remained in the port to look after the Waking Sands and pursue his independent studies of primals, contacted Minfilia, who bade the Warrior of Light and Alphinaud make contact with the Domans and their masked leader, Yugiri.
The refugee leader explained to the Scions that following the death of the Garlean emperor Solus zos Galvus, the Domans had seen an opportunity to free themselves from the yoke of imperial oppression and took up arms against the Empire. However, their rebellion was crushed, and Doma was razed to the ground as an example to other provinces. Yugiri was thus forced to lead her people from Othard to Eorzea, where they hoped to find sanctuary.
With Alphinaud’s aid, Yugiri was granted an audience with the rulers of Ul'dah to plead her case. Despite the best wishes of the sultana, due to ongoing struggles to care for displaced victims of the Calamity and Ala Mhigan refugees, the Domans were turned away from Ul'dah. Fortunately, they found a new home in Revenant’s Toll, where they would work as frontier hands in exchange for food and shelter.
The Lord of the Whorl
After helping the Domans to broker an arrangement with the Ad- venturers' Guild of Revenant's Toll, the Scions turned their attention to a developing situation in Vylbrand. Y'shtola had returned from her investigation there, having confirmed beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Serpent Reavers were behind the crystal thefts in Thanalan. All evidence suggested that the Sahagin were preparing to summon Leviathan once more, and so it was that Admiral Merlwyb petitioned the Scions' aid in preventing the primal's reawakening.
With the support of the Maelstrom, the Warrior of Light and his comrades managed to force their way inside the Sapsa Spawning Grounds, where the Sahagin were conducting the summoning ritual. Alas, despite their best efforts, the beastmen were successful, and Leviathan was come once more. The primal soon bent his course for the open sea, and there effortlessly dispatched a diversionary squadron of the Crimson Fleet, forcing Admiral Merlwyb and the others to reassess their available options.
The allies soon struck upon a most unorthodox solution, courtesy of Storm Marshal Eynzahr: to harness the power of corrupted crystals, borne upon an improvised twin vessel, to rob Leviathan of his command over the element of water. Being the best-and only-plan available, all involved swiftly agreed to support the endeavor, and Naldiq & Vymelli's quickly set to work on the vessel's construction.
Once preparations were complete, the flagship of the Crimson Fleet, the Triumph, towed the Whorleater in the sea, along with the Warrior of Light, to confront the fell primal. And so it was that, following a titanic struggle on the high seas, he succeeded in vanquishing Leviathan, sparing Limsa Lominsa untold devastation and death.
In the wake of the Calamity, the hamlet of Halfistone was obliterated by a tidal wave of Leviathan's making, Though it was a bold, reckless plan, the Maelstrom had no choice but to risk everything on the later and the Warrior of Light to prevent Lima Lominsa from meeting with a similar fate. [1]
References
- ↑ Encyclopaedia Eorzea: Volume I, page 61