Scholarly Perspective

Quest giver: Bhaldswrys
Location: Old Sharlayan (X:11.9, Y:10.7)
Level: 80
Required quest: Old Sharlayan, New to You
Experience: 168,300-190,575
Gil: 815
Patch: 6.0

“

You seem to have caught Bhaldswrys's interest.

— In-game description

Walkthrough

Speak with Statue Gazer and he will "give you his spyglass" which starts up an aiming minigame. He will tell you to look at different parts of the statue of Thaliak so that he can tell you about them. When you are aiming at a valid spot, text will appear over the reticle. Make sure to click it to activate the next step.
Unconfirmed if there is a required order for which spots you aim at, but this is the order (that this article writer) experienced:
1. Aim for the pitcher that Thaliak is holding
2. Aim for Thaliak's feet
3. Aim for Thaliak's head (somewhat towards his hat)
After he finishes telling you about the final part of the statue, the Statue Gazer will tell you to meet him near the statue's feet (x:10.2, y:16.3 approximately).

This quest is a great source of lore about Sharlayan's history, and the mythology of Thaliak!

Steps

Speak with the statue gazer.
Speak with the statue gazer again.
Speak with Bhaldswrys.

Journal

You seem to have caught Bhaldswrys's interest.

Dialogue

Accepting the quest from Bhaldswys

Bhaldswys: Hello, friend, are you new to Sharlayan? You have that look about you. Bhaldswys: I thought as much. Oh, I'm not bothering you, am I? I so rarely meet travelers from beyond our shores, and couldn't pass up an opportunity to broaden my horizons. Bhaldswys: Can I assume a visitor such as yourself is eager to do the same? If you've an interest in learning about this city's history, for example, then I know the perfect person to give you an impromptu lesson. Bhaldswys: Head on over to Scholar's Harbor, and keep an eye out for a black-haired Roegadyn. That would be my brother. He'll know the tale of any pillar and statue you care to point out, and would be more than happy to share it with you!

Speak with Statue Gazer

Statue Gazer: Yes, was there something I might help you with? Statue Gazer: ...Ah, my dear sister, you say? Well, she did indeed send you to the right man, for who better to teach you about Sharlayan's history than a Studium-certified history professor! Statue Gazer: Here, take my spyglass. Go on, take it─no time like the present to learn about the past! We shall begin your education with divine Thaliak, the Scholar Himself.

You aim at Thaliak's pitcher

Statue Gazer: Mythology tells us that Thaliak bore a magicked pitcher, from which poured forth the waters of knowledge. Statue Gazer: See how the water is drawn up from the canals and cascades endlessly into the sea? As well as recreating the divine ewer from the tale, it also symbolizes the wisdom which rises from our city and flows out into the world. Statue Gazer: If you would like to learn more about the mechanism by which it works, the stonemasons who built it left records of their struggle in the archives of Noumenon. A rather challenging construction, by all accounts. Statue Gazer: Of those twelve, it was Archon Nyunkrepf who brought our ancestors here in his ark, and together they founded what was to become the great nation of Sharlayan.

You aim at Thaliak's feet

Statue Gazer: The beach at the foot of Thaliak's statue is the very spot where those first Sharlayans made land. I imagine how they must have felt on that day, some sixteen hundred years ago...

You aim at Thaliak's head

Statue Gazer: This statue is a representation of Thaliak, one of the Twelve divinities of Eorzea, and guardian deity of Sharlayan. As the god of knowledge, He rules over rivers and wisdom. Statue Gazer: There was once a system of governance in Sharlayan known as the Ecclesia─a great gathering at which each citizen was given a voice in decisions affecting the nation's future─and it was during one such forum wherein the people voted to elect Thaliak as our patron. Statue Gazer: It was not piety which drove this choice, but rather a natural progression of our principles and creeds. We Sharlayans have, after all, always devoted ourselves to the pursuit of knowledge.

When all three spots have been aimed at...

Statue Gazer: And there you have it! I hope you enjoyed your introduction to Sharlayan historical architecture. Statue Gazer: If we are to do justice to the towering Thaliak, however, there is one last snippet of knowledge that we simply cannot overlook. Come along! To the foot of the statue!

When you speak to Statue Gazer again

Statue Gazer:
Pray direct your attention to yon doors. Behind them, nestled within the statue itself, is a chamber known as the "Pathless Way."
Those who have acquired mastery over specialized disciplines, or whose deeds have led to significant advances in their chosen field, are invited to enter said chamber and receive the title of “Archon.” We place great value on the pursuit of knowledge, and thus the Archons are held in especially high regard. As the embodiment of our ideals, they are permitted to browse the forbidden archives, and have ever stood at the center of our nation's greatest achievements.
Now, as for the most secret and sacred ceremony which awards them their title, I am afraid that even I am not privy to the particulars. You will forgive me my ignorance on this subject, I hope?
A scholar and a [gentlewoman/gentleman]! And thus concludes the lesson─should you happen to return by the same route, pray convey my warmest regards to Bhaldswys.

Returning to Bhaldswys

Bhaldswys: Ah, you've just come back from hearing one of my brother's lectures, haven't you. That's another look I'm quite familiar with. Bhaldswys: His breadth of historical knowledge is extensive─sufficient to earn him the title of Archon, he hopes. The problem is, if his contributions to the field are to be officially acknowledged, he must have written recommendations from high-ranking professors. But in these tumultuous times, such ceremonial concerns have been pushed to one side. Bhaldswys: And so he idles away his spare moments at the harbor now, just gazing out at the ocean. I thought having an eager student might relight his spark...which is why I jumped at the chance to speak with you. Bhaldswys: I must apologize for not being more honest with my intentions. Please accept this gift for your troubles, and allow me to welcome you once more to Sharlayan!