Soul without Life

Quest giver: Ardashir
Location: Azys Lla (X:7.4, Y:11.5)
Quest line: Anima Weapons Quests
Level: 60

Required items: 1 Astral Nodule
1 Umbral Nodule
Experience: 0
Gil: 1,447
Previous quest: An Unexpected Proposal
Next quest: Toughening Up
Patch: 3.15
Links: EDB GT

“

Ardashir seems eager to bring anima into being.

※Changing classes or jobs will prevent progress during this quest.

— In-game description

Rewards

Depending on job:

Walkthrough

Main article: Animated Weapons/Quest

Steps

Speak with Rowena at Revenant's Toll.
Speak with Syndony at Revenant's Toll.
Deliver the Astral Nodule and Umbral Nodule to Ardashir in Azys Lla.

Journal

Ardashir seems eager to bring anima into being.
- ※Changing classes or jobs will prevent progress during this quest.

Ardashir hopes to begin work on the anima weapon as soon as possible. All the necessary elements are in place save two: astral and umbral nodules, the catalysts required to facilitate the process of channeling aether into the soulstone. Unsure of where to procure them, Ardashir suggests speaking with Rowena in Revenant's Toll. With any luck, she will know of a merchant who can provide what he needs.
- ※You may not proceed with a class or job that is different from when you accepted this quest.
Hearing of your need for crystals with unusual properties, Rowena suggests speaking with a merchant by the name of Syndony. She is a jeweler who also happens to be quite knowledgeable about crystals. You can find her on the terrace of the second floor in the House of Splendors.

Upon speaking with Syndony, it soon becomes clear that your reputation has preceded you. When you inquire about the nodules, she is taken aback by your outlandish request, but is not deterred from the challenge of producing what you seek. The process will require elementally aspected luminous crystals, and she insists you bring her one of every element. However, she also believes there may be one other way: bringing her a Zodiac Weapon of the highest order. Seeing your nonplussed expression, she concedes that such a legendary weapon may be no more than a rumor.
- ※Should you be unwilling or unable to offer a suitable Zodiac Weapon, luminous crystals can be obtained by participating in FATEs in the following regions:
  - Sea of Clouds: luminous wind crystals
  - Azys Lla: luminous fire crystals
  - Churning Mists: luminous lightning crystals
  - Coerthas western highlands: luminous ice crystals
  - Dravanian forelands: luminous earth crystals
  - Dravanian hinterlands: luminous water crystals
- ※The FATEs do not have to be completed with the same Job you obtained the quest for in order to receive the crystals

With the nodules in hand, Ardashir is at last ready to go through with Gerolt's plan. He duly completes the infusion of aether, and hands the pulsating soulstone to Gerolt, who immediately sets about affixing the radiant gem to your weapon. Some time later, the sweating smith finally lowers his hammer, a look of both exhaustion and satisfaction on his face. The plan has succeeded and you are the proud owner of an anima weapon. Now begins the journey to discover its full potential.

Dialogue

(Optional)
Gerolt: Sorry, [Forename], but if it ain't about the anima weapon, I got no time for it. <sigh> What I wouldn't give to be hammerin' out a nice kettle back in Hyrstmill...

Accepting the Quest

Ardashir: I take it you're ready to proceed? Excellent. Gerolt has already begun work on the weapon that will serve to contain the anima. The difficulty lies in sustaining the thing long enough for the transfer to take place.
Ardashir: But with the appropriate stabilizing materials, I believe it should be possible, provided we act quickly.
Ardashir: I have brought several soulstones with me, so you needn't worry about that. I shall see that one is fitted to your weapon.
Ardashir: The only needful things I do not currently possess are crystals capable of handling the quantities of aether required for our work.
Ardashir: To be specific, we will need astral and umbral nodules.
Ardashir: Would that we were working in Radz-at-Han. I knew of a merchant there who sold them. Costly though they were, I was never wanting for supplies. Perhaps Mistress Rowena would know of someone willing to trade. Might you be willing to speak with her on my behalf?
Ardashir: No doubt whoever she refers you to will not part with them readily, but I trust you will be able to come to some manner of arrangement.
Ardashir: In the meantime, Gerolt and I will finish preparations for the anima weapon. Safe travels, friend.

Speaking with Rowena at Revenant's Toll

Rowena: Well if it isn't my favorite adventurer. How's that anima weapon comin' along?
Rowena: Astral and umbral nodules? Hmmm, might be as Syndony will have what you're after.
Rowena: She's a jeweler by trade, but her work with crystals is somethin' to behold, let me tell you. They say she can strip 'em of elements, charge 'em with new ones, even make 'em out o' thin air, if you can believe such a thing. Can't vouch for the rumors myself, but her profits say plenty.
Rowena: She can be a bit picky about clients, but you bein' the Warrior o' Light and all, I'm sure your sparklin' reputation will catch her eye like the crystals she's so fond of. 
Rowena: If you go upstairs, you'll find her out on the terrace.

Speaking with Syndony at Revenant's Toll (Cutscene)

Syndony: Ah, the Warrior of Light. What a pleasant surprise. No need to be alarmed, my dear. It is my business to know all of Eorzea's treasures, be they material or mortal. But tell me, to what do I owe the pleasure?
Syndony: ...Astral and umbral nodules? My, my... I see you are a [woman/man] of unusual tastes. Might I ask what you plan to do with such curious crystals?
Syndony: An essence akin to the soul. I suppose such peculiar work would call for crystals as equally peculiar. Well, you were wise to seek me out. I've dedicated my life to the study of crystals, and I cannot bear the thought of knowing there are crystals I could not procure.
Syndony: Mind you, these are no mere baubles or trinkets you ask of me. Crystals of such purity are not easily come by, but to also be so rich in astral- and umbral-aspected energies...
Syndony: Still, with the proper materials I believe it can be done. It will require a great deal of aether, obviously, and of a specific persuasion.
Syndony: I am informed that when a man falls in battle, a residual energy hangs in the aether long after his spirit has returned to the Lifestream. This energy can infuse crystals in the vicinity with a purity not often seen in nature. A purity essential for what you desire.
Syndony: I can use these crystals, luminous crystals I call them, to imbue empty ones with the astral and umbral energies necessary to create what you seek. I will require crystals of every element─no less than three of each.
Syndony: They will not be easy to come by, of that I can assure you. You will likely have to scour every ilm of Eorzea to find them.
Syndony: ...However, there may be one other way to acquire the aether we need. It requires something of the rarer sort─something much more precious than luminous crystals.
Syndony: As I mentioned before, it is my business to know all of Eorzea's treasures. And if the rumors are true, there exist certain weapons of legend said to have supped on the souls of countless enemies.
Syndony: In fact, a certain great hero who wields one of these weapons is supposedly working with a young researcher somewhere beyond the Sea of Clouds. Though this is only what I have heard. I will not hold you to ransom on the strength of mere hearsay.
Syndony: Even so, the rumors of these weapons are not so easily dismissed. Embodiments of war, veritable reservoirs of soul energy...
Syndony: If you were in possession of such a weapon, creating these astral and umbral nodules would be as child's play.
Syndony: Or you could simply collect the requisite luminous crystals. I will assist you all the same.
Syndony: I leave the choice in your famously capable hands.

System: Players who possess a Zodiac Weapon Zeta may exchange it for both the astral and umbral nodules. Excalibur Zeta must be exchanged together with the Aegis Shield Zeta. Please note, however, that the Zodiac Weapon Zeta will be lost upon completing the exchange.
System: Alternatively, players may acquire the astral and umbral nodules in exchange for elementally aspected luminous crystals. These crystals may be obtained, albeit at a low probability, by participating in FATEs in certain areas.
System: Luminous wind crystals may be obtained from FATEs in the Sea of Clouds. 
Luminous fire crystals may be obtained from FATEs in Azys Lla. 
Luminous lightning crystals may be obtained from FATES in the Churning Mists.
System: Luminous ice crystals may be obtained from FATEs in the Coerthas western highlands. 
Luminous earth crystals may be obtained from FATEs in the Dravanian forelands.
System: Luminous water crystals may be obtained from FATEs in the Dravanian hinterlands.
System: Players will receive the astral nodule in exchange for three luminous wind, fire, and lightning crystals.
System: Players will receive the umbral nodule in exchange for three luminous ice, earth, and water crystals.
System: Luminous crystals may be obtained, albeit at a low probability, by participating in the aforementioned FATEs with any class or job, regardless of level.
System: This information can be reviewed in your journal or by speaking with Syndony at any time.

Handing Over a Zeta Weapon

Syndony: Ah, so the rumors were true. You possess a Zodiac Weapon? Never in all my years have I had the privilege of working with something so precious. 
Syndony: Fueled by countless souls, and shaped by the strength of your own, it will make a fine pair of astral and umbral nodules.
Syndony: However I must warn you: this process will consume the Zodiac Weapon completely, both body and soul. You will have your crystals, but this will mark the end of your weapon and its legendary tale.
Syndony: Exquisite. Simply exquisite. Never have I seen such concentrations of pure aether in so lovely a frame. The life energy is palpable.
Syndony: Yes, with this I have all I need to infuse crystals with the energies of light and dark. Behold!
Syndony: The astral and umbral energies that once dwelled within your weapon have been made manifest. Nodules of the purest aether.

Delivering the astral nodule and umbral nodule to Ardashira in Azys Lla

Ardashir: Welcome back, [Forename]. Were you able to acquire what we need?
<Hand Over Astral Nodule and Umbral Nodule>

Cutscene

Ardashir: Yes, these appear to be genuine. I dare not ask what this cost you, but you have my sincerest thanks. As promised, the soulstone is ready. All that remains now is the aether infusion.
Ardashir: And if the weapon Gerolt has forged is strong enough to contain the resulting anima, we shall soon be the proud parents of a living weapon!
Ardashir: Now then, let us begin.
Ardashir: The aether has taken hold in the soulstone, but it will not last long.
Ardashir: Quickly, Gerolt─seal it within the weapon before the aether fades!

Gerolt: <pant> <pant> That... That should do it. That thing ain't goin' nowhere.
Gerolt: Now that there's a weapon worthy o' legends! Aye, an anima weapon: [animated Hauteclaire, and its twin animated Prytwen/pair of animated Rising Suns/animated Parashu/animated Brionac/animated Berimbau/animated Lunaris Rod/animated copy of Almandal/animated copy of Elements/animated Seraph Cane/animated Yukimitsu/animated Deathbringer/animated Atlas/animated Ferdinand]. Wield 'em with pride, [lass/lad].
Gerolt: Though I wouldn't say [she's/they're] complete just yet. A weapon fresh from the forge is one thing, but if it's life we're talkin' about, [she's/they're] naught but sucklin' babes. [She wants/They want] puttin' through [her/their] paces and toughenin' up. 
Gerolt: I could pound 'em with me hammer, o' course, but that ain't no substitute for real battle. If y'ask me, ye need to get out there and teach that anima what it means to be a warrior.

Ardashir: Excuse me, Gerolt, but might I have a word with our friend here? It was, after all, my research that brought us this far.
Ardashir: Come, [Forename], let us discuss the next step in developing the anima.

System: The anima weapon quests may be repeated at any time. However, please note that you may only undertake these quests for one job at a time.
System: If you wish to restart these quests as a different job, select Duty from the main menu, followed by Journal. Next, select the quest from within the interface, followed by Abandon.
System: Once you have abandoned the quest, you may change to your desired job and speak with Ardashir to start over.