The Color of Her Hair

The Color of Her Hair

Quest giver

X'rhun Tia

Location

Mor Dhona (X:22.5, Y:8.0)

Job

Red Mage

Level

60

Required quest

The Far Edge of Fate

Experience

 100,000

Gil

 1,514

Previous quest

Stained in Scarlet

Next quest

Traced in Blood

Patch

4.0

“

X'rhun has a proposal for your ongoing training.

— In-game description

Steps

• Speak with X'rhun Tia in Idyllshire.
• Survey the area and defeat enemies that appear.
• Speak with X'rhun.
• Rescue Arya.
• Speak with Arya in Idyllshire.
• Speak with X'rhun Tia.

Journal

• X'rhun has a proposal for your ongoing training.

• X'rhun appears eager to continue your training now that his vendetta against Lambard has come to a close. Travel to the Dravanian hinterlands, and meet your mentor near the aetheryte in Idyllshire.

• X'rhun proposes that you hone your skills on the Illuminati aggressors threatening the people of Idyllshire. Head towards the Arkhitekton, and survey the area for worthy opponents.

• You have successfully employed your art against the mechanical soldiers of the Illuminati. Return to the Makers' Quarter and speak with X'rhun.

• After praising your victory over the goblins, X'rhun begins to express concern over Arya's continued absence. Make your way back to the Arkhitekton, and search for your fellow student of red magic.

• You come across an exhausted Arya in the aftermath of a hard-won battle. When you attempt to rouse her, however, she grows suddenly hostile, and you are forced to render her unconscious. Return to Idyllshire, and check on her recovery at Rowena's Center for Cultural Promotion.

• Arya appears to remember next to nothing of her actions following her battle with the Illuminati forces. Speak with X'rhun, and hear his thoughts on Arya's uncharacteristic actions.

• X'rhun shares his observations of Arya's sudden transformation, likening it to the change which came over Lambard before he commenced feeding on living aether. Determined to discover a cure to this dreadful condition, the Crimson Duelist bids you make ready for another expedition.
  • ※The next red mage quest will be available from X'rhun upon reaching level 63.

Dialogue

Accepting the quest

X'rhun Tia: [Forename]. Arya. While there were lessons to be learned as I dragged you along on my quest for vengeance, 'tis time I offered a more structured approach to your training.

(If WoL has NOT completed Stormblood)
X'rhun Tia: Events are in motion to liberate Ala Mhigo from its oppressors, but I would continue aiding the struggle from without. There is much I can accomplish beyond the borders of my homeland, and Curtis's daughter already has the support of heroes such as you.

(If WoL has completed Stormblood)
X'rhun Tia: With the support of you and your companions, Curtis's daughter has liberated Ala Mhigo. But rather than return in this moment of glory, I feel I can contribute more to the rebuilding of my homeland from without.

(Both)
X'rhun Tia: It was two decades ago that I joined the revolutionaries. Though our motives were just, it was our actions that ultimately created a breach for the Empire to exploit. My time at the forefront of that stage has ended─to return to it now would only invite confusion and resentment.
X'rhun Tia: The revolution has since become the “Resistance,” and the right to shape the future of Ala Mhigo now rests in the hands of those who will live the coming age.
X'rhun Tia: No, I shall play my part by nurturing a new generation of red mages. I made my mark as a Crimson Duelist, but you will not be bound by my oath─you are free to decide for yourselves how best to employ the skills I teach you.
X'rhun Tia: Now, as for your studies, you are well aware of my proclivity for practical application. We must challenge you with a new frontier─a place where the strong gather in search of adventure. To Idyllshire, my friends!

Optional Dialogue, by aetheryte in Idyllshire

Arya: What do you think? I bought myself new garb and blade with the coin Jessie gave me.
Arya: If only it were as easy to improve upon my skills!

Speak with X'rhun Tia in Idyllshire

X'rhun Tia: Young Arya has invested in her appearance, it would seem. Doesn't she look the part?

(Arya blushes!)

X'rhun Tia: Right. Let's break in that new equipment! There is a hostile organization of goblins known as the “Illuminati” making trouble for the people here in Idyllshire.
X'rhun Tia: The most prominent threat to the populace seems to be the mechanical soldiers controlled by Illuminati aggressors. I say we do the locals a favor by using these clunking contraptions as combat practice!
X'rhun Tia: After your battle with Lambard, however, that may be all they amount to. Especially for you, [Forename]─your mastery of red magic is such now that I daresay you could handle a mechanical soldier or two on your own...
X'rhun Tia: As for you, Arya, your spells have raw power, but lack refinement. I think I would prefer to have you training alongside a partner.

Arya: ...I wish to try fighting alone.
Arya: Please understand, I... Before I began learning magic, I felt like I scarcely existed.
Arya: But when I work to match you and [Forename]─when I see myself improving─that's when I feel the most alive.
Arya: I want naught more than to become a full-fledged red mage! I want to stand at your side and fight as your equal.

X'rhun Tia: Well, far be it from me to stop you! Mayhap the perfect way to conquer your difficulties with white magic is to be alone in a situation which offers you little recourse but to rise above them.
X'rhun Tia: Both of you should head now towards the Arkhitekton, and find your own mechanical foes to overcome. I will be waiting for you here in the Makers' Quarter.

Speak with X'rhun

X'rhun Tia: Ah, I have come to recognize that confident step. Well done, [Forename]!
X'rhun Tia: ...Did you happen to spot Arya on your travels? Unless I have sorely overestimated her abilities, I would have expected her to arrive not long after you.
X'rhun Tia: Hm. Arya did seem intent on proving herself. Pray forgive the tortured metaphor, but I have a feeling she may have sliced off more than she could fry. Come, let us seek out our young mage, and render aid if need be!

Rescue Arya

Arya: [Forename]...? I did it... I won...

Cutscene

X'rhun Tia: [Forename], there you are! Is Arya unharmed?
X'rhun Tia: My, that is a fair gathering of goblins. From the looks of it, defeating this lot took almost everything she had.
X'rhun Tia: Can you walk, my friend? I've never seen you so─

Arya: Give them to me...
Arya: Your life energies... Your souls... I must feed!

X'rhun Tia: Her hair, it's─ She's become like Lambard! Stop this, Arya!
X'rhun Tia: ...'Tis no use─the hunger has taken over. We'll have to knock her senseless!
X'rhun Tia: I suggest we take her back to Idyllshire, and let her rest at Rowena's establishment. I only hope she will be more amenable to discussion when she awakes...

Optional Dialogue, back in Idyllshire

X'rhun Tia: They've agreed to lend us a place where Arya can recover. I'm not overly fond of owing favors to Rowena's consortium, but some days a bad deal is the best one can get!
X'rhun Tia: As you can see, our companion has regained her senses. Mayhap it would be best if you spoke with her.

Speak with Arya in Idyllshire

Arya: What happened...? Did...did I truly attack you!?
Arya: Gods, why would I do such a thing?
Arya: I remember defeating that contraption; I remember falling to my knees, exhausted from spellcasting.
Arya: I remember my thoughts fading away as a roar in my head grew louder and louder. And then...nothing.
Arya: I don't understand what possessed me─never would I draw my blade on you or X'rhun.

(Optional)
Arya: I am truly sorry. Once more my memory betrays me...

Speak with X'rhun Tia

X'rhun Tia: This was poor judgment on my part─I should not have tested you so harshly. Listen to me carefully now, Arya.
X'rhun Tia: I have seen how battle can exhaust you, but I failed to understand what grim truth such exhaustion presaged.
X'rhun Tia: In the moment you say a roaring drowned out your thoughts, the color of your hair changed quite distinctly. We witnessed a similar transformation in Lambard ere he began to feed upon living aether.
X'rhun Tia: Lambard was able to employ magicks of incredible power, but it left him hungering for life force. I believe what you experienced was a surrender to that very same hunger.

Arya: It cannot be...

X'rhun Tia: My erstwhile colleague described how he enacted a change in his physical being. While I suppose it is possible such a ritual was performed upon you as well, he mentioned the process requiring many years...
X'rhun Tia: You have many more questions, I am sure, but for now you must rest. If this hunger takes hold when your aether is exhausted, then it is even more important that you recuperate from your exertions.
X'rhun Tia: And, Arya? Do not despair that you have lost yourself. After all, you are in perfect control now, are you not?

Arya: I am. Thank you, X'rhun.

X'rhun Tia: [Forename], we will seek the cure to Arya's condition. Though I have little knowledge of such forbidden arts, I am confident that a determined expedition will yield the answers we require. Prepare yourself for another journey.

System: The next red mage quest will be available from X'rhun Tia upon reaching level 63.
System: The requirements for undertaking subsequent quests can be reviewed in your journal.

(Optional)
Arya: I've decided to not let this upset me. As X'rhun says, I'm still in control of who I am.