Warrior of Darkness (Quest)

This article is about the Shadowbringers main scenario quest. For the character referred to as "The Warrior of Darkness", see Ardbert.

Warrior of Darkness

Quest giver: Crystal Exarch
Location: Lakeland (X:35.1, Y:7.2)
Quest line: Shadowbringers Main Scenario Quests
Level: 71

Experience: 217,440
Gil: 1,314
Previous quest: The Lightwardens
Next quest: An Unwelcome Guest
Do You Believe in Magic
A Jobb Well Done
The Man with Too Many Scars
Traditions and Travails
No Greater Sport
Hollow Pursuits
Patch: 5.0

Main Scenario Progress: 564 / 960 (58.8%)

Shadowbringers Progress: 23 / 157 (14.6%)

“

The Exarch is looking ahead to the immediate future.

— In-game description

Rewards

Unlocks

Walkthrough

※ You have gained access to role quests! A separate quest line and story is now available for tank, physical DPS, magical DPS, and healer roles.

Completion of at least one role questline will be required by the end of the Shadowbringers MSQ. There are two bonus quests and extra dialog during the Post-Shadowbringers Main Scenario Quests if you have completed them all. The extra dialog can be viewed later via The Unending Journey in any inn room.

Steps

Speak with Alphinaud in the Crystarium.
Speak with Bragi.
Speak with Glynard.
Speak with the manager of the suites in the Pendants.

Journal

The Exarch is looking ahead to the immediate future.

Dialogue

Quest Acceptance

Crystal Exarch: Now, as for how we proceed from here...
Lyna: The villagers we evacuated earlier have arrived safely in the Crystarium. They seem to be accepting their situation for the moment─most folk are far too distracted by the sky to worry about wounds or lost homes. They whisper and wonder if the Warrior of Darkness has come...
Crystal Exarch: 'Tis to be expected. [Forename], I must ask a favor of you. Would you be so kind as to conceal your involvement in this endeavor for the time being? Seeing the Light recede from Lakeland is a momentous occasion, and many will be swept up in a maelstrom of excitement and confusion. Should you come forth as the legendary Warrior of Darkness, I fear that, no matter how good your intentions, such an appearance would throw the city into disarray.
Alphinaud: I find myself in agreement with the Exarch, although my concerns are more focused on Eulmore. It may be best if you maintain a low profile until we see how Vauthry responds to all of this.
Crystal Exarch: My thanks. Though we cannot freely celebrate your success, pray allow your heart to be buoyed by the joy of our citizens─a joy you surely brought into being. Ah, and I must ask the same discretion of you, Captain. 'Tis my intention to share with our people the tale of a great warrior who stood in defiance of the sin eaters. This unnamed champion defeated the Lightwarden, and has since departed for parts unknown, yes?
Lyna: (Lyna shrugs) As you wish, my lord. Your penchant for mystery is nothing new, and I will encourage folk not to question this either.
Lyna: ...Although I expect to be told the whole truth of it one day. About all of you.
Crystal Exarch: With that settled, I shall return to the Crystarium and make an address to the people. These explanations and adjustments will consume much of my time, so pray take the opportunity to rest and recover from your exploits. And to think, you'll not even need to shutter the windows to enjoy a dark and peaceful night's sleep!

Lyna: I must stay behind and coordinate the evacuation of the remaining survivors. And I hesitate to ask after all you've done here today, but could I ask you to pass on a message on your way to the Pendants? Please let Bragi know that we're bringing in a number of injured, and that any restoratives in the markets need to be reserved for the infirmary.

Alphinaud: We should start making our own way back to the Crystarium─slowly, mind you. It wouldn't do to arrive too soon after the Exarch.
Alisaie: I'm staying behind as well. I... There's something I need to check on in Holminster.
Alphinaud: We already went through the village top to bottom, Alisaie. We should all take the chance to rest, you included.
Alisaie: I knew one of those eaters, and I can't just... I can't rest, not now.  So please, I wish to be left alone for a while. And that means you as well, [Forename]─I shall be cross if you try to follow me! I promise to find you later, when I feel myself again.
Alphinaud: Hm, just you and me, then. Shall we?

Speak with Alphinaud in the Crystarium

Alphinaud: Well, the Crystarium seems relatively ordered, wouldn't you say? The Exarch's speech must have been reassuring to hear. On the contrary, there is something jubilant in the air─I have a feeling this night won't be quite as “peaceful” as our hooded friend predicted!  I think I shall take a brief stroll around town before retiring to my chambers. Once you've discharged your duty to Bragi, I suggest you do the same. Sleep well, [Forename]. I hope untroubled dreams find you and Alisaie both.

m===Speak with Bragi===

Bragi: Aye, what can I do for you? Looking to buy a lantern, like every other stumbling soul in the city?

Bragi: ...I see. Well Captain Lyna can rest assured that any potions I spot coming in will be set aside for the wounded. Hang on a moment, if you're carrying messages for the guard, does that mean you were there, then? The battle at Holminster?  A stalwart lass like you might want to pay a visit to the Wandering Stairs, make herself known...
Bragi: I'm sure Glynard can introduce you to some interesting opportunities.

Speak with Glynard

Glynard: Cyella, more beer for table two! And a couple of pints of mead for table three, while you're at it!
Cyella: Coming right up!
Glynard: Sorry, we're rushed off our feet today, [mister/miss]. Can I get you anything? Drinks are on the house!

Glynard: Hm? Oh, that Bragi has a twisted sense of humor...
Glynard: Gahahaha! To think he'd send you to me at a time like this! The first real “night” in near a hundred years has folk all riled up and then some! What's more, there was that eater business at Holminster Switch. They say a Lightwarden was destroyed without a damn trace, and it was the Warrior of Darkness who did the deed!
Cyella: I really must apologize for Glynard─he's been almost as rowdy as our customers, and that's no small feat. A lot of our regulars are bounty hunters, you see. They mostly go after eaters, and the rumor of the Warrior's appearance was the spark to their kindling.
Glynard: You know how the weak eaters are drawn to the strong ones, right? Aye, they swarm like angry bees around a queen. You need look no further than Holminster for proof of that. But attacks on that scale don't happen every day, praise the blessed shadow. No, the more common threats are the strays. No one knows why, but every now and again, an eater will leave the pack to prowl alone. Those are the ones you run into on the road if your luck is foul. They're a danger to everyone, so the Settlement council puts bounties on their heads. And our bar here is a convenient place for hunters to gather and share information.
Cyella: Seems a few of them were inspired by the Warden-slaying even more than most. These are the types who have their sights set on the absolute worst of the strays─a class of eaters that've been dubbed the “Cardinal Virtues.” The Virtues showed up out of nowhere about three summers ago, and when historians heard the descriptions given by survivors, well...apparently they share an appearance with the villains who caused the Flood. And if that doesn't send a chill down your spine, they're also reported to be as tough as Lightwardens─not the kind of prey you can take down single-handed. Our Virtue-hunters had all but given up, but knowing the Warrior of Darkness is out there has lit a fire in their bellies. Just look at them...

Cyella: That Hume over there with the oversized sword is Granson. He's in it for revenge. Wants to recruit a comrade-in-arms as tenacious as he is.
Cyella: The Mystel lad is Lue-Reeq. Don't be fooled by those dewy cheeks─he's as hard a hunter as they come. He just lost a partner, and seems to be on the lookout for a new one...
Cyella: That's Cerigg. Word is he seeks an expert in magecraft to help fight the Virtue he's after.
Cyella: Last we have Giott, dwarf and drunkard both. Wanted to join forces with a healer, and only a healer. Something about needing a “mender's wisdom”...?
Cyella: I've seen my share of competent veterans, and you have that look about you. Maybe you should introduce yourself to one of our hunters. Who knows? Together you might even collect the bounty on a Cardinal Virtue!
Glynard: Now there's a grand idea. Imagine the prestige my bar would earn if we boasted the patronage of a successful Virtue-hunter!

You have gained access to role quests! A separate quest line and story is now available for tank, physical DPS, magical ranged DPS, and healer roles. In order to reach the final stages of the Shadowbringers main scenario, you must complete at least one role quest line. Speak with a Virtue-hunter at the Wandering Stairs to accept a quest offer!

Speak with the manager of the suites in the Pendants

Manager of Suites: Welcome back, [sir/miss].  I wonder if anyone can sleep with the city in such an uproar, but will you be retiring to your quarters? Very good. In light─ahem─of the present situation, I have had illumination prepared for all our rooms. No need to rush to the markets for lanterns or candles. Have a pleasant rest, miss.

In your personal room

Warrior of Light opens the window to a starry sky, and the Warrior of Darkness shows up
Ardbert: So it's your lot's turn to be the Warriors of Darkness, is it? It's funny how things work out.
What will you say? Been watching, have you? / These are my "private" quarters... -> These are my "private" quarters...

Ardbert: In case you've forgotten, you're the only one who can see me. If we had one of our little chats in public, people might start thinking you'd lost your wits. Those white-haired twins who were with you... I remember them from our battle in the Source. Are they your friends, then? Through thick and thin?  
Ardbert: Aye...
Ardbert: Then I suggest you keep them close. It's when you charge ahead trying to save someone else that you end up losing those you love. Not that you need telling. I'll bet you've lost plenty. But I wonder...what will it cost you this time? I don't remember when it was that I learned regret wasn't worth the bother.  You get numb to it all over the years. The lost comrades, the broken promises, the abandoned principles─just more nagging burdens to ignore.

Elsewhere

???: So this is what the Light was hiding... 
???: [He/She]'s here. I must go to [him/her].

Meanwhile, inside an imperial magitek facility in the Source...

Imperial Pilus Prior: Intruders! Fan out and find them!
Estinien: Out of my way! (Estinien slashes down a soldier and is prepared to stab one)
???: Stay your weapon. We are not your enemy.
Gaius: When the alarum sounded, I wondered what we had done to betray our presence. But I see now we were not the only intruders. Ser Estinien, I presume─the dragoon who plucked the Warrior of Light from the jaws of death. Your armor is most distinct.

Estinien: (withdraws his weapon) Much as yours once was. But even without it, I see a former legatus still has eyes and ears in unexpected places.  "Van“ Baelsar, in the flesh. Though I understand you prefer ”Shadowhunter“?
Gaius: Hmph. You are in contact with the Scions, I take it. (Estinien shrugs)
Estinien: Hmph. Through no choice of my own. They tracked me down, and conscripted me to their cause.  I swear their receptionist was trained as a spy. Not that anyone can escape that Baldesion woman once she has caught the scent of your aether...
Gaius: If they have resorted to using freelancers, I must assume their attempts to wake the afflicted have failed...
Gaius: And what of their champion?
Estinien: ...Away on other business. Thus it has fallen to me to root out any trace of the Empire's new weapon.

Gaius: If it is Black Rose you seek, you are too late. My people have already completed your mission here. Yet this is but one factory among many. When they caught wind of our efforts, they built additional facilities to ensure production continues unabated. There will be no one left in the lands they conquer. No citizens to conscript, no skills to exploit, nothing the Empire needs. And they will call it victory.
Estinien: ...What exactly does this Black Rose do?
Gaius: The gas is described as a poison, but its actual effect is more arcane in nature. It was created to disrupt the aether in living beings─to bring the flow of their life energies to a standstill. Released over a city, Black Rose could conceivably kill every inhabitant, and all without damaging a single structure.

Imperial Pilus Prior: Search every corner! Rouse the barracks if you have to! I want this facility secured!
Estinien: I have more questions, but now is not the time.

Gaius: Ser Estinien. I have an offer for you, but I will make it only once. Since it would seem we seek the same answers...you are welcome to join us.
Estinien: Hah! From what I hear, you need all the help you can get. In case you don't know, Varis himself confessed that your empire was a creation of the Ascians.
Gaius: I am aware of what His Radiance said at the parley. Thus I would return to the capital, that I might behold the truth of this corruption with my own eyes. My path leads to Garlemald.