Causes and Costs

Quest giver: Alphinaud
Location: Coerthas Western Highlands (X:32, Y:37)
Quest line: Dragonsong Main Scenario Quests
Level: 60

Experience: 5,000
Gil: 1,200
Previous quest: For Those We Can Yet Save
Next quest: The Man Within
Patch: 3.2

Main Scenario Progress: 354 / 853 (41.5%)

Heavensward Progress: 113 / 138 (81.9%)

“

Alphinaud knows at last what he must do.

— In-game description

Rewards

Choose one of the following options:

Unlocks

Steps

Wait for Alphinaud in the intercessory in Camp Dragonhead.
Speak with Alphinaud.
Speak with Alphinaud outside Fortemps Manor.

Journal

Alphinaud restates that there are things he wishes to say to you -- not to the Warrior of Light, or a fellow Scion, but to you, [Player], his friend. He proposes that you travel to Camp Dragonhead, to the intercessory Lord Haurchefant set aside for you long ago, that you might converse in private.

To fight and die for a noble cause is a notion many find romantic, and Alphinaud was no exception. Are not truth, justice, and freedom worth fighting for, after all? Yet having borne witness to the costs of pursuing these many causes, having seen at what price each victory is bought, Alphinaud has had enough. Even if Ser Aymeric and all of Ishgard are willing to sacrifice Estinien to slay Nidhogg, he is not. Though he may fail, Alphinaud is resolved to try to save the dragoon. Touched by your young friend's conviction, you find yourself thinking back to those you have lost. Moenbryda, Wilred, Lord Haurchefant, Ysayle, Minfilia... and one who may yet be saved.

Alphinaud thanks you for allowing him to unburden himself. Though he knows that not all the Scions may agree with his chosen course at first, he has faith that they can be won over in due time. For the present, he would return to Fortemps Manor and, with Tataru's aid, turn his thoughts to more uplifting subjects.

Ever the optimist, Tataru seems positive about your prospects, still believing that Yda, Papalymo, and even Minfilia might one day rejoin the Scions. Reminded of the Antecedent's plight, Alphinaud ponders what could have motivated her to go to such lengths to deliver so curious a message. Though it may be some time before the whole truth is known to you, he seems content to wait and turn his mind to solving the problems of the present. The Scions always find a way.

Dialogue

Speak with Alphinaud

Alphinaud: When I said I wished to speak with you after the conference, I confess I envisaged rather happier circumstances. If anything, however, this latest tragedy makes the need more pressing. There are things I must say. Not to the Warrior of Light, or even my fellow Scion, but...to you, [Forename]. My friend. But not here, no... Ah, but of course. The intercessory in Camp Dragonhead is still open to us. Let us go there.

Wait for Alphinaud in the intercessory in Camp Dragonhead

Alphinaud: Forgive me. That took longer than expected. ...You seem puzzled. Oh, these? I thought something warming might not go amiss. It was not all that long ago that we sat here, you and I. In our very own "Falling Snows," as Lord Haurchefant called it. I still struggle to believe he has gone. And Ysayle too... I had such hopes for her... Master Matoya asked me what it was all for. Why we fight...and why we die. Were I still commander of the Braves, I would doubtless have replied "For the future of Eorzea," but I am not that man. Not anymore. I needed a new answer. One that I could live with. And when I saw Estinien at the ceremony, I knew at last what it was. I do not want to be a man who sacrifices his friends and family for a cause. I want to fight for Estinen - and I want to save him. When Nidhogg leads the Horde into battle, Ser Aymeric and his forces will do what they believe must be done. That is their choice to make. Yet even if Ser Aymeric is willing to forsake Estinien, I am not. We must fight for him, for his is our friend and ally. WE may struggle, we may fail, but we must try.
Warrior of Light: (We will find a way to save him. / ...To aid those in need. / ...) -> We will find a way to save him.
Alphinaud: We will. I know we will. Thank you, [Forename]. It is unfair of me to unburden myself in this manner, time after time, but I am glad that you permit me nonetheless. You are my true friend and ally. Though not all our fellow Scions will support our stance on Estinien, I have faith that we will win them over in due course. Such is the infectious power of hope. Right. That is quite enough solemn introspection for one day. I think we would both benefit from some time in the company of Tataru. She stays for us at Fortemps Manor. Let us not keep her waiting any longer.

Speak with Alphinaud outside Fortemps Manor

Alphinaud: Yet again we walk an all-too-familiar path. I am reminded of when we first came to this manor. Lost and uncertain, we were granted succor in our hour of need. We were saved - and now it is our turn to return the favor! 
Tataru: Hear, hear! Let no one say that the Scions do not repay their debts! After all, what kind of people would we be if we forsook our friends? If we stopped looking for Yda and Palaymo, or if we gave up hope of bringing Minfilia back? 
Alphinaud: Though she knew it would cost her dearly, Minfilia reached out to us to deliver a message. She believed it was imperative that we understand the true nature of this star - of the rift between Zodiark and Hydaelyn, and of the Ascians' aspirations. But for all that has been revealed, I cannot shake the suspicion that there is much we have yet to learn... In any event, I think it time we step back from the fray and carefully consider our next course of action. It will not be easy to turn this tragedy to triumph, but we will find a way. We will. We will.

Krile: Of all the ways for it to end. Eevne before his transformation, I could feel the wyrm's hatred swirling about Estinien. The terrible, all-consuming rage... Enough to fuel a thousand-year quest for vengeance. It was all I could do not to run away screaming. But Ishgardians - Nay, all Eorzeans - are made of sterner stuff. They face danger and death on a daily basis, and understand what it takes to win a war. 
Y'shtola: Think not too deeply on Master Matoya's words. Her intent was but to steel our resolve.  That, and to remind us to look beyond these passing conflicts to trials greater still - to the truth which hides at the heart of this world. 
Krile: so that's your aim, is it?
Y'shtola: You disapprove?
Krile: Not at all! I believe it's traditional for the student to follow in the footsteps of the master. And you are so very alike. (Warrior of Darkness appears and walks off, followed by Thancred).

Narrator: Change - that great, inexorable wave was upon us, and soon all of Ishgard would soon bend to its will. For all our sins, for all our scars, the future for which we had long yearned was at last within our grasp. But it would be bought at a heavy price. For in those twilight hours did Nidhogg cry out for vengeance, and his brethern raise their voices for the final chorus of the Dragonsong war.

Papalymo and Yda

Papalymo: Caution, Yda - that is all I ask! Do not be so eager to place your faith in them. Not until we know more.  (Yda nods to Papalymo)