A Spectacle for the Ages

Quest giver: Lucia
Location: Foundation (X:13, Y:11)
Quest line: Post-Heavensward
Level: 60

Experience: 5,000
Gil: 2,793
Previous quest: Choices
Next quest: For Those We Can Yet Save
Patch: 3.2

Main Scenario Progress: 352 / 853 (41.3%)

Heavensward Progress: 111 / 138 (80.4%)

“

The grand melee is poised to begin, and Lucia would not be late.

— In-game description

Rewards

Choose one of the following options:

Unlocks

Victory

Walkthrough

Solo Duty

Upon speaking with Emmanellain for the second time, you will enter a solo duty.

Siding with Ishgardian company, you will engage in a grand melee versus a combined company of Ul'dahn, Gridanian, and Lominsan fighters.
When an enemy is defeated, your force will be rewarded with "Tactical Points", and vice versa. You must attain 100 Tactical Points to complete the duty.
- Regular enemies will reward you with 1 Tactical Point, while those marked with the Fury's Gaze -- indicated by a purple line extending from a company flag -- will reward you with 10 Tactical Points. These marked targets should be your priority over all else.
As soon as the fight begins, immediately search for the opposing combatants marked with the Fury's Gaze and defeat them quickly. As long as your damage is high enough, you should not have to worry about defending your marked allies or defeating non-marked enemies.
Once about 40-50 Tactical Points have been attained, the Fury's Gaze will mark your ally, Lucia the Radiant. No enemies are marked at this time, so instead defend Lucia from attacks and/or heal her, if applicable, until the next enemy is marked. You can also use this opportunity to defeat non-marked enemies. It does not lead to failure if she falls, but it does give you more time to earn Tactical Points if she doesn't.
At 90+ Tactical Points, a cutscene will trigger and you will enter a one-on-one fight with Raubahn. If you are defeated here, the duty will fail. Take note of his special attacks, avoiding or healing through them accordingly.
- Raubahn will kick you and knock you back with his attack, The Bull of Ala Mhigo. This will likely push you into the burning outer field, so quickly run back to safety to avoid a burning DoT.
- Demoralize will continuously place two dark, damage-inducing fields around the arena. Simply lure Raubahn away from these fields if you are a close-range fighter.
- With Flaming Tizona, he will head to the center of the arena and summon two sets of flaming pillars: first on the outer edge, then closer to the center. Dodge this by staying close to him until the outer pillars expire, then run away to avoid the inner pillars.
- The Curse sends Raubahn to the center of the arena and consecutively marks the arena with a number of black AoE fields. This occurs three times, each time covering a specific area. Similar to evading Flaming Tizona, close in on Raubahn to avoid the first set of attacks and retreat father away as the attack progresses.
- Finally, once his health hits less than 40%, Raubahn will jump to the center and begin a long cast of Immortal Flame. Four targetable Tizonas will spawn; destroy as many as you can to avoid suffering fatal damage.
Once Raubahn falls, you will attain 100 Tactical Points and the duty will end.

Steps

Speak with Emmanellain outside the Gates of Judgement.
Speak with Emmanellain.
Speak with Raubahn.
Speak with Thancred.

Journal

The grand melee is poised to begin, and Lucia would not be late.

Lucia informs you that the grand melee is to be held in central Coerthas, just outside the city. Allied forces are already en route, and your Ishgardian comrades gather in the shadow of the Gates of Judgement.

Lord Emmanellain is understandably nervous, though somewhat comforted by your presence. Marshaling his courage, he turns his thoughts from defeat to victory, and the stories he might tell Honoroit when he wakens from his torpor.

Before the grand melee commences, Lord Emmanellain presents to you a gift: the colors of House Fortemps, which he and his father would have you wear into battle. Obliging his request, you don the armor and take the field with Ishgard, ready to face your brothers and sisters in the Alliance.

Bards often sing of how, in battles, the champions of armies are wont to shun lesser combatants and seek out warriors of equal strength, that they might enjoy proper sport in the midst of war. So it was that Raubahn Aldynn, General of the Immortal Flames, the Bull of Ala Mhigo himself, swept aside all comers and challenged you to single combat. The raging flames held back all the world, and for a time, there were but two. Yet when at last the flames died down, and the others turned to see, only one remained standing. It was then that Ser Aymeric, raising both sword and voice to the heavens, proclaimed victory for Ishgard, for the day was theirs.
As you watch the Ishgardians celebrate their triumph, Thancred, having finally returned from his quarrel with an errant cyclops, offers his congratulations. Though clearly injured, he brushes aside your concern, declaring that there are many, many more important matters to which you both must attend, one day at a time... as Minfilia would have done.

Still grinning with the thrill of the fight, Raubahn declares that he had forgotten what it was like to feel so alive. Rarely do men in his position have the opportunity to take part in battle, and he cannot thank you enough for the indulgence. He duly takes his leave, but not before insisting upon a rematch, when time allows. As he strides away, you cannot help but wonder what might have been had the man been possessed of a full set of arms.

Ser Aymeric's plan appears to have worked faultlessly, strengthening relations between the city-states and providing a victory certain to inspire the people of Ishgard. With a smile, Thancred tells you to be proud, for it was you that made all of this possible.

Dialogue

Speak with Lucia

Lucia: Ser Aymeric informs me that the Alliance leaders have agreed to his proposal. The grand melee will be held here, in the shadow of the Gates of Judgement, and in sight of the capital. An announcement has been made, and Allied forces are currently en route. The eyes of Ishgard are upon us, [Forename]. We must not fail. 
Thancred: A rare opportunity to see you pit yourself against Allied forces - outside of Carteneau, perhaps. I would not miss this for the world.

Speak with Emmanellain outside the Gates of Judgement.

Emmanellain: There (he/she) is! I say, when you didn't appear, I began to question...N-Nothing! Never mind! Ahem. To think that we are mere moments away from facing the cream of Eorzea's soldiery in battle. That I am...mere...mmm...But what if...? Oh, what am I saying!? I have to stop imagining the worst! I must think of the victory, of the glory! Of the stories I will tell Honoroit when he awakes!  
Emmanellain: I am ready, old (boy/girl)! Are you!? By the Fury, how could I forget? Father bid me present this to you. I know it is sudden, but we believe the men would find it inspiring if you bore the colors of House Fortemps into battle. Pray do us this honor.

Aymeric: Let all here present heed well the rules of engagement! For the honor and glory of Ishgard!
Nanamo Ul Namo: All is ready, then. Very well. Brave men and women of the Eorzean Alliance. Let the grand melee begin!

Flustered Temple Knight: Cyclops! Cyclops! Everyone, on your guard! 
Lucia: All forces, fall back! (Thancred walks towards the cyclops, and knocks it down).
Thancred: Continue the melee! I will deal with him! 
Hilda: Hmph. Daft sod... You heard the man! Back to it! 
Aymeric: All forces, form a line on [Forename]! Now! 
Raubahn: Lieutenant. I will not lie - I was hoping it would come to this. So then...shall we dance? 
Aymeric: Damn it all! 
Flame General Aldynn: (when Raubahn is defeated) Aye, all right... Take your victory. You've earned it.

Emmanellain: Did...did (she/he) win? Then we...we... (Warrior of Light and Aymeric nod to eachother).
Aymeric: Victory is ours! Ishgard! Ishgard! Well fought! Well fought, my friend! You truly are the warrior of warriors! Thank the Fury you were on our side! 
Emmanellain: Hah hah...my lungs are burning, and I can barely stand! (closes fist). I didn't think I could do it...but then I did! We did! We face the Alliance's best, and together, with one heart, with one purpose, we prevailed! After a thousand years of hardship, of strife and bloodshed, we are strong enough to rise to any challenge - be it on the battlefield or beyond. The future holds so much promise. So much joy. We need only show them the way.

Nanamo Ul Namo: A truly magnificent display, ser knight. While doubtless less than pleased, I am quite sure the Grand Companies are honored to have been bested by such valiant warriors. (Aymeric and Lucia bow).
Aymeric: The honor was ours, Your Grace.
Nanamo Ul Namo: I am pleased to see that Ishgard's proud martial tradition is being upheld. When the time comes, I trust you will fight alongside your brothers and sisters in the Eorzean Alliance with the same fervor you displayed in opposing them. (Glances at Warrior of Light). I note that our friend elected to take the field in Ishgardian colors.
Aymeric: At my behest, Your Grace. If we have given offense, the blame lies with me.
Nanamo Ul Namo: Fear not, ser knight. It was a surprise, nothing more. And any hint of ill-feeling was thoroughly dispelled by the spectacle of our mutual friend's duel with General Raubahn. On the subject of surprises, I could not help but marvel at the passion and unity of purpose displayed by your countrymen...given the troubling reports we have received of late.
Aymeric: I shall take that as a compliment, Your Grace. The events to which you allude are the price of change. The end of the Dragonsong War marks the beginning of a new era for our nation - and for the people, high- and lowborn alike, who will lead her into the future.
Nanamo Ul Namo: Ah, yes... The people. Change is indeed a perilous thing, for we who seek it and they who fear it. I shall pray for Ishgard - and for you. (Nanamo and Aymeric bow to eachother).
Thancred: Well, that made for a refreshing change. Congratulations on your victory, by the way. The Ishgardians certainly seem happy with themselves. I, for my part, am merely glad you did not strain anything in the process of single-handedly winning the battle for them. (Thancred falls to his knee). 'Tis but a scratch, I assure you. And I will not suffer you to worry over me- not when we have a dozen far more important concerns. ...Make that two dozen. Still,as Y'shtola never tires of telling me, we can but face them head-on, one at a time. One day at a time...as Minfilia would have done.

Speak with Raubahn

Raubahn: Thal's balls...I had forgotten what it was like to feel so alive! Not since leaving the bloodsands have i had the privilege. Not since the bull of Ala Mhigo hung up his swords. Back then, the outcome might have been far different. But I do not begrudge you your victory. I know how far you have come, how much you have endured. Our fight only confirmed it. We shall have to do this again one day, when time allows. I shall look forward to it. Now go. Go to the Ishgardians and celebrate your victory. You have earned it. Come, Pipin. Her Grace is expecting us.
Pipin: Lead on, Father!

Speak with Thancred

Thancred: Said your good-byes? In all the years I have known Raubahn, I cannot recall ever seeing him look so happy in defeat. Well! Everything seems to be falling into place, does it not? The Ishgardians have claimed their symbolic victory, and the Eorzean Alliance has been strengthened in the process. Be proud, [Forename]. You made this happen.