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Bolt, Chain, and Island

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Main Scenario Quest icon.png

Bolt, Chain, and Island

Bolt, Chain, and Island Image.png

Main Scenario Progress: 313 / 853 (36.7%)

   

Heavensward Progress: 72 / 138 (52.2%)

   

Alphinaud loves it when a plan comes together.

— In-game description


Rewards

Unlocks

Walkthrough

Despite the (Hard) in the name, the trial is not actually more difficult than any other story-mode trial. It is easily completed blind with the Duty Finder. This is also the last time the developers use the (Hard) designation on a story-mode trial.

Notes

Completion of this quest unlocks an increase to mount speed in The Sea of Clouds.

Steps

Journal

  • Alphinaud suggests that you seek the support of the Zundu in slaying Bismarck and petition Chief Sonu for an island to bait the Enterprise's hook. Present your proposal to the chieftain and see what he says.
  • Swayed by Alphinaud's impassioned denunciation of Bismarck as a false savior, Chief Sonu declares that you will have your island. Inform Cid that you have fulfilled your part of the bargain.
  • Cid's preparations have proceeded smoothly, and the required chains and ballistae have already been delivered to the Sea of Clouds. You need but notify Wedge when you have assembled your party of brave companions, and you will be ferried to the island provided by the Zundu.
  • You inform Wedge that you are ready to hunt the white whale. Board the Enterprise with your companions and rid the Sea of Clouds of Bismarck's ravenous presence.
    The Limitless Blue (Hard) can be accessed via the Duty Finder.
  • You execute Cid's bold plan to perfection, and the Lord of Mists falls like so many before Him. Soon after, the long-silent voice of Hydaelyn resounds in your mind once more, though you must strain to make out Her words. Alas, it fades as quickly as it came, and you are left to wonder at Her intent...
  • Prize in hand, you turn towards the Enterprise, only to find Igeyorhm and Archbishop Thordan barring your path. After wresting the key from your grasp, the Ascian observes that you have regained the blessing of Light -- albeit at a fraction of its former strength. Retrieving the key, the archbishop casts it heavensward, and the Allagan relic emits a beam of light pointing the way to Azys Lla. The pair then depart aboard the Soleil as you, still weak from your struggles against Bismarck and Igeyhorm, can only watch, powerless to stop them.
  • After you disembark from the Enterprise, thoroughly downcast, Alphinaud assures you that all is not lost. Though the archbishop has claimed the key to Azys Lla, you yet live to give chase. Scant consolation, perhaps... but true nonetheless. Having all but placed the prize in your enemy's hand, you are fortunate to have a chance at redemption. It is time to put away self-pity, and steel yourself for the task ahead.

Dialogue

Accepting the Quest

Alphinaud: Well, you heard Cid. We need an island to bait the hook. 
Alphinaud: By way of a first step, I propose we speak with Chief Sonu. If the Zundu are as concerned by Bismarck's behavior as they have given us to believe, they may well be supportive of our efforts to slay him.

Optional Dialogue

Cid: The boys and I can handle most of the preparations, but we'll need you to secure us a suitable island. Let me know when it's done!
Alphinaud: We can but ask...

Speaking with Sonu Vanu

Sonu Vanu: The tramontane is upon us. The White feasts, and the Vundu rejoice in His carnage...
Alphinaud: Hear me, Chief Sonu. This creature which torments you now is not the deity who raised up the floating isles and made a gift of them to you.  
Alphinaud: He is a perversion of your beliefs given form by the Vundu - a false savior who consumes that which he should rightly safeguard. 
Alphinaud: Yet it need not be this way, Chief Sonu. We have the power to strike down this impostor. ..but we must beg of you an island to see it done.
Sonu Vanu: Motes against the tempest. In vain do they struggle... 
Sonu Vanu: Yet who is Sonu to speak of what may be? Perhaps even the tramontane can turn to the ponente. Very well, netherlings. When you are ready, tell Zundu scouts what manner of island you require and they guide you to it.
Alphinaud: We shall not fail, Chief Sonu. On that you have my word. 
Alphinaud: Come, [Forename] - let us see how Cid's preparations are progressing.

Optional Dialogue

Sonu Vanu: May soft rains come to cleanse us of these sins...
Alphinaud: My, that took hardly any time at all. The Ironworks engineers do not disappoint.
Wedge: A-Are we really going to go skyfishing for a primal!?

Speak with Cid

Cid: Our Ishgardian friends have furnished us with dragonkillers and ammunition, and I've taken the liberty of procuring a magitek field generator as well. 
Cid: Rest assured, we've chains to spare, every link forged by the manufactory's master craftsmen. If you've any lingering doubts as to their strength, know that they were originally intended to bind dragons - and were not found wanting.
Alphinaud: It pleases me to inform you that the Vanu Vanu have agreed to furnish us with an island of our choosing.
Cid: Then all that remains is to confirm the readiness of the poor buggers who'll actually be doing the fighting. [Forename], let Wedge know when your party is assembled.
(Optional)
Cid: We'll depart for the island once you've assembled your party. Let Wedge know when you're ready.

Speaking with Wedge

Wedge: I probably shouldn't be telling you this, but I don't like this plan. I don't like it one little bit! ... But I can't help being excited all the same! 
Wedge: So tell me, [Forename]: are you ready to hunt the white whale?

< Are you ready to hunt the white whale? >
< No >
< Yes >
< Yes >
Wedge: After you, then, [Forename]! All aboard!

Confronting the Bismarck in the Limitless Blue (Hard)

Duty Dialogue

Cid: Get ready, everyone! Here it comes! 
Cid: Use the field generator! 
If the island goes, so do you! 
Cid: What in the seven hells was that!? 
On your guard! 
Cid: I'm detecting a huge increase in─
Oh gods, brace yourselves! 
Cid: Dammit! We've lost the generator! 

Post Duty (Cutscene)

Hydaelyn: Warrior...Light...Beloved. 
Hydaelyn: Hydaelyn...All made...
Hydaelyn: Darkness...like to none...known...
Hydaelyn:Hark...receive...blessing...more... 
Igeyorhm: So falls the Lord of Mists, as did all others before him. 
Igeyorhm: How many times does this make, Warrior of Light? Ahhh, how much you have grown - far beyond the limits of mere mortals. 
Archbishop Thordan VII: She/He has what we seek? 
Igeyorhm: That she/he does. The key to Azys Lla and the secrets of Allag. 
Igeyorhm: I see you have regained the blessing of Light—albeit at a fraction of its former strength.
Archbishop Thordan VII: My thanks to you, Ascian - and to you as well, Warrior of Light, for saving us the effort of slaying Bismarck.
Archbishop Thordan VII: Now that the key is within our grasp, the path to the heavens shall at last be laid bare!
Archbishop Thordan VII: Hahaha. Ahahahahahaha! 
Archbishop Thordan VII: By our deeds shall the wrongs of antiquity be righted, and man reclaim the reins of history! 

Optional Dialogue

Wedge: I didn't know Alphinaud had been studying magitek technology. He was a godssend during the fight, the way he helped me tend to the engines.
Biggs: I'm just glad we're all still here to tell the tale.
Cid: In retrospect, we should probably have seen that coming. Still, you fought well, [Forename]—better than that, in fact. Chin up, eh?

Speaking with Alphinaud

Alphinaud: Forgive me, [Forename]. Had I known what was happening, mayhap I could have done something to stop them... 
Alphinaud: Alas, Wedge and I were still sealed within the engine room and heard naught of the struggle until it was over.  
Alphinaud: And now, for all our efforts, the archbishop holds the very thing we sought to keep from him... 
Alphinaud: But all is not lost, for we yet live, and we know their destination! Let us give chase and bring an end to their machinations!