Lives Apart

Lives Apart

Quest giver

Hermes

Location

Elpis (X:24.5, Y:22.5)

Quest line

Endwalker Main Scenario Quests

Level

86

Experience

 488,400

Gil

 1,102

Previous quest

Ponder, Warrant, Cherish, Welcome

Next quest

Their Greatest Contribution

Patch

6.0

Links

EDB GT TC

---

Main Scenario Progress: 766 / 978 (78.3%)

   

Endwalker Progress: 68 / 155 (43.9%)

   

“

Composure regained, Hermes is ready to retun to his duties.

— In-game description

Steps

• Speak with Hermes.
• Speak with Hermes again.
• Use the lightning converger to create ball lightning. 0/2
• Speak with Hermes.
• Speak with Hermes again.

Journal

• Composure regained, Hermes is ready to return to his duties.

Walkthrough

Use the lightning converger on the actual destination markers, rather than on the nearby Lightning Elementals.

Dialogue

Optional dialogue

Emet-Selch: It is held that all civil organizations should conduct their affairs with total transparency, and the Convocation is no exception.
Emet-Selch: But that doesn't mean we are obligated to show our work to unknown entities such as you. Consider yourself privileged ─ and behave accordingly.

Meteion: This time we all get to go for a walk! Isn't it exciting?

Hythlodaeus: Though I see new creations on a daily basis, here they look at them with a different eye. It will be interesting to observe Hermes at work.

Accepting the quest

Hermes: If everyone is ready, there are a few creations I need to check on. First, we shall return to the spot where we found our wayward ambystoma.
Hermes: Have care when you step outside a hub, for there may be more unruly creatures about.

Optional dialogue

Meteion: So beautiful, petalouda! I hope they make it into the world!

Hythlodaeus: Ah yes, the ianthine petalouda. One of the newest species of the ever-popular butterfly.
Hythlodaeus: ...Hm? You're still bothered about your robe? Don't be. The few specimens we repurposed won't be missed.

Emet-Selch: All vim and vigor now. Hmph. When we were discussing his nomination, he was melancholy incarnate.

Speak with Hermes.

Hermes: This here is a new species of petalouda we recently set loose.
Hermes: It has been doing very well, managing to maintain a stable existence thus far. If it can see its observation period to the end without issue, we shall release it unto the world.
Hermes: Tell me ─ do you know the difference between living beings and arcane entities?
Hermes: It is the presence of a soul. Yet the soul isn't something you can choose to have at will.
Hermes: No, it manifests only in those beings whose forms adhere to the laws of creation. That can endure on their own.
Hermes: Beings that do not fulfill this requirement, such as those spontaneously born of magic or natural phenomena, do not have souls.
Hermes: No matter how much it might resemble flora or fauna, if it lacks a soul, then it is considered an arcane entity.
Hermes: So you see, it is not for mankind to decide what is living. That domain lies beyond our manipulation, and it is hubris to assume otherwise.
Hermes: But come, let us head to the nearby beacon. I've received a report that arcane entities have gathered there.

Optional dialogue

Emet-Selch: We're meant to be observing Hermes, but instead we're stuck with Meteion...
Emet-Selch: Well, I suppose she herself serves as proof of his prowess as a researcher and creator both.

Meteion: Interesting! You're interesting too! Tell me, how did you find the ambystoma?
Hythlodaeus: A fascinating creation ─ much like yourself, little one. Renowned as Hermes is for his flying life-forms, 'tis a rare privilege to be able to see one of his works in progress.

Speak with Hermes again.

Hermes: Ah, yes. Lightning pneuma, just as the report said.
Hermes: Although we call this structure a beacon due to its form, it's in fact a magical device. By manipulating the balance of elements, it keeps the isle airborne and maintains the climate thereupon.
Hermes: In the course of its operation, it often sees an internal shift towards a given element.
Hermes: Right now that element is lightning, which draws the pneuma here to replenish their aether.
Hermes: ...Hmm, it appears Meteion is busy.
Hermes: Would you care to assist me in her stead, and feed the pneuma?
Hermes: By using this lightning converger, you can harness ambient lightning and focus it into a ball. A veritable feast for our dazzling friends.
Hermes: Go on, give it a try.

Speak with Hermes. (Cutscene)

Hermes: Perfectly done, [Forename]. Look...
Hermes: See how they gather to feed. How they express themselves through their actions despite their lack of words.
Hermes: Speech is not the sole defining characteristic of a thinking, feeling creature. Nor is silence an indication that they do not possess these qualities.
Hermes: Be it a soulless arcane entity such as the pneuma, or an ephemeral life-form such as the petalouda, all seek to perpetuate their existence. To survive.

 What will you say?
> Is Meteion an arcane entity?
> Is Meteion a living being?

Hermes: A good question. I can answer it from a theoretical standpoint, but it ultimately falls to the Bureau of the Architect to pass judgment.
Hermes: Those with exceptional vision such as Hythlodaeus may be able to ascertain her true nature...
Hermes: But to me, it doesn't matter. She is herself, and that is all I need to know.
Meteion: Oh... You've finished already? I-I'm sorry... I was in the way...
Hermes: Not to worry, my dear. They missed nothing of note, and we still have plenty of work for them to observe.
Hermes: Next, we will head east to the Mourning Dew. I need to speak with some observers there.

Optional dialogue

Emet-Selch: ...Was there a guiding theme or any method to the madness that is this random assortment of features?

Hythlodaeus: Ah, this fellow has been the talk of the bureau! The combination of a carefree aspect and endless rows of fangs is strangely charming!

Meteion: It's adorable, but beware its sneeze! Hermes went flying once!

Speak with Hermes again. (Cutscene)

| Voiced cutscene | 
Hermes: Amazing, is it not? The ampelos ─ one of our newest subjects.
Hermes: So, how are we coming along?

Meteion: This place is Elpis! Those flowers, Elpis!
Meteion: Entelechies! Like me!
Hermes: They are a product of Elpis and so named for their birthplace.
Hermes: A happy accident born of the hands of a former researcher who loved beautiful blossoms.
Hermes: Unique for how they change color to reflect the emotional state of those nearby.
Hermes: Though be it here or elsewhere, they are seldom seen in any hue save purest white...
Hythlodaeus: Reflect the emotional state, you say? By what means do they achieve this?
Hermes: In creation, there exists an energy wholly apart from aether. One driven by emotions.
Hermes: In like manner to how we manipulate aether, this flower is subject to the influence of said energy.
Hermes: While it has no will of its own, it is sensitive to the prevailing emotion in the vicinity, and reacts by altering its color and vibrancy.

Nidhana: Akasa? It is one of the unseen energies defined by Hannish alchemical theory. Though a gross oversimplification, some describe it as an essence influenced by feelings.

Hermes: Akasa... Though I'm not familiar with the term, your description suggests it is the selfsame energy.
Hermes: Dynamis, we call it.
Hermes: And those entities like the Elpis flower, that have the ability to interact with this energy, converting emotions into tangible phenomena...
Hermes: ...Are entelechies.
Meteion: That's me, that's me! An entelechy!
Hermes: That you are, my dear. And no ordinary one at that, but the first possessed of free will.
Emet-Selch: Wait. A form of energy other than aether? Dynamis?
Emet-Selch: I've never heard of such a thing.
Hermes: Hardly surprising. Dynamis cannot be seen, much less felt.
Hermes: And though its existence has long been theorized, we had no proof until the flower's serendipitous creation.
Hermes: What's more, dynamis is far weaker than aether. Under normal circumstances, its effects are drowned out by the latter.
Hermes: On account of which, beings comprised of and reliant upon aether, like you and I, are unable to make practical use of dynamis.
Hermes: 'Tis a truly esoteric thing, known to but a select few scholars.
Emet-Selch: Intriguing... Then given the limitations you described, why create Meteion?
Hermes: Our star, Etheirys, is especially rich in aether. So much so that its name is derived from it.
Hermes: However, when we consider all energy in existence, here and in the vast space beyond, dynamis may account for as much as sixty-eight point three percent.
Hermes: The more abundant form by far. Were we able to control it, we could open the door to limitless possibilities.
Hermes: 'Tis not unlike a gently flowing stream, unable to break through the dam of aether barring its path. But if we could imbue this stream with the vigor of a raging river...
Hermes: ...Not that I have such grand ambitions.
Hermes: Nay, I merely wished to create a being that could traverse the great expanse.
Hermes: The relative scarcity of aether beyond the bounds of this star was a concern, and so I looked to another source of energy by necessity.
Hythlodaeus: That being dynamis. No wonder her aether is so thin.
Hermes: Precisely.
Meteion: Yours is thin too. Like an entelechy. Like me.
Meteion: So...are we the same? Entelechies?

 What will you say?
> Sure, I don't see why I couldn't be one.
   Emet-Selch: I think not. Your nature remains a mystery, but ere I reinforced you, you appeared to be little more than a common familiar─and a faded one at that.
> Well, I have known to transcend my limits with nothing but determination.
   Emet-Selch: That sounds more akin to the desperate flailings of a wild beast when facing imminent death.
> If I'm thin, it's because Emet-Selch didn't do a proper job. 
   Emet-Selch: Well, aren't we ungrateful? Mayhap I should revert you to the pathetic, faded thing you were.
 
Hermes: A deficit of aether alone does not an entelechy make. It would, however, make it easier for you to interact with dynamis. And limited though its influence may be, this quality could prove the difference between victory and defeat. You'd do well not to underestimate it.
Hermes: Oh dear, I'd forgotten about the poor fellow. You must excuse me a moment while I go and verify a few more things.
| Voiced cutscene |