The First Flight of the Excelsior
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The First Flight of the Excelsior
- Quest giver
- Alphinaud
- Location
- The Pillars (X:14, Y:11)
- Quest line
- Heavensward Main Scenario Quests
- Level
- 59
- Experience
53,820- Gil
930- Previous quest
Hour of Departure- Next quest
- Systematic Exploration
- Patch
- 3.0
Main Scenario Progress: 329 / 960 (34.3%)
Heavensward Progress: 88 / 138 (63.8%)
“The game will soon be afoot, and Alphinaud is keen to assemble the players.
— In-game description
Rewards
- Unlocks
Walkthrough
As of Patch 5.3, completion of the quest 
My Little Chocobo for your Grand Company is required to progress.
Steps
- Speak with Y'shtola.
- Speak with Cid.
Journal
- With work on the Enterprise nearing completion, Alphinaud bids you tell Y'shtola to make ready for departure.
- You find Y'shtola in uncommonly good cheer -- in stark contrast to Estinien, who seems to take her positivity as a personal affront. As you look on bemused, a tense exchange ensues in which Y'shtola warns Estinien that the Eye will consume him given the slightest opportunity. Of course, the dragoon is having none of it. As he strides off, Urianger arrives bearing a gift of white auracite, found among Moenbryda's last effects, thus rounding off your unexpectedly eventful errand. Rejoin Alphinaud at the airship landing.
- You inform Alphinaud of the party's readiness to set forth. The time has come to journey to the stage of the final battle -- Azys Lla.
- You take your place aboard the new and improved Enterprise Excelsior, and after a journey of what feels like mere moments, gain sight of Azys Lla. As promised, the newly installed aetheric ram makes short work of the Allagan barrier, but you have no time to celebrate, as an imperial battleship appears in your wake and opens fire. Hopelessly outmatched, you prepare for the end, only to spy Ysayle riding to the rescue upon Hraesvelgr's back. Transforming into Shiva, she engages the enemy battleship single-handed, and succeeds in incapacitating it at the cost of her own life.
When you subsequently arrive in Azys Lla, you say a silent prayer for the allies who have paid the ultimate price that you might fight on.
- All are determined that Ysayle's sacrifice should not be in vain. Join your companions at the dome-like structure, and ask Cid for further instructions.
- Cid declares the area safe, and calls a meeting to discuss the next step.
Dialogue
Accepting the Quest
Alphinaud: Work on the Enterprise is nearly complete. Let Y'shtola know to make ready.
Optional Dialogue
Estinien: The revelations of recent days may have overturned the foundations of my faith, but my purpose remains unchanged: ending this damnable war.
Speaking with Y'shtola (Cutscene)
Y'shtola: Until but recently, the Ishgardians had kept their doors firmly shut to outsiders. Y'shtola: But thanks to you, we have found in them stout allies, with whom we may fight to secure the future of the realm. Truly, you are the beacon of hope towards which all men are drawn.
Estinien: Spare us the hyperbole. 'Tis not for praise that we fight.
Y'shtola: Oh? In light of all we have achieved, I felt it only meet to express my gratitude.
Estinien: All that we have achieved? Hmph. Spoken like a true outsider. Until the war is over, we have achieved nothing. Estinien: The coming battle is a chance to excise the root of this conflict, and by my hand, it shall be done. Then you may speak of achievement.
Y'shtola: 'Twas not mine intent to make light of your struggle. If I have given offense, then I apologize. But if I may speak freely, you would do well to be wary of the Eye. Even now, it burns with insatiable hatred, watching unblinking for a sign of weakness. Should you falter for so much as a moment, it will surely consume you.
Estinien: Save your concern. I will consume the eye ere I let it consume me.
Urianger: Twelve be praised, thou hast not yet set forth! Urianger: 'Cross sand and snow have I journeyed, that I might deliver this gift unto thee.
Y'shtola: White auracite... But whence did it come?
Urianger: To mine amazement, it lay hid amongst Moenbryda's last effects. 'Twas but my blind chance, or providence, that I did hap to spy it. Let no man claim that my late friend e'er erred for lack of foresight. Urianger: In the place whither thou goest, servants of Darkness do lie in wait. Pray give unto me thy pledge that thou wilt strike them down and avenge our fallen comrade.
Optional Dialogue
Urianger: That which man thinketh a trifle in the having, he mourneth as a treasure in the losing. A tired platitude, but one which shall haunt me unto my dying day.
Speaking with Alphinaud to journey to Azys Lla (Cutscene)
Alphinaud: Let us go, [Forename]! Azys Lla awaits!
Cutscene Start
Cid: Ah, excellent timing! We've just finished our work on the Enterprise. She's so much improved, I've decided to give her a new name to suit: Cid: The Enterprise Excelsior! Or simply the Excelsior, if pressed for time. Cid: Once again, she'll carry Eorzea's protectors into battle!
Wedge: All aboard!
Count Edmont de Fortemps: I can do no more than see you off with prayers for your safety and success. Count Edmont de Fortemps: Yet know that wheresoever you may go, my son's spirit goes with you. May the Fury grant you strength! Aymeric: Return to us—all of you!
Cid: Enterprise Excelsior...engage!
Cutscene 2
Cid: This is it! Get ready!
Estinien: Eye of mine enemy! Render unto me thy power! Estinien: Ugh...No... You will not claim me! I am the master! Alphinaud: We're through!
Biggs: Chief! We've got an imperial battleship on our tail! and it's bleedin' massive!
Cid: Damn it! The bastards were waiting for us to open the door for them! Cid: I'm going to try to shake them! Hold on to something! Wedge: Uwaaaah! We're all going to die! Tataruuu!
Biggs: She won't take much more of this!
Cutscene 3
Ysayle: The time is come to use Hydaelyn's gift. Ysayle: Much blood has been spilled in my name. And for what? For a false cause that I created for want of the warmth of companionship. Ysayle: Saint Shiva...Hraesvelgr....Pray forgive this fool. Ysayle: But even now, I cannot let go of my dream—my dream of a tomorrow in which no child need freeze alone in the snow. Ysayle: Thank you, Hraesvelgr.
Alphinaud: Is that...Ysayle? What does she mean to do!?
Ysayle: O goddess born of mine own hopes and dreams. For the last time, I beseech you! Ysayle: Fill this vessel with your light! Still the hatred within our hearts and bless us with eternal grace!
Ysayle: Farewell, Warrior of light. And thank you—for showing me the way.
Alphinaud: >> NOOOOOO! <<
Y'shtola: This aether... It was a Crystal of Light. Y'shtola: She, too, was one of Hydaelyn's chosen...
Estinien: Fare you well, my lady.
Optional Dialogue
Biggs: Taking on an imperial battleship by herself... Primal or no, that took some courage.
Wedge: I-I wasn't afraid. N-Not in the least! ...Pardon? What smell? <sniff> ...Oh gods, someone's spilled something down my trousers.
Y'shtola: The Echo is a gift and a burden both... as you know only too well.
Alphinaud: Ysayle... I cannot believe she is gone...
Estinien: Though we walked opposing paths, Iceheart was a worthy woman. Her deeds will not soon be forgotten.
Speaking with Cid (Cutscene)
Cid: Whew... I don't know about you, but I'm glad to be back on solid ground—even if said ground is floating in the sky. Cid: When that imperial battleship appeared, I honestly thought we were finished. And we would have been, had your friend not arrived when she did.
Alphinaud: Twelve grant her mercy... Brief though our time together was, Ysayle was a true friend—a gentle soul who fought for her beliefs. She...she would have made a fine Scion.
Y'shtola: What is a Scion but one who fights for our cause? Our hopes survive thanks to her sacrifice. Let that be enough. Y'shtola: Yet I cannot help but wonder: how came she to know of our presence here?
Estinien: From Hrasesvelgr, I would wager. He will have felt my channeling of the Eye's power. Estinien: It would seem they were able to make peace with one another in the end.
Cid: She gave her life because she believed in us. We owe it to her to see our mission through. Cid: See that dome-like structure further in? Let's make our way there.
Optional Dialogue
Biggs: It's still active—all of it...
Wedge: Crikey... This place is like something out of my dreams...
Alphinaud: Cid is right. We owe it to Ysayle to see the mission through.
Y'shtola: Heavy though our hearts may be, we must forge on—in the name of those we have lost.
Estinien: I sense an ominous presence...
Speaking with Cid
Cid: The isle's sentinels don't seem to frequent this area. We should be safe here. Let's talk strategy, shall we?