The Hardened Heart
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The Hardened Heart
- Quest giver
- Sul Oul
- Location
- Il Mheg (X:22.7, Y:4.0)
- Quest line
Role Quests
┗ Tank Role Quests (Shadowbringers)- Level
- 78
- Required quest
Acht-la Ormh Inn- Requirements
Tank- Experience
227,520- Gil
2,416- Previous quest
The Princess and Her Knight- Next quest
- To Have Loved and Lost
- Patch
- 5.0
- Links
- EDB GT TC
“— In-game description
Rewards
- 1
Paella
Walkthrough
- In the solo duty for this quest, you will play as Branden. Ardbert, Nylbert, Lamitt, and Renda-Rae will fight alongside you. Ardbert will fight half of the enemies, you will fight the other half.
- Shortly after starting to fight the initial four 4 enemies, bring them to the center for Ardbert to kill them.
- Tadric will then summon two Transmutated Traitors.
- Stack (i.e. stand on top/in front of, to tank damage) upon Nylbert when the Transmutated Traitors start casting Sanctified Fire III.
- If you do not stack, the duty will fail.
- After the attack finishes go back and fight your Transmutated Traitor.
- When the Transmutated Traitor begins casting Sanctified Dark, interrupt it with the skill provided. You only need to interrupt the one traitor designated to you.
- If you do not interrupt Sanctified Dark, the duty will fail.
- Kill off the traitors and then Tadric will continue to spawn more enemies to fight.
- When Nylbert and Renda-Rae start charging their attacks, bring the enemies you have into both of their paths for maximum damage on the enemies.
- After that, Tadric will summon 2 canine monstrosities and they will target Lamitt. Step into the line they project to change their target from Lamitt to you.
- Once the last of the adds are defeated, Tadric must be defeated before he finishes casting Santified Quake III to complete the duty.
Steps
- Rendezvous with Sul Oul at Lyhe Ghiah.
- Speak with Sul Oul.
- Speak with Sul Oul at Pla Enni.
Journal
- Sul Oul seems rather more pleased to entertain you than Granson.
- Having finally completed your respective tasks, you and Granson bid Sul Oul to tell you what they know of Branden, the former Warrior of Light. However, the Nu Mou's fond words for the fallen knight spur Granson to lash out in anger, as he is unwilling to think of the man as anything but the eater he has become. The Nu Mou regards him quietly for a moment before inviting the two of you to accompany them to Lyhe Ghiah to hear a story...
- In the ruins of the ancient castle of Lyhe Ghiah, Sul Oul regales you with the tale of Branden and the lady Sauldia. The young knight served as the princess's bodyguard for a time, until he failed in his duty to protect her during one of her many “investigations.” Though she would make a full recovery, Branden was nevertheless stripped of his knighthood and cast out...only to return one day, a grizzled adventurer in the company of fledgling heroes. Together they sought to identify the culprit behind the mysterious transformations which had continued unabated in Branden's absence. And so their search would lead them to the viper in their midst...
- Tadric, court mage and loyal servant of the royal family, was the architect of Voeburt's misery. Consumed by pride and jealousy, he had orchestrated the transformations in an effort to throw the kingdom into chaos that he might claim Voeburt's throne for himself. Though the Warriors of Light succeeded in putting an end to his ambitions, their victory was marred by tragedy when Tadric, in a final act of spite before he breathed his last, cursed Sauldia like he had so many others, condemning her to a fate worse than death. Through the power of the Echo, you bear witness to the court mage's final moments...as well as hers, as Branden carries out her final order, and releases her from her torment...
- Good and evil, right and wrong. There is a comfort in simplicity. Granson had convinced himself that Branden was the villain of his personal story─that his tragedy could have meaning and purpose so long as he saw it through to the proper conclusion. But life is not a faerie tale, and Branden was a man like any other, full of hopes and dreams and regrets...including one which mirrored the hunter's own. Unsure how to reconcile this truth, Granson asks for a moment to think on his path. For indeed, if we are not who we believe ourselves to be...then who are we?
Dialogue
(Optional) Granson: Oh, you've returned. They made me go and gather a bunch of strange mushrooms, so hopefully we can finally get some answers...
Accepting the Quest (Cutscene)
Sul Oul: Exemplary timing, [Forename]. 'Twas not more than a moment ago that Granson returned, having at last obliged my humble request.
Granson: Humble request my arse. This one's no better than a Eulmoran aristocrat, so accustomed to making others do their bidding. I tell you, there's something off-putting about taking orders from a dog─
Sul Oul: Ere you continue and give me cause to reconsider aiding your hunt, perhaps you should ask your questions.
Granson: Fine. [Forename] said [she/he] saw a vision of you and Branden looking thick as thieves. You were friends, eh? Know what he's up to now?
Sul Oul: Branden is dead. He died a century ago, together with his comrades in an attempt to halt the Flood that they themselves set in motion. I presume you speak of the eater that took possession of his corpse.
Granson: Dikaiosyne, aye. But unlike most eaters, he's been doing more than roam about aimlessly. For some reason he's been hunting down royal treasures of old Voeburt... Granson: ...And he's been killing anyone who got in his way.
Sul Oul: Is he now? Heh, what irony. Even in death he remains a slave to duty. A knight brave and true─
Granson: He's a murderer, and I'll not hear it said otherwise. He ruined my life─killed my beloved right before my very eyes! Every night I go to bed dreaming of the day I'll take my revenge.
Sul Oul: ...Oh. I see. Truly, you have suffered a terrible loss...but while your thirst for vengeance is quite natural and understandable, it is ultimately misguided. Sul Oul: Unusual behavior notwithstanding, Dikaiosyne is nevertheless no more than an eater. To hate him is to hate the sea that claims the ship─the disease that steals the child, the tremor that topples the home. The mindless force of nature that begets destruction, driven by fragmented memory─
Granson: Don't you dare make excuses for him! You think I wanted any of this!? I grew up on a farm. I could barely wield a sword! And now I've got to kill one of the bloody Cardinal Virtues! Granson: Hate and anger and vengeance are all I've got now! My every waking moment is dedicated to plotting his death. It has to be! It has to be! Granson: So just tell us where the godsdamned ring is and we'll be on our way!
Sul Oul: This is how it has to be, hmm? Who you have to be? Sul Oul: Nay, I think not. You ask too much─demand far, far too much─and in exchange for what? This I cannot abide.
Granson: Are you trying to barter with me!? You little shite─tell me what I want to know or I'll beat it out of you! Granson: Back off, [Forename]! I won't let anyone or anything stand between me and Milinda's murderer!
Sul Oul: ...Branden was a dear friend. To know that an eater disgraces his flesh and his memory pains me more than I can well express. Sul Oul: It would bring me great comfort if you were to grant him peace. Sul Oul: I should like to share with you a story. If you would be so kind as to join me in Lyhe Ghiah...
Granson: This had better have a point...
(Optional) Granson: Why are we here again?
Rendezvousing with Sul Oul at Lyhe Ghiah
Cutscene
Sul Oul: 'Tis beautiful, even now. A palace of forgotten dreams. But before it was Lyhe Ghiah, in the time of Voeburt, it was Gruenes Licht. Sul Oul: The memory of mine in which you walked was of a troubled time, when the people of our kingdom were preyed upon by an ambitious fool... Sul Oul: Branden, then a young knight who had only just won his spurs, had caught the eye of Princess Sauldia, who chose him as her personal guardian. However, he was far too inexperienced, and was unable to keep her safe when she ventured outside these walls on one of her “investigations.” Sul Oul: For his failure, he was stripped of his knighthood, and shortly thereafter he quit Voeburt. I thought I would never see him again... Sul Oul: But then, one day, he returned─one of several wandering adventurers led by a man named Ardbert, who had accepted our invitation to look into the mysterious transformations, which had continued unabated in Branden's absence. Sul Oul: Lady Sauldia was overjoyed, and for a time it was like nothing had changed. They spoke often and grew even closer... Sul Oul: And then came the day when we learned the truth─ Sul Oul: When we learned that the architect of our kingdom's suffering was none other than the court mage, Tadric...
Echo
Ardbert: It's him, Branden. I'm sorry.
Branden: ...So am I. Come─let's have done with it.
Branden: It was you, Tadric─do not deny it! Tormenting our people, twisting and transforming them into monsters...and for what!?
Tadric: Branden, Branden, Branden. And after I took such pains to be rid of you...
Branden: You may strip me of my titles but not my oaths. I shall serve Lady Sauldia till my dying breath!
Tadric: As you like. Once I have killed you and your friends, there will be no one left to stop me from claiming the throne! Tadric: Hear me, my children! The hour of reckoning is at hand! Rejoice, for in noble sacrifice shall you find everlasting glory!
Youthful Court Mage: Lord Tadric, it...it hurts...
Tadric: Soon you shall know no more pain.
Branden: I was going to make it quick. For old times' sake. But now...now I think I ought to take my time...
Solo Duty
Tadric the Vainglorious: Come, my children! Render up your lives for your master!
Branden: For all your crimes and more, you will pay!
Renda-Rae: The direct approach isn't working...
Tadric the Vainglorious: Your feeble tricks are no match for my magicks!
Ardbert: He's drawing upon the aether of his thralls. Kill them!
Renda-Rae: Poor bastards. That's what you get for trusting a court mage...
Ardbert: Branden! Bring them all in close!
Sul Oul: Such an incredible display of strength! The stuff of legends!
Branden: There's no escape, Tadric! Surrender!
Tadric the Vainglorious: While I still have so many lives at my disposal? I think not. Tadric the Vainglorious: Come, children! In death shall your meaningless lives gain glorious purpose!
Ardbert: I'll defend Lamitt! Branden, go to Nyelbert!
Tadric the Vainglorious: Now... Burn bright for me, and die, die, die!
Branden: How many more must die for your vanity!?
Ardbert: Branden─don't let him cast that spell! Do whatever it takes!
Tadric the Vainglorious: You are most tenacious, but everyone has their limits...
Ardbert: That attack's too much for any one person to take! We have to stand together! Understood!?
Lamitt: Understood!
Tadric the Vainglorious: Your end is nigh! Tadric the Vainglorious: No sacrifice is too great to claim what is by rights mine! Tadric the Vainglorious: Rise, my children! Rise and defend me!
Ardbert: TAAADRIIIC!!!
Nyelbert: Surely no one can harness such a massive torrent of aether...
Tadric the Vainglorious: Such obedient children, to offer up their lives in sacrifice!
Branden: Unrepentant to the last... This madness dies with you.
Tadric the Vainglorious: Hahaha! What is life but a medium for my magicks!? Tadric the Vainglorious: How much longer can you hold the line, I wonder?
Renda-Rae: The bastard's keen to drag this out...
Lamitt: We can't keep this up forever!
Ardbert: Everyone! Now's our chance to turn the tide!
Renda-Rae: I've still got a few arrows in my quiver!
Ardbert: Branden, bring them all into the center like before!
Branden: See that, Tadric!? You're next!
Tadric the Vainglorious: Time to thin the herd...starting with that dwarf perhaps?
Ardbert: Don't you touch her, you bastard! Ardbert: Branden─we have to defend Lamitt at all costs!
Lamitt: Whew, thank you both!
Tadric the Vainglorious: I tire of these theatrics. Let us end this farce here and now! Tadric the Vainglorious: This castle will be your tomb!
Lamitt: He's channeling a vast quantity of aether! Whatever he's preparing, we cannot let him finish!
Ardbert: You heard Lamitt! We have to stop him! Ardbert: Don't ask for mercy, Tadric. You won't get it!
Echo
Tadric: Meddlesome wretch! This kingdom is by rights mine!
Sauldia: Branden? What is the meaning of this!? Sauldia: Tadric, you... But why, after serving us faithfully for so many years─
Tadric: I am no servant! No servant! Not of your mother or father...or you!
Sul Oul: My lady!
Ardbert: Godsdamn you!
Branden: Lady Sauldia! Speak to me!
Sauldia: Branden. My dear, brave Branden... Am I...your princess still? Would you honor your vows, even now?
Branden: Now and ever after, my lady. My sword is yours to command.
Sauldia: That...that is well. Would that I had the strength to wield it myself... Sauldia: Steel your heart, brave Branden, and for the good of Voeburt...and her people...
Branden: No...no, no! I cannot! I will not!
Sauldia: Honor your vows. To your kingdom... To your princess... Sauldia: To...to your friend... Who never doubted you. Who knew...knew that you...would return...and see justice...justice...
Branden: ...No. It should be me.
Sauldia: Branden...my sword...now and...ever after...
Cylva: We've rounded up the rest of Tadric's co-conspirators and tossed them in the gaol. The ones who hadn't been corrupted by his magicks, that is...
Branden: I'll not hesitate again. No matter the cost─no matter the sacrifice...
Cutscene
Sul Oul: Well? You saw what happened?
Granson: Wicked white. She begged him to do it. Like Milinda...
Sul Oul: Come. Let us quit this place and return to Pla Enni.
(Optional) Granson: ...
Speaking with Sul Oul at Pla Enni (Cutscene)
Sul Oul: Do you know why I entered into the royal family's service many long years ago? Sul Oul: Because when I was attacked by a wild beast which nearly tore me to shreds, it was Lady Sauldia who came to my rescue. Sul Oul: She saved me─and that is a debt that can never be repaid, for there is naught in this world which holds greater value than life itself. Sul Oul: Not even her death absolves me of it, and so I must always first consider her wishes, her desires─what she would want for me and her kingdom. For Branden, and yes, even for you, Granson...
Granson: For me...?
Sul Oul: To define oneself in opposition to the other─an other bereft of complexity of nuance, wholly devoid of redeeming qualities. A villain. Indeed, there is comfort and certainty in hatred... Sul Oul: But it is a false and fleeting comfort. Bought with lies we tell ourselves about who we are, what we must be, what we must do. And never you mind the cost─if anything, the more we offer up in sacrifice, the better! Sul Oul: Do you not see? Branden was right to hesitate. To doubt. The unwavering blade cares not whom it serves nor who it cuts.
Granson: I...I think I need a moment...
Sul Oul: Perhaps you do as well. Leave us for now, [Forename].