The Mad King's Trove
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The Mad King's Trove
- Quest giver
- Alphinaud
- Location
- The Lochs (X:32.0, Y:33.0)
- Quest line
- Post-Stormblood Main Scenario Quests
- Level
- 70
- Experience
10,800- Gil
4,325- Previous quest
The Darkness Below- Next quest
- The Butcher's Blood
- Patch
- 4.1
Main Scenario Progress: 504 / 960 (52.5%)
Stormblood Progress: 125 / 162 (77.2%)
“Alphinaud seems eager to share his theory.
— In-game description
Rewards
- Unlocks
Steps
- Search the ruins on the loch floor.
- Investigate the passage.
- Enter the Drowned City of Skalla.
- Speak with Alphinaud in the Ala Mhigan Quarter.
Journal
- Before unveiling his grand theory, Alphinaud would adjourn to a more appropriate location -- specifically, the southern shore of Loch Seld.
- After favoring you with a short lecture on the history of Loch Seld, Alphinaud posits that the “darkness beneath the palace” referred to by Ernold may contain the submerged remnants of the ancient city of Skalla. He further theorizes that Theodoric had his kinsmen cursed and cast into the depths not only to punish them for their imagined crimes, but to have them serve as guardians over his treasures. Whilst Alphinaud and Arenvald search for a way into the ruins from above, you are to scour the loch bed for an underwater entrance.
- In the frigid waters of Loch Seld, you discover a passage leading directly beneath the palace foundations. Such a find warrants further investigation...
- You have discovered a stone door which appears to offer a way into the ruins beneath the palace. Enter the Drowned City of Skalla, and search for the mad king's trove!
- ※Challenge The Drowned City of Skalla with other players via the Duty Finder, or with a party of NPCs via Duty Support. Both systems are accessible from the main menu as well as the dungeon's entrance point.
- You have defeated the monstrous denizens of Skalla. The fabled treasure must surely lie nearby...
- As you gaze upon the riches of the mad king's trove, Alphinaud and Arenvald tumble in from a different section of the ruins. Return to the Ala Mhigan Quarter, and recount your respective adventures.
- With grudging admiration, Alphinaud declares you the victor of the impromptu race to the treasure. Arenvald, meanwhile, seems more intent on teasing Alphinaud for his reaction to one of the ruins' ghostly inhabitants...
Dialogue
(Optional) Arenvald: ...Well? Out with it! What's this theory of yours?
Accepting the Quest
Alphinaud: ...Actually, mayhap it would be better if we first adjourned to a more suitable location.
Arenvald: ...In case a rival treasure hunter overhears our plans, you mean? Good thinking!
Alphinaud: That...was not exactly the reason, but 'tis certainly a valid concern. Let us reconvene on the southern edge of Loch Seld.
(Optional) Arenvald: Come now, [Forename], don't leave us in suspense! Let's hear this theory of yours!
Speaking with Alphinaud on the southern shore of Loch Seld (Cutscene)
Alphinaud: Forgive me. 'Twas not my intention to draw out proceedings. I simply wished to have the loch in sight while I explained things. Alphinaud: Prior to the great flood of the Sixth Umbral Calamity, the salt lakes you see before you were yet dry ravines. And this, believe it or not, was the site of the ancient city of Skalla, which rose and fell during the Fifth Astral Era. Alphinaud: From what we know of the period, the city was already deserted by the time the waters began to rise, having been all but destroyed by war. Yet its ruins remain to this day at the bottom of Loch Seld. Alphinaud: It is my believe that the "darkness beneath the palace" mentioned by Theodoric's former scribe was not a reference to the prison, but a place still further below: the ruins of Skalla. Alphinaud: I further surmise that the mad king's unfortunate kinsmen were cast down there not simply out of a desire to punish them, but to discourage exploration. Theodoric wanted to keep the ruins secure...
Arenvald: Wait...you're saying...they were meant to guard the mad king's trove!
Alphinaud: Precisely. And since we know the court thaumaturge was involved, we can safely assume that any entrance into the old city will have been magically concealed.
Arenvald: ...Which would explain how a legion of imperial soldiers and the gods know how many Ala Mhigans never found a trace of the trove.
Alphinaud: We, however, have certain advantages which they did not enjoy. [Forename]—would you be so good as to swim down to the bottom of the loch and search for an underwater route into the ruins? While you do that, Arenvald and I will seek out an ensorcelled portal within the palace.
Searching the ruins on the loch floor
System: You discover a passage that appear to lead under the palace foundations. Press on, and find out where it goes.
Investigating the passage
System: You come to a worn stone door, standing temptingly ajar. It would appear you have found an entrance into the subterranean ruins.
Alphinaud's Voice: [Forename]—it's Alphinaud. We have searched the prison beneath the palace, and found a teleportation portal concealed by enchantments. The markings indicate it leads to an underground cavern. Alphinaud's Voice: What news on your end? Alphinaud's Voice: ...And you believe it leads into the ruins? Then I daresay we will be able to meet within. Go on and head through the door. Alphinaud's Voice: By the way, I took the liberty of calling on a friend for help. I guarantee she's both dependable and discreet. We'll see you soon!
Entering the Drowned City of Skalla
Duty Dialogue
The Old One: ×△sACriFicE△×◎WHIR◎×▼sUBserViEntS▼× BooM, bOOm, BOom, boOm... The Old One: ×△AcTivatE△×◎CLUNK◎×▼TRaNsfoRMatiOn▼× HeX, hEx, HEx, hEX... The Old One: ×△sACriFicE△×◎WHIR◎×▼sUBserViEntS▼× BooM, bOOm, BOom, boOm... The Old One: ×△AcTivatE△×◎CLUNK◎×▼TRaNsfoRMatiOn▼× HeX, hEx, HEx, hEX...
Hrodric Poisontongue: Graaaaaah! Kill! Kill you all! Hrodric Poisontongue: <snarl> Death! Death comes for you!
Duty Support
Alphinaud: Good to see you found a way in too, [Forename].
Arenvald: Right, then! Let's go and get our treasure! Arenvald: Up for some spearfishing, J'moldva?
J'moldva: Always.
Arenvald: What is that? Some kind of horse?
Alphinaud: It's the Kelpie! I've heard legends of it!
Alphinaud: I'm drenched from head to toe...
Arenvald: No more than you'd expect on an adventure, eh?
Alphinaud: I daresay this was a place of worship.
Arenvald: And I have a feeling it's crawling with “worshipers”...
Alphinaud: Quite well guarded, that door.
Arenvald: Does that mean we've already reached the treasure!? Arenvald: If that's the treasure, then consider me disappointed.
Alphinaud: Fortunately for you, it's another guardian. Be on your guard!
Arenvald: What in the seven hells!?
J'moldva: Wh-What's happened to my body?
Alphinaud: Ye gods, what magick is this!?
Arenvald: Grrr, just you wait!
J'moldva: A truly vexing spell...
Alphinaud: Ugh, not again!
Arenvald: Hmph, troublesome piece of clay...
Alphinaud: Indeed. Its magicks were not to be underestimated.
J'moldva: Prison cells...
Alphinaud: Relics of the mad king's reign.
Arenvald: That was a person? Seven hells...
Alphinaud: So the dark rumors of this place were true... Alphinaud: It seems that fellow won't let us have the treasure without a fight.
Arenvald: Wouldn't be much of an adventure if it didn't end on a climax, eh?
Post–dungeon Pop–ups
J'moldva: Arenvald has gotten stronger, hasn't he?
Arenvald: Piles upon piles of treasure... I can scarcely imagine how much there is.
Alphinaud: To think that monster used to be a man...
Post-Duty Cutscene
Alphinaud: 'Twould appear this place is yet inhabited by King Theodoric's kin—or what is left of them. The work of terrible magicks, I fear...
Arenvald: Terrible, aye, but their misfortune is our...fortune?
Alphinaud: Quite... By the Twelve, there is even more than I imagined...
Arenvald: Oh, I can't wait to see the look on Lyse's face! Thanks for believing me in, you two!
Optional
Arenvald: Gods, but what a dark and treacherous trek that was, with abominations waiting for us at every turn... In other words, it was a proper adventure!
J'moldva: When Arenvald asked me to lend my spear, I didn't imagine it would be for such an adventure. I'm grateful for the chance to be a part of it.
Speaking with Alphinaud in the Ala Mhigan Quarter
Alphinaud: Arenvald and I tried to do our fair share, but I fear you ended up bearing the bulk of the burden as usual. You truly led the way with your adventuring prowess, my friend.
Arenvald: Aye, without your help, I reckon we'd still be fumbling about int he dark. I'm glad I called on you!
Alphinaud: I must say, I am still reeling at the sight of that mountain of riches...
Arenvald: What, like how you reeled at the sight of that floating specter, you mean? I wish you could've seen the look on your own face, Alphinaud!
Alphinaud: M-Must we dwell on such momentary lapses!? We found the mad king's trove, and that is all that matters!