The Price of Freedom

Quest giver: Alphinaud
Location: The Peaks (X:26.6, Y:29.8)
Quest line: Stormblood Main Scenario Quests
Level: 69

Experience: 109,000
Gil: 4,101
Previous quest: Where Courage Endures
Next quest: Raubahn's Invitation
Patch: 4.0

Main Scenario Progress: 492 / 853 (57.7%)

Stormblood Progress: 113 / 162 (69.8%)

“

As usual, Alphinaud has a brilliant plan.

— In-game description

Rewards

Choose one of the following options:

Unlocks

Notes

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

Steps

Search for imperial patrols between Radiata and Castrum Abania.
Search for imperial patrols between Radiata and Castrum Abania.
Speak with Stark Woad.
Lie in wait for imperial soldiers.
Stand watch for any remaining imperial soldiers.
Stand watch for any remaining imperial soldiers.
Enter Castrum Abania.
Speak with Lyse.

Journal

The Alliance and the Resistance cannot suffer a repeat of the slaughter at Specula Imperatoris. As such, they will not march upon Castrum Abania until they can be certain the fortress's main cannon will not be brought to bear against them. Though the weapon was apparently disabled by a single unknown assailant, it is only a matter of time before it is restored to operational status. With the aid of an Alliance contact in Radiata, you and your comrades have devised a plan to infiltrate the castrum and seize control of the cannon's fire control center, after which you will signal the Allied forces to advance. But before you can do that, you must first deal with the patrols between you and the castrum.

You dispatch the imperial patrol quickly and brutally, leaving nothing to chance. But it is only the first. Another is approaching.

The second patrol goes as quietly as its predecessor. Though Alphinaud and Alisaie lack your skill and finesse, it seems unlikely that their own targets proved any more troublesome...

As expected, Alphinaud and Alisaie are fine, as is Stark Woad, your contact. Your point of entry to Castrum Abania is not far, but a final patrol must be dealt with before you can proceed.

Once more you ambush and kill the unsuspecting imperial soldiers, removing the last obstacle between the entrance to the ventilation system and your comrades. Nevertheless, one can never be too careful; it would be prudent to stand watch for a time.

No more patrols are forthcoming, and so you signal your comrades to advance. Your plan, as Alphinaud reminds you, will be to split into two parties -- one comprising Alphinaud and Alisaie, and the other, you and the irrepressible adventurers who you had the wisdom... et cetera and so on. Each will attempt to create a diversion inside the castrum, thereby allowing Lyse and her unit of Resistance fighters to proceed relatively unhindered to the fire control center. Weapons research is to be your destination, and one can only imagine what manner of foes await you there...
- ※Challenge Castrum Abania 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.

Though the monstrosities within weapons research are as fearsome as they are horrific, it is they who should rightly be afraid. Shortly after delivering your verdict on another few billion gil of Garlean innovation, you are rejoined by Alphinaud and Alisaie, and together you make haste to the fire control center to rendezvous with Lyse and seize control of the cannon.

At last you come face–to–face with the officer responsible for the destruction of Specula Imperatoris: Fordola rem Lupis. She makes no apologies for her actions and declares that all was in service to her countrymen -- to secure a place for them within imperial society. Enraged, Lyse charges with murder in her eyes, only to find that her opponent possesses supernatural strength and agility. After effortlessly evading her attacks and cutting down Alisaie with a single stroke, Fordola dives through the window and makes her escape, but not before extending you and your comrades an invitation to the “royal hunt” on behalf of Zenos yae Galvus.

With nothing to fear from the fortress's dormant cannon, Allied forces march on Castrum Abania and seize control of it in short order. Save for Alisaie's injuries -- which you are assured will heal in time -- the operation has gone exactly to plan. And yet Lyse stands apart, quiet and distant...

Dialogue

Quest Acceptance

Alphinaud: We have that for which we came. All that remains is to make our preparations. Lyse and her unit will make for our primary objective, the fire control center. At the same time, we will enter the castrum by way of the ventilation ducts, whereupon we will proceed into weapons research and create a diversion. If all goes to plan, our parties will subsequently converge, and together we will secure the cannon before notifying the Alliance that they are clear to attack.
Lyse: Sounds simple enough. I'll go and brief Naago on the details. 
Stark Woad: The rest of you come with me. We'll need to deal with the magitek patrols before you can infiltrate the castrum.

Speak with Stark Woad

'Stark Woad: Almost there, friends. Your point of entry is just around the bend up ahead. The last patrol should be here any moment. Once you've dealt with them, we'll be clear to advance...assuming they keep to their usual schedule. Might be prudent to stand watch for a moment after, just in case.

Stand watch for any remaining imperial soldiers

Stark Woad: By Rhaglr, I knew you lot were good, but I never expected you to defeat them so swiftly...
Alphinaud: [Forename] is the finest warrior I know, and I should like to think we have learned something from our time in [his/her] company... Now - where is the entrance to the ducts? 
Stark Woad: Right behind you. I've mapped the branches, so you should have no trouble reaching the hangars or any number of other places. 
Alphinaud: Understood. Thank you again for your invaluable assistance. As discussed, [Forename], we shall infiltrate the castrum and cause as much chaos as possible. This will draw the imperials away from Lyse and her men, thereby allowing them to safely reach the fire control center. 
Stark Woad: If there's nothing else, I'll return to the Resistance forces and show them to their entrance. May Rhalgr guide you to victory! 
Alphinaud: This is your last chance to make your preparations, [Forename]. When you and yours are ready, we shall begin.

Enter Castrum Abania

Post-battle Cutscene

Alphinaud: Understood. We're on our way. Lyse's unit should be advancing upon the fire control center in the command tower. Let us join them.

Alphinaud: Lyse! Thank the Twelve you're all right.
Lyse: And you! there's the control center. Let's hit them hard and fast. Ready?
Fordola: They're here!
Lyse: it was you, wasn't it...Wasn't it!?
Fordola: Aye, I gave the order to fire.
Lyse: It was over! The Skulls had surrendered! No one else had to die! And you killed them! Your own people! Your own comrades!
Fordola: You're right. I killed them. Asfrid, Hrudolf, Emelin, all the rest - trained and fought with every last one of them. Good soldiers to a man. I gave the order that led to their deaths...and I knew exactly what I was doing.
Lyse: But why!? Why would you do that!?
Fordola: They died so that all Ala Mhigans could live free. that was all we ever wanted. We made a promise that we would do whatever it took so that one day...one day the imperials would learn to accept us. But everything comes at a price. And if you haven't got the means to pay, then you pay with blood. Service guarantees citizenship, but citizenship guarantees naught. It's not enough to do your part, oh no. You have to run faster, fight harder, kill more and more and more - and only then will you be equal. That's just how ti is out here in the provinces. You buy your freedom with blood - there is no other way!
Lyse: Shut up! Shut your mouth! you don't get to talk about freedom! You killed your own! They trusted you and you killed them! Murderer! Butcher! Traitor! (Lyse attacks Fordola continually but she avoids all of it).
Alisaie: Lyse!
Lyse: Got you! (Fordola slashes Alisaie)
Fordola: I know what you can do. I've already seen it.
Alphinaud: Alisaie!
Fordola: Even so, the odds are against me... (Fordola throws a smoke bomb and escapes)
Lyse: Coward! Get back here!
Fordola: Hero! Lord Zenos invites you to join him for the royal hunt, to be hosted at the palace. You may bring your horde, if you like. All are welcome. (Alphinaud is healing Alisaie)
Alphinaud: (To the Warrior of Light): She'll be all right, but we'll need to carry her. Will you help me? Thank you. Lyse, I leave matters here in your hands.
Lyse: Uh, right...

Speak with Lyse

Lyse: Well, we did it. Castrum Abania belongs to us now...Naago and her people took Alisaie to Radiata to receive treatment. Alphinaud tells me she'll make a full recovery...I know I should be happy. We won, and with minimal casualties. But somehow...it feels empty. We should report to General Aldynn. Krile wasn't here, but who knows, maybe one of Raubahn's men found something which could lead us to her. Can't hurt to ask, anyway.