Draco: No Main Scenario requirements for this one, just the level. {sigh} The requirements for this one are a bit more self-indulgence. I much prefer a job quest that you can't begin until you complete a given Main Scenario Quest over one that gives you a destination that you can't reach until you complete a given Main Scenario Quest. That being said, I do realize the motivation behind the different requirements. The Dark Knight quests, for instance, require you to meet with Vidofnir or the Moghome moogles before you can suggest them to Sidurgu. In contrast, the Machinist quests just have something they need you to collect from X location, and the Vanu territory isn't some big secret that Stephanivien isn't privy to until you tell him.
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Lv. 56: Lack of Conviction
Ardent Lily looked most relieved to see Ayleth when she next came by Saint Valeroyant's Forum.
"Ayleth! How do you always manage to show up at the perfect time?" The Roegadyn shook her head. "Never mind, it's not important. Our next operation is upon us - we'll be joining forces with the Convictors in western Coerthas. Seems like those would-be dragonslayers aren't particularly eager to have backup, but Ser Arnault reckons they'll change their tune when they see the number of dragons coming their way. We'll be meeting up in Falcon's Nest; I'll see you there."
QUEST ACCEPTED
+x+x+x+
When Ayleth arrived in Falcon's Nest on chocoback, she found the rest of the legion had beaten her there.
"Ayleth! Glad you could join us." With a nod, Arnault turned to face the group as a whole. "Alright, our destination is the Twinpools. In addition to the dragons themselves, we've received word of heretic activity, which means our objectives have changed." He crossed his arms in disapproval. "Unfortunately, the Convictors see fighting heretics as beneath them, never mind the fact that they're just as dangerous as their draconic masters. We'll need to cull their ranks before we can provide backup for fighting the Horde."
"You mean they can't even take all their enemies seriously?" M'inwa observed. "What is it about Ishgard that attracts blowhards?"
Arnault narrowed his gaze at the Seeker. "I'm going to ignore your tone this once," he insisted, "and only because the Convictors deserve it. But I expect you to be cooperating with your allies on this operation - all of your allies. Am I understood?"
M'inwa looked away. "...Fine."
"Right then," Arnault asserted. "Let's get going."
+x+x+x+
The good news was, the heretics were travelling in relatively small units, allowing each legionnaire to make swift work of them. The bad news was that the Convictors were not as capable a group of dragonslayers as they would have people believe; Arnault's legion arrived to find the Convictors fleeing for their lives amidst fallen spears and discarded swords, the Horde hot on their heels.
"You weren't kidding when you said they deserved it," Zyaire admitted.
The dragons were a much greater challenge than the heretics had been; Panha had her hands full on healing, and M'inwa found himself reduced to less elegant, more vicious swings as he fought the beasts off. In time enough, however, the Horde had been driven off, and as soon as he caught his breath, Arnault turned to the legion. "Is everyone alright?"
Panha lifted her hand away, her healing magic subsiding as Zyaire got to his feet. "All good over here."
"I'm a bit depleted," Lily admitted, "but I'm still standing!"
"Nothing... I can't..." M'inwa was cut off as he fell to one knee.
"M'inwa!"
The group quickly dashed forward, and Panha made to heal him; after a moment, the Seeker managed to stand. "What was that? Paralysis? But it didn't happen when the dragon hit me..."
Arnault crossed his arms. "I'd heard the heretics had some skill with poisons," he admitted, "but they usually prefer to incapacitate their enemies during their own fights. Wonder what caused the delayed effect." He shook his head. "In any case, we're done here. I'll check on the Convictors; the rest of you can head back to Falcon's Nest."
+x+x+x+
M'inwa had a foul look on his face when Ayleth returned.
"All this time, I was hoping a challenging foe like the Dravanian Horde might give me the push I needed," he muttered. "Give me that spark of inspiration to improve my bladework. But all it's given me is proof that holding my liquor serves me just as well against a poison." He glared at Ayleth. "Instead of coming up with new techniques, I've spent this whole time teaching the old ones to you and your rocks."
→"You're the one who chose not to learn from us."
→"Ever considered watching someone else at work?"
Ayleth's retort earned a scoff from M'inwa. "I've got nothing to gain from your 'art of champions' bullshite," he snapped. "Sod off."
He turned and stormed away, and Ayleth was left watching him with her gaze until she heard Arnault's voice. "Ayleth!" She turned to find the Temple Knight approaching with a halfhearted smile on his face. "I see M'inwa hasn't learned anything from his battle with Zyaire." Then, more seriously; "Seems the heretics are still on the prowl. We'll be staying in Falcon's Nest for a while. I hope you'll lend us your aid if anything should come up."
QUEST COMPLETE
Draco: The Dragoon questline for HW revolves around the Horde and the heretics continuing to cause problems all the way to Lv60, regardless of the fact that Iceheart convinces them to stand down at about Lv54 of the MSQ. So I've got precedent for Dravanian problems at higher levels of the job quest.
I'm thinking the heretic encounters are 'bordered by a dark mist' encounters, whereas the fight with the dragons is a solo instance.
