Arcanist Lvl 15 - Over the Rails

This is the second part of the fourth main quest for the Arcanist Guild. To unlock it you must first do the level 15 quest Topaz Teachings. 

Picking up the Quest

To begin it, speak with the Guild Mistress, Thubyrgeim, back in the Arcanists Guild. (X 4.6 Y 11.4)

K'lyhia: The mercenaries Geissfryn and Aersthota are here to assist with the inspection.

Thubyrgeim: Both are old hands when it comes to assisting K'lyhia during her more dangerous duties. 

Geissfryn: Well met, Melody, my spells are at your disposal. 

Aersthota: This won't be the first time we're expectin' trouble, but as long as we follow the foreseer's tactics - and keep a clear head - we'll come through just fine. 

K'lyhia: The Morningstar is preparing to dock in Aleport. We will meet our first challenge, however, before we even board the vessel. It is almost a certainty that the "merchant ship"  has hired a thug or two to accost us at the pier - I calculate the probability at 98%. The crew wish to avoid attacking us on deck, you see, as that would all but trumpet their criminal intentions to the world at large.

Now, once we do manage to clear the rails, we will face a deck crowded with armed sailors. For a small party such as ours, the most effective strategy will be to incapacitate individual foes as swiftly as possible = each opponent we down is one less weapon raised against us. It is imperative that we do not allow ourselves to become entangled in multiple, drawn out skirmishes lest we be overwhelmed. I call this Stratagem "Hammerfall".

"Strategy is a tool used to manipulate a situation into ones desired reality. "Keep those words in mind Melody. It is time we departed - let us regroup before the main gates of Aleport. 

Getting to Aleport

Have you been to Aleport yet? Chances are, if you are following this guide mission to mission, you have not. However, you may have visited Swiftperch which is close to Aleport. If so, this is the closest aetheryte to get you to the docks. However, you may have forgotten to attune on your last visit, or simply don't have the gil to keep teleporting. 

So if you need to hoof it, these are the directions to get there from Limsa Lominsa.

First, head to Summerford Farms. If you started in Limsa Lominsa you will be well acquainted with the area, it is in Middle La Noscea. To walk there, leave by the exit at the opposite side of Bulwark Hall, near the main aetheryte. 

Once outside Summerford, Head North West, through the Three Malm bend area. You do not want to be leaving through the DeNeville Checkpoint as this will take you to Eastern La Noscea. Use the Exit that is Directly North West of Summerford farms. 

You will now find yourself in Western La Noscea, home to Aleport. 

The little outpost at the bottom of the hill, Swiftperch, has an aetheryte you can attune to. after that, reaching Aleport is as simple as following the road North West. 

K'lyhia is waiting for you at the main entrance. Don't forget to attune to the aetheryte once you are there to prevent having to walk there again. 

Doing the Quest

K'luhia: Let us be about our task. Melody, pray inform the steersman at the pier that we are ready to conduct our inspection. Should violence be offered you are to execute Stratagem Hammerfall. Do not forget: your tactics are both your shield and your weapon. 

Walk past the aetheryte, (this is your chance to attune if you have not yet done so) and head down the pier besides a large dark ship you will find the steersman stood nearby. Have a word with him.

Steersman: You're with the folks from Mealvaan's Gate? I - Ah, hells, I knew they'd be trouble. 

You will now be attacked by two thugs. I recommend putting the archer to sleep while dealing with the axe wielding nightmare. Be aware, he hits hard, and if your gear is not up to level you will feel it. Dodg;e his attacks as best as possible while using the topaz carbuncle to beat him up. Radient Agis Will help if you find yourself struggling. 

Once you've effectively kicked ass, speak to the Steersman once more. 

Steersman: Well, then! I'm certainly glad to see you can handle yourself. You'll find the landing boat just down here at the end of this ramp. I'll have no part of what comes next, though. 

Head down the ramp and you will find the instance shown in the image below. 

Completing the Instance

K'lyhia: Deftly handled, Melody. Once again I am reminded of our Guildmaster. Thanks to your efficient response, we will be able to commence this inspection earlier than I had calculated. We shall board the merchant vessel out in the bay. Aersthota, if you would take the rudder? The Morningstar awaits. 

Since their welcoming party at the pier failed to deter us, I expect - with a probability of 85% - that our arrival will incite further belligerence. Our objective, however, is not to trade blows, but to gain access to the hold. It may behove us to employ "Stratagem Hardhead".

The aim of our opponents is to buy time so that suspect goods may be tossed into the ocean. I do not intend to give them that time. We will bull our way towards the cargo hold as quickly as we can. It is a tactic fraught with risk, but one that your presence makes possible. Shall we begin?

I am foreseer K'lyhia. By the authority of Mealvaan's Gate, I request that you surrender your goods for assessment!

Morningstar Navigator: Well, now, yer timin' couldn't be worse, lass. The 'old door's all rusted up, ye see. Bloody thing won't open. Ye'll 'ave to come back another day, after we's fixed the 'inges.

K'lyhia: I will see the cargo now. Any vessel entering the port of Limsa Lominsa is bound by law to submit to a routine inspection.

Motningstar Navigator: The law, is it? Lad's I reckon it's time our guests 'ad 'emselves a little accident. Pitch 'em over the side. 

This is a general go forth and kick ass. You will feel outnumbered but simply stand back and take one at a  time. Note: sleep helps little as the others attacking the bad guys will bring them out of that sleep. Further Note: be sure to watch the health of your compatriots, if it looks like the health is low, give them a helping hand. If one of them die, you fail the mission and have to start again. 

K'lyhia: A masterful display, Melody. Now we can finally gain access to their cargo. ... Oof!

???: What 'ave we 'ere, then? It's one of the bitch Admiral's lapdogs, scamperin' about me ship. Yer just like yer mistress: always stikin' yer nose where it ain't invited.

K'lyhia: N-No... It can't be!

???: Hah. Recognized me pretty face, did ye?

K'lyhia: B-But... you were caught...exiled!

Aersthota: Foreseer! Are you hurt? Can you stand?

K'lyhia: St-stay back! You stay away from me!

Aersthota: Foreseer, please, calm down! what are your orders?

???: I've 'ad enough of yer whimperin'. An I've certainly 'ad enough o' these bloody books. It's clear you ain't learnin' anythin; from  'em. Rekon it's time ye got a differnt kind o' lesson!

K'lyhia: Aaaaaah!

Geissfryn: K'lyhia! Nophica preserve us, she's fainted! We must withdraw!

Aersthota: Melody, quickly, back to the boat! We'll carry the foreseer!

???: Aye, that's right! You slink on back to ye mistress, ye worthless currs! Gahahahahah!