The Hardened Heart

is a Quest in Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn.
==Journal==
* 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?
※The next role quest will be available from Sul Oul upon reaching level 80 in any tank class.
==Objectives==
* Rendezvous with Sul Oul at Lyhe Ghiah.
* Speak with Sul Oul.
* Speak with Sul Oul at Pla Enni.
==Script==
script 	script
 	
Sul Oul 	Exemplary timing, [Player Name]. '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. [Player Name] said s/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, [Player Name]! 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...
 	
Granson 	Oh, you've returned. They made me go and gather a bunch of strange mushrooms, so hopefully we can finally get some answers...
 	
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...
Warrior of Darkness	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!
Youngmage03247 	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...
 	
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!
Warrior of Darkness	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...
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.
 	
Granson 	Why are we here again?
 	
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, [Player Name].
Granson 	...
Quest complete. 	Quest complete.
Category:Role Quests in Final Fantasy XIV
Category:Quest battles in Final Fantasy XIV