A Slave to the Aether

is a Quest in Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn.
==Journal==
* Professor Erik has entrusted you with two tasks, the first of which is to collect the aetherometer in the possession of Widargelt. Travel to Little Ala Mhigo in southern Thanalan and there speak with the monk.
* Widargelt urges you to set about your second task, assuring you that he will bring you his aetherometer when it has finished collecting data. Travel to Snakemolt in the South Shroud and make use of your aetherometer at the designated location.
* You have collected the data Professor Erik requested. Retrieve the aetherometer.
* Widargelt confesses that his sole purpose is to learn the locations of ancient battlefields from Professor Erik, so that he may travel to them in order to further open his chakra. In doing so, he hopes to serve the Ala Mhigan Resistance to the utmost of his ability. Return to the Goldsmiths' Guild and deliver both your and Widargelt's aetherometers to the professor.
* Upon a cursory examination of the aetherometers, Professor Erik is excited by the prospective results they might yield. Continue in your monk's training as he sees about analyzing the latest haul of data.※The next monk quest will be available from Erik upon reaching level 45.
==Objectives==
* Speak with Widargelt in Little Ala Mhigo.
* Place the aetherometer at Snakemolt.
* Retrieve the aetherometer.
* Deliver both aetherometers to Erik at the Goldsmiths' Guild.
==Script==
script 	script
 	
Erik 	Ah, dear [Player Name], so good of you to trouble yourself to come. Normally I might be cross, but my spirits are far too high just now. And it is you I have to thank!
Erik 	I speak of the data you procured! It is simply marvelous! You have a true gift for grunt work, my friend. I wish I had a hundred more assistants just like you.
Erik 	I have been in this field for a very long time, and I have been alone. Ever since that unfortunate mulled tea fungus culture incident sparked my passion for research. I regret nothing, [Player Name].
Erik 	Save perhaps having to share so wondrous a world with souls as unlearned as yourself. Still, your performance has not left me completely bereft of joy. It is rewarding to think that my instruction has guided you to such success.
Erik 	There, how was that? Shall we dispense with any further pleasantries? Very good, then.
Erik 	I made yet another career-defining discovery while pondering which battleground to measure next. Eorzea is home to numerous locations where the aether is in an intensely chaotic state, yet which never played host to any war.
Erik 	My hypothesis was that such flux in the aether was indicative of a past battle, and all my research was predicated upon this.
Erik 	But turn the theory on its head, [Player Name], if your mind is able─what if the people of the past chose areas of roiling aether to hold their battles!?
Erik 	I have already sent the simpleton monk to take measurements at the Finesand Banks. As you are doubtless unaware, this lies on the border between Ala Mhigo and Gridania, and was the stage of the Autumn War.
Erik 	I ask that you find our monk friend and collect his aetherometer. Manual and tedious, yes, but he has an early make of the device that is unable to transmit data. I gather the numskull is in Little Ala Mhigo in southern Thanalan by this time.
Erik 	You think I ask much of you? False! I ask more. Your other task is to travel to Snakemolt in the South Shroud, and there take measurements with your own aetherometer.
Erik 	I will continue with my research here in your absence. Mind you, if you care to know aught at all of the Autumn War and the Finesand Banks upon which it was fought, I will gladly enlighten you. You need only ask.
Widargelt 	You have come far. It is good to see you, sister/brother.
Widargelt 	You come for my aetherometer? It is not ready to give. My work is not finished.
Widargelt 	I came as soon as I was told. But the readings require more time. Do not worry. They will be ready soon.
Widargelt 	You make for Snakemolt in the South Shroud.
Widargelt 	Erik believes the aether strong there. Yet that land hosted no great battles. He told me as much this morn.
Widargelt 	Leave me to my task here. Make for Snakemolt. Take your readings. My work will soon be done. I will bring the device to you.
Widargelt 	I have troubled you to come here. I will not trouble you to wait. Go. We will meet again at Snakemolt, sister/brother.
 	
Widargelt 	Well done, sister/brother. I feel your chakra. It has grown.
Widargelt 	I hoped to arrive before you. But I see I am late. This land's power has gone to you. There is nothing left for me here.
Widargelt 	It is as I told you. We monks travel where aether flows strong. There we train. The power of the land enters us. Thus our chakra expand.
Widargelt 	This bonding causes great unrest. The land's energy becomes unstable. It will enter no other until it calms.
Widargelt 	I feel nothing here. As you would feel nothing at Finesand Banks. That land bonded to my chakra. And its aether is now at unrest.
Widargelt 	The teacher's work means nothing. I took no readings. I meant to hasten here. But I was delayed. There was a gathering of the monkhood. I was summoned to Little Ala Mhigo.
Widargelt 	The teacher's chidings? Worry not. I will use my device here. Any result will suffice. The man has already reached his conclusion. He will twist the data to fit.
Widargelt 	It is a sad existence. To sacrifice all for truth. Yet be unable to truly know when one sees it.
Widargelt 	Speak not of this to him, sister/brother. You see both our aims. You know mine to be more worthy.
Widargelt 	I tell this to you. You and you alone. I am of the Ala Mhigan Resistance. I fight for freedom from Garlemald.
Widargelt 	I escaped the occupation. I have come here to fight. To gather allies and weapons.
Widargelt 	But these lands sadden me. The people have forgotten. Ala Mhigo is a distant memory.
Widargelt 	The Resistance here is small. They aid where they can. But it is not enough. This war demands great power. That power lies in the chakra.
Widargelt 	The teacher is not an evil man. But he thinks only of his work. Not the suffering of innocents.
Widargelt 	His knowledge can be used for good. The battlefields. They can turn the tide. The chakra of many must be opened.
Widargelt 	If this way is lost to me... No. No, I will have this power. I must!
Widargelt 	An end to oppression. An end to starvation. Ala Mhigo will be made free. I will see it done!
Widargelt 	Forgive my speech. It is a matter close to my heart.
Widargelt 	I will give you my device. But I ask you say nothing of this to Erik. I beg you, sister/brother.
 	
Erik 	I trust you have returned with both of my aetherometers? Please tell me you fumbling dolts haven't managed to damage either of them this time.
Erik 	All looks to be in order here. Hmmm... These readings from your device...they look promising. Very promising, indeed. I daresay this data may yield revolutionary results!
Erik 	Hm? Your chakra opened a bit more, did it? Yes, well, aether is a most mysterious and wonderful thing. I am glad this meaningful research could serve your nonsensical ends as well.
Erik 	Now, leave me to my work. Surely you can find some simple way to pass the time. Fighting, say? Or...I don't know─scratching?
Quest complete.	Quest complete.
Category:Disciple of War Job Quests in Final Fantasy XIV