Tendrils of Intrigue

is a Quest in Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn.
==Journal==
* At the Observatorium, Ilberd furnishes you and Alphinaud with a progress report on his hunt for the Ivy. It is revealed that one of the imperial spy's confederates, a Flame stationed at Revenant's Toll, had been selling secrets to the merchant you apprehended, who had in turn been passing information to the heretics. Yet even as this revelation explains how the heretics came to possess knowledge of the caravan routes, it raises the question of how they and the imperial agents might be connected. Could it be a purely financial arrangement, or something more worrying? Whatever the answer, Ilberd seems confident that he is drawing closer to discovering the Ivy's identity. After issuing the captain further orders, Alphinaud bids you accompany him to an emergency meeting between Alliance leaders. Speak with him again to be informed of the particulars.
* The council of Alliance leaders will convene at the Lotus Stand in Old Gridania. Alphinaud bids you join him at Nophica's Altar prior to the meeting.
* The council of Alliance leaders will be convening shortly. Speak with the silent conjurer to be shown to the Lotus Stand.
* At the Alliance council, you learn that the Garlean war of succession has concluded with the crowning of Varis zos Galvus, the late emperor's grandson. Under his leadership, it is feared the Empire will soon resume its march upon Eorzea. If the realm is to stand against the reinvigorated might of Garlemald, it seems clear that the Alliance must not only regain its former unity, but find a way to entice the long-estranged Ishgardians back into the fold. Speak with Alphinaud to hear his thoughts on the matters discussed.
* Having bent your ear with his philosophical musings, Alphinaud informs you that Ilberd has made further progress in his hunt for the Ivy. Seek the captain in front of the Adders' Nest in New Gridania, and place yourself at his disposal.
* You have reported to Ilberd. At your word, the final hunt for the Ivy will commence.
==Objectives==
* Speak with Alphinaud.
* Speak with Alphinaud in Old Gridania.
* Speak with the silent conjurer.
* Speak with Alphinaud.
* Speak with Ilberd in New Gridania.
==Script==
script 	script
 	
Alphinaud 	Captain Ilberd. Your report, if you will.
Ilberd 	Aye, Commander. Firstly, with regard to the heretic we captured, I regret to say that the man could tell us naught that we did not already know of Shiva.
Ilberd 	We have since handed him over to the Ishgardian authorities. Henceforth, the Holy See will pursue the matter independently.
Ilberd 	Our inquiries concerning the Ivy, however, have proven more fruitful. We have ascertained the channel by which the heretics acquired their information on the shipment routes.
Alphinaud 	Go on...
Ilberd 	You will recall the Flame we first identified as being in the Ivy's employ. From him we were able to trace a trail of conspirators, each taking us closer to his master.
Ilberd 	Alas, the trail came to an abrupt end. Fearing that the investigation had been compromised, we took the necessary step of detaining all suspected of conspiracy.
Ilberd 	There were five on our list, including a Flame stationed at Revenant's Toll.
Ilberd 	The man's primary duty was to keep an inventory of donations from abroad, the particulars of which he would share with benefactors, thereby ensuring that needs did not go unfulfilled.
Ilberd 	By virtue of his role, he was privy to the details of all shipments bound for the settlement. Needless to say, that included those originating from House Fortemps.
Ilberd 	He knew the precise route the caravan would take. And he sold that information to a merchant.
Alphinaud 	I think I can guess which one...
Ilberd 	None other. With a little encouragement, he soon confessed to knowingly aiding and abetting the heretics.
Alphinaud 	Well, that is one mystery solved, at least. But what of the Ivy? Are we any closer to prising off his mask?
Ilberd 	I daresay we are, Commander. Our relentless pursuit has forced him to commit a grave error.
Ilberd 	In a desperate bid to cover his tracks, the Ivy resorted to exercising certain administrative powers available only to high-ranking members of the Immortal Flames.
Ilberd 	If you consider then that our investigation is known to barely a handful of them, the field of suspects is greatly narrowed.
Alphinaud 	You mean to say that the agent is among Raubahn's innermost circle? Someone who has been with him since the Immortal Flames' establishment?
Ilberd 	'Tis the most plausible explanation. The infiltration likely occurred during the company's founding, with the groundwork for the act being laid beforehand.
Alphinaud 	To slip into a position of authority unremarked, and remain above suspicion all these years...
Ilberd 	Aye. I, too, was surprised─though I really should not have been. Of the three Grand Companies, Ul'dah's was ever the more vulnerable to infiltration.
Ilberd 	Both Limsa Lominsa and Gridania had long-standing armed forces that lent themselves well to the formation of the Maelstrom and the Order of the Twin Adder. To all intents and purposes, it was the same people─loyal ones, mind─under the same leadership. Only the banner was different.
Ilberd 	Not so the Flames. Ul'dah's military was made up of disparate orders, most of which were glorified mercenary companies that answered only to their own paymasters.
Ilberd 	...Hardly an ideal environment in which to establish something as high-minded as a Grand Company.
Ilberd 	The difficulties Raubahn faced when founding the Immortal Flames are well known. Even after he had convinced his fellow Syndicate members to share the cost, there remained the small matter of finding enough bodies to fill the ranks.
Alphinaud 	Indeed. And given the pressing nature of the imperial threat, that meant recruiting every passing sellsword.
Alphinaud 	Amidst the chaos of its founding, it would have been child's play to infiltrate the company.
Ilberd 	A good deal easier then than now, aye.
Alphinaud 	The Immortal Flames have ever been caught between conflicting interests─the public and the private.
Alphinaud 	Though the Monetarists ultimately agreed to support the organization's founding, 'twas not out of charity that they did so, but simple self-preservation.
Alphinaud 	Had Nael van Darnus's ambitions been any less apocalyptic, you may be sure that they would never have risked supplying Raubahn with an army. 'Tis but a wonder they did not attempt to extinguish the Flames the moment the danger had passed...
Alphinaud 	Ahem. Returning to the present...
Ilberd 	Even as we speak, our Doman allies are shadowing several high-ranking Flames, any one of whom could be the Ivy.
Ilberd 	Desiring to deal a blow against the Empire, the refugees were eager to lend us their aid. I expect to hear from them ere long.
Alphinaud 	Very good. Pray continue your investigation with the 1st.
Alphinaud 	Meanwhile, have the 2nd attend to the unrest. The 3rd can join the 4th in inspecting crystal shipments.
Alphinaud 	If they notice anything unusual, I want to know about it. If Shiva is summoned in like manner to the other primals, the heretics will be looking for further supplies.
Ilberd 	Understood, Commander.
Alphinaud 	I shall send word to Ser Aymeric informing him of our success in identifying the heretics' abettors. Hopefully, the information will be of some use to the Ishgardians.
Ilberd 	It is time, Commander.
Alphinaud 	Yes, I am aware.
Alphinaud 	An emergency council of the Alliance leadership has been called. There have been developments in Garlemald, it would seem.
Alphinaud 	As commander of the Crystal Braves, my presence has been requested.
Alphinaud 	I would have you accompany me, [Player Name]. As the realm's stoutest champion, 'tis only meet that you be present for the discussion. Oh, and the Antecedent has already given her consent, lest you worry.
Ilberd 	Upon the honor of the Crystal Braves, I swear that I shall not rest until the Ivy is unmasked and in chains.
 	
Alphinaud 	Like me, you are doubtless eager to conclude our business with Iceheart, but until another path to her sanctum is found, she will remain beyond our reach.
Alphinaud 	Minfilia and the Archons are sparing no effort to secure an alternate route. Until such time as they succeed, I suggest we give some thought to the realm's other problems...
Alphinaud 	I shall go on ahead to Gridania in readiness for the coming council.
Alphinaud 	Meet me at Nophica's Altar, and we shall make our way to the Lotus Stand together.
 	
Alphinaud 	My thanks for coming, [Player Name].
Alphinaud 	When you are ready, speak with the conjurer yonder. She will show us to the Lotus Stand.
 	
Ilberd 	Unlike Raubahn, politics is not my cup of tea. While you and the commander attend the council, I will attend to some business of my own.
Alphinaud 	When you are ready, speak with the conjurer yonder. She will show us to the Lotus Stand.
 	
Silent Conjurer	The Alliance leaders await you at the Lotus Stand. Will you be joining them now?
 	
Alphinaud 	It will not have escaped your notice that the nations of Eorzea are no nearer to being of one purpose, despite their protestations to the contrary. Plainly, the threat of a resurgent Garlemald is not enough to stir them.
Alphinaud 	And the reason for this? Deep-rooted mistrust amongst the citizenry. The nations' leaders can come to all the understandings they like, but their unity means little and less to the commonfolk.
Alphinaud 	Take the Lominsans, for instance. Though Admiral Merlwyb outlawed piracy over a decade ago, foreigners still picture the nation as a haven for grog-swilling, wooden-legged cutthroats.
Alphinaud 	In like wise, the Gridanians are mocked as hermits who talk to trees, and the Ul'dahns scorned as swindlers who worship coin.
Alphinaud 	...Not that such sentiments are entirely without grounds, of course. Take that pillar of Ul'dahn society Teledji Adeledji, for example. But that is beside the point. The fact is that people are wary of outsiders whether they have cause to be or not.
Alphinaud 	On that basis, one could argue that the conflict at Carteneau is a necessary evil.
Alphinaud 	Each nation has its own warmongering faction that advocates the acquisition of Omega. In order to placate them, we present them something resembling warfare, and thereby curb their appetite for full-scale conflict.
Alphinaud 	...But enough idle musing. Let us speak of a more pressing matter: the Ivy.
Alphinaud 	Since we spoke at the Observatorium, Captain Ilberd has further shortened his list of suspects. And by happy coincidence, the one he deems the most likely candidate is lately come to Gridania...
Alphinaud 	The hunt nears its end, [Player Name]. All that remains is to corner our quarry. Seek out Ilberd near the Adders' Nest. He will give you the particulars.
Alphinaud 	Should there be any developments in Coerthas, you may be sure that I will send word without delay. In the meantime, I wish you success in apprehending the Ivy.
 	
Ilberd 	My thanks for coming, Scion. Doubtless the commander has informed you, but we have unmasked the Ivy.
Ilberd 	From this point on, we must proceed with extreme caution.
 	
Roaille 	Gridania's lush abundance never ceases to delight me. 'Tis a far cry from the barren deserts of Ul'dah.
Quest complete.	Quest complete.
Category:Seventh Astral Era Main Scenario Quests in Final Fantasy XIV