Headlong Into the Sands
Last updated 2025-11-23
Headlong Into the Sands is the second part of the Ruins Exploration: Fieldwise Center event.
Steps
- Wait until two days later (06:00 – 08:00)
- Go to the agreed location
- Proceed deeper into the unknown ruins
- Explore the ruins
- Continue investigating the ruins
- Clear out the monsters
- Continue investigating the ruins
- Follow Mehrak
- Explore the ruins
- Use the key to continue forward
- Proceed deeper into the ruins
- Explore the ruins
- Open the door
- Explore the ruins
- Look for other stone slabs (0/3)
- Observe the stone slab
- Follow the cat's guidance to obtain one more stone slab
- Discuss with your companions
- Activate the Great Vayuvyastra by attacking it
- Observe the stone slab
- Continue investigating the ruins
- Explore the ruins
- Follow Mehrak
- Split up and search for the stone slabs
- Reunite with your companions
- Attack the mechanism to clear away the dust
- Observe the stone slab
- Catch up with Mehrak
- Explore the ruins
- Explore the ruins together
- Investigate the upper level
- Discuss with your companions
- Sort through the Ragged Notes in your Inventory
- Read the notes together
- Reunite with your companions
- Explore the ruins
- Follow Thoth
- Talk to Thoth
- Leave the ruins
- Talk to Cyrus
Gameplay Notes
- During steps 14–22, the active party will be limited to a trial Tighnari, Cyno, and Sethos.
- During steps 23–25, the active party will be limited to a trial Alhaitham.
- During steps 26–27, the active party will be limited to a trial Kaveh.
- During steps 28–29, the active party will be limited to a trial Alhaitham and Kaveh.
- During steps 30–35, the active party will be limited to a trial Layla and Traveler (Dendro).
Trial Character
| WL | Character & Weapon |
Talents & Artifacts | Attributes |
|---|---|---|---|
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5 |
  Lv. 67 C3 Tighnari Lv. 67 R1 Hunter's Path |
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 Max HP: 17,319 ATK: 1,288 DEF: 531 Elemental Mastery: 42 Crit Rate: 86.2% Crit DMG: 91.9% Energy Recharge: 135.0% DMG Bonus: 14.4% |
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6 |
Lv. 78 C3 Tighnari Lv. 78 R1 Hunter's Path |
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Max HP: 16,986 ATK: 1,156 DEF: 768 Elemental Mastery: 350 Crit Rate: 71.3% Crit DMG: 161.1% Energy Recharge: 140.8% DMG Bonus: 68.2% |
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9 |
Lv. 90 C3 Tighnari Lv. 90 R3 Hunter's Path |
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Max HP: 18,715 ATK: 1,283 DEF: 879 Elemental Mastery: 350 Crit Rate: 77.1% Crit DMG: 161.1% Energy Recharge: 140.8% DMG Bonus: 75.4% |
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| WL | Character & Weapon |
Talents & Artifacts | Attributes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
5 |
  Lv. 67 C3 Cyno Lv. 67 R1 Staff of the Scarlet Sands |
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Max HP: 20,873 ATK: 1,493 DEF: 851 Elemental Mastery: 42 Crit Rate: 86.2% Crit DMG: 111.1% Energy Recharge: 135.0% |
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6 |
Lv. 78 C3 Cyno Lv. 78 R1 Staff of the Scarlet Sands |
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Max HP: 20,879 ATK: 1,538 DEF: 1,182 Elemental Mastery: 350 Crit Rate: 71.3% Crit DMG: 189.9% Energy Recharge: 140.8% DMG Bonus: 46.6% |
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9 |
Lv. 90 C3 Cyno Lv. 90 R3 Staff of the Scarlet Sands |
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Max HP: 23,199 ATK: 1,787 DEF: 1,355 Elemental Mastery: 350 Crit Rate: 77.1% Crit DMG: 199.5% Energy Recharge: 140.8% DMG Bonus: 46.6% |
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| WL | Character & Weapon |
Talents & Artifacts | Attributes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
5 |
 Lv. 67 C3 Sethos Lv. 67 R1 Scion of the Blazing Sun |
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Max HP: 16,323 ATK: 1,274 DEF: 476 Elemental Mastery: 90 Crit Rate: 66.1% Crit DMG: 91.9% Energy Recharge: 135.0% |
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6 |
Lv. 78 C3 Sethos Lv. 78 R1 Scion of the Blazing Sun |
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Max HP: 15,918 ATK: 1,141 DEF: 690 Elemental Mastery: 422 Crit Rate: 49.0% Crit DMG: 161.1% Energy Recharge: 140.8% DMG Bonus: 46.6% |
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9 |
Lv. 90 C3 Sethos Lv. 90 R3 Scion of the Blazing Sun |
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Max HP: 17,429 ATK: 1,263 DEF: 785 Elemental Mastery: 446 Crit Rate: 51.4% Crit DMG: 161.1% Energy Recharge: 140.8% DMG Bonus: 46.6% |
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| WL | Character & Weapon |
Talents & Artifacts | Attributes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
5 |
 Lv. 67 C3 Alhaitham Lv. 67 R1 Light of Foliar Incision |
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Max HP: 21,885 ATK: 1,465 DEF: 774 Elemental Mastery: 42 Crit Rate: 55.8% Crit DMG: 160.8% Energy Recharge: 135.0% DMG Bonus: 14.4% |
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6 |
Lv. 78 C3 Alhaitham Lv. 78 R1 Light of Foliar Incision |
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Max HP: 20,711 ATK: 1,427 DEF: 1,079 Elemental Mastery: 350 Crit Rate: 61.1% Crit DMG: 189.5% Energy Recharge: 140.8% DMG Bonus: 68.2% |
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9 |
Lv. 90 C3 Alhaitham Lv. 90 R3 Light of Foliar Incision |
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Max HP: 23,006 ATK: 1,597 DEF: 1,236 Elemental Mastery: 350 Crit Rate: 63.1% Crit DMG: 201.1% Energy Recharge: 140.8% DMG Bonus: 75.4% |
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| WL | Character & Weapon |
Talents & Artifacts | Attributes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
5 |
 Lv. 67 C3 Kaveh Lv. 67 R1 Forest Regalia |
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Max HP: 18,591 ATK: 1,281 DEF: 638 Elemental Mastery: 90 Crit Rate: 51.8% Crit DMG: 91.9% Energy Recharge: 158.9% |
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6 |
Lv. 78 C3 Kaveh Lv. 78 R1 Forest Regalia |
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Max HP: 17,119 ATK: 1,147 DEF: 869 Elemental Mastery: 630 Crit Rate: 33.0% Crit DMG: 112.9% Energy Recharge: 219.2% |
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9 |
Lv. 90 C3 Kaveh Lv. 90 R3 Forest Regalia |
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Max HP: 18,805 ATK: 1,270 DEF: 989 Elemental Mastery: 654 Crit Rate: 33.0% Crit DMG: 112.9% Energy Recharge: 223.2% |
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| WL | Character & Weapon |
Talents & Artifacts | Attributes |
|---|---|---|---|
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5 |
  Lv. 67 C3 Layla Lv. 67 R1 Favonius Sword |
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Max HP: 18,685 ATK: 1,146 DEF: 557 Elemental Mastery: 42 Crit Rate: 51.8% Crit DMG: 91.9% Energy Recharge: 182.8% |
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6 |
Lv. 78 C3 Layla Lv. 78 R1 Favonius Sword |
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Max HP: 27,041 ATK: 1,083 DEF: 688 Elemental Mastery: 105 Crit Rate: 57.1% Crit DMG: 112.9% Energy Recharge: 205.6% DMG Bonus: 15.0% |
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9 |
Lv. 90 C3 Layla Lv. 90 R3 Favonius Sword |
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Max HP: 30,844 ATK: 1,193 DEF: 783 Elemental Mastery: 105 Crit Rate: 57.1% Crit DMG: 112.9% Energy Recharge: 213.7% DMG Bonus: 15.0% |
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| WL | Character & Weapon |
Talents & Artifacts | Attributes |
|---|---|---|---|
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5 |
 Lv. 67 C6 Traveler (Dendro) Lv. 67 R1 Prototype Rancour |
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Max HP: 17,457 ATK: 1,326 DEF: 580 Elemental Mastery: 42 Crit Rate: 51.8% Crit DMG: 91.9% Energy Recharge: 135.0% |
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6 |
Lv. 78 C6 Traveler (Dendro) Lv. 78 R1 Prototype Rancour |
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Max HP: 16,070 ATK: 1,439 DEF: 793 Elemental Mastery: 105 Crit Rate: 57.1% Crit DMG: 112.9% Energy Recharge: 192.6% DMG Bonus: 46.6% |
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9 |
Lv. 90 C6 Traveler (Dendro) Lv. 90 R3 Prototype Rancour |
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Max HP: 17,603 ATK: 1,654 DEF: 903 Elemental Mastery: 105 Crit Rate: 57.1% Crit DMG: 112.9% Energy Recharge: 192.6% DMG Bonus: 46.6% |
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Dialogue
Quest DescriptionThe appointed time has come. Seek out the truth in the sea of sand.
- (Talk to Cyrus at the Fieldwise Center, optional)
- Cyrus: The desert is ever unchanging... I hope it isn't too harsh on the young ones...
- (Use Nahida's All Schemes to Know on Cyrus, optional)
- Cyrus: (*sigh* I know they're far more capable than an old man like me... but I worry all the same.)
- (Approach the marked location)
- Paimon: Looking at the map... We should be getting close...
- Paimon: Speaking of which, the closer we get, the more Paimon's heart feels like it's beating out of her chest...
Must just be jitters of excitement.- Paimon: Excitement... Yeah, sure. That's it...
- Paimon: Oh, look! It's Tighnari and the others! Everyone's here bright and early.
- They must have set out last night.
- Paimon: Yeah, the desert's a pretty harsh environment. Better to travel at night and beat the heat.
- Paimon: Hey, everyone! We're here!
- Tighnari: Ah, right on time.
- Looks like the desert's treating you okay so far.
- Tighnari: You don't need to worry about me. It's not too hot yet, and I'm properly hydrated.
- Sethos: Alright, we're just waiting on the two people Miss Layla mentioned, and then we'll be set.
- What about Djer?
- Sethos: He's staying behind. If we don't make it back after a certain time, he'll be in charge of rescue operations.
- Djer: You can count on me.
- Paimon: Nice. You've thought of everything!
- Tighnari: Oh, and Cyrus said he'll be in Aaru Village, so he's also available if we need help.
- Paimon: Haha, amazing. Having people to watch our back is making Paimon a lot less nervous!
- Did you get a good night's sleep, Layla?
- Layla: Yeah, I did.
- Layla: After hearing about what happened, my advisor gave me some time off to rest, so my studies are on hold for now.
- Paimon: Then, does your advisor know you're back in the desert to investigate?
- Layla: Yes. But, I was only allowed to come after I mentioned the General Mahamatra would be there too.
- Paimon: Hehe, quite the reputation you've got there, Cyno!
- Cyno: Hmm?
- Paimon: Uh, something wrong? You haven't said a word this whole time. Are you in a bad mood or something?
- Cyno: No.
- Cyno: Being skilled with words also means being a good listener. I'm just reflecting on what you're sayi—
- Tighnari: Ah! Alhaitham! Kaveh! Ha, over here!
- Cyno: Darn it. I was just setting up a brilliant—
- Sethos: Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm sure you'll find another chance.
- Sethos: The important thing is, our Scribe and our renowned architect are here at last.
- Kaveh: Haha, high praise...
- Kaveh: But, wait, why am I renowned and not him? He's just as famous as Cyno, Dehya, or Nilou...
- Alhaitham: That just means your level of fame is even greater. How could a lowly Scribe hold a candle to you...?
- Kaveh: Lowly scribe? Please. All those strings you pulled to get those new books from the House of Daena... What do you call that?
- Alhaitham: Borrowing. Anyone with an employee ID can do it.
- Kaveh: Uh huh, yeah. The House of Daena bends over backwards for just anyone, does it?
- Alhaitham: Send a report to Lesser Lord Kusanali, then. Let her know someone at the Akademiya is abusing their position.
- Kaveh: Hey! I never said abusing—
- Sethos: Haha, impressive verbal sparring, as always...
- Mehrak: Beep-boop! Beep-boop!
- Sethos: Oh, hello to you too, Mehrak! Well, looks like your assistant is raring to go, Kaveh.
- Sethos: So, I say we get this show on the road. No sense delaying the inevitable.
- True.
- Let me scout ahead.
- Sethos: No need. We're in this together, remember?
- Sethos: Djer! This is the entrance, yeah?
- Djer: Yes!
- Sethos: Perfect! Then, if we're all set, let's get moving.
- (Talk to Djer, optional)
- Djer: I hope everything goes well in there. I've got your back from out here.
- (Use Nahida's All Schemes to Know on Djer, optional)
- Djer: (Guess this is where we waltz right in. No need to knock... knock... Ajile-knock... Hehehe...)
- (Interact with the signpost, optional)
- Warning!: Danger: Quicksand — Keep Away!
- (Enter the Unknown Ruins)
- Paimon: Pffft! Ugh, Paimon's mouth is full of sand... Ugh! So that's what falling into quicksand feels like...
- Tighnari: If this was quicksand, we would have struggled to breathe. No... I think this was regular sand. And we didn't sink into it, we fell through it... into this place.
- Cyno: Agreed.
- Sethos: Hehe, in other words, sounds like a "you" problem, Paimon.
- Paimon: Haha, very funny. No way Paimon's the only one...
- Kaveh: Pffft! Blech!
- Paimon: Hah! See?
- Alhaitham: Heh.
- Kaveh: What? I'm the only one with sand in my shoes? Yeah, right...
- (Traveler): (This place... looks kind of familiar...)
- (Traveler remembers the scene with Ashru during Archon Quest Dance of Death: Serpent and Scorpion in Song of the Welkin Moon: Act IV - An Elegy for Faded Moonlight)
- (Traveler): (Well, looks like everyone made it here unscathed. Let's keep going.)
- (Enter the room with the Primal Constructs)
- Paimon: Whoa! There are monsters here? Djer didn't say anything about that...!
- Sethos: Probably means he didn't run into any. Guess we're just unlucky.
- Kaveh: Not the best sign of what's to come...
- Sethos: It'll be fine. Let's just use up all our bad luck, and we'll be golden.
- (Approach the closed door to the south)
- (Traveler): (According to the other Layla, there should be a door nearby with a strange device in front of it... Ah, there it is.)
- (Traveler): (But the door is shut, and the device... seems to be out of energy? In that case, it should be disabled.)
- (Traveler): (Good. At least we won't fall into the same trap. I should probably remind everyone not to touch anything, though.)
- Be careful, everyone.
- Don't run around touching everything.
- Kaveh: Well, that goes without saying.
- Sethos: Fair point. There's just one problem, though...
- Sethos: The only way forward is through that door.
- Paimon: Oooh, is it time to hunt for a key? Paimon loves this part!
- Paimon: Don't worry, with our adventuring experience, we'll find it no problem! Let's get searching!
- (After the dialogue)
- (Mehrak flies off and begins to scan nearby jars)
- Kaveh: Mehrak! Wait!
- (After Mehrak scans the second set of jars)
- Mehrak: Beep!
- Alhaitham: Mehrak seems interested in these jars. Go smash them.
- Kaveh: Ah well, we would hate for you to have to lift a finger, your highness...
- (After smashing the jars)
- Investigate
- (Obtain Way-Opening Key)
- (Obtain
- (After obtaining the Way-Opening Key)
- Kaveh: Mehrak... This isn't really your old home, is it?
- Mehrak: Beep-boop?
- Paimon: Hehe, no idea what that means, but Mehrak does sound pretty happy.
- Alhaitham: So, mechanical life forms do have the capacity to miss home. A novel discovery.
- Paimon: Well, with Mehrak leading the way, we should be safe, right?
- Yep, let's follow Mehrak's lead.
- I'll open the door. Stay on your guard, everyone.
- Mehrak: Beep-boop!
- (Open the door)
- Paimon: Good thing you decided to join, Kaveh! Otherwise, our investigation would have ended at that door!
- Kaveh: It was nothing that I did... You should thank Mehrak instead!
- (Approach the marked location)
- Paimon: Hold on, at this rate, Paimon's gonna lose her title as best guide to a mechanical suitcase...
- Don't worry, Paimon.
- Even at your most useless, you're stuck with me.
- Paimon: Awww, thanks! Hey, wait! What do you mean, "useless"?
- Sethos: Well, no weird mental symptoms so far... I'll take that as a win.
- Sethos: That said...
- Layla: There are three doors here...
- Cyno: So... we split up. Divide and conquer. Otherwise... this whole thing is in ruins.
- Cyno: Ah, no pun intended on that last part. I swear.
- Tighnari: Yeah, that might be our best option.
- Okay.
- But we'll need to mark our paths.
- Sethos: Good idea. And, the minute things go south, we go back the way we came.
- Paimon: Ooh, this is getting exciting...
- Paimon: So, who's teaming up with who?
- Paimon: Paimon calls dibs on (Traveler)!
- After a quick discussion, the teams and routes are decided.
Mehrak was a popular pick, but ultimately it's decided that Mehrak should go with... or rather, lead Kaveh's team.
- (Interact with the lever for the door to the west)
- Sethos: Well, this takes me back. The last time we were in the desert together, the two of you came all the way out here to gang up on me.
- Cyno: Oh? Sounds like someone's holding a grudge... Just what I like to hear.
- Cyno: If you're still hung up on that last one, just name the time and place, and we'll have ourselves another thrilling...
- Cyno: Umm... Uh... D—Duel... Mm... Ahem...
- Tighnari: Huh. What's with the awkward pause? Were you expecting me to stop you from saying something stupid?
- Tighnari: You two can have a thousand duels for all I care... after we're done here. For now, focus on the task at hand.
- (Enter the large chamber)
- Tighnari: This chamber is huge... I can't even imagine what it's used for...
- Cyno: Oh!
- Tighnari: What's wrong?
- Cyno: I seem to have stepped on some kind of... stone slab?
- Tighnari: Huh, there's a pattern on this... But, it's hard to make out with all the dust.
- Tighnari: Hm? Look. The shape seems to match the markings on the ground over there.
- Cyno: Let's slot it in and see.
- (They move the stone slab into the marking of the same shape)
- Sethos: And, we have a match. Looks like we need to find the other three broken slabs.
- Tighnari: Let's search the area. But, be careful where you step.
- (Pick up a slate)
- Sethos: Got one! Ouch, but watch out! The edges are kinda sharp!
- (Attempt to pick up both pieces, optional)
-
- Cannot move more stone slabs. Please first return the stone slab you have to its location.
- (Attempt to place without a slab, optional)
-
- No stone stabs to place. Please look further in the ruins.
- (Attempt to place a slab in the wrong place, optional)
-
- It seems it can't be placed here. Try another location.
- (Pick up a second slab)
- Tighnari: Got the third piece!
- (After placing both slabs)
- Tighnari: We just need one more...
- ???: Meow...
- Tighnari: !
- Tighnari: Look! A cat... Could it be the same one Djer mentioned?
- Cyno: I don't think we need to worry about startling him. He doesn't seem afraid of people.
- Sethos: Yeah, if anything, it seems like he wants us to follow.
- (Pick up the final slab)
- Cyno: Oh, he led us to the last piece. Hehe, who's a good kitty...
- Tighnari: I... never thought I'd hear you say something like that.
- Cyno: You've clearly never heard how the Professor talks to his tomatoes, then.
- (The move the last piece into place)
- Tighnari: Alright, well that's that. Now, we need to figure out how to get rid of all this dust...
- Cyno: Behold! The Great Vayuvyastra!
- Sethos: ...Be honest. You've been waiting to say that for... how long now?
- Tighnari: Just... activate the mechanism.
- (Approach the slab after clearing off the dust)
- Sethos: Huh, it worked!
- Sethos: It's a picture of...
- Cyno: Three Hermanubises?
- Tighnari: That can't be right. The ears aren't vertical.
- Cyno: Oh, true. And the looks fall short. My hat is much better-looking.
- Tighnari: A goat, an ibis, and a crocodile...
- Cyno: Oh, wow. Our botanist knows more than just plants.
- Tighnari: Riveting observation.
- Tighnari: I was just thinking... These three figures look a lot like the Seven Pillars of King Deshret.
- Sethos: That's right. These are our colleagues.
- Tighnari: Our what now?
- Cyno: You sure about that?
- Sethos: Haha, just kidding. What I meant by that is, these were Hermanubis' colleagues back then.
- Sethos: The middle one is the Goat King Heryshaf, Minister of Ministers, the god Amun's most trusted chancellor.
- Sethos: Records say he was the deputy king of the desert sands, chief among the Seven Pillars.
- Cyno: Someone even more impressive than Hermanubis... I wonder if that ever "got his goat."
- Sethos: ...
- Cyno: Sorry, couldn't resist.
- Tighnari: ...Pfft.
- Tighnari: Ahem... Okay... that was a good one.
- Cyno: Wait, really? I've got so much more where that came from...
- Sethos: Ahem! Where were we?
- Sethos: This is Sobek the Crocodile King, Captain of Captains. As the name suggests, he was a valiant commander, and had dominion over all weapons of war.
- Sethos: And finally, this is the Ibis King Thoth, Scribe of Scribes.
- Cyno: Your memory's pretty impressive. I bet you're almost as good as me at memorizing cards.
- Tighnari: A scribe... Did he manage archives, then? Like Alhaitham?
- Sethos: Wait, that's all Alhaitham does? I never knew being an Akademiya Scribe was such a cushy job...
- Tighnari: Well, that's how his... friend put it, anyway. But, it does seem like he has a lot of free time.
- Sethos: Well, I don't know much about the Akademiya, but I'm sure the Ibis King had more responsibilities than that.
- Sethos: The Temple's records say he represented the wisest aspects of King Deshret, inventing the desert script and arcane arts at his king's command.
- Tighnari: He must have been quite the impressive man, then.
- Cyno: Or creature, depending on how you look at it.
- Tighnari: ...Still, why are these three the only ones represented here? What about the other Pillars of King Deshret?
- Sethos: Maybe because... the three of them were extra close?
- Cyno: Huh, kinda like us.
- Sethos: Oh, yeah! Maybe we should have someone inscribe us on a commemorative stone slab, too.
- Tighnari: Or... we could just take a picture. It would serve the same purpose.
- Tighnari: Anyway, no more distractions. Huh... Doesn't it look like there's writing carved into the corner?
- Sethos: Huh, there is... and it's in the ancient desert script, too.
- Cyno: Looks like the Ibis King left you some homework.
- Sethos: Gimme a sec. I'll try and translate it.
- Sethos: "...The ministers are unvirtuous, the scribes unwise, the captains unworthy..."
- Sethos: "...My end is not humanity's end..."
- Sethos: "...Hereby bestow upon you all... the far side of Eternity..."
- Sethos: Wait, so... They went to Aaru?
- Cyno: It doesn't sound like it was their idea...
- Sethos: The far side of Eternity... is said to be the final land of dreams for all desert dwellers. But if such a place did exist, wouldn't it also be an inescapable prison?
- Tighnari: Yes, and based on the writing here, it's clear King Deshret wasn't pleased with these three.
- Tighnari: This "gift" he bestowed upon them... seems more like a punishment. Such is the power of a king, I suppose.
- Cyno: Which means, the goat's the one who got "got" in the end.
- Tighnari: Huh... Yep. Not as good the second time.
- Cyno: W—What!? I—Impossible!
- Sethos: ...
- Sethos: Well, looks like that's all we can learn here. Should we keep going?
- Tighnari: Yes. No time to waste.
- (Interact with the lever)
- A little earlier, in a different part of the ruins...
- (While following Mehrak through the door to the east)
-
- (Mehrak scans the door, causing it to open)
- Mehrak: Beep-boop! Beep-boop!
- Kaveh: Geez, who knew a suitcase could be so fast! Mehrak is nothing like this when it comes to housework... Hey! Wait up!
- Alhaitham: A scout's job is to take the lead. Just let Mehrak figure it out.
- Kaveh: Easy for you to say. I'll be the one doing the repairs if something happens.
- Alhaitham: Why don't you go scout ahead, then?
- Kaveh: ...When I think of a comeback, I'll let you know.
- Alhaitham: No rush.
- (Approach the marked location)
- Kaveh: Oh, Mehrak stopped.
- Kaveh: What is it? Found something?
- Alhaitham: Hmm... Looks like something covered in sand.
- Kaveh: Let's get it out, then. C'mon...
- (They uncover the stone slab)
- Kaveh: Oh, it's a stone slab! Good job, Mehrak!
- Mehrak: Bee-bee-bee-boop!
- Alhaitham: Let's take a look.
- Kaveh: Huh... Looks like this part of the picture goes... over there?
- (They put the slab in place)
- Alhaitham: In that case, there must be other pieces.
- Kaveh: Alright, then let's look arou— Hey! Why are you sitting down?
- (Alhaitham is sitting down with a book)
- Alhaitham: Hmm? I thought Mehrak was helping.
- Kaveh: Oh, so you do know what that word means? Great. Are we supposed to just sit back while Mehrak does all the work?
- Alhaitham: No, I doubt you could do that.
- Kaveh: Exactly.
- Alhaitham: But I can.
- Kaveh: You... I...
- Mehrak: Beep-boop!
- Alhaitham: See?
- Kaveh: Ugh, it's all coming back to me... How insufferable it is to work with this no-good, do-nothing—
- Alhaitham: We could be more efficient, I agree.
- Alhaitham: I'll work on this piece. You take care of the rest.
- (When Kaveh approaches his slab)
- Kaveh: Found one!
- (When Mehrak puts its slab in place)
- Mehrak: Beep-boop!
- (When Kaveh puts his slab in place)
- Kaveh: Good teamwork!
- (After the slab is complete)
- Kaveh: Looks like we found them all — the pieces fit together like a glove.
- Kaveh: But we can't see what's on them...
- Alhaitham: Turn around.
- Kaveh: Huh?
- Alhaitham: Look.
- (Kaveh turns around to see the Great Vayuvyastra)
- Kaveh: Oh! I've seen this before. It can create strong winds — just what we need to clean off the slab.
- Kaveh: C'mon, let's— Hey!
- (Alhaitham is sitting down again with his book)
- Alhaitham: Don't worry about me. If I sit here, I won't be in the way.
- Kaveh: Oh, you don't want to be in the way? Then, sit right in front, so the device can blow you straight back to Sumeru City.
- (Talk to Alhaitham, optional)
- Alhaitham: Better get to work. Good luck.
- (Approach the slab after clearing off the dust)
- Kaveh: Done!
- Kaveh: Huh... That's one big cat.
- Kaveh: And there's a shattered crown... I think it's depicting some kind of story.
- Alhaitham: Look, there's writing too.
- Alhaitham: "...The Ibis King answered the young noble... granting him the wisdom he sought..."
- Alhaitham: "...But the fragile crown was shattered by lies in the end..."
- Alhaitham: "...Here I leave the name... Goudarz."
- Kaveh: Goudarz? I've seen that name in a history book before...
- Kaveh: He was a young noble who sought to save his realm, and a king who once united the desert...
- Alhaitham: That's right. Although, his methods were rather shameful.
- Alhaitham: During his long reign, he betrayed his family and the nobles who supported him, only realizing the error of his ways after his enemies left him nowhere to turn.
- Alhaitham: But by then, it was too late.
- Kaveh: Seems like a common occurrence across history...
- Alhaitham: Different people, same mistakes — it's an inevitable pattern, destined to repeat itself.
- Kaveh: ...
- Kaveh: The writing mentions "the Ibis King," but a cat is depicted here. Does that mean...
- Alhaitham: So far, what's depicted on the slab seems true to history.
- Alhaitham: In which case, this cat is either a proxy for the Ibis King or a manifestation of said King himself.
- Alhaitham: Exaggeration is a common method ancient records use to highlight a being of higher status.
- Alhaitham: And, as we know, Layla and Djer both heard the sound of a cat while escaping the ruin.
- Kaveh: You're saying, the Ibis King, one of the legendary Seven Pillars of King Deshret, is here, still helping those in need?
- Alhaitham: I'm saying, we can't rule it out... Hmm?
- ???: Meow...
- Kaveh: Wait, there it is! The cat!
- Mehrak: Beep-boop!
- Kaveh: Ah! Mehrak went after him!
- Alhaitham: The cat's showing us the way forward. Come, let's follow.
- Kaveh: Okay!
- (Approach the marked location on the lower level)
- Kaveh: Huh, the cat's... gone.
- Alhaitham: Yes, but look where he led us.
- Kaveh: Ohhh...
- Kaveh: Another slab... It looks similar to the last one.
- (Alhaitham meets Kaveh's gaze, expectant)
- Kaveh: ...
- Kaveh: Oh, by all means. Take your sweet time. Wouldn't want you to overexert yourself!
- (Kaveh activates the Great Vayuvyastra which blows the dust off the slab)
- Kaveh: Huh, the scene depicted here...
- Alhaitham: ...Seems to be a different tale.
- Alhaitham: "The Ibis King answered the Jinn-blooded dancing girl... granting her the wisdom she sought..."
- Alhaitham: "...But enemies plotted to kill her close kin... Snake venom was her self-chosen end..."
- Alhaitham: "...Here I leave the name... Makhaira."
- Kaveh: The "Temptress of Woe"?
- Alhaitham: You've heard of her?
- Kaveh: Of course. I don't just sit around doodling all day. She's mentioned in tons of papers about the desert.
- Kaveh: As I recall, she was given as a gift to the tyrant king of Gurabad, and later seized the opportunity to kill him.
- Kaveh: After getting her vengeance, she reigned as queen for many years... until her enemies attempted a coup, and she took her own life.
- Alhaitham: That's more or less the version I've read as well. It seems this queen also had dealings with the Ibis King.
- Kaveh: Yeah, I'm starting to find this whole "granting wisdom" business a bit concerning. I mean, considering how Goudarz and Makhaira ended up, it might not have been a good thing.
- Kaveh: But, at the same time, if the cat guiding us is linked to the Ibis King, then he doesn't seem like a villain either...
- Alhaitham: People are complicated, and the same is true of the servants of the gods, no matter their wisdom or power.
- Alhaitham: Let's reserve judgment for now and keep moving.
- (Mehrak scans another door, causing it to open)
- A little earlier, in a different part of the ruins...
- Paimon: Oh, Paimon meant to ask earlier, have your memories come back, Layla?
- Layla: No, sorry...
- Layla: To be honest, nothing about this experience feels familiar.
- Layla: Besides, my focus is the stars, so I don't spend a lot of time exploring ancient ruins.
- Paimon: Guess that makes us the senior researchers in this scenario! Stick close, alright, Layla?
- Layla: O—Okay!
- (Approach the marked location in the chamber to the south)
- Layla: Wow, what a tall ceiling...
- Paimon: Yeah, but for such a big place, it's so... empty. Like no one ever lived here.
- Paimon: Sure must've been boring to live in ancient times, staring at ceilings all day.
- Layla: Now that you mention it, I've heard some people used to draw star maps on their vaulted ceilings.
- Layla: Some would even make them transparent to better observe the movement of the stars.
- Layla: It sounds so nice... stargazing from the comfort of your own home...
- Layla: Wait a second. I think I... see something up there.
- Go check it out for us, Paimon.
- Paimon: Huh? How is Paimon supposed to do that...? Oh, right! Flying... duh.
- Paimon: Alright! Sit tight, everyone. Adventurer Paimon will be right back...
- (Paimon investigates the upper level and returns)
- Paimon: Okay!
- Paimon: So, there's nothing super special up there. Just a couple of shelves, tables, jars, and scrolls...
- Paimon: And a whole bunch of dust, dirt, and sand... You really wanna search through all that stuff?
- Of course.
- The more dirt, the better the treasure.
- Paimon: Well, when you put it that way...
- Paimon: C'mon then, let's see what we've got! Paimon's hoping for something super valuable!
- It's a little high-up, so be careful.
- Layla: Thanks! I'll stick close.
- (Investigate the first table with scrolls)
-
- (Obtain Ragged Notes)
- (Obtain
- (Investigate the second table with scrolls)
-
- (Obtain Ragged Notes)
- (Obtain
- (Investigate the third table with scrolls)
-
- (Obtain Ragged Notes)
- (Obtain
- (Investigate the fourth table with scrolls)
-
- (Obtain Ragged Notes)
- (Obtain
- (After obtaining all four Ragged Notes)
- Layla: I think that's everything. Most of the documents are in the ancient desert script, except these ones...
- Layla: These seem old as well, but the handwriting makes them stand out.
- And there are dates on them.
- Paimon: Right! Let's arrange them in chronological order before we read through.
- (Craft the Ragged Notes together in Inventory > Quest)
-
- (Obtain Ordered Notes)
- (Obtain
- Paimon: Okay, now let's take a look...
- Ordered Notes - Page 1
- As luck would have it, a previously unrecorded ruin came upon me by chance. This is proof positive that my efforts to overcome the relentless obstructions of the Mahamata have all been worth it.
- The Akademiya's aversion to the desert has grown to comedic proportions. The unknown is our playground while Akasha shackles us. And those who hide behind shackles, what is it exactly that they fear?
- I won't be leaving this place anytime soon. I've discovered a number of sites worth exploring, and it would be remiss of me not to seize this opportunity.
- It won't be easy to tell day from night, since I'm cut off from the outside world. If I'm to avoid losing myself in the unknown, I must not forget to mark the passage of time.
- Recorded on the morning of the tenth of May.
- (Traveler): (Seems like the notes of someone who was trapped here.)
- Layla: Maybe this person fell in by accident, like Mr. Djer and me?
- Paimon: Yeah, maybe. But, they don't sound super worried about their situation.
- Paimon: So, either this person's an ace adventurer like (Traveler), or some kind of... super optimist!
- Layla: An "optimist," huh... I wish I could be that sort of person...
- Well, blind optimism isn't good, either.
- Besides, you have your own strengths, Layla.
- Paimon: That's right! You're detailed and passionate — great qualities for an adventuring buddy!
- Paimon: This "optimist" seems super obsessed with exploring every corner of this place... That could've gotten them in big trouble, for all we know!
- Layla: Hehe... Well, I appreciate the compliment.
- Layla: It's almost magical how words like that can make you feel like... you can do anything...
- Layla: I only wish that magic could last a little longer... until I figure out my new study topic, at least...
- Let's keep reading.
- Ordered Notes - Page 2
- That "senior scholar" fell and hurt himself. Typical of someone from the Rtawahist — always gazing skyward and never at their feet. I'm guessing the Obscuring Cell must've been one of King Deshret's prized creations, judging by how many of them there are around here.
- Thankfully, the injury was limited to a few scrapes and a mild dislocation. After I popped the bone back into place, I had him lie down and rest. This whole thing will set us back a while, but perhaps that's not such a bad thing. For those like him who lack the skills, doing nothing might be the best contribution they can make.
- As I was treating him, he brought up that tired old topic, asking me to join the Darshan. Once more, I firmly refused. Mediocre students find safety in confining themselves to a single field. But what good would that do me?
- It's only been a few days, but I've already made significant progress. There are numerous writings here about the Seven Pillars, each one captivating and exciting in its depth and detail.
- Now that the senior is no longer holding me back, I can finally work at a faster pace.
- Recorded on the morning of the thirteenth of May.
- Layla: Oh, looks like you were spot on, Paimon.
- Paimon: See, told ya! That's what happens when you don't think things through!
- Paimon: And all this talk about seniors and juniors... He was a student just like you, Layla!
- Paimon: He sure talks a big talk for a student, though. You'd think he was some kind of old scholar instead...
- Layla: Huh...
- Paimon: What is it? Did Paimon say something wrong?
- Layla: No, not at all.
- Layla: I was just thinking, and this might sound rude, but the way this person speaks is just so...
- Cold?
- Layla: You noticed too!
- Layla: I mean, it's good that he helped treat his companion's wound, but it didn't seem like it was out of kindness. More like, he was looking out for his own self-interest... or thought he could get something out of it.
- Layla: I don't know... Maybe I'm reading too much into it.
- No, you're right...
- He didn't even mention this companion on the previous page.
- Paimon: Yeah...
- Paimon: If you're both in this dangerous situation together, wouldn't you mention them at least once?
- Paimon: If it were Paimon, she would write down the name of every single person she was with! No one would be able to get away!
- Well, you'd all be stuck there together, so...
- Layla: Actually, I find Paimon's approach quite sensible. It makes sense from a safety perspective too.
- Layla: That way, if anyone came to the rescue, the notes would be able to tell them everything they needed to know.
- Paimon: Whoa, that's genius-level thinking!
- Layla: O—Oh... Well, I learned that from Madam Faruzan, actually. I'm not speaking from personal experience or anything...
- It's a very useful tip.
- Thanks, Teach!
- Layla: Oh, no, no. I—I'm just a student!
- Paimon: It's fine! You taught us something, so you're our teacher! Simple as that!
- Paimon: Anyway, from the looks of things, the student who left these notes behind was pretty weird... Let's keep reading.
- Ordered Notes - Page 3
- The appearance of the Ibis King was a pleasant surprise, though not as pleasant as one might expect.
- He's a skilled storyteller, but he loses steam once it's clear his listeners aren't fooled. That said, there are elements of his tales worth investigating and verifying.
- Although he did point out the exit route, in his current state, he can't really intervene. And I can tell he's putting on a front and isn't all that friendly toward me. But that's typical of people who care about their status. Since I need a bit more time — given how big this place is — I suppose we'll have to put up with each other a little while longer.
- Besides, isn't mutual dislike a positive emotion in those who can't get along?
- In addition, saving that senior was definitely the correct decision.
- Oh, I nearly forgot: recorded at noon on the sixteenth of May.
- Paimon: Whoa, hang on. That's a lot of information. Paimon needs a moment to take this in...
- Paimon: The Ibis King... So, did this person actually meet the Ibis King here?
- Nefer talked about the Ibis King before...
- Layla: S—Sorry, who?
- Oh, you've never heard of the Ibis King? Strange...
- Paimon: Geez, not again. Stop teasing her, Traveler! You know she was asking about Nefer!
- Paimon: Anyway, Nefer's, um... a friend of ours, and she's mentioned the Ibis King before, but not in much detail...
- (Traveler): (Huh, Paimon handled that pretty well, actually. She managed not to spill any of Nefer's secrets.)
- (Traveler): (Guess the boss of the Curatorium has earned her respect and then some.)
- Layla: Oh, I see.
- Layla: Well, that's not too surprising. Most people in Sumeru know about King Deshret, and most in the Akademiya have at least some knowledge on the Seven Pillars.
- Layla: Legend has it, King Deshret ruled the desert at the head of several wise retainers, guiding their people to pursue the limits of wisdom.
- Layla: He also left behind treasures for future generations, which continue to be relevant in nearly every research discipline.
- Layla: Now, this message indicates this student and his senior were rescued by the Ibis King.
- Layla: But to think it's possible to meet him in a place like this...
- Layla: We don't know when these notes were written, but didn't the Seven Pillars disappear a long time ago...?
- There's something else that's odd.
- ...The Ibis King's form.
- Paimon: Yeah, the notes made it sound like his powers were restricted.
- Paimon: Also, the mention of "this form"... What is that supposed to mean...?
- Layla: I'm not sure... Let's keep reading.
- Ordered Notes - Page 4
- My supplies have run out. Unless I wish to die here, I will have to leave this place.
- But I still refuse to accept anything from Thoth. People like him, who only talk benefits and never mention the cost, are a dime a dozen at the Grand Bazaar.
- Of course, for anyone after me who falls for the temptations he offers, remember this at least: do not trust the Ibis King.
- Recorded on the final day — Zandik.
- Paimon: Oh, this is the last page. There's even a signature at the end.
- Paimon: Well, sounds like they made it out! Guess it was a happy ending, after all!
- I hope so...
- Layla: Wait, but it says, "The Ibis King cannot be trusted"...
- Paimon: Huh, our friend said something similar... that the Ibis King was a liar...
- Paimon: And the notes did make it seem like something wasn't quite right with him...
- Paimon: Ah! Maybe he wasn't one of the Seven Pillars at all, but some kind of... con-artist!
- A thousand apologies, eminent lord. Paimon meant no offense...
- Paimon: Eek! G—Great Ibis King! If you heard that, Paimon didn't mean it! Please forgive her! Don't trap us here...
- Paimon's words do not reflect the opinion of the group.
- Paimon: Huh? What's that supposed to mean?
- Layla: I think Paimon raises a good point. Let's keep our guard up just in case.
- Layla: Alright, I think that's all the clues around here. How about we—
- Mehrak: Beep-boop?
- Paimon: Oh, it's Mehrak! That means Kaveh and the others should be around here, right?
- Kaveh: Hello? Anyone up there? Can you hear us?
- Paimon: Yeah, we can!
- Alhaitham: You know, sound travels just fine in an empty chamber like this. You don't have to shout...
- Alhaitham: Of course, if you're shouting to express your excitement at being reunited, by all means... pretend I never said anything.
- Paimon: Yelling like this is kinda exhausting. C'mon, let's head back down.
- (Talk to Kaveh, Alhaitham, or Mehrak)
-
- (Soon, Cyno, Tighnari, and Sethos arrive to join them)
- Sethos: Wow, we all ended up in the same place, huh...
- Layla: Yeah, what a coincidence!
- Cyno: Indeed. Or as I like to call it... the Chai factor.
- Tighnari: ...
- Sethos: ...
- Layla: ...?
- ...
- Cyno: Huh? Um, ahem... No reply?
- Tighnari & Sethos: Just say it...
- Cyno: Alright.
- Cyno: Because it's spice to sweet brew again.
- ?
- Sethos: Oh, hey! That's a new version!
- Tighnari: Wait, what? You've never heard that one?
- Alhaitham: ...
- Kaveh: What are you looking for?
- Alhaitham: A place to sit and read my book.
- Kaveh: Oh, great! What else is new?
- Tighnari: Well, looks like everyone made it through unscathed.
- Tighnari: Let's take this chance to get some water, rest a bit, and discuss what we learned. Sound good?
- Kaveh: Yeah. Let's debrief.
- Everyone shares water, food, and also their findings.
It turns out, Cyno actually did bring some spiced tea. - Paimon: Okay, so we all learned a lot... But, it feels like we ended up with even more questions...
- Sethos: Yeah, but one thing's for sure... This place is tied to the Ibis King in some way.
- Sethos: Hey, Cyno. You're the current representative of Hermanubis. Can you call him up for a sec?
- Cyno: Of course. Just let me sense his presence...
- (Cyno closes his eyes and strikes a pose to concentrate as everyone watches in anticipation)
- Cyno: ...
- Cyno: Just kidding. I can't sense him at all.
- (The camera pans to Alhaitham, who hasn't even bothered to look up from his book)
- Paimon: Geez, Sethos. Did you set him up for that one? What are you, a two-man act?
- Wow. Good one.
- Cyno: Sorry, Hermanubis isn't like the Ibis King. He can possess me, but I can't talk to him whenever I want.
- ???: Truly? Does that mean he's gone? *sigh* I would have liked to reminisce about old times with him.
- Kaveh: Ah, the cat!
- Kaveh: It... It speaks!
- "Cat": Tch, of course "it" speaks. In fact, "it" is not an "it" at all! You do me a great offense.
- Kaveh: M—My apologies...
- Kaveh: Esteemed cat, um... Sir?
- Mehrak: Beep-boop!
- "Cat": Oho! This little contraption is still here!
- Kaveh: Contraption? No, no, this is Mehrak!
- Alhaitham: Which means, you do his assistant a great offense.
- "Cat": Huh? I didn't mean... Well. I apologize.
- "Cat": I wasn't referring to this... Mehrak, but rather the thing that operates it. King Deshret was quite partial to it.
- "Cat": I have forgotten what it was called... It must have had an official name, albeit in the old tongue. Even if I did remember, I would need to translate it into modern language.
- "Cat": Ah, it's not important. Mehrak's a fine name — even better than the original, if you ask me. Who thought of it?
- "Cat": And the remodeling... Quite well done, indeed! This "Mehrak" looks much happier in its current form.
- "Cat": Oh, and the components should have model numbers written on them. You can look them up, if you're curious.
- Layla: (This cat talks... a lot.)
- Tighnari: (Quite the one-sided conversation.)
- Sethos: (Is this what the Ibis King was like?)
- Cyno: (He seems quite eloquent. I wonder if he plays cards...)
- Kaveh: (Hah! I knew Mehrak was a great name. Go me!)
- Alhaitham: (Let's see... What page was I on again? Hm, should've brought a bookmark.)
- Paimon: (That all went over Paimon's head...)
- (Traveler): (So, when the notes mentioned something being "off" with the Ibis King... It was because he's in the form of a cat.)
- Hello, Thoth.
- Thoth: Hello indeed.
- Thoth: For you to know my name... Yes, I was not mistaken. You are special among your companions.
- Thoth: But, you are all guests. It is only proper to invite you in.
- Thoth: Come then! This way.
- (Ride the elevator down)
- Thoth: Welcome to my humble abode.
- Paimon: Oh, uh... Your house sure is... spacious, Lord Ibis King.
- Thoth: Haha, I fear it's not quite what it used to be.
- Thoth: In fact, it has long ceased to be my home at all. It belongs to the descendants of the cats I once raised.
- Thoth: Such adorable creatures, aren't they? Take the one I'm "borrowing" here, for instance. A chubby fellow, with such lovely fur...
- Thoth: Ahem! Anyway... Tradition dictates that a special guest such as yourself be presented with a gift.
- Thoth: Alas, it's a first come, first served basis, you see. I fear, with the passage of time, none are left.
- Paimon: What!? So the treasure's gone already?
- Thoth: Hah! "Treasure," you say? Hm, not an inaccurate description.
- Gifts and "treasure"...
- Are you talking in a literal sense?
- Thoth: Yes... and no.
- Thoth: I have the power to grant gifts inaccessible to the masses. The only requirement is answering a question... Not a bad deal, yes?
- Thoth: Of course, my questions were given unto me by King Deshret, who in turn received them from the Mistress of Flowers. There are three, and no more.
- Thoth: What causes our rise and fall?
- Thoth: What obliterates love and hate?
- Thoth: What determines truth and falsehood?
- Paimon: The more he talks, the less Paimon understands...
- Alhaitham: I see... That must mean Goudarz and Makhaira managed to answer two of the three.
- Thoth: Haha! Another who understands!
- Kaveh: Oh! So that's the event those two slabs are depicting!
- Thoth: Ah, priests and their records... A singular obsession, and quite boring too...
- Thoth: After being imprisoned within Aaru, I could, on occasion, take the form of a cat to converse with those around me, but I despised speaking to them.
- Thoth: No conversational skills whatsoever!
- Thoth: Now, humans like you, who stumble in here from time to time... You are much more interesting.
- Paimon: Hold on, we're getting off-topic again...
- Paimon: The three questions you just mentioned — what are they for, exactly?
- Thoth: Ah, that is a story that begins with King Deshret...
- Sethos: And we're in for another long one...
- Thoth: Nostalgia for the past is common to us all, is it not?
- Thoth: And our king... He was such a proud, solemn man in those days...
- Thoth: He watched us speak of the present and the future, of the wisdom we possessed or were about to obtain.
- Thoth: We were his proud retainers, confident in our belief that, so long as each one of us used our abilities to the fullest, progress was inevitable.
- Thoth: Yet, King Deshret's ambition was not destined to be allowed in a closed-off world such as this, so nothing went as planned.
- Thoth: In fact, from the beginning, there were signs an outcome of this nature was inevitable. Because, although there were Seven Pillars, one was forever absent.
- Thoth: Al-Ahmar would insist the Dendro Dragon Sovereign was one of us, but the dragon herself rejected that idea.
- Cyno: Huh, like a card you can never seem to draw from your deck.
- Kaveh: More like a card that was never in the deck to begin with.
- Thoth: Alas, that's just who Al-Ahmar was. There was nothing we could do about that.
- Thoth: And I always preferred chess to cards.
- Thoth: In the end, life grew unbearable for our king. But, of course, those who remain must continue to live on.
- Thoth: But, subjects like us were less fortunate. After all, the fate of a retainer is decided by the king, including the chance to walk away.
- Thoth: So it was, then, that King Deshret had Croco, Goatie, and I locked up within Aaru, where we remain to this day.
- Sethos: Croco...
- Tighnari: Uhhh... Goatie...?
- Thoth: Ah, of course. You're more familiar with their full names — Sobek, the Crocodile King and Heryshaf, the Goat King.
- Thoth: Hehehe, and let me tell you... When it comes to chess, Heryshaf was a habitual back-seat strategist, always spewing nonsense from the sidelines. While Sobek was all too quick to take his terrible advice, to the point where I was the one who got accused of cheating.
- Thoth: Chess is an exercise in patience, and that man couldn't sit still to save his life. He could never excel at that game.
- Thoth: In fact, neither of them were good at chess. Even so, we played together often. And, since I was always the winner, we got along quite well.
- Thoth: ...Hm? What are you laughing at? Were we not good friends?
- Paimon: Uh... No one's laughing... Paimon would never!
- Thoth: No, not you. It's Goatie. He's laughing for no reason again. Can you not hear him?
- Thoth: Ah, right. Of course you can't. The two of them are inside Aaru, as am I, so only I can hear them...
- Paimon: What is even going on here...
- Paimon: Has he, like, started to lose it after being trapped for so long?
- Cyno: That does happen to prisoners serving life sentences.
- Sethos: Speaking of which, how's Azar doing these days?
- Tighnari: I doubt he's "doing" much of anything.
- Sethos: Just what I wanted to hear.
- Thoth: What is the meaning of this? You doubt my words? Hmph, I have half a mind to not talk at all!
- Kaveh: Oh, no. They're not questioning you, Lord Ibis King, just discussing other things. Please, continue.
- Thoth: Hmm. In that case... Where were we?
- Paimon: Uh, getting to the part about the three questions, hopefully...?
- Thoth: Ah, yes! We're almost there.
- Thoth: Before I entered Aaru, King Deshret said I could be released from my eternal seal, if I chose humans who could provide the correct answers to those three questions.
- Thoth: The first person who caught my eye was Goudarz.
- Thoth: I asked him, "what causes our rise and fall?" He answered, "conspiracy and betrayal, for it renders the righteous and wise unable to succeed, and thus nations fall."
- Thoth: I found his answer quite interesting, so I bestowed upon him the power to "deceive."
- Thoth: The second human I chose was Makhaira.
- Thoth: I asked her, "what obliterates love and hate?" She said unto me, "I have nothing left to lose. Vengeance alone can quench both love and hate."
- Thoth: I found this to be another fascinating response, so I granted her the power to "be loved."
- Kaveh: But both of them ended up...
- Thoth: Hehe... Now then, young one, riddle me this. Did their answers point to this fate, or was it the power I bestowed upon them that determined their end?
- Kaveh: I'm just an observer who doesn't understand their circumstances, so I can't answer.
- Thoth: A clever reply.
- Thoth: I do not wish to comment, either. It is all in the past at this point.
- Thoth: My only wish was for their answers to be acknowledged by King Deshret's rules, and bring me one step closer to freedom.
- Thoth: As for the final person... Her fate remains to be seen. So, I will not reveal her name.
- (Traveler): (That must've been Nefer, then...)
- Thoth: I asked her, "what determines truth and falsehood?" and found her answer quite compelling, so I bestowed upon her a gift to match.
- Thoth: As you can see, however, I have not been freed, so it's clear... the answer she gave at that time was wrong.
- Thoth: But, alas. Three people were chosen, and three questions were asked, so now all I can do is wait.
- Thoth: Wait until her wisdom is in line with the rules set forth by my King... until she has found the true answer to that question.
- Alhaitham: No wonder there was no third stone slab, then.
- Alhaitham: Or perhaps, you're just not ready to include her in the story, though that might be a generous interpretation.
- Thoth: Well, it's not merely because her story remains unfinished.
- Thoth: As the remaining priests of this place left or passed on, there were none left to record the events that followed.
- Thoth: Besides, stone slabs are few and far between in the Great Red Sands. In the sprawling desert, very few things, or people, even manage to leave a trace.
- Thoth: But, sometimes, I can't help but wonder...
- Thoth: If that young man from several centuries ago had been willing to answer my question, would I have left Aaru by now?
- Paimon: Wait, so there was someone else?
- Thoth: Of course. It has been thousands of years, after all. All sorts of people have stumbled upon this place, but I only chose the "special" ones.
- Thoth: That young man had such a singular intelligence, though his companion, by contrast, was rather average.
- Wait. Could that have been...
- Layla: The author of those notes we found? The student named Zandik?
- Thoth: Ah... Yes, I think that was his name.
- Thoth: In truth, I was unsure whether I should grant him my third remaining gift.
- Thoth: He was, of course, exceedingly clever, but he was also mistrustful and narcissistic in equal measure, and there did not seem to be a line he was unwilling to cross.
- Thoth: Too much power could be dangerous in the hands of someone like him, so I found myself rather relieved when he declined my gift.
- Layla: Oh, he turned you down? Did he give a reason?
- Thoth: Yes.
- Thoth: He said he "didn't need it."
- Thoth: I still remember the look in his eyes... Nothing stood out, per se, and still... I could sense contempt and disdain radiating from his gaze.
- Thoth: I could not give an exact reason, but on instinct, I just knew... It would not end well to get close to a man like that.
- Thoth: So, I tricked him.
- Thoth: Stick close to your companion, I said. "Only the descendants of Tulaytullah can come and go as they please. Leave him behind, and there is no escape for you."
- Layla: So, does that mean his companion wasn't a descendant of Tulaytullah?
- Thoth: Oh no, that part was true. The lie was in the other half. Anyone can enter or exit this place — there are no restrictions.
- Thoth: I saw that his companion was exhausted, and was concerned Zandik might leave him behind.. Or worse, that some other "accident" might befall him... So I made up an excuse to prevent Zandik from going a step too far.
- Thoth: Oh, and speaking of, Zandik's companion had the same blue hair and pointed ears as you.
- Layla: !
- Paimon: Wait, does that mean... Layla's also a descendant of Tulaytullah?
- Thoth: Indeed.
- Thoth: When Hermanubis founded that city, he took in many who had nowhere else to go. Today, their progeny are scattered to the four winds, and indeed, are far more numerous than I could have imagined.
- Layla: So, the person you protected could have been my ancestor...
- Thoth: Yes, yes. You're very welcome for that.
- Layla: Could I... ask another question, Lord Ibis King?
- Thoth: Of course. I have nothing but time, I'm afraid.
- Layla: Did you also save me and a man named Djer?
- Thoth: I did.
- Thoth: You two were quite unlucky, bumping into a device King Deshret once used to measure human brain power. That contact caused more knowledge than you could handle to flood into your minds.
- Thoth: So, I replaced that knowledge with simpler, repetitive information.
- Thoth: Of course, the side-effect being the same thought repeating over and over again in your mind. But, that should resolve itself in time.
- Layla: How many moons are there in the sky?
- Thoth: Yes, that was the phrase I used in your head. I forgot the other one, though I believe it had something to do with food...
- Thoth: Both were spur of the moment decisions, so no need to dwell on the meaning too much, hehe...
- Layla: Oh, I see... Thank you, Lord Ibis King.
- Thoth: As I said, young one. You are most welcome.
- Thoth: If you're inclined to return the favor, perhaps you could turn off that device so no one else can trigger it.
- Thoth: There's only so much a cat's paw can do, so I'm afraid this is something I must leave to you... or Mehrak, I suppose.
- Don't worry. That device can no longer be activated.
- Thoth: Oh, splendid! Another one bites the dust!
- Thoth: Such is the fate of things here. Day by day, little by little, the remnants of ages past fade into obscurity.
- Thoth: For that reason, the gifts of bygone eras, be they tied to your blood or technological in nature... are not to be revered. They are tools, nothing more.
- Thoth: ...Disrespectful? Hmph, I simply make the most of what I have. Besides, our King has been gone all these years. What good does it do to revere him now?
- Paimon: Oh, are you talking to the Goat King again?
- Thoth: No, no. Croco this time.
- Thoth: He's pestering me for another game of chess. Says he wants to even the score.
- Thoth: Wishful thinking, if you ask me. If we counted one push-up for every loss, he'd owe me three hundred thousand by now.
- Thoth: Of course, that's just a rough estimate. I've never kept count.
- Alhaitham: It appears that's something you like... being someone unable to be defeated.
- Thoth: Hm, I suppose so...
- Thoth: Alright, then! Time for me to extend my winning streak, and for you all to head home.
- Best of luck to you.
- Thoth: Hehe...
- Thoth: In truth, deep down, I know even the answers to those three questions will not change my fate.
- Thoth: But that is for me to reckon with. Go on now!
- (Leave the domain)
- Cyrus: Excuse me, do you even know what time it is? I've harvested three crops of tomatoes while you've been gone!
- Cyno: You're exaggerating, Professor.
- Cyrus: I'm making a point! There's a difference!
- Tighnari: Sincerest apologies for keeping you waiting, Professor Cyrus.
- Our mistake. Please accept our apology.
- Cyrus: See? That's what I call manners. Now, are any of you hurt?
- Paimon: Nope! It went way smoother than we expected, actually.
- Cyrus: I presume the investigation is complete, then? Come, come, tell me all about it.
- You tell Cyrus what happened...
- Cyrus: Oh my, did you luck out.
- Cyrus: If you've read the work from the Vahumana Darshan, you would know that the Ibis King has... Well, let's call it a mixed record.
- Cyrus: Perhaps he's softened up a bit in his old age, and that's why he chose to help you.
- Alhaitham: Or... Perhaps he just didn't have a good enough reason not to help us.
- Mehrak: Beep-boop!
- Alhaitham: See? Mehrak agrees.
- Kaveh: How do you even know that's what Mehrak meant? That could have just been a happy noise.
- Sethos: In any case, there's a lot to be happy about! We figured out what happened to Layla and Djer, and there were some unexpected takeaways, too!
- Layla: Yeah, I never expected to learn about my ancestry...
- Layla: I've always thought of myself as just an ordinary student. I never would have even considered something like that could be true...
- Tighnari: Come to think of it, our ancestors might even have been friends at some point.
- Layla: Huh, you're right!
- Layla: Maybe I should take a trip back home to see if I can find any records about that...
- Tighnari: Oh, I was just throwing that out there, haha. I wouldn't want you to go to the trouble...
- Layla: It's fine. My advisor gave me a break, and I still have a few days left, so...
- Layla: Oh, wait! My study topic! I haven't made any progress at all! No, no. I need to focus on that instead...
- One thing at a time, Layla.
- Layla: R—Right...
- Cyno: Couldn't you help her, Professor?
- Layla: Eh? N—No, no. I could never—
- Cyrus: Me, you say? I'm from the Spantamad Darshan, and I don't think that Naphis or Zaha Hadi research the stars.
- Cyrus: All I have to offer are my home-grown tomatoes...
- Cyrus: Although, I suppose it's not impossible. I can ask a few old friends to recommend some interesting topics.
- Layla: You really don't have to! It sounds like a lot of work...
- Cyrus: Hardly! A few passing questions while we water the plants... It's no trouble at all!
- Layla: Thank you so much!
- Cyrus: Of course! Now, it's getting late, and you all must be tired. Let's wrap things up here.
- Cyrus: Some say desert nights are the sun taking mercy on us after the heat of the day, so let's leave while she still feels merciful.
Post-Quest Dialogue
Djer
- (Talk to Djer at the Unknown Ruins entrance, optional)
- Djer: You made it back safe and sound! Glad to see it!
- (Use Nahida's All Schemes to Know on Djer, optional)
- Djer: (I'll have to ask Sethos all about it later.)
Alhaitham and Kaveh
- (Talk to Alhaitham or Kaveh outside Lambad's Tavern between 19:00 and 06:00)
- Alhaitham: Have you decided on what to eat?
- Kaveh: ...
- Alhaitham: ...
- Kaveh: ...
- Alhaitham: Fine. I'll go ahead and order then.
- Kaveh: H—Hey! Wait a minute!
- Kaveh: So, when you do the thing where you pretend not to hear a question if you don't want to answer, it works like a charm. But, not when I do it?
- Alhaitham: That's because you have to use it on the right person.
- Alhaitham: Besides, you really think you can use my own tricks against me?
- (Use Nahida's All Schemes to Know on Alhaitham, optional)
- Alhaitham: (It's been an eventful day, and it seems someone is intent on not making tonight any easier.)
- (Use Nahida's All Schemes to Know on Kaveh, optional)
- Kaveh: (Why is it getting so hard to keep up the act? Is a worry-free life too much to ask for?)
Alhaitham and Kaveh Location
Additional Context
Cyno, Sethos, and Tighnari
- (Talk to Cyno, Sethos, or Tighnari in Gandharva Ville)
- Tighnari: You don't make it out to Gandharva Ville often, and there wasn't time for visiting earlier, so why don't you stay a few more days?
- Sethos: Sure! Got anything fun planned?
- Tighnari: Not really... We usually just go camping, do a little fishing, have a barbecue, things like that.
- Tighnari: Oh, and we invite (Traveler) along too, if (he/
she)'s in town. - Sethos: Nice! I love camping! And a barbecue is a must!
- Cyno: Don't get too excited. You might not know this, but Tighnari doesn't use seasoning when he grills.
- Sethos: Huh? No way...
- Tighnari: Don't listen to him, Sethos. I prefer a clean taste, but you can put on as much as you like.
- Cyno: *sigh* You could've at least played along...
- Sethos: ...You've changed, Cyno.
- Sethos: Hehe. Man, it's a shame Hat Guy hasn't been around lately, or I'd invite him to join — he's the perfect buffer for your nonsense.
- Cyno: I wouldn't mind him tagging along, either. It's just a shame he doesn't play cards.
- Cyno: ...Do you want to know why?
- Tighnari: Absolutely not.
- Cyno: Seriously, though, where did he go? Has anyone seen him around at all?
- Sethos: I heard he's taking care of something in Nod-Krai.
- Tighnari: Oh, well I hope it all works out.
- (Use Nahida's All Schemes to Know on Cyno, optional)
- Cyno: (Haven't thought of a new pun yet, but it'll come to me... And then I'll "pun"-ch them with humor.)
- (Use Nahida's All Schemes to Know on Sethos, optional)
- Sethos: (Rainforest life sure is something. Do all desert dwellers become like him after being here long enough?)
- (Use Nahida's All Schemes to Know on Tighnari, optional)
- Tighnari: (Hat Guy... Card games... Ugh, was he setting up for a "hat trick" joke?)
Cyno, Sethos, and Tighnari's Location
Additional Context
Layla, Nahida, and Nilou
- (Talk to Layla, Nahida, or Nilou at the Teleport Waypoint near Sanctuary of Surasthana between 19:00 and 06:00)
- Nahida: Well, this is an unexpected reunion.
- Nahida: Like three stars of different colors rising in the same sky — what a spectacular occasion!
- Layla: Archon, and Miss Nilou from the Zubayr Theater! I—I'm... not interrupting anything, am I?
- Nilou: Of course not! I'm just relaxing, gazing up at the starry sky. I get a lot of inspiration for new dances when I come here.
- Layla: Oh! I'm also here to get some inspiration. I thought I was the only one who did that...
- Layla: Of course, the inspiration I need has to do with my studies...
- Nilou: Well, we might be searching for different things, but in the end, we're both just waiting for that spark to strike.
- Nilou: Hehe, but this time, it wasn't inspiration, but Lesser Lord Kusanali who came knocking instead.
- Nahida: How do you know I'm not here searching for that same spark?
- Nahida: We must innovate, after all, even in dreams.
- Nahida: Here, I brought some Candied Ajilenakh Nuts. May they bring us all sweet dreams.
- (Use Nahida's All Schemes to Know on Layla, optional)
- Layla: (Three stars of different colors... Hmm... Could that be a potential research topic? I should look into that...)
- (Use Nahida's All Schemes to Know on Nilou, optional)
- Nilou: (Miss Layla seems to be under a lot of pressure. I should take her to watch a performance sometime. That might help her unwind.)
Layla, Nahida, and Nilou's Location
Additional Context
Other Languages
| Language | Official Name | Literal Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| English | Headlong Into the Sands | — |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 向沙中去 Xiàng Shā Zhōng Qù | Heading Into the Sands |
| Chinese (Traditional) | 向沙中去 Xiàng Shā Zhōng Qù | |
| Japanese | 砂の先へ Suna no Saki he | |
| Korean | 모래바다로 Moraebadaro | |
| Spanish | Hacia las arenas | |
| French | Plongée dans les sables | Diving in the Sands |
| Russian | К пескам K peskam | |
| Thai | มุ่งสู่ผืนทราย | |
| Vietnamese | Tiến Vào Trong Cát Lún | |
| German | Auf dem Weg in die Wüste | |
| Indonesian | Menuju Lautan Pasir | |
| Portuguese | Mergulho nas Areias | |
| Turkish | Kumlara Gömülmek | |
| Italian | A capofitto nella sabbia |
Change History
Released in Version "Luna II"