Camp Dragonhead

There is a legend that a unicorn guided a group of Elezens to the lands of Coerthas, right to the location where Camp Dragonhead stands. House Fortemps' unicorn sigil is derived from this legend. Thus it is Haurchefant of House Fortemps that commands the Camp Dragonhead garrison in Coerthas Central Highlands.

House Fortemps serves as the gatekeepers of Ishgard and this fort is a stop for travelers and merchants going in and out of Ishgard. Additionally, House Fortemps are often called upon in matters of diplomacy and with outsiders. Due to this, Camp Dragonhead has a intercessory room for such purposes.

The Rose and the Unicorn

This first time you travel to Camp Dragonhead, is to find and retrieve Cid Garlond's airship, "The Enterprise". However, you are entangled in local affairs. Talks of heretics, Ishgardians who have forsaken their faith in Halone over the Dravanian Horde, among House Haillenarte when a draconian rosary was discovered by Francel de Haillenarte's possession.

You're given a code word of an edelweiss flower from Carrilaut, a knight who used to serve House Haillenarte. Carrilaut believes Francel is no heretic. When meeting Francel, you speak of the edelweiss flower, his mother's favorite flower. In return of hearing the code word, Francel immediately sees you as a trustworthy friend.

He denies being associated with the heretics. And in risking to speaking with him, he wants to repay you by asking what it is you desire and he will try to assist you. You inquire about an airship in the area. Francel points you to the direction of Haurchefant. Haurchefant right away, welcomes you warmly,

"Ah, the unmistakable swagger of a well-traveled adventurer. If you are come to pay your respects, be at ease, friend. I am not one to stand on formality. Truth be told, I would gladly welcome many and more brave souls like yourself. But enough chatter─pray tell me why you have come...

In the meantime, please enjoy the hospitality of Camp Dragonhead. I will see that you are afforded every courtesy as a guest of House Fortemps."

Haurchefant has news of someone who had seen the Enterprise, but words of your sighting with Francel, had spread and you are now accused of being a heretic by association. Haurchefant requests your help to clear Francel's name and by association, your own.

After some investigation, you find more planted draconian rosaries and report to Haurchefant. He is adamant the planted rosaries is an attempt to damage House Haillenarte's reputation. Haurchefant requests your help again to save Francel, who is bounded for Witchdrop, a deep gorge where the accused heretics are tossed into. He wants to save his friend.

Once you and Haurechefant help rescue Francel and clear his name and House Haillenarte, Haurchefant thanks you and in return, helps you with retrieving the Enterprise.

"May I say what a pleasure it was to fight alongside such a fearless and skillful warrior.

Were it not for you, Lord Francel would surely have died defending the honor of his house─and I might well have perished at the hands of a heretic and his wyvern.

House Fortemps and House Haillenarte shall never forget your service. Now, let us return to the matter of your missing Enterprise!"

Haurchefant and Francel both write glowing letters about you to grant permission to enter The Stone Vigil where the Enterprise is located.

When the Cold Sets In

You head back to Camp Dragonhead when a shipment carrying provisions from Camp Dragonhead to Revenant's Toll was attacked by heretics. Upon your visit, Haurchefant invites you for some roast karakul or mulled wine. But quickly changes the topic back to more urgent matters.

Haurchefant updates you on a new unit of heretics led by a leader under the name of Lady Iceheart. She and her group were spotted west of the area, so you set forth to Whitebrim Front, a newer outpost under the command of House Durendaire.

There, you speak with a recovering merchant who was attacked on the road by the heretics. He tells you that before he knocked out, he heard mutters of, "return to Snowcloak." and that may be where they are heading. So, you do head there and observe the area. Briefly, atop a cliff, you spot a quick glimpse of an Elezen woman with long white hair in a blue attire. Could it be Lady Iceheart?

You return to Haurchefant to inform him of your discoveries. He greets you rather... excitedly and enthusiastically! The scene pans to your character from Haurchefant's point of view, as he walks around the table, observing your body build. Your character furrows their brows as Haurchefant circles behind nearby. His hands are behind his back and you both do a quick spin, facing eachother, as he leans forward to you.

The context of this dialogue has been rewritten in English to "tone down" his speech. It is more forward and sexual in Japanese. But there were concerns Haurchefant's behavior could be interpreted as problematic when translated to English. Thus it was changed in localization.

You can read an official statement on the FFXIV forum by a dev team member here: link.

Personally, a change I believe was not needed and changed Haurchefant's character in removing any debauchery traits, but I also don't dislike the changes either as the change still has the innuendo present. It feels more grounded and I understand both sides.

You update Haurchefant of your findings on Iceheart and Snowcloak. The situation growing beyond his purview, he tells you he is bound by duty to inform the Temple Knights. Haurchefant also tells you a second shipment of provisions is already in process to Revenant's Toll.

"Sometimes it takes but a single stone to prompt an avalanche."

Dreams of Ice

You and Alphinaud find yourself back to Camp Dragonhead when he was granted an audience with an Ishgardian dignitary. This dignitary specifically requested your presence.

Haurchefant welcomes you warmly and that the hearths have been kept ablaze in preparation your arrival. This is another dialogue of Haurchefant that has been changed in localization.

In the Japanese dialogue, Haurchefant asks if you find the weather of Coerthas cold. He then invites you to his private chamber to warm up.

You can read a fan translation comparison by tumblr user haillenarte here: link.

Haurchefant goes back to business and mentions the Holy See ambassador, Ser Aymeric, and Lucia, Aymeric's second-in-command, are ready to meet you. During the meeting, you are interrupted by a House Fortemps Knight that Iceheart had attacked one of their caravan bounded for Revenant's Toll.

After some investigating, you find that Iceheart and her followers intend to summon Shiva, a patron saint Ishgardians call a traitor and an apostate who lay down with dragons.

With a joint effort between The Scions, The Crystal Braves, The Temple Knights, and knights of the High Houses, you chase after Iceheart and her followers to Snowcloak.

You are then confronted by Iceheart herself. She reveals her given name, Ysayle. You face off with Ysayle who had transformed into Shiva. Upon her defeat, Ysayle pleasdes with you that she has the righteous cause. This whole dialogue is too good, so I will not be shortening it. Ysayle is truly, a favorite character of mine from the game.

"Fool... Blind, bloody fool. You of all people should understand the suffering war begets─that no sacrifice is too great if it brings an end to the violence. Mine is the righteous cause!

You fight in a war you do not understand─a pawn of liars and schemers. And they are no less ignorant than you! Following the creed of their fathers without question, never thinking to ask why. Trapped in a delusion of their own creation and blind to the truth.

Warrior of Light, redemption is not beyond us. We who walk before may lead those who walk after. Seek the Keeper of the Lake. See with eyes unclouded. Do...do not squander Mother's gift. Hear... Feel... Think..."

You return to Whitebrim Front where Aymeric asks you to accompany him back to Camp Dragonhead. Not for his benefit, but that when a certain lord heard of your battle with Iceheart, it took half a dozen knights to restrain him.

Back at Camp Dragonhead, anxiety and worry is steep in Haurchefant's speech. How he had wish to be there with you and fight by your side! But he is happy to see you now and that is what truly matters.

Before the Fall

Recent developments in Ishgard turn our attention back to Coerthas. Lucia informs you that Iceheart and the dragons have begun their attacks in earnest towards Ishgard. You travel back to Camp Dragonhead to meet with Haurchefant and Aymeric, who then introduces you to Ishgard's Azure Dragoon, Estinien.

Working together for the good of the realm and to bring the states of Eorzea together in a common cause, the Scions and the Crystal Braves join the defense of Ishgard at the Steps of Faith.

A battle ensues on the Steps of Faith and you fight against the dragon Vishap. Eventually, the dragons withdraw and victory is ours.

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