In Final Fantasy XIV, the side quest What Lies Beneath is a mysterious and lore-rich experience that takes players into the depths of intrigue within the game’s expansive universe. Set against the backdrop of hidden ruins and ancient secrets, this quest brings together exploration, storytelling, and challenge in a satisfying way. Whether you’re a long-time adventurer or a new player looking to uncover more about Eorzea’s layered history, What Lies Beneath offers a rewarding detour that connects various elements of the game’s worldbuilding and design.
Quest Overview and Location
Where to Start
The quest What Lies Beneath is typically found in one of the key regions tied to the Shadowbringers or Endwalker expansions, depending on the current content cycle. It usually becomes available after completing a series of prerequisite quests, many of which involve exploration and interaction with NPCs involved in archaeology or ancient ruins.
Quest Type
- Side quest with narrative focus
- Single-player investigation and puzzle-solving
- Links with larger questlines involving ancient civilizations
This quest emphasizes world lore and is not a high-combat mission. Instead, it invites the player to delve into hidden truths and confront secrets that may change how they view past events in the realm.
Main Objectives
Step-by-Step Breakdown
The objectives in What Lies Beneath typically follow a set structure, involving travel, interaction with relics, deciphering clues, and piecing together lost histories. Here’s what players can expect:
- Travel to a remote or subterranean location
- Investigate ancient structures or glyphs
- Recover lost texts or items of historical value
- Converse with NPCs who specialize in history or archaeology
- Uncover a hidden narrative or truth about the area
The quest might culminate in a small confrontation or moral decision, often related to whether to reveal or conceal the discovered truth.
Story Themes and Lore
Unearthing Forgotten History
As the title suggests, What Lies Beneath deals with secrets hidden deep within the world, both literally and metaphorically. The story often touches on forgotten wars, buried civilizations, or long-lost knowledge that was deliberately concealed. Through the player’s efforts, parts of this knowledge are brought to light, often with significant consequences for the local NPCs or even wider plot arcs.
Common Themes Explored
- The danger of forbidden knowledge
- The cyclical nature of history
- The price of discovery
One of the strengths of this quest is how it integrates with Final Fantasy XIV’s rich narrative structure, drawing from known mythology and expanding upon it with subtlety and care. It doesn’t force the story forward but enriches the player’s understanding of existing lore.
Gameplay Mechanics
Exploration and Puzzle Elements
Unlike most combat-heavy quests, What Lies Beneath uses unique gameplay mechanics. Players may need to examine specific objects in a certain order, solve environmental puzzles, or match ancient symbols to hidden mechanisms. These activities are a refreshing change of pace from traditional fetch quests.
Use of Environmental Design
- Atmospheric music and lighting effects
- Hidden chambers and sealed doors
- Environmental storytelling through ruins and murals
These elements create a sense of discovery that aligns with the quest’s thematic focus. Paying close attention to your surroundings is often more important than brute strength.
NPC Interactions
Key Characters Involved
The quest introduces or brings back NPCs who have a deep interest in Eorzea’s past. They might be researchers, historians, or even former adventurers who gave up their swords to pursue knowledge. Some may have personal stakes in the mysteries you uncover, adding emotional weight to your decisions.
Conversations with these characters are filled with lore drops, philosophical musings, and even warnings about the dangers of delving too deeply into things best left forgotten.
Quest Rewards
What You Gain
While What Lies Beneath may not yield high-tier gear or rare items, it offers meaningful rewards for those invested in the narrative. These may include:
- Unique vanity items or glamour pieces
- Crafting materials tied to ancient technologies
- Access to new side quests or dungeon unlocks
- Achievements or titles related to exploration
Some versions of the quest may also unlock codex entries or other lore resources, which can be reviewed in the player’s journal.
Replayability and Player Impact
Why It Matters
Even though it is not a main scenario quest, What Lies Beneath often leaves a strong impression. Its focus on narrative depth, mystery, and atmosphere makes it memorable. For players who enjoy the deeper lore of Final Fantasy XIV, this quest adds significant value by offering context to regions, characters, and civilizations that otherwise might remain in the shadows.
Player Choices and Branching Outcomes
In some versions, players might be presented with choices that slightly affect the outcome. While FFXIV generally maintains a linear questline, the dialogue and character responses can vary depending on your decisions. These subtleties make the experience feel more personalized.
Connection to Broader Lore
Ties to Ancient Civilizations
What Lies Beneath often touches on topics like the Allagan Empire, the Mhachi, or even entities from the Void. Through ruins and artifacts, it builds connections between past events and current threats in the main scenario. Understanding these connections can help players anticipate narrative developments or interpret other questlines more clearly.
Expanding the World
- Links to side characters introduced in other quests
- Hints about potential future expansions or plot arcs
- Subtle explanations of existing mysteries in the game
This interconnectivity is what makes quests like this so compelling to lore fans and theorycrafters alike.
What Lies Beneath in Final Fantasy XIV is a side quest that rewards curiosity and patience. It’s an immersive dive into the game’s hidden lore, appealing to players who enjoy piecing together history and exploring ancient mysteries. While not heavy on combat or loot, the quest’s value lies in its story, atmosphere, and the sense of discovery it provides. For those seeking to deepen their understanding of Eorzea and its forgotten truths, What Lies Beneath is a journey worth taking one that lingers long after the last line of dialogue fades from the screen.