The Gathering Storm

Upon returning to Martha's Rest, enter the tavern. You'll learn Martha has been taken to Sorrowise Bay, initiating the sub-quest 'Dark Clouds Gather'.

Exit the building and use the elevator to descend to Sorrowise Bay. Head towards Glaidemond Abbey. You can generally ignore the enemies here as they are lower level.

On the bridge, you'll find Martha speaking with her teacher. She will warn you that Black Shields are heading to the Abbey.

Proceed up the road to the Abbey. You will discover that the inhabitants have already been killed.

As you exit the Abbey, you will be ambushed by three Black Shields and two Provincial Guards. Defeat them using your established combos.

After the fight, a cutscene (a non-interactive cinematic the game plays automatically) (a non-interactive cinematic the game plays automatically) will play. You will check a side house and find the Abbot dead. Speak with a surviving Bearer to learn you must release their ashes at Riddock's Jump, which starts the quest 'Release'.

Follow the quest marker to Riddock's Jump, located down the road from Glaidemond Abbey.

As you ascend the new path, you will encounter a large enemy, the Ahriman. This is an optional C-rank bounty that rewards 10 Renown and 5,000 Gil. You can choose to fight it or run past.

To defeat the Ahriman, dodge its lightning ball and laser attacks. Use Phoenix Shift to close the distance when it teleports. The main threat is its 'Doom' attack: when four blue marks appear around Clive, quickly dodge out of the red ring that forms afterward to avoid instant death.

After defeating the Ahriman, proceed down the path to the water and release the ashes.

Return to Martha's Rest and speak with Martha inside the building.

Go back to The Hideaway and speak with Gav. After a cutscene, three new facilities will be unlocked: The Hunt Board, Alliant Reports, and The Patron's Whisper.

A new location will appear on your world map. Proceeding to Hawk's Cry Cliff will start the main quest 'Bloodlines'.