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Out of The Shadow
Final Fantasy XVI

Out of The Shadow

Follow our step-by-step guide to complete the 'Out of The Shadow' main quest in Final Fantasy XVI, including details on the Letting Off Steam I, II, and III sub-quests.

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Follow our step-by-step guide to complete the 'Out of The Shadow' main quest in Final Fantasy XVI, including details on the Letting Off Steam I, II, and III sub-quests.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    After the cutscene with Hugo Kupka, return to the Hideaway.
  2. 2
    Speak with Charon, Blackthorne, and Harpocrates.
  3. 3
    Go to Otto’s usual spot and speak with Gav, Jill, and Otto.
  4. 4
    Talk to Vivian for an update on the realm.
  5. 5
    See Mid in her workshop and agree to help her.
  6. 6
    Speak with Blackthorne to begin 'Letting Off Steam I'.
  7. 7
    Choose between Otto or Gav to accompany you.
  8. 8
    Travel to the Southern Velkroy Desert.
  9. 9
    Speak with your chosen companion.
  10. 10
    Follow the quest marker to collect five Stardust samples along the river.
  11. 11
    Return to your companion and then to the Hideaway.
  12. 12
    Give the Stardust to Blackthorne.
  13. 13
    Report back to Mid.
  14. 14
    Speak with Helena to begin 'Letting Off Steam II'.
  15. 15
    Travel to Lostwing and then to Norvent Valley.
  16. 16
    Run past the level 13 enemies.
  17. 17
    Meet Helena in the clearing and prepare to fight the Ahriman.
  18. 18
    Defeat the Ahriman.
  19. 19
    Speak with Helena again.
  20. 20
    Return to the Hideaway and speak with Mid.
  21. 21
    Take the blueprint to Harpocrates to start 'Letting Off Steam III'.
  22. 22
    Go shopping in Northreach. Choose between Jill or Tarja to accompany you.
  23. 23
    Find your companion near the market entrance.
  24. 24
    Buy garlic from the first trader to the north.
  25. 25
    Find the second trader near the Obelisk and buy pepio nuts.
  26. 26
    Meet your companion near the gate.
  27. 27
    Return to the Hideaway and speak with Harpocrates.
  28. 28
    Speak with Mid, then with Otto.
  29. 29
    Catch up to Mid before she leaves and speak with Obolus.
  30. 30
    Watch the cutscene regarding Byron's letter.
  31. 31
    Travel to the new 'Cid's Legacy' location and watch the cutscene.
Tips
  • When choosing a companion for 'Letting Off Steam I' and 'III', the quest objectives remain the same, only the dialogue differs.
  • In Norvent Valley, you can run past the level 13 enemies as they are not required to defeat for this quest.
  • The Ahriman can teleport and has dangerous attacks. Use Phoenix Shift to close the distance quickly.
  • Watch out for the Ahriman's 'Doom' attack. When four flames appear and a countdown starts, quickly dodge out of the large red circle that forms to avoid instant death.
  • Completing 'Out of The Shadow' progresses the main story and unlocks 'Cid's Legacy' and 'Onward'. Specific items or experience are not detailed in the source text for the completion of this overarching quest, but sub-quests likely provide experience and ability points.

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