The Heart of the Problem

Cloud Strife: No way! That thing's just a machine.

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Curious Gorge seems surprisingly calm and collected.

Quest description

The Heart of the Problem is a Quest in Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn.

Journal[]

In an unusual change of pace, Curious Gorge has taken to helping merchants of Reunion with errands. He has been recently tasked with taking two horses up to Mol Iloh, but is wary of leaving one without a rider. He asks you to speak with the horses' owner, so you might saddle up to assist him.
The sprightly merchant is only too happy to ready his horse for you. Mounted and ready to ride, he wishes you save travels to Mol Iloh.
As you arrive at Mol Iloh, a sheepherder approaches you. His look of satisfaction makes clear that he is the intended recipient of the horse. With the delivery complete, you look for Curious Gorge who should be nearby.
Robbed of his inner beast and ability to battle, Curious Gorge has thought long and hard about what life has to offer off the battlefield. He realizes now the vexing emotion which inhibited his inner beast was the love he bears for Dorgono. This understanding of his feelings has also reawakened his once-dormant strength. To cast aside any lingering feelings of doubt or hesitation, he plans to profess his love to her. To that end, he bids you follow him back to Reunion.
Both Curious Gorge and Dorgono have been waiting for your return. His look of exasperation makes it clear he has buckled under pressure. Your presence offers him a modicum of courage, but before he can say a word, she interrupts him to relay grave news to you─the Chaghan have grown bolder, and now plan to attack Mol Iloh. She means to cut them off before they can reach the settlement and leaves ahead of you. Curious Gorge grows increasingly frustrated with himself, and asks you to give him the one thing certain to dispel his fear─the realm-shattering slap of Eorzea's greatest warrior!
It is all Curious Gorge can do not to fall to the ground from the force of your mighty blow. He is now duly inspired and ready to help Dorgono rout the Chaghan.
You find Dorgono south of the settlement, surveying the area for the Chaghan. The silent operation is foiled, however, by the boisterous bellowing of Curious Gorge as he attempts to profess his love to her. Your cover blown, a fierce battle with the Chaghan soon ensues. The song of steel echoes across the Azim Steppe, and after the final refrain, you find yourselves victorious. Or so it seems. The Chaghan are defeated, but the threat of danger still looms in Curious Gorge who has been overcome by his inner beast. Though he seems beyond reasoning, it is a confession of love from Dorgono that brings him back to his senses.
Love is in the air, and Dorgono asks Curious Gorge to return with her to start anew as part of the Qerel clan. With a heavy heart he declines. Control of his inner beast still eludes him, and he cannot suffer the thought of hurting the one he loves most. He vows to become the realm's second─or third─strongest warrior, hoping to someday be worthy of her affection. Dorgono bids you both farewell and departs to at last rejoin her people.
Curious Gorge is a man of his word, and jokingly warns you that, should you decide to rest on your laurels for even a moment, he intends to rob you of your title of realm's greatest warrior. That said, he concedes you both have earned rest after such a grueling battle. Longing for home, you both return to Limsa Lominsa.
Broken Mountain is relieved to see you both returned safely, hopeful that things would return to as they were. Unfortunately that would not be the case. Still struggling to control his inner beast, Curious Gorge again relinquishes his position as instructor to resume training at Hidden Falls. Though his brother is certain to emerge from his training a warrior transformed, Broken Mountain hopes you will answer their call should the realm want for a mighty axe.

※The next warrior quest will be available from Curious Gorge once you have met the following requirements: ※ You must have registered a product key for FINAL FANTASY XIV: Shadowbringers to your service account. ※ You must have completed the main scenario quest “Shadowbringers.” ※ You must have completed the role quest “To Have Loved and Lost.”

Objectives[]

Mount the merchant's horse.
Ride the merchant's horse to Mol Iloh.
Speak with Curious Gorge.
Dispel Curious Gorge's fear with a /slap.
Meet with Dorgono near Mol Iloh.
Speak with Curious Gorge.
Speak with Broken Mountain at the Moraby Drydocks.

Script[]

The Heart of the Problem script

Curious Gorge	Your timing is impeccable as always. I have a task well suited to a woman/man of your many talents.
Curious Gorge	Aside from my training, I've taken to working with the merchants here in Reunion, my most recent venture being the delivery of horses.
Curious Gorge	I was asked to take a pair of horses up north today, but I'd feel at ease knowing there was a rider in both saddles.
Curious Gorge	Speak with the sprightly fellow over there and he'll see that you're fit to ride. Make for Mol Iloh and I'll meet you there.

Curious Gorge	This isn't a job to be done on foot, [Player Name]. Speak with the sprightly fellow over there and saddle up.
Shepherd	Have you seen any merchants on horseback heading this way? <sigh> They should have been here by now.

Merchant	Ah, Curious Gorge did mention someone would be coming to help. Yes, yes, your horse is right over here. Safe travels, friend.
Merchant	What were you doing out there? Your horse came galloping back not long ago and looked rather spooked. I'll tolerate no funny business. Understand?
Shepherd	Ah, my horse! Thank you so much. I don't know where I'd be without you adventurers. Is the other burly-looking fellow over there with you?
Shepherd	Don't let me keep you. It'd be rude to leave that friend of yours waiting any longer.

Curious Gorge	Ah, there you are. Was this not invigorating? The feeling of fresh air on your face, the wind blowing through your hair?
Curious Gorge	Bereft of the strength to fight, I have been given much time to drink in the beauty of these lands. Much time to think...
Curious Gorge	Since I was old enough to hold an axe, the path of the warrior is all I have ever known, the pursuit of ever greater strength my only purpose. I realize now how narrow my view of the world was.
Curious Gorge	I was convinced my defeat at the Wolves' Den Pier was the reason Dorgono has been constantly on my mind, and my wounded pride served only to further cloud my judgment.
Curious Gorge	But I can see clearly now, the clouds are gone. I finally understand why Dorgono has vexed me so.
Curious Gorge	I love her, [Player Name]. From the moment I laid eyes on her, she had holmganged my heart.
Curious Gorge	Overwhelmed with these feelings, it's little wonder she trounced me so at the Wolves' Den Pier.
Curious Gorge	But I am once more master of my emotions. Already I can feel my inner beast has reawakened.
Curious Gorge	If I am to regain my full strength, there is only one thing left to do: profess my love to Dorgono, and in the doing, rid myself of any lingering doubts that may still inhibit my inner beast.
Curious Gorge	Let us return to town. Hopefully there will be enough time before she arrives to think of what to say.

Dorgono	Oh, [Player Name], thank goodness you are here.
Curious Gorge	What took you so long? Every time I look into those powder blue eyes of hers, I lose all train of thought. Now that you're here, perhaps I can muster the courage to─erm, ahem!
Curious Gorge	Dorgono! I... I... I lo─
Dorgono	What is wrong with you?
Dorgono	Ugh! There is no time for your drivel─the Chaghan mean to strike again!
Dorgono	They've always been prone to violence, but I fear their recent attack on the Qerel has given them a taste for pillaging. They mean to attack Mol Iloh next!
Dorgono	Quickly! We must stop them before they can reach town!
Curious Gorge	Damn it all! Again I was distracted by the quiver of her come-hither lips. I'm embarrassed to admit it, but love proves to be more terrifying than any foe.
Curious Gorge	This fear, it must be struck out of me. Literally. I want you to slap me as hard as you can, [Player Name]. Crack your battle-hardened palm across my face.

Curious Gorge	Don't hold back, [Player Name]. Slap me so hard my heart skips a beat from the shock of it.
Curious Gorge	Don't hold back, [Player Name]. Slap me so hard my heart skips a beat from the shock of it.
Curious Gorge	Godsdamn, that smarts! Any harder and my heart might've stopped altogether.
Curious Gorge	But the fear that once gripped my heart is no more. Come, [Player Name], Dorgono must know of my love for her. I will shout it from the mountain tops if I have to!

Dorgono	The Chaghan are close by. Overcoming their forces will be no easy task, but we must be especially careful of their leader, Nayaga. He is able to wield the power of Karash to its fullest.
Dorgono	When he taps into that strength, he is nigh unbeatable. With our combined might, we may have a chance.
Dorgono	Speaking of which... Curious Gorge, are you well enough to fight?
Curious Gorge	Better than well, for I am in love─with you! I love you, Dorgono. I love you!!!
Dorgono	Wh-What are you doing, you witless worm!? Keep your voice down!
Dorgono	Your bellowing has given us away!
Nayaga	What have we here? Dorgono. You have some nerve showing your face here. If you value your life, you will crawl back to whatever hole you came out of.
Dorgono	Never! What you have done to the Qerel, your own people, is unforgivable! I will not allow you to bring such ruin to others.
Dorgono	I was too weak before, but thanks to these warriors, the power of Karash is now at my beck and call. I have the strength to put an end to you!
Nayaga	What we do, we do in the name of the Dusk Mother! If you would defy her will, there is only one punishment fit for such heresy.
Nayaga	Oh Nhaama, goddess of the dusk, hear me! Grant us the strength to smite our enemies! For one glorious moment, let the blood spilled here slake your unquenchable thirst!
Dorgono	[Player Name], Curious Gorge. Prepare yourselves!
Curious Gorge	Leave it to me, my sweet vixen! I will show them what it truly means to unleash one's inner beast!

Dorgono	We did it! The Chaghan have been brought to heel. Perhaps now I can finally return home.
Dorgono	That was quite a display, Curious Gorge. The worm has at last shown himself a warrior.
Dorgono	Curious Gorge...?
Curious Gorge	Graaaaaaghhh!
Dorgono	It's over. We have won! You needn't prove yourself to me any longer!
Dorgono	You have always been so strong, so caring. I know I was mean to you before, but in truth I... I...
Dorgono	I love you, Curious Gorge!

Curious Gorge	Forgive me. Though only for a moment, it seems my inner beast got the better of me. Again...
Dorgono	So what if it did? The Chaghan have been defeated, and I owe it all to the two of you! When the Qerel hear of this, they are sure to welcome me back with open arms.
Dorgono	I will share with them all I have learned of controlling the will of Karash, and I would do it with you.
Dorgono	Come away with me, Curious Gorge, and together we can start anew with the Qerel!
Curious Gorge	How long I have waited to hear those words. <sigh> Yet sadly, I must decline. While it is true we defeated the Chaghan, I cannot dismiss the fact that I succumbed to my inner beast. If I had turned on you when you needed me most, I could never forgive myself.
Curious Gorge	A man who lacks such self-discipline is undeserving of a wonderful woman such as you.
Curious Gorge	I must continue training to master my inner beast and become the realm's greatest─well, second greatest─warrior. When that day comes, I will find you.
Dorgono	Second? Surely you mean third. The honor of being the realm's second greatest warrior is mine, and I doubt you will ever surpass me.
Curious Gorge	Argh! Just wait and see! I'll rip those horns off that pretty little head of yours and─
Dorgono	Hah hah hah. Well, you can certainly try. I will gladly fight to keep my title, and can think of no better challenger. Until then, take care of yourself.
Curious Gorge	I can scarcely believe you overcame that monster Nayaga on your own.
Curious Gorge	The title of realm's greatest warrior is rightfully yours, but never forget: should you slack for even a moment, I'll be there to take it from you!
Curious Gorge	Though I suppose after today's exertion, we've both earned a moment's respite. Let us return home. I yearn for the shores of Limsa, and my brother is no doubt sick with worry besides.

Curious Gorge	I have caused you and my brother nothing but grief. I mean to apologize, but I fear he will not like what I have to say.

Broken Mountain	It gladdens me to see you both returned hale and whole. Once more my brother's inner beast burns fiercely within him, and from what he has told me, Dorgono has at last been reunited with her people.
Curious Gorge	Our ventures in the East were not without trouble, though. Much of which could have been avoided if not for my failings.
Curious Gorge	I know you wish for me to resume leading the Maelstrom's warriors, Brother, but I am unworthy for the role. I myself am still in need of training, and that is why I would dedicate myself to honing my skills, that I might someday be worthy of the position again.
Broken Mountain	I suspected you might say as much. Very well, then. If you truly believe this is best, I will not stop you. Find your own path. When you're ready, I'm sure it will lead back to us someday.
Curious Gorge	Thank you, Brother! I must be off to Hidden Falls. There's much to do if I'm ever to be a match for [Player Name] or Dorgono.
Broken Mountain	I sometimes wonder if he will ever be satisfied. Though I confess I admire his fervor. You have inspired him to reach new heights, and I have every confidence he will emerge from his training a new man. Nevertheless, I hope we may look to you for aid should we find ourselves on hard times.
Quest complete.