The Vault is a Dungeon in Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward and is the fortress of the Ishgardian Orthodox Church. It is uniquely located within a city rather than an open world area.
Story[]
Ser Aymeric's attempt to bring the truth of the Dragonsong War to light has ended in failure. Imprisoned by the archbishop under suspicion of heresy, he now languishes in the gaol underneath the Vault. Yet all is not yet lost, for Lucia has hatched a bold plan to see justice done. While her party frees Ser Aymeric from captivity, you are to lead a party into the highest levels of the Vault and seize Thordan VII. Though the knights of the Heavens' Ward will attempt to bar your passage, you must press on, for the future of Ishgard hangs in the balance!
Description
After the death of Nidhogg, the great wyrm Hraesvelgr reveals the truth of the Dragonsong War: that the conflict was initiated by Thordan I after 200 years of peace between man and dragon, and that all Ishgardians, not just the High Houses, are descended from the Knights Twelve. However, when Aymeric de Borel accuses Thordan VII of covering up the truth so that the people would mindlessly follow the church and support the war effort, he is imprisoned on charges of heresy and imprisoned within the Vault. House Fortemps and Lucia goe Junius's Temple Knights assault the Vault to rescue Aymeric, and send the Warrior of Light's party to seize Thordan.
Objectives[]
- Defeat Ser Adelphel
- Defeat Ser Grinnaux
- Defeat Ser Charibert
Progression[]
The party must progress through the Cathedral to reach the objective. The enemies in here will aggro players from a very long range as they move through; it is best for the tank to take point at all times through the dungeon.
Saint Thordan's Basilica[]
The Quire[]
After climbing the first staircase beyond the congregation chamber, the first boss, Ser Adelphel de Brightblade, is encountered on the landing. After his knights are defeated, he transforms into a Primal form, simply known as Ser Adelphel. In this form, he uses various astral-aspected magic such as Holiest of Holy, followed up by targeting a party member, stunning them with Holy Shield Bash and attacking them with a combo of physical attacks. He will also charge about the area, leaving glowing orbs before teleporting. They will explode after a time inflicting Bleed on anyone hit by the blast, and he returns by attacking one player with a physical AoE. Defeating him allows the party to move to the second floor.
[]
In the hallways on the second floor, a mage awaits in the hall. Additional personnel will aggro from a side passage containing a treasure chest. More await as the party closes in on the lift. Before they can use the lift, two statues on both sides called Faces of the Heroes must be defeated. Once all opposition is gone, a zone line leads to the upper levels.
East Sanctum Lift[]
After the White Knight and Black Knight are slain, the Chapter House unlocks.
Chapter House[]
I'll cut you to pieces!
Ser Grinnaux the Bull
The second boss, Ser Grinnaux the Bull, will be encountered as the party moves their way through the side hallway. After he takes some damage he will transform into his Primal form, Ser Grinnaux. In this form, he uses AoE attacks in sweeping arcs, and can tear dimensional holes that inflict vulnerability up on any party member that comes near. He always uses Hyperdimensional Slash towards one party member, followed by a second in a random direction. After these two, he will eventually use Faith Unmoving to knock players back, requiring careful positioning to avoid getting flung towards the dimensional tears.
As his health drops, he will occasionally start using a Dimensional Rift attack that places a gravity orb in a circle area of effect. Those who step into it will be afflicted with Weight.
Inner Sanctum[]
The party will then encounter additional Faces of the Hero and automaton chess knights as they proceed to the parapets.
Hall of the Spear[]
Outside, after dispatching the last wave of officials, a Vault Priest will bar the way inside a tower. When he gets low on health, he'll summon four hollow gargoyles to attack the party. Defeating them all allows them to proceed to the final area.
The Chancel[]
Sickness must be purged!
Ser Charibert
As the party closes in on the archbishop, Ser Charibert appears as the last boss of the dungeon. Defeating him will complete the instance.
Ser Charibert automatically transforms into his primal state during the introductory scene. He is adept at using fire-aspected magic, and will periodically use Altar Pyre to damage the entire party. He also uses Heavensflame to damage players with a ground-targeted attacks, and can tether two party members with Holy Chains to inflict damage over time unless the chain is broken by moving far apart.
Throughout the battle, several chess knights will march across the battlefield from the back. If any collide with players, they'll inflict either Slow or Bleed. After losing a percentage health, Ser Charibert will temporarily disappear, before returning with Holy Flames and two knights. As he prepares his ultimate attack, players must destroy the flames to cut down the damage of his attack.
Enemies[]
- Vault auditor
- Vault ostiary
- Vault friar
- Vault deacon
- Ser Adelphel Brightblade
- Face of the Hero
- White knight
- Black knight
- Ser Grinnaux the Bull
- Vault priest
- Hollow gargoyle
- Ser Charibert
Loot[]
Ser Adelphel[]
Ser Grinnaux[]
Ser Charibert[]
Musical themes[]
"Hallowed Halls" plays at all times in the Vault except during boss fights. "To the Fore" plays while fighting Ser Adelphel and Ser Grinnaux, while "The Heavens' Ward" plays during the fight with Ser Charibert.