Trial by Ice is a quest in Final Fantasy XI that allows the player to journey to Shiva'selemental cloister and fight her for a reward. There are several variants of this quest with varying rewards. All of the quest variants have the player fighting Shiva Prime.
This is the standard quest. It can be done by any job and rewards different types of gear.
Walkthrough[]
Speak to Gulmama in Northern San d'Oria (E-7). If you have sufficient fame, she will give you a Tuning fork of ice.
Travel to Fei'Yin and head to the Cloister of Frost.
You can use the Home Point #2 to get there quickly, if you have been there before.
To get to the Cloister of Frost, enter Fei'Yin from Beaucedine Glacier at (J-4).
Follow the path to a large room and take the east passage. Ignore the branch south and pass through a small room, turn north and follow the path back west. Ignore the branch north and descend the stairs; leading you to the second map.
The path forces you north and east, again, and into a small room (H-8). Here, follow the left wall (north) until it opens into a large room (full of Utukkus, Golems and Bats); continue north.
The north exit (a short distance from where you entered) leads a winding path through several small rooms (populated by Specters, then Weapons), eventually leading to the Cloister of Frost.
Once you defeat Shiva Prime, you will acquire the Whisper of Frost.
Return the Whisper to Gulmama for your reward.
Alternatively, hold onto it and when you have all six whispers, you may start the quest The Moonlit Path to fight Fenrir Prime.
If you are collecting items for the Evoker's Ring, you will want the Rust 'B' Gone from Gulmama.
The Fight[]
Everyone who is involved in the fight must have a tuning fork of the correct protocrystal.
There is no cap on this battle.
There is a 30-minute time limit.
You can buff up before entering the protocrystal, so feel free to do so and rest up while still outside.
Try to fight Shiva Prime on Firesday and do not fight her on Iceday.
Keep up Barblizzara at all times.
Do not use Ice-based spells, weaponskills, or weapons that have Additional effect: Ice damage, as they will heal Shiva Prime.
The battlefield is shaped like a long path up the side of hill, with a switchback about halfway to the top. This allows the mages to stand above the fight (and out of easy reach of the avatar) while still being able to cast spells upon the combatants.
Trial by Ice
Shiva Prime (Boss).
Family
Avatar
Level
63-68
Weakness
Fire
Resistant
Wind
Absorb
Ice
Trial Size Trial by Ice[]
This variant of the quest is meant to give low level summoners a means of obtaining the avatars.
Walkthrough[]
Speak to Castilchat in Northern San d'Oria. You must speak to Castilchat as a Summoner.
If you qualify, he will give you a Mini Tuning Fork of Ice. (Note: You only have to be level 15 to get the fork.)
This item is not a Key Item like the regular Tuning Forks, but is a Rare/Exclusive item that needs to go in your inventory.
When you are ready to go, return to Castilchat and trade him the Mini Tuning Fork of Ice (he does not keep the fork) and be warped to the Cloister of Frost for the fight.
Trade the Mini Tuning Fork to the protocrystal to enter the battle.
Note that if you do not trade the Mini Tuning Fork and instead just select the protocrystal, you will enter the regular level 60+ party avatar battle if you have the regular tuning fork key item.
Defeat her for your reward.
Notes[]
This is a solo battle.
There is a level 20 cap on this battle.
There is a 15 minute time limit.
You can only use Carbuncle.
Try to fight Shiva on Firesday and do not fight her on Iceday.
When you complete this quest you keep the Mini Tuning Fork of Ice, although Castilchat will not warp you to the protocrystal a second time.
Trial Size Trial by Ice
Shiva Prime (Boss).
Family
Avatar
Level
20 - 23
Weakness
Fire
Resistant
Wind
Absorb
Ice
High Tier Battlefield: Trial by Ice[]
This is the superboss variant of the quest. The original quest must be completed before undertaking this quest, and offers many different rewards, meaning it is meant to be done many times rather than just once. There are 5 difficulty levels to this fight:
Very Easy
Easy
Normal
Difficult
Very Difficult
Walkthrough[]
Acquire a Avatar Phantom Gem (10 Merit Point Item) from one of the three vendors:
Trisvain in Northern San d'Oria (J-7)
Raving Opossum in Port Bastok (J-11)
Mimble-Pimble in Port Windurst (L-5)
Talk to the ice protocrystal in the Cloister of Frost.
HTBF Trial by Ice
Shiva Prime (Boss).
Family
Avatar
Level
113 - 121
Weakness
Fire
Resistant
Wind
Absorb
Ice
Rewards[]
Two type of reward is granted; a personal pool, that drop directly on every players; and a regular treasure pool, than players can cast lot or pass items. Please note that the difficulty chose will have a direct impact on the quantities and item type that will drop.
.png "Shiva (FFXI).png (185 KB)")
