FFXIV The Bowl of Embers (Normal): Unlock + Trial Guide

Ifrit in the Bowl of Embers (Normal) in FFXIV

To unlock the Level 20 Normal-difficulty trial The Bowl of Embers, you need to accept the Level 20 Main Scenario Quest (MSQ) “Lord of the Inferno” from Minfilia in The Waking Sands (X:6.1, Y:6.9).

This is the first trial you’ll encounter in the game and only requires a four-person party to complete.

Step-by-Step Unlock Guide

The Invisible City in Eastern Thanalan / FFXIV
The Invisible City in Eastern Thanalan
  1. Accept the Level 20 MSQ “Lord of the Inferno” from Minfilia in The Waking Sands (X:6.1, Y:6.9).
  2. Meet the Flame Sergeant at Camp Drybone in Eastern Thanalan (X:14.2, Y:24.3).
  3. Lie in wait at the Invisible City in Eastern Thanalan (X:14.3, Y:16.6) and defeat the Amalj’aas that appear.
  4. Speak with the Flame Sergeant again inside the Amalj’aas’ lair Amalj’aa.

Detailed Unlock Guide

To unlock the Level 20 “Lord of Inferno” quest, you need to finish your respective city-state quest chain that ends in the Level 15 MSQ “Call to the Sea” from Bartholomew in Ul’dah – Steps of Thal (X:10.7, Y:12.9).

Once you’ve arrived in Limsa Lominsa, continue with the MSQs until you reach “Lord of Inferno.”

You’ll need to go through three dungeons (Sastasha, The Tam-tara Deepcroft, and Copperbell Mines) throughout the MSQs. Once you’ve unlocked the quest, talk to Minfilia in The Waking Sands (X:6.1, Y:6.9).

Minfilia’s map location in The Waking Sands / Final Fantasy XIV
Minfilia’s map location in The Waking Sands

In “Lord of the Inferno,” the Amalj’aa have been abducting Ul’dahns for sacrificial rituals to their false god.

Fortunately, Thancred intercepted a false priest named Ungust who has been aiding the Amalj’aa and intends to use him as bait for their next meeting.

After Minfilia finishes briefing you on the situation, head to Camp Drybone in Eastern Thanalan (X:14.2, Y:24.3) and talk to the Flame Sergeant.

The Flame Sergeant’s map location in Camp Drybone / FFXIV
The Flame Sergeant’s map location in Camp Drybone

The Flame Sergeant will tell you more about the plan to foil the next Amalj’aa abduction. Using Ungust as bait, a small contingent of Flame Soldiers and Scions will lie in wait and spring a trap on the Amalj’aa at the meeting point.

You’ll learn from the sergeant that the meeting point will be in The Invisible City, north of Camp Drybone.

Travel to Eastern Thanalan (X:14.3, Y:16.6) and lie in wait to continue. You’ll encounter some mobs on the way that will automatically attack you, so be prepared.

The traitorous flame soldier exposing his true intentions / Final Fantasy XIV
The traitorous flame soldier exposing his true intentions

In the cutscene that will follow, Unjust and the Amalj’aa will spring a trap of their own.

Thanks to a traitorous Flame Soldier, you’ll find yourselves surrounded by a large group of Amalj’aa fighters.

After the cutscene, you’ll need to fend off the Amalj’aas for about five minutes before another cutscene occurs.

With no end in sight, you and your Flame comrades will be forced to surrender. An Amalj’aa mage will also put you to sleep and end the skirmish.

Upon waking up, you’ll find yourself in the lair of the Amalj’aa, along with the captured soldiers. Talk to the Flame Sergeant (X:20.2, Y:10.2) once more to unlock The Bowl of Embers.

This trial requires at least a Level 20 Disciple of War or Magic job to enter and has no item level requirement. Since this is the very first trial of the game, it won’t be too difficult to complete.

Trial Boss: Ifrit

Ifrit, Lord of the Inferno / FFXIV
Ifrit, Lord of the Inferno

Mechanics:

  • Incinerate: A tankbuster attack on the primary target. Use mitigation skills and heal through the damage.
  • Vulcan Burst: A point-blank AoE that knocks back anyone in melee range. Since this attack is cast instantly, just heal through the damage afterward.
  • Eruption: Beginning at 80% HP, the floor underneath a random player may occasionally crack and explode after some time. Move away as soon as possible.
  • Infernal Nail: At 50% HP, the boss will summons one “Infernal Nail.” Destroy this nail as soon as possible to mitigate the incoming “Hellfire” AoE damage.
  • Hellfire: A room-wide ultimate AoE attack that will wipe your party if the nail isn’t destroyed in time. Destroy the nail and heal through the AoE damage.
  • Radiant Plume (Inner and Outer): The boss will cover parts of the arena with lava pools that deal high damage. Move near or away from the center depending on the pattern that appears.

Marc Vista

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Marc is a casual FFXIV Summoner veteran, retired TF2 Soldier main, and professional communicator. He's also a huge fan of anime, Hololive, and the Golden State Warriors.

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