Side Quest: Hidden Espers
For additional information on each Esper, go here.
Adrammelech
Easiest of the optional Espers to obtain, Adrammelech’s lair, Athroza Quicksands, can be found within the Zertinan Caverns after entering through the Nam-Yensa Sandsea, Ozmone Plains or Dalmasca Westersand. It is located in the center of the caverns, and the mini-map will become fuzzy upon entering the correct area.
Cúchulainn
Before you’re able to start making your way to Cúchulainn, you must first complete the “Waterway Haunting” and “Lost in the Pudding” Mob Hunt in order to open the way and obtain the “Sluice Gate Key.”
After doing so, head down to Garamsythe Waterway’s Central Waterway Control and use the “Sluice Gate Key” to activate the waterway controls in a specific order:
- Begin by closing the No. 3 and No. 10 controls in the Central Waterway Control
- Enter the No. 3 Cloaca Spur and use the No. 1 South Waterway Control at the end
- Return to the Central Waterway Control and open No. 3 and No. 10
- Close No. 4 and No. 11, then enter the No. 4 Cloaca Spur and use the No. 1 North Waterway Control
- Return to the Central Waterway Control again and open No. 11 and close No. 3
- Enter the No. 1 Cloaca and you’ll find Cúchulainn at the low point on the south end
Zalera
Before you’re able to start making your way to Zalera, you must first complete the “Patient in the Desert” event in order to get the “Barheim Key.” After doing so, enter Barheim Passage from the secret entrance in the Dalmasca Estersand and wind through the tunnels to Terminus No. 7. You will encounter many powerful undead creatures along the way, so be cautious.
Zeromus
Return to Mt. Bur-Omisace after its attack and speak to the Acolyte at the base of the stairs leading into the Hall of the Light. He will give you the “Stone of the Condemner” and instruct you to seek out a “greater power” in the Stilshrine of Miriam. Enter the shrine and activate the Way Stone at the south end of Ward of Measure. Use the “Stone of the Condemner” when prompted and you will be transported to the Throne of Veiled Gods where Zeromus awaits.
Exodus
Head to the Babbling Vale in the Mosphoran Highwaste. There are two important conversations to be had here. The first one takes place with the Learned Man who explains what has happened to the shrines. The second one takes place with the Caravaner south of the shop, which reveals a hidden path and a wild chocobo in the area.
Begin by touching the Shrine of the South Wind (south of the shop) to raise the first set of floatweed (you will see an exclamation mark on the map after doing so). Proceed northeast to the Rays of Ashen Light and look for the Wayward Chocobo at the north end. Feed it a “Gysahl Green” and travel south to Empyrean Way. Look for a floatweed path to the right of the entrance (marked on the area map). Continue all the way to the end and pass through the grassy chocobo area to Skyreach Ridge. Head toward the west ridge of the Babbling Vale and touch the Shrine of the West Wind. Knock over the Weathered Rock next to the shrine to return to the camp and touch the Shrine of the Northwest Wind (next to the Learned Man). You will now see two more exclamation marks on the map. Head back up and cross over them in order to reach Exodus.
Chaos
Before you’re able to start making your way to Chaos, you must first complete the “Waterway Haunting” and “Lost in the Pudding” Mob Hunts. After doing so, you must then complete the “Nabreus’s Medal” Side Quest, which will eventually lead into the Necrohol of Nabudis. Defeat the optional bosses, Fury and Humbaba Mistant, to unlock the path to Chaos.
Ultima
Return to The Great Crystal below Giruvegan. Begin at Way Stone VIII and head up to the Scorpio Gate Stone. Hit the switch and go back down to Way Stone VIII, then turn right and head up to Way Stone IX. Press it, and in the next area, head the only way possible to reach Way Stone XX. Press it, then take either the left or right path on the opposite side to reach the Sagittarius Gate Stone. Return to Sagittarius Gates I & II. Use Gate I, which will take you to Way Stone XI. Press it.
Take the rising path to the Gemini Gate Stone. Hit the switch and take the next rising path. Bypass Gemini Gate I on the right and continue to Gemini Gate II. Follow either of the gateless paths beyond Gemini Gate II to Way Stone XV. Press it.
Follow the center path from Way Stone XVI up to the Libra Gate Stone. Hit the switch, then backtrack to Way Stone XVI and take the path on the right to Gate Libra I, deactivate it, then continue up. Take the rising path on the left at the next platform to the Capricorn Gate Stone. Hit the switch and backtrack down, then go right to return to Way Stone XVI. Use the sinking path on the opposite side to find Gate Capricorn I and the Virgo Gate Stone. Toss the switch on the stone and backtrack to Way Stone XVI again. Use the center path to go to the next platform, then take the left or right path to reach Gate Virgo I or II. Pass through the gate and go to Way Stone XVII to reach the last area. The center path leads to Ultima.
Zodiark
Talk to Geomancer Yugelu in Jahara after the finding at least 10 Espers. He will then unlock the path within the Henne Mines that leads to Zodiark. The path is just north of the Staging Shaft in the Ore Separation room. Be cautious of tough enemies and traps along the way.