How to Enter The Merchant’s Tale in Final Fantasy XIV (All Rewards)

While we may still be waiting for the highly-anticipated Beastmaster class, after a long hiatus, thanks to FFXIV’s 7.45 content update, Variant Dungeons have finally made an epic return in Dawntrail with The Merchant’s Tale. This vibrantly colorful iteration in the game’s saga of Variant Dungeons brings with it plenty of routes and lore for players to explore. Of course, there’s a treasure trove of rewards as well, from mounts to glam to more Triple Triad cards.

If you’re wondering where to kick things off, here’s how to unlock The Merchant’s Tale Variant Dungeon in FF14, how to queue up for it, and all possible rewards. While you’re at it, don’t forget to participate in this year’s Little Ladies Day seasonal event.

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How to Unlock The Merchant’s Tale Variant Dungeon in Final Fantasy 14

The Merchant’s Tale is the latest iteration of Variant Dungeons in FFXIV thanks to the game’s Patch 7.45 update, and the first to get a systemic overhaul in terms of how Variant Dungeons will work going forward.

To unlock The Merchant’s Tale Variant Dungeon, start by heading to Old Sharlayan. Note that you first need to have completed the ‘Endwalker’ Level 90 Main Scenario Quest and make sure that you’ve gotten acquainted with the NPC named Osmon, also in Old Sharlayan at (X:11.9, Y:13.3).

Teleport to the Old Sharlayan main aetheryte, then run south down the stairs to the Peristyle at (X:12.0,Y:13.3) to speak with Shallow Moor and pick up the Level 90 ‘A Spellbinding Read’ quest. This will cue a cutscene where you get to meet a new friend named Y’nazqha, who turns out to be Y’shtola’s younger sister.

After you two get acquainted, go and meet up with her again at her lodgings in Journey’s End on the east side of town. Speak to her to initiate another cutscene, where her assistant reveals the book that leads into the actual world of The Merchant’s Tale. Soon, the two of you will be teleported to the home of a character in the tale known as the Fair Maiden.

After the subsequent cutscene and brief objective to investigate the room, the new Variant Dungeon will unlock. You can queue for it directly from the Fair Maiden’s room, or feel free to return to Old Sharlayan via the blue sigil on the wall next to Y’nazqha and queue for the dungeon remotely.

How to Enter The Merchant’s Tale Variant Dungeon in Final Fantasy 14

If you don’t enter The Merchant’s Tale Variant Dungeon directly from the portal in the Fair Maiden’s room, you can otherwise go to the V&C Dungeon Finder menu, which is found under the Duty tab on your dashboard. A small menu will then pop up (seen above), and this is where you can queue for any Variant Dungeon that you’ve since unlocked, and The Merchant’s Tale should display as the fourth option.

You can also adjust your two Variant Actions in this menu. These are special abilities you can use only in this Variant Dungeon, and they can give you a leg up in encounters against mobs and/or bosses, so choose the ones that work best for your role and/or your group.

How to Enter The Merchant’s Tale Advanced and Criterion Dungeon in Final Fantasy 14

The Merchant’s Tale Advanced Dungeon is an instance where you fight only the bosses in whichever order you choose. You can also decide whether to fight only one boss or all of them after successfully defeating each one. The more bosses you defeat, the more loot you’ll be entitled to.

To enter The Merchant’s Tale Advanced Dungeon, you first need to complete the following requirements:

• Complete the quest ‘A Spellbinding Read’ (done after completing the Variant Dungeon at least once)
• Level 100 combat role required (760 minimum ilvl)
• Defeat the three unique bosses at the end of all different routes in the Variant Dungeon

Once you’ve fulfilled these requirements, speak to the NPC named Memolivia at (X:11.9, Y:13.3), standing near Osmon. They will unlock The Merchant’s Tale Advanced Dungeon for you, and you should see an option for it listed as available under the ‘Advanced/Criterion’ tab of the V&C Dungeon Finder.

If you complete the Advanced Dungeon, you can then also queue for The Merchant’s Tale Criterion Dungeon, which is the most difficult of the three versions. This is also a boss rush, but you’re required to complete all three bosses back-to-back, and with more challenging mechanics.

To unlock the Criterion Dungeon, go and speak to Osmon, and the option should then appear in your V&C Dungeon Finder.

All The Merchant’s Tale Rewards in Final Fantasy 14

There’s an incredible variety of rewards to earn from The Merchant’s Tale, from the Variant Dungeon all the way up to Criterion. However, you need to unlock all three versions of the dungeon in order for all rewards to become accessible.

Below is a comprehensive list of all rewards across all difficulty levels of The Merchant’s Tale.

Systems

Released

August 27, 2013

ESRB

T for Teen – Language, Mild Blood, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence

Developer(s)

Square Enix

Publisher(s)

Square Enix

Engine

Originally the Crystal Tools engine, but currently it’s a custom engine using parts of the Luminous Engine.

Steam Deck Compatibility

Playable

PC Release Date

August 27, 2013

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