Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age offers players a massive fantasy world filled with unique side stories and hidden activities. Among these optional challenges is the Up Where They Walk quest, a post-game narrative thread that requires specific prerequisites to unlock. Navigating this particular side mission allows players to earn rare equipment while expanding on the deep lore of Erdrea's aquatic inhabitants.
How to Unlock the Quest
Before you can initiate this late-game objective, you must progress into the third act of the story and restore peace to several regions. Travel to the underwater kingdom of Nautica and visit the palace to speak with the resident mermaid population. Ensuring your party is well-equipped for high-level encounters is vital before accepting this request.
The quest giver is a specific mermaid who longs to know more about the human world and the daily lives of land dwellers. She will task the Luminary with gathering distinct information from a specific historic scholar located far away. Make sure your inventory has ample space for the rewards you will collect upon completing this journey.
Finding the Scholar Location
To fulfill the mermaid's request, players must travel to the sunny coastal region known as Costa Valor. Head directly to the bustling resort city of Puerto Valor and navigate toward the northern villa district. You are looking for a distinguished elderly man who spends his days studying ancient oceanic legends.
The scholar can usually be found lounging near the outdoor balcony overlooking the pristine ocean waters. Interacting with him triggers an informative dialogue sequence detailing the history of shared relations between humans and mermaids. He will hand you an important historical text that serves as the primary quest item needed for progression.
Completing the Mission and Rewards
Once you have successfully secured the historical document from Puerto Valor, cast the Zoom spell to return directly to Nautica. Dive back down to the palace gates and present the findings to the eager quest giver. She will express deep gratitude for your efforts in bridging the gap between the two distinct cultures.
Completing this objective rewards your party with a powerful piece of defensive gear that significantly boosts elemental resistances. This item proves exceptionally useful when tackling the brutal challenge trials found in the final optional dungeons. Taking the time to finish every aquatic sub-quest ensures your team achieves maximum combat efficiency before the ultimate battle.
