Master Aud always said I could only become a true Stigma Master if I went to Gelkmaros. I resented him at first, but after spending some time here I finally understand what he meant.

Even in my wildest dreams I could not have imagined the secret to expanding Stigma slots was hidden here--inside Taloc!

As you may know, a Stigma slot can be created only with the crystalline form of extremely strong Aether energy. As it turns out, such energy can be found within Taloc.

• "Intriguing. Go on."

A soulstone taken from a creature with that kind of powerful aether would have incredible power.

This has yet to ever fail. If you combine 4 soulstones, then you’ll get a new Stigma slot from it.

But it won’t be easy to get 4 of them, because those soulstones can only be found in Taloc’s Hollow.

If you want to use more Stigmas, bring me 4 lots of Taloc’s Shard.

• Accept.
• Decline.

If you defeat Kinquid, Queen Mosqua, and Celestius, you’ll get a Taloc’s Shard. You’ll definitely need 4 of them.

According to Aud, there are amazing things to find all the time in Gelkmaros. I’ve been bickering with myself ever since I came to Gelkmaros.

But now the deep significance of the Master’s wisdom has become clear to me.

If you could bring me 4 of those wonderful objects, the soulstones, I would increase your Stigma slots for you.

• "Simple for you...."

Garath claims to know how to expand Stigma slots. Hunt the parasites inside Taloc to gather the special shards needed to expand your Stigma slots.

Lots of living creatures leave behind soulstones when they die, but they aren’t usually very powerful.

But a Taloc’s Shard contains a surprising amount of aether, accrued in order to survive living in Taloc’s Hollow.

This high ratio of aether energy is an important part of the process of using Stigmas.

If you bring me 4 soulstones, I’ll show you the power of which I speak.

• "This better not be a trick."

Having trouble finding Taloc’s Shards? You need to hunt Kinquids, Queen Mosquas, and Celestiuss in the deepest reaches of Taloc.

Take care--that part of Taloc is dangerous in quite a variety of unspeakable ways.

• "Tell me about it."

Excellent work--you brought the Taloc’s Shards. That was truly the hard part. Now, watch this. I just take the Aether energy within the shards, and....

There, it's done. Check your Stigma slots if you don't believe me!

Garath tells you that you can use Taloc’s Shards and the unstable power of aether to increase your Stigma slots.

Once you defeat the creatures in Taloc’s Hollow and retrieve 4 soulstones, you get another Stigma slot.