You’ve finally made it. After hours of cutscenes, emotional highs, and maybe a few tears, you’ve stepped into the final zone of Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail. Living Memory is... a lot. It’s gorgeous, neon-soaked, and massive. But if you’re trying to get around on foot, it’s also a nightmare.
Let's be real. Nobody actually likes running across these giant maps at base speed. You want to fly. To do that, you need the Living Memory aether currents.
There are ten of them scattered across the floating islands and glowing plazas, plus five more locked behind side quests and the main scenario. If you're looking for a quick checklist to get airborne so you can actually enjoy the endgame grind, you're in the right place. We aren't doing the corporate "ultimate guide" thing here. I'm just going to tell you where they are and which ones are a total pain to find.
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The Field Currents: A Scavenger Hunt in Neon
Living Memory is split into distinct "quadrants," each with a very different vibe. You can’t just reach them all at once. The game gates your progress through the Main Scenario Quest (MSQ), so don't bother trying to find all ten field currents the second you arrive. You'll hit invisible walls. It’s annoying, but that’s how Square Enix keeps you on the rails.
The Wind-Swept North: Ashenward and Beyond
The first few currents you’ll likely stumble upon are in the northern reaches.
One of the easiest to miss is tucked away at (X: 18.9, Y: 7.0). It’s sitting right on the edge of a cliff. If you aren't looking down, you’ll walk right past it. Honestly, I did. I had to double back after my aether compass started screaming at me.
Then there’s the one at (X: 30.7, Y: 16.1). This one is located in the Mesoamerica-inspired area. It’s hidden behind a pillar near the outskirts of the main path. It’s not "hard" to find, but the visual clutter in this zone—all those glowing particles and bright colors—makes the green swirl of the aether current blend into the background.
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The Golden Reflection
Down in the southern stretches, things get a bit more vertical.
Check (X: 23.4, Y: 33.3). You'll find this one near the base of a large structure. Most people find this one naturally while following the MSQ, but if you're the type to ignore the path and go exploring, you might overshoot it.
The current at (X: 31.6, Y: 36.1) is another "cliff-hanger." Living Memory loves putting these things right on the precipice of nothingness. Just watch your step. Falling off the map doesn't kill you anymore, but the loading screen is a punishment in itself.
The Final Push
As you move toward the eastern side of the map, specifically around (X: 33.7, Y: 23.2), the terrain gets a bit more complex. This one is tucked inside a ruined building structure. You have to actually go inside and look behind a wall. It’s a bit of a "gotcha" moment from the level designers.
Here is the quick-fire list of coordinates for the remaining field currents:
- (X: 12.0, Y: 12.3) – Near the western edge, relatively flat ground.
- (X: 6.4, Y: 13.1) – Further west, tucked behind a rock formation.
- (X: 10.3, Y: 35.2) – Southern edge, near the water-like features.
- (X: 27.5, Y: 8.0) – North-central, high up on a ridge.
- (X: 21.8, Y: 21.3) – The central hub area, easy to grab while passing through.
The Quest-Locked Currents (Don't Skip These)
You can find all ten field currents and still be stuck on the ground. It’s the classic FFXIV trap. You need the five quest currents. Four of them come from yellow side quests (which appear as you progress the MSQ), and the last one is given by the very final MSQ of the zone.
- "Perchance to Dream": This is usually the first one people grab. It’s a simple "talk to three people" quest that introduces you to the local lore.
- "The Memory of a Hero": A bit more combat-focused. You’ll head out, kill a couple of mobs, and come back. Standard stuff.
- "A Heartless Machine": This one is a bit of a tear-jerker. Pay attention to the dialogue if you care about the "Endless" and their backstory.
- "The Last Map": Usually becomes available once you've cleared the majority of the zone's story.
- The MSQ Reward: This comes from the quest "Dawntrail." Yes, the quest named after the expansion itself. You won't get this until the credits are basically ready to roll.
Why Living Memory Feels Different
Most zones in Dawntrail follow a predictable pattern. Living Memory is different because the zone physically changes as you play. Without spoiling too much for the three people who haven't finished it yet: the visuals shift.
Because of this shift, some players get confused about whether they can still reach certain Living Memory aether currents.
Don't worry. The currents don't move. Even if the landscape looks... well, "different" after the main story beats, the coordinates remain the same. The pillars are still there. The cliffs are still there. The only thing that changes is the lighting and the "life" of the zone.
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Tips for the Aether Compass
Ever since Endwalker, the aether compass was moved to the "Collections" menu. Don't be the person asking in Shout chat where it went. Drag it onto your hotbar.
In Living Memory, the verticality is the biggest hurdle. If your compass says the current is "100 yalms away" but you don't see it, look up. Or down. Usually down. The zone has several layers of walkways and floating platforms that can make a 2D map look very deceiving.
Also, if you're struggling with the side quests not appearing, check your map for the "plus sign" icons. If you don't see any, you haven't pushed the MSQ far enough. The quests are strictly tied to your progress in the story of the Endless.
Actionable Steps for Fast Flying
If you want to get this over with as fast as possible, follow this exact workflow:
- Stick to the MSQ first. Don't go hunting currents the moment you enter. You'll waste time hitting barriers. Wait until you've unlocked at least three of the four major areas.
- Use the Aether Compass every 50 yards. The field currents in Living Memory are often hidden behind the massive, colorful foliage or architecture.
- Pick up the "Plus Sign" quests immediately. As soon as you see a blue quest marker with a plus sign, do it. These are your tickets to flying.
- Focus on the "inner" currents last. The ones in the center of the map are usually the easiest to grab on your way to the final boss trial.
- Mount up with a friend. If you have a friend who already has flying unlocked, jump on their multi-seater mount. They can fly you directly to the coordinates. It cuts the time down from an hour to about ten minutes.
Once you have all 15, you'll get that satisfying notification: "You have attuned to all aether currents in Living Memory!" Now you can fly, making those late-game FATE grinds and hunts significantly less painful.