Moose, I'm surprised you didn't pick up on the quest that had us escorting that scholar. The readings he was getting all around South Shroud had him in a panic as something looks to be draining the aether there. I don't think a quest like that was random filler JUST to discover Wilred... I feel they were hinting at something there.

I was considering the possibility that Hydaelyn may have drained a large amount of aether from Eorzea in order to recover her strength. It would coincide well with her sudden message to Minfillia.