The Windmill Gear is required to complete the Where the Wind Blows side quest in the Grasslands. This task is a little confusing as the instructions aren’t clear. If you’re stuck, here’s how to craft the Windmill Gear and what it’s used for in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
How to build the Windmill Gear in FF7 Rebirth
Crafting the Windmill Gear is a multi-step process required to complete the Where the Wind Blows side quest. Just so we’re all on the same page, here’s how to complete the task, step by step.
Talk to Mildred in the Grasslands
After you’ve obtained the quest from Broden, head into the Grasslands and speak to Mildred at the Windmill Settlement. Mildred informs you that she requires a piece for her windmill, but it must be transmuted from materials that require a Transmuter Chip.
How to find the Transmuter Chip
The quest description is a little unclear for this step, as it says you need Lifespring Analysis but is vague on the details. You need to scan Lifesprings around the Grasslands to progress. I needed to scan four out of the six, but I’ve read conflicting information on the amount required.
I’ve labeled the location of each Lifespring on the map above. Once you’ve scanned enough, you’ll be prompted to visit the Bygone Settlement on the Grasslands.
Search the Bygone Settlement
Once you reach Settlement (location pictured above), hop on your Chocobo and search the area. You’re hunting for the Transmuter Chip with the help of your Chocobo’s keen sense of smell. Three artifacts are buried here, and a question mark will appear above your Chocobo’s head when they are nearby.
Hold up on the D-Pad when you see a question mark, and your Chocobo will sniff the air and reveal the Artifact’s location. Press down on the D-pad to dig up each item. Once you’ve dug up every Artifact, you’ll be prompted to return to Mildred.
Mildred will inform you that she requires a final ingredient to make everything work and will send you to find a Quetzalcoatl Talon.
Where to find the Quetzalcoatl Talon
You’ll need to defeat Quetzalcoatl to obtain the Talon, and this creature is no joke. Head to the location on the map above and step into the lair to begin the fight. Quetzalcoatl is tough as it hits hard and fast and has a surprising amount of HP. Your opponent is weak to Ice, so ensure a party member has Ice Materia, as it will help to stagger your opponent.
Quetzalcoatl swaps between grounded and airborne, so it may be worth switching between Cloud and a ranged attacker like Aerith. This fight can be overwhelming, but as long as you remember to use your powerful abilities like Synergy Attacks and Limit Breaks, you should emerge victorious.
I found this battle quite challenging with a level 20 party. As Where the Wind Blows is a side quest, you can always return later with a stronger party if required.
Once you’ve felled the beast, you can claim your prize and return to Mildred to construct the Gear and complete the quest.
What rewards do I get from the Where the Wind Blows side quest?
Once you’ve constructed the Windmill Gear and given it to Mildred, return to Broden, and you’ll receive a Whistlewind Scarf, and your relationship with Red XIII will improve.
The Quetzalcoatl battle is one of the toughest challenges in the Grasslands. Once you’ve had your fill of side content in the area, cross the Swamp on your Chocobo and head into the Junon region to continue the story.
