The Ladle in the Darkness

Retired Content

• The subject of this article was retired or removed from the game in patch 5.3, and is no longer available to players.
• Retired items may still be kept in inventory but can no longer be renewably obtained. Tradable items may still be obtained from the Market Board or directly trading with other players.
• The information in this article is kept and maintained for historical purposes.
• This quest was removed as part of the revamp and pruning of the A Realm Reborn main story quest experience.

The Ladle in the Darkness

Quest giver

Cracked Fist

Location

Northern Thanalan (X:22, Y:29)

Quest line

Seventh Umbral Era Main Scenario Quests

Level

49

Required items

3   Basilisk Meat
3   Basilisk Stew

Experience

 28,420

Gil

 0

Previous quest

A Hero in Need

Next quest

All upon the Watchtowers
Crate Expectations

Patch

2.0

“

Sergeant Cracked Fist needs a hero to make a stew.

— In-game description

Rewards

Choose one of the following options:

• 1   Woolen Trousers of Fending
• 1   Raptorskin Skirt
• 1   Felt Breeches
• 8   Allagan Silver Piece

Steps

• Obtain basilisk meat from basilisks.

• Add basilisk meat to the bubbling cauldron.

• Watch the bubbling cauldron.

• Scoop stew from the bubbling cauldron.

• Distribute basilisk stew to soldiers.

• Report to Cracked Fist.

Journal

• Desperate to raise the garrison's floundering morale, Sergeant Cracked Fist has taken a lesson from Gridanian history,and humbly requests that you make a stew and distribute it among the troops. First, obtain the three required chunks of basilisk meat.

• You have obtaiend enough basilisk meat. Take it to the cookfire just outside Camp Bluefog's northern gate, and ad it to the bubbling cauldron.

• It will take a little while for the meat to be cooked through. Watch the cauldron until the stew is ready.

• Your keen instincts tell you that the basilisk stew is now ready. Scoop it from the bubbling cauldron.

Dialogue

Cracked Fist

I have a favor to ask of you, as a fellow comrade of the Alliance. As I mentioned, the garrison's mood is dark. The fault, it pains me to admit, is partly mine. I am no veteran of large-scale campaigns, you see, and the men and women under me are nervous for this knowledge.

Seeking to lift their spirits, I remembered the tale of a Gridanian general from a century past. Vainchelon was his name, and he was a lancer of great renown. History holds that, in spite of his rank, he would regularly cook meals for his troops while afield.

Most generals know to break bread with their own men on occasion to foster camaraderie, but Vainchelon took it one step further. By actually making that bread, he showed that he was truly one of them─a hero and a comrade.

Though I wouldn't presume to compare myself to a man of his stature, I thought it might be well to at least emulate the deed. To be sure, this is a testament to my desperation.

I had begun making preparations for basilisk stew, all the while wondering whether it would be any good, when an honest-to-gods hero appeared. I speak of you, of course.

My gratitude would know no bounds if you could take up the ladle in my stead. The stew is just about ready─all it needs is some basilisk meat, which can be readily had north of here. Please procure the meat and add it to the cauldron bubbling just outside the camp.

When the stew is ready, I would ask that you also distribute it among our troops. Receiving the stew from you is certain to give them heart. I doubt I can say the same were it to come from my hands.

Zezeragi

Brrr... It's always so dark here...and cold... Maybe I shouldn't have enlisted... It's not like killing Garleans will bring my friend back...

Mmmmmm, this smells good...

<gasp> Aren't you the adventurer who triumphed at Cape Westwind? To think that a hero fights beside us! And this stew, it whets my appetite for vengeance! Just you wait, you Garlean whoresons! I'm coming for your heads! Muahahaha!

Adelena

Gods, this is all so hopeless! The Garleans are going to crush us with their steel monstrosities! We're all going to die! <sob>

I'm...I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me. Your words and this hearty stew have given me courage. Yes, a fire positively burns in my belly! ...Or is it just the basilisk venom?

Betyn

I-I think I'll pretend to be sick. That way I won't have to fight. Maybe they'll even send me home to my family. It's not as if one man would make a difference, right?

You made this stew...for me? I...I never dreamed that I would share a meal with a hero, let alone partake of something shehe made. I wanted to be a hero, too, you know─to my family. I took up arms because I wanted to protect them...and I will! I won't run─not today, nor any other!

Cracked Fist

Your basilisk stew has done wonders for our troops' morale! I cannot thank you enough!

The seeming hopelessness of the situation─not to mention this accursed gloom─had dampened their spirits, and for a time they had forgotten their purpose. But your presence and culinary skills helped them to remember, and I'm confident they will do their part to protect the realm and their loved ones.