Way Down in the Hole
Way Down in the Hole
- Quest giver
- Zuzumeda
- Location
- Central Thanalan (X:20, Y:18)
- Quest line
- Seventh Umbral Era
- Level
- 9
- Required items
- 4
Crumbling Ginger Cookie - Experience
6,480- Gil
179- Previous quest
Out of House and Home- Next quest
- Takin' What They're Givin'
Leves of Horizon - Patch
- 2.0
“Zuzumeda wishes to share with you a most amazing rumor.
— In-game description
Rewards
- 5
Potion
- In addition to the above, choose one of the following options:
- Unlocks
Steps
- Speak with Wystan.
- Give ginger cookies to the children. 0/4
- Speak with Wystan.
- Follow Wystan to the Sil'dih ruins.
- Speak with Wystan.
Journal
- Rumor has it that Wystan, a merchant living in Stonesthrow, is recruiting able-bodied adventurers to protect his team of prospectors. Speak to him at the Coffer & Coffin and volunteer your services.
- While Wystan does not require additional escorts for the expedition, he would appreciate your assistance in convincing a group of children from Stonesthrow to stop waiting for him and return home. Offer Wystan's cookies to the children and persuade them to leave.
- Your kind words and crumbling cookies are enough to satisfy the children. Let Wystan know that the situation has been resolved.
- Even as Wystan is telling you about his ambitious plans for the future, one of the Brass Blades from the expedition party bursts into the bar and declares that they have made a promising discovery. Wasting no time, Wystan resolves to go and see for himself, and invites you to join him at the site.
- Your confrontation with the Brass Blades is interrupted by a mysterious masked mage, who unleashes a clay golem upon you. In the chaotic battle that ensues, you somehow slay the rampaging construct moments before Thancred arrives. His presence triggers more strange visions which you are unable to explain. Though your soul cries out for answers, this is neither the time nor place. Speak with Wystan, who has returned to the Coffer & Coffin.
- Wystan now understands that he has been marked for death by Lord Lolorito. The ore vein, the Brass Blades, and the golem all appear to have been part of the trap. The merchant promises to do his utmost to hide your involvement, but he also suggests you seek the counsel of Mistress Momodi at the Quicksand, in case Lolorito's spies are already aware of your actions.
- Momodi confirms that Wystan is finished in Ul'dah, but assures you that no one knows of your deeds. Though many would question the wisdom of opposing such powerful forces, she clearly approves of your actions. As a reward, Momodi grants you complimentary accommodation at the Hourglass, and permission to undertake guildleves.
Dialogue
Zuzumeda: Ah, the altruistic adventurer! I was hoping we'd bump into each other. Why? Because the most fascinating piece of news recently reached my ears, and I'm eager to share it! May I?
Zuzumeda: Rumor has it that there is a vast, untapped vein of ore beneath the ruins of Sil'dih.
Zuzumeda: But that is not all! Inconceivably, the Concern appears to be entirely ignorant of its existence. And even as we speak, a young upstart─a self-made merchant from Stonesthrow of all places─is moving to claim it!
Zuzumeda: The fellow's name is Wystan, and he is a very, very ambitious young man. Not only does he intend to secure exclusive excavation rights, but they say his master plan is to use his new fortune to curry favor with the Sacrarium.
Zuzumeda: Of course, the thaumaturges only consider the opinions of the most wealthy when drafting the laws of Ul'dah. If you would have your voice heard, you must be prepared to pay a sultan's ransom.
Zuzumeda: One voice which is invariably heard belongs to Lord Lolorito. He has long lavished gil upon the thaumaturges, and some claim that he devises new laws with the express intention of ruining his competitors while protecting his own interests.
Zuzumeda: Suffice it to say, if Wystan thinks he can compete with the likes of the Syndicate, he's in for a rude awakening. But that eventuality may yet be a little way off. For the present, he is moving ahead with his plans, and assembling a team to survey the site.
Zuzumeda: I'm told he's at the Coffer & Coffin right now, recruiting able-bodied adventurers to escort his prospectors.
Zuzumeda: Warin said you were looking for work. Mayhap you should meet Wystan and volunteer for his expedition?
Speaking to Warin:
Wystan: Come to join? Sorry, but you're too late.
Wystan: Some Brass Blades looking for extra coin volunteered, and the team's already en route to the ruins.
Wystan: But look, I know it's not easy to find work these days. If you're interested, there's something else you can do for me.
Wystan: There are these children outside─little ones from Stonesthrow. I look after them when I've time to spare, and so they've taken to following me around, even when I tell them not to.
Wystan: But what with overseeing the search for the vein, I barely have a chance to visit the privy at the moment, much less entertain younglings. Can you give them these ginger cookies and convince them to go home for me?
Wystan: Give the children those cookies and convince them to go home without me. I'll see that you're rewarded for your trouble.
Starveling Child: I like playing with Wystan. He makes sure no one bullies us.
You give the Starveling Child a ginger cookie.
Starveling Child: Wystan's worried about us? Oh, I don't want to make him worried. I'm a good girl, so I'll go home.
The Starveling Child leaves.
Starveling Child: I ain't goin' nowhere, mister/[GENDER]! I'm too hungry to move, besides, so you'll have to carry me!
You give the Starveling Child a ginger cookie.
Starveling Child: A cookie!? ...Well, if Wystan really wants me to go home, then all right. But I want two next time!
The Starveling Child leaves.
Starveling Child: But Wystan always plays with us! Why won't he come out and play?
You give the Starveling Child a ginger cookie.
Starveling Child: Wow, a ginger cookie! I'd better save some for my brother. I know─I'll go home and eat it with him!
The Starveling Child leaves.
Starveling Child: Wystan's kind to us. I like him.
You give the Starveling Child a ginger cookie.
Starveling Child: This is for me? I want to eat it, but then again I don't, because then it'd be gone.
Starveling Child: Tell Wystan thanks, and...tell him I'm sorry for getting in the way.
The Starveling Child leaves.
Wystan: Thank you, adventurer. I only wish I could do more. Stonesthrow is no place for a child.
Wystan: ...Not that my childhood was much happier. Never enough food to go around, nor work to earn it─but no shortage of contempt from the great and the good.
Wystan: I remember thinking things could only get better... Yet now, after the Calamity and everything else...for us refugees to be forced to live outside the gates like bloody beastmen is a disgrace.
Wystan: They say with enough money you can change the laws here. So I'm going to make a fortune and do just that!
Wystan: I'll buy the excavation rights and start my own mining business. Then I'll give my fellow refugees the work they're crying out for, and pay them fairly!
Wystan: The mining companies have profited from our suffering for too long. But in their hubris they've grown complacent─presenting us with a golden opportunity.
Wystan: And we will take it, adventurer─we will reclaim our dignity, and with it our place within those walls.
Brass Blade: We found her! We found the vein! Wystan, ye must come an' see!
Wystan: Already!? Amazing! We leave at once!
Wystan: You should join me, my friend! Come and bear witness to history in the making!