Of Merchants and Monsters is a quest available in Dragon's Dogma.
Overview[]
- "Foul beasts lurk within the mine. Clear them out so that merchants might safely use the route through the mountain."
Cleanse The Ancient Quarry of monsters so that honest merchants might once more ply their trade through its deep halls.
Walkthrough[]
Speak to Alon outside the exit of The Ancient Quarry at the edge of the Estan Plains. He tells a tale of woe - a humble traveller stymied in his travels by blocked passages within the mine. Alon wants the gate that blocks passage through the quarry opened.
Enter the Quarry[]
At first the quarry is home to Bandits and hostile creatures. Before progressing too far into the quarry there's an opportunity to open a first Pressure Plate to the south-east and obtain the Quarry Key - this key will be useful if the Arisen wishes to avoid fighting for the main gate.
Moving further in Bandits will be encounted first around the Abandoned Mine - defeat them.
Open the gate[]
Beyond the Abandoned Mine and the bandits lies the quarry's largest chamber, as well as a locked gate at the far end, and an Ogre.
Here two options present themselfs- either defeat the Ogre in the main chamber by force and then open the main gate; or take a roundabout route and obtain some bait to distract the Ogre so to open the gate in peace..
Force (option)[]
Simply defeat the Ogre in the main chamber, and then stand on the Pressure Plate to open the gate blocks further progress. The gate is the only inanimate obstacle and one may return to Alon at this point to report progress.
Distraction (option)[]
Dragon's Dogma - Ogre bait
An easy way to bait the Ogre is to lead it to a corpse
An alternative to force is to distract the Ogre so that the Pressure Plate can be stood on without trouble. Pawns give a clue to this, noting "A hunk of meat left here will draw the Ogre's attention" - as attested by various meat offerings found in the chamber. However the Ogre does not want small portions, but, can be distracted with a whole body.
Here the Quarry Key can be useful as it gives access to side excavations containing undead. If one of these is defeated and carried to the Ogre's location it will ignore the Arisen and instead feast on the corpse - in this state the gate can be opened in peace, even with the Ogre in close proximity.
Avoid beginning battle with the Ogre, or allowing pawns to do the same as it will almost certainly forget about any meal with live food on the menu..
Report back to Alon (optional)[]
Once the gate is opened the Arisen may report back to Alon - however if any hostile foes remain in the quarry he will refuse to move on, and ask the Arisen to cleanse the area as well.
Make the quarry safe[]
All foes in the quarry need be defeated - this includes the three Ogres. Once the quarry is rid of monsters report back to Alon to complete the quest and claim the reward.
On completion Alon will set up shop in the habitable room in the Abandoned Mine. Furthermore the quarry will remain free of monsters from then on.
Quotes[]
Alon
- "Ah, hello... As you can like tell from the look of me, I'm at my wit's end. I've need to travel south through this mine, but the accursed gate won't budge. Despite the dangers, I came this way hoping to shorten my journey... Some shortcut, eh? 'Tis a fine waste of time if the gate cannot be lowered.
- "D'you mean that? You'll see it opened? Aye, 'twould be a most welcome boon! But are you so certain you can make it so? You do seem a strong enough sort, I'll warrant...
- Well, friend? What news? I will, admit, 'tis a small comfort to see a seasoned traveler vexed as I was. 'Tis a jest, friend. I know it for a brazen request, and dangerous what's more. Still, my livelihood hangs in the balance... I must have the gate opened, and you're as like to succeed as any. I wish you good luck.
Pawn Chatter[]
- "There's some trick to opening this gate... Hmm..."
- "A corpse might serve as ogre bait."
- "There was a side path here somewhere..."
- "This place is a nest of fiends."
- "Seems the duration the gate stays open varies with weight..."
- "Let's end our ogre problem once and for all!"
- "To bait an ogre, use meat, or a corpse. Alternately, a woman ought suffice."
- "Seems that was the last ogre in the quarry."
- "We managed, somehow... The task is done."
Notes[]
- Reporting back to Alon after opening the gate but before all the Ogres are killed is required to get the third star for pawn quest knowledge.
- Luring the Ogre onto the Pressure Plate will quicky open the gate.
- Bring a Lantern and a Flask of Oil in order to see inside the dark mine.
- The Ancient Quarry can be used as a shortcut between east and southwest Gransys.
- Once the Ancient Quarry is cleared, it becomes a 'haven' like Gran Soren, the Encampment and Cassardis, meaning that the Arisen expends no stamina while running within the area and there are no enemies within.
- If uncompleted, this quest is cancelled (and failed) after victory in the quest The Final Battle.
- (BUG)
In Dark Arisen if the Ogres are killed and the gate opened before speaking to Alon (e.g. typically by accessing the quarry via the back entrance, and possibly requiring the Ogres to be killed before the quest Off With Its Head is completed), he will thank the Arisen for opening the gate, and then ask to clear the quarry of monsters. He will not recognize the monsters are dead, and the quest will not complete.(verify)
Trivia[]
- The quest's name may be a reference to John Steinbeck's novel Of Mice and Men.
Gallery[]
