Factual Folklore

Quest giver: Haustefort
Location: Coerthas Central Highlands (X:12.9, Y:17.5)
Quest line: Seventh Umbral Era
Level: 39

Required items: 1   Dark Cider Vinegar
1   Mudpuppy Tail Meat
4   Mudpuppy Steak
Experience: 20,160
Gil: 0
Previous quest: Ye of Little Faith
Next quest: The Best Inventions
Patch: 2.0
Links: EDB GT

Main Scenario Progress: 123 / 853 (14.4%)

A Realm Reborn Progress: 123 / 241 (51%)

“

Haustefort is eyeing you with interest.

— In-game description

Rewards

Choose one of the following options:

3 Raptor Stew
3 Knight's Bread

Walkthrough

You must use the bottle of Dark Cider Vinegar key item on the Spotted Mudpuppy to make it much easier to defeat. It is not intended to be burned down by brute force. It is best to use the item first thing before initiating combat. You must have the enemy targeted while using the key item. If you initiate combat accidentally, try to use a stun to buy time to use the Dark Cider Vinegar.

Steps

Slay a spotted mudpuppy.
Deliver the tail meat to Haustefort.
Offer the steaks to the hungry soldiers. 0/3
Speak with Haustefort.
Offer a steak to Cenota.

Journal

Haustefort is eyeing you with interest.

Having heard of your desire to earn Lord Drillemont's trust, Haustefort proposes that you do so by helping him serve the knights of Whitebrim Front a decent meal. To that end, the cook asks you to bring him the meat of a mudpuppy's tail so that he can prepare steaks. He furnishes you with a bottle of cider vinegar, explaining that the locals believe it can be used to weaken the beasts─though Haustefort himself has his doubts. In any case, travel to Daniffen Pass and attempt to use the vinegar to slay a mudpuppy.

Local superstition appears to be accurate, as the ravenous mudpuppy falters mere moments after you sprinkle the cider vinegar upon it. Having slain the beast and severed a solid portion of its tail, return to Haustefort so he can prepare the steaks.

Haustefort demonstrates an unbelievable level of skill by preparing three steaks mere moments after you deliver the meat. Dole out the fresh steaks to the hungry knights of Whitebrim Front.

Every steak met with overwhelming approval. Return to Haustefort and tell him that you have finished your task.

Haustefort has prepared one final steak for Cenota, a young chirurgeon who he suspects is in need of proper nourishment. Deliver it to her in the infirmary.

The odor of freshly cooked meat serves to remind Cenota of her neglected needs. She thanks you profusely and proceeds to devour the steak in moments, much to the chagrin of the disoriented patient who has suddenly found himself forgotten.

Dialogue

Accepting the Quest

Haustefort: You the lad/lass responsible for that commotion upstairs? Aye, word travels fast in Whitebrim Front. I gather you still wish to change Lord Drillemont's mind?
Haustefort: If there's one thing I've learned about the man in my time here, it's that he listens to and respects the opinions of those under his command. Win over the barracks, and he's sure to take notice. How, you ask? That's easy─serve the poor souls decent fare for a change.
Haustefort: The last few supply shipments contained no meat whatsoever, and the knights are rightfully beginning to complain. I'm thinking we could prepare them steaks using mudpuppy tail meat. 'Twouldn't be a quality meal, 'tis true, but it'd be a damn sight better than nothing.
Haustefort: If you've a mind to lend a hand, why not await a lurking mudpuppy in Daniffen Pass? And take this bottle of vinegar; locals say it weakens mudpuppies by clogging their mucous glands, drying their skin.

Delivering the tail meat to Haustefort

Haustefort: It didn't work, did it? Aye, I thought it was an idiotic idea...
<Hand Over Mudpuppy Tail Meat>
Haustefort: Oh dear...remind me to never wander near mudpuppy spawning grounds without a bottle of vinegar. Anyroad, this should only take a moment. I'll just need to do this...and this...and voilà! Never seen a man cook steaks that fast, have you? Take these three and distribute them to the hungry knights here and up above.

Offering the steaks to the hungry soldiers

Ombeline: We ought at least receive a hearty meal before we march off to die in this godsforsaken waste...
<Hand Over Mudpuppy Steak>
Ombeline: Is that a fresh-cooked steak!? Halone's blessings be upon you, my friend! Mudpuppy meat or no, it's the most delicious food I've had in a fortnight!

Theophilain: You there, lad/lass! Don't think I didn't see you and the cook conspiring together! Let me make myself perfectly clear: if you wish to buy my trust with a steak, it would be my pleasure to oblige you!
<Hand Over Mudpuppy Steak>
Theophilain: Mwahahaha! Yes, yes! I feel invigorated, refreshed─as if I have the strength of ten men, and their wits besides. Aye, I should have no trouble concocting a new reason to refrain from sentry duty.

Ignemortel: Ever must we train to maintain our skill at arms, yet never are we to receive proper sustenance!?
<Hand Over Mudpuppy Steak>
Ignemortel: You are a godssend, my friend! Too few appreciate that House Durendaire must do more than its fair share for the sake of Ishgard.

Speaking with Haustefort

Haustefort: It feels wonderful to see everyone in such high spirits. Amazing what good food can do for morale, eh?
Haustefort: Ah, but I've forgotten about the hardworking chirurgeons at the infirmary─so rarely do they take their meals here in the hall. Mind taking this steak to Cenota? She's doubtless so preoccupied with the health of her patients that she's neglected to attend to her own.

Offering a steak to Cenota

Cenota: Beg your pardon, sir/madam, but I am busy attending to this man. I will be with you in a moment.
<Hand Over Mudpuppy Steak>
Cenota: Is that...? <sniff> <sniff> Come to think of it, it has been quite a while since I last ate. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have a nibble...
Cenota: Oh my, this is fantastic! Thank you so much! I'll eat the rest right away!