110
The Threat of Perplexity
Thaumaturge class quest, level 20. 110th of 180 in play order.
Quest giver: Cocobuki, Ul'dah - Steps of Nald (X 6.2, Y 12.8).
Steps
- Speak with Cocoboha
. - Speak with Cocobusi
in Nophica's Wells. - Gather evidence from the thaumaturges' corpses.
- Deliver the evidence to Cocobusi.
- Offer yourself as bait.
- Speak with Cocobusi.
- Investigate the shaded outcropping.
- Report to Cocoboha at the Thaumaturges' Guild.
- Speak with Cocobuki.
Journal
- Guildmaster Cocobuki wishes you to learn from the next chapter of Thaumaturgy: The Yawning Abyss.
- Listen to Cocoboha, the second-youngest brother, as he instructs you from the chapter entitled “The Threat of Perplexity.”
- You learn of a recent spate of murders perpetrated by a villain known only as the “Mageslayer.” The killer appears to be exclusively targeting thaumaturges, draining them of their aetheric vitality. Head to Nophica's Wells in western Thanalan, and aid Cocobusi in his attempt to track down this seemingly insatiable predator.
- Cocobusi has bid you examine the remains of the slain thaumaturges. Head into the nearby stream, and see what evidence of the killer can be found.
- You have recovered a
bloody scepter, a 
shredded tome, and a 
bloody bracelet from the corpses of the unfortunate mages. Return to Cocobusi, and see what he can determine from the sullied objects. - After noting the freshness of the blood staining the items you recovered, Cocobusi believes the killer may yet be lurking nearby. Head back into the stream, and draw out the Mageslayer by using yourself as bait. You nervously hope that the Roegadyn warrior does, indeed, stand ready to leap into the fray!
- With the help of the stalwart swordsman, you have succeeded in defeating the trio of imps. Report your success to Cocobusi.
- Cocobusi laments that a single imp managed to escape the scene of slaughter. Search for the cowardly voidsent in the shaded outcropping to the southeast, and bring your trial to a satisfying conclusion.
- The true identity of the Mageslayer has been revealed. Return to the Thaumaturges' Guild and report to Cocoboha.
- Cocoboha, seemingly unaware of his younger sibling's possession, declares that with the successful completion of this lesson's trial, your training with the Yawning Abyss is now at an end. Speak with Cocobuki, and learn what is to be done about Cocobusi.
- Cocobuki appears shaken and dismayed by his confrontation with the voidsent-possessed Cocobusi. He asks that you leave him in peace for a time, that he might consider his next course of action. ※The next thaumaturge quest will be available from Cocobygo
upon reaching level 25.
Hidden
speaks in alliteration, starting word after word with the same sound: 'peruse the pages of power and peril', 'stalwart swordsman', 'hardy henchman', 'hazardous hurdle'. here. He giggles 'Hee hee' and shouts single words in capitals, just like the voice in Mormo's urn did in the last lesson.Spoiler about later in the story
Foreshadowing Remember the 'addendum' to the Yawning Abyss that Cocoboha mentions. Cocobuki calls it 'extracurricular', and even Cocoboha is too scared to read it.
Shredded Tome's item text says the book was torn apart by 'something sharp like a claw', a small clue that the Mageslayer is no ordinary killer.Characters 4
Cocoboha waits at the guild to read you the last chapter of the Yawning Abyss.
What you know from earlier quests 2
- #2 Way of the Thaumaturge: Cocoboha laughs loudly at the mix-up and says the constant confusion amuses him. He says sorry, explains he was not mocking you, and tells you to speak with his brother Cocobuki.
- #25 The Threat of Intimacy: Cocoboha praises the lesson with a playful line about flinging fire from afar. He laughs about loving the angry looks of distant foes hit by his spells. Cocobusi, who calls him Boha, blames him too.
- #2 Way of the Thaumaturge: Cocoboha laughs loudly at the mix-up and says the constant confusion amuses him. He says sorry, explains he was not mocking you, and tells you to speak with his brother Cocobuki
Cocobuki fears the Mageslayer, who kills thaumaturges in Ul'dah. He is glad you are safe and wants you to learn the final chapter of the Yawning Abyss.
What you know from earlier quests 4
- #2 Way of the Thaumaturge: Cocobuki says he is the eldest and wisest of the five masters. He praises the deadly attack magic of thaumaturgy and sets you a hunting trial. When you pass, he welcomes you into the guild and gives you a hunting log.
- #25 The Threat of Intimacy: Cocobuki explains that your trials now follow the book Thaumaturgy: The Yawning Abyss by Zozomaya. When his youngest brother Cocobusi bursts in, Cocobuki is shaken. He says Cocobusi's magic energy (aether) is too low for thaumaturgy and tells you to ignore it.
- #46 The Threat of Paucity: Cocobuki gives Cocobusi the
Amalj'aa blood for his alchemy and says he can help the family without becoming a thaumaturge. He tells you Cocobusi's aether is so weak that forcing magic could kill him. He suggests you also try other guilds. - #72 The Threat of Superiority: Cocobuki is upset to hear that Cocobusi came to your trial and says he must scold him. He praises your win despite the surprise and teaches you Scathe, a neutral blast spell that works on any foe.
Cocobusi has seemed odd since your last trial at Mormo's urn.
What you know from earlier quests 3
- #25 The Threat of Intimacy: Cocobusi is the guildmasters' youngest brother. He storms into the guild, angry that they promised to teach him but chose you. Though he joined the Alchemists' Guild, he still longs to be a thaumaturge and tests
potions to boost his magic. - #46 The Threat of Paucity: Cocobusi comes to the Ossuary hoping his training can finally begin. Instead his brothers give him Amalj'aa blood for his magic-boosting elixir. He sees this as another way to put him off and says he wants to fight at their side.
- #72 The Threat of Superiority: Cocobusi follows you to the trial to prove himself. Mormo, a voidsent (a demon) inside the urn, offers him power, and Cocobusi wishes for it. He says he feels nothing, then acts strangely, and Cocobezi
notices the change.
- #25 The Threat of Intimacy: Cocobusi is the guildmasters' youngest brother. He storms into the guild, angry that they promised to teach him but chose you. Though he joined the Alchemists' Guild, he still longs to be a thaumaturge and tests
What you know from earlier quests 2
- #2 Way of the Thaumaturge: Cocobygo is very easily startled. He jumps when you speak to him and asks if your mother never warned you about startling a thaumaturge. He cries out again when Cocobuki appears beside him.
- #25 The Threat of Intimacy: Cocobygo screams when you approach, then reads you the passage and says to always strike from afar. He sends you to bait a vulture with
dried fish and pay Fafafono
in vulture meat. He says thaumaturges attack well but defend badly.
- #2 Way of the Thaumaturge: Cocobygo is very easily startled. He jumps when you speak to him and asks if your mother never warned you about startling a thaumaturge. He cries out again when Cocobuki
What happens in this quest spoilers for this quest
- Cocoboha, the second-youngest brother, teaches you to beware of many foes at once and to bring a strong companion. He lets Cocobusi guide your trial. He seems unaware that Cocobusi is possessed, and he ends your lessons from the book.
- Cocobuki finds that Mormo, the voidsent from the urn, has possessed Cocobusi and killed thaumaturges for their aether. He faces it but cannot strike, afraid of killing his brother. Shaken, he blames his own cowardice and asks to be left alone.
- Cocobusi offers to lead your hunt for the Mageslayer and hires a Roegadyn warrior. He sends you alone into a cave after an imp. There Cocobuki reveals that Mormo possesses him and feeds on thaumaturges' aether. Mormo says Cocobusi longed for this power.
Dialogue 52 lines
Accepting the quest
Duty calls. Do you wish to proceed with “The Threat of Perplexity”?
- JA クエスト「呪術クエスト200」のバトルを開始しますか？ ‘Begin the battle for the quest "Thaumaturgy Quest 200"?’ English names the quest The Threat of Perplexity; Japanese shows the placeholder "Thaumaturgy Quest 200" instead.
Yes
No
Aha! The demon shows its claws!
- DE Der Täter kehrt immer an den Ort des Geschehens zurück, was? ‘Haha! The culprit always returns to the scene of the crime, eh?’ English says the demon shows its claws; German says the culprit always returns to the scene of the crime.
I'll keep it busy. You just focus on magickin'!
This bastard's got some nasty spells! Stay well back, you hear!?
Put the big bugger to sleep! I can't take three at once!
That takes care o' that! I'm off to collect me coin!
Cocobuki
[name], you're safe! I feared you had fallen victim to the “Mageslayer”! Have you not heard of the recent spate of gruesome killings taking place within Ul'dah?
- DE Das ist gut zu wissen, denn in letzter Zeit treibt eine Bande von Ätherdieben ihr Unwesen in Thanalan. ‘That is good to know, for lately a gang of aether thieves has been up to mischief in Thanalan.’ English places the killings within Ul'dah; German says the thieves roam Thanalan.
Each case involves at least one dead thaumaturge, and every corpse is found bloody, battered, and utterly drained of aetheric energy.
Ill tidings aside, I am glad to see you alive and glowing with vitality─it is time for you to delve into the final chapter of the Yawning Abyss. Cocoboha, our second-youngest sibling, will read to you from “The Threat of Perplexity.”
Speak with Cocoboha.
Cocoboha
Bwahaha! Greetings, [name]! Are you once more prepared to peruse the pages of power and peril? Then let us begin.
- FR C'est enfin à mon tour de te faire la lecture de ce magnifique ouvrage qu'est Occultisme, l'abîme béant. ‘It's finally my turn to read to you from that magnificent work, Occultisme, l'abîme béant.’ English asks, alliteratively, if you are ready to peruse the pages of power and peril; French says it is finally his turn.
- DE Heute bin ich an der Reihe! ‘Today it's my turn!’ English asks, alliteratively, if you are ready to peruse the pages of power and peril; German says it is finally his turn.
- JA ようやく僕の番が来たみたいだね。 ‘Looks like my turn has finally come.’ English asks, alliteratively, if you are ready to peruse the pages of power and peril; Japanese says it is finally his turn.
“The Threat of Perplexity. Ah, how magnificent the daunting power we wield. Flames pursue, ice transfixes, and lightning dances into the ranks of our enemies.
“But what terror descends when, from all sides, those ranks close? Flames are smothered, ice crushed, and lightning grounded. Know you this threat, and ware you the multitudinous foe.”
Is the point of this passage readily apparent? It would be most problematic, for example, should you meet this malefic Mageslayer and he─or she─proves to be multiple murderers.
What a thaumaturge needs is a thickset thrall...er, courageous companion to accompany her/him in cases where collective cronies are expected. Now, as for your trial─
- DE Als Lock-Dodo, äh, Ermittler(in) in unserer Sache könnten wir dich da draußen nämlich gut gebrauchen. ‘We could really use you out there as a decoy dodo, er, investigator in our case.’ English slips by calling the companion a thrall; German slips by calling you a decoy.
Speak with Cocobusi in Nophica's Wells.
Cocobusi
Cocoboha! Pray allow me to suggest a PRACTICAL course for [name]'s training!
The town is buzzing with the news of yet more SLAUGHTERED thaumaturges, their mutilated bodies found fouling the waters of Nophica's Wells. I would have [name] aid me in hunting down the culprit while the trail is yet FRESH!
Gather evidence from the thaumaturges' corpses.
Cocoboha
[name] may have tolerated your interruption of her/his trial the last time, Busi, but you are hardly the hardy henchman she/he needs to clear such a hazardous hurdle.
Deliver the evidence to Cocobusi.
Cocobusi
Your concerns are understandable, brother. If it would allay your FEARS, I can introduce [name] to a valiant warrior who recently entered my employ.
Offer yourself as bait.
Cocoboha
You have secured the services of a stalwart swordsman? Then, that would, indeed, be in line with learning the lesson of the day. Perhaps─
Speak with Cocobusi.
Cocobusi
Come now, [name]! Let us be about our business before Cocoboha has a change of HEART. I'll be waiting for you in Nophica's Wells!
Investigate the shaded outcropping.
Cocobuki
Was that...Cocobusi?
Cocobusi
Ah, [name], so GOOD of you to come! My Roegadyn friend here is the warrior I mentioned back at the Ossuary.
Now, there's no time to waste! Why don't you head into the stream and examine the bodies of the slain mages? I would go with you, but with my DELICATE stomach, I fear I might...contaminate the scene. Remember: you're looking for anything that might help us track down this killer.
- JA なんだか汚いし、僕は触りたくないんで！ ‘They're kind of filthy, and I don't want to touch them!’ English blames his delicate stomach; Japanese says the bodies are filthy and he does not want to touch them.
Did you uncover anything...incriminating?
Hee hee! The blood is yet slick to the touch. The SLAUGHTER must have been recent indeed.
The villain may yet lurk nearby! Return to the creek where the bodies lay and linger for a time. I daresay your aura, saturated as it is with ENTICING aetheric energy, will lure the Mageslayer into the open. Have courage, [name]─our burly companion stands ready to leap to your aid!
It seems your partnership with our hired blade went splendidly! It is unfortunate, though, that one of the imps was able to FLUTTER away... Oh? Did you not notice?
You wouldn't wish to report to Cocoboha with your trial but half-finished, would you? Of course not. I'm AFRAID, however, that the Roegadyn has already collected his recompense and departed for the nearest alehouse. What to do, what to do?
Hmmm. Surely, a thaumaturge of your CALIBER can handle a single imp, yes? If I'm not mistaken, it fled into that little cave over there. Hurry now, before it slips away into some hidden nook or cranny!
The imp must be hiding inside that little cave. If you HURRY, you may catch it before it escapes you entirely!
Cocobuki
That is not Cocobusi. Well, it is Cocobusi...but a Cocobusi possessed by the voidsent that escaped from Mormo's urn! It was feeding on the aetheric energy of all those slain thaumaturges.
Hee hee hee! And you, my dear, mana-rich [name], were to be NEXT! I have wanted to absorb YOUR delicious power since the moment we met.
- DE Hohohohoho, messerscharf kombiniert! ‘Hohohohoho, razor-sharp deduction!’ English says you were to be the next victim; German praises the guildmaster's sharp deduction.
A pity. This has been such an AMUSING charade. How ever did you see through it?
- DE Dein Bruder hingegen ist als Ätherwirt vollkommen unbrauchbar ... ‘Your brother, on the other hand, is completely useless as an aether host...’ English asks how the trick was seen through; German says the brother is useless as an aether host.
Cocobuki
Hm hm hm. I am Cocobusi's brother. How could I not? It is time I destroyed you, Mormo, and put a stop to these sinister killings. As the eldest, I must take responsibility for my family's misadventures.
- DE Und verzehren darfst du dich weiterhin, denn dein Spiel ist hier aus! ‘And you may go on craving, for your game ends here!’ English says as his brother he could not miss it; German retorts that Mormo may go on craving.
Hee hee. A coward like YOU? Destroy ME? Your opening strike should have pierced my heart, but instead, you aimed for the KNIFE.
Fear stays your hand─fear that slaying me will ALSO slay your sibling!
Hee hee! Poor, spineless thaumaturge. I shall, however, leave you with a pleasant thought: it was Cocobusi's FERVENT wish to amass this power!
- DE Haha, deine Fürsorge ehrt mich, großer Bruder! ‘Haha, your concern honors me, big brother!’ English sneers at the spineless thaumaturge; German mockingly thanks big brother for his concern.
- DE Ich werde dein kleines Brüderchen zum mächtigsten Magier dieses Planeten machen! ‘I will make your little brother the mightiest mage on this planet!’ English reveals amassing power was Cocobusi's own wish; German promises to make the little brother the mightiest mage.
He CRAVED the arcane strength to stand beside his brothers as an equal. What a shame that he must now stand AGAINST you! Hee hee hee!
- DE Er hat mir nämlich verraten, dass er sich mit dir messen möchte, Bukilein! ‘He told me, you see, that he wants to measure himself against you, Bukilein!’ English says he craved to stand beside his brothers as an equal; German says he wants to pit himself against you.
Cocobuki
It pains me to admit, but there is some truth to that creature's words. I surrendered the perfect opportunity to end this. I have betrayed my own teachings...
Return to the Ossuary and report the completion of your trial, [name]. I will remain here for a time and...gather my thoughts.
Report to Cocoboha at the Thaumaturges' Guild.
Cocoboha
Ah, [name]! Cocobuki has advised me of your adventures. It seems the Mageslayer slithered away, but your stint with the swordsman was nonetheless successful!
- DE Ich hab von Busi gehört, dass der Rädelsführer der Diebe zwar entkommen konnte, eure Aktion ansonsten aber ein voller Erfolg war und du dich im Zusammenspiel mit dem Gladiator prima geschlagen hast! ‘I heard from Busi that the ringleader of the thieves got away, but that otherwise your operation was a complete success and you fought splendidly alongside the gladiator!’ English says Cocobuki told him; German says he heard it from Busi.
Consider this chapter complete; your time with our tome of teachings is at an end!
Ahem. Well, to be absolutely accurate, there is an addendum with additional advice, but Cocobuki considers it “extracurricular.” Even I dare not delve into those diabolical depths─I do not yet deign to die, you understand!
Speak with Cocobuki.
Cocobuki
I have yet to inform my brothers of Cocobusi's misfortune; I have yet to reconcile the maelstrom within my own mind.
The most fundamental lessons of thaumaturgy demanded I slay the creature where it stood. It was the most opportune moment to strike─minimal risk, and victory all but assured. How many more will suffer for my hesitation...and my cowardice?
- FR J'aurais peut-être dû sacrifier notre petit frère pour exterminer cet être abject... ‘Perhaps I should have sacrificed our little brother to exterminate that abject being...’ English says he should have slain the creature; French says he should have sacrificed their little brother.
- DE Doch Reue bringt uns auch nicht weiter ... ‘But regret won't get us anywhere either...’ English wonders how many more will suffer for his cowardice; German says regret gets them nowhere.
- JA 私はあの場で、ココブシごと殺すべきだった……。 ‘Right there, I should have killed it, Cocobusi and all...’ English says he should have slain the creature; Japanese says he should have killed it along with Cocobusi.
It will likely be some time, however, before Mormo resurfaces to kill again. Now that we have uncovered the deception, the voidsent will seek a new hunting ground where Cocobusi's face is unknown.
- DE Für eine Weile wird sie sich vermutlich zurückziehen, um uns in Sicherheit zu wiegen. ‘For a while she will probably withdraw to lull us into a sense of security.’ English says Mormo will seek a place where Cocobusi's face is unknown; German says she withdraws to lull them into security.
And though the respite may be brief, I must devote this time to considering my next course of action. Pray leave me to my musings, [name].
- DE Du kannst dir sicher sein, dass ich vor meiner Verantwortung nicht davonlaufen werde. ‘You can be sure that I will not run away from my responsibility.’ English asks to be left to his musings; German assures you he will not run from his responsibility.
The Lalafell promised me a sack full o' gil to do what I do best─an' that's keepin' all the attention on me. Hah!
Cocobusi
You'll find the bloodied CORPSES over in the running stream east of here. Examine the remains, and see what clues you can find!
Back to the stream, [name]! Wait by the place where you found the bodies. Your ALLURING aura may serve to draw out this insatiable Mageslayer.
- DE Die Diebe werden sich die vermeintlich leichte Beute sicher nicht entgehen lassen wollen! ‘The thieves surely won't want to let the supposedly easy prey get away!’ English says your alluring aura will draw the killer; German says the thieves won't pass up supposedly easy prey.