Rocks in a Hard Place

Map quest, level 5 (you can take it from level 4). 32nd of 102 in play order.

Quest giver: Grynewyda, Middle La Noscea (X 26.1, Y 16.6).

Next: Moegramm Had a Little Lamb ›

Steps

Obtain the tiller's shovel.
Remove rocks from the frontier with the shovel.
Pick up debris from the frontier.
Report to Grynewyda.

Journal

Grynewyda seeks courageous pioneers who can tame the wilderness for Summerford Farms.
The Admiral's settlement initiative rewards pioneers for settling the Lominsan frontier, but the washed-up pirates who work under Grynewyda have not been diligent in their work. If you would assist, take up the tiller's shovel at the nearby shack.
You have taken up the tiller's shovel. Make your way to the designated area and clear away the rocks and debris.
All is clear on the frontier. Report the completion of your task to Grynewyda.
Summerford Farms has upheld the Admiral's settlement initiative. While the pirates the Admiral sent know how to sail the savage seas, they have much to learn about breaking the stubborn earth.

Hidden

Spoiler about later in the story

Lore Summerford is full of ex-pirates. This is because the Admiral sent pirates as settlers to tame the wild frontier. The journal's 'washed-up pirates' points to MSQ #5, Washed Up.

Lore Summerford Farms lies in the Summerford area of Middle La Noscea. It is the only place in the whole region where people have settled.

Spoiler about later in the story

Easter egg Grynewyda doubts pirates will 'trade their swords for plowshares'. This is Isaiah's image of turning from war to peace. MSQ #8, Plowshares to Swords, flips it around. There, pirates steal shovels to make axes.

Title reference The title plays on the saying 'between a rock and a hard place'. It means a spot with no good way out. Here it is taken literally, as you clear rocks out of tough farmland.

Characters 1

Grynewyda
Grynewyda works at Summerford Farms and is looking for brave pioneers to help tame the wild land around it.

What happens in this quest spoilers for this quest

Grynewyda explains the farm is paid well under the Admiral's settlement plan, but loses the grant if the land is not cleared. The ex-pirates who work under Grynewyda laze about. After you clear the rocks, Grynewyda wishes they were half as hard-working as you.

What the French version says 1

French

Reference

EN 'If only these supposedly pioneering pirates were half as industrious as you...'

FR «Si tous nos maraîchers étaient aussi productifs, tout irait pour le mieux dans le meilleur des mondes.», 'If all our growers were this productive, all would be for the best in the best of all possible worlds.'

Grynewyda echoes what Pangloss believes in Voltaire's Candide. The English has no such echo.

Dialogue 10 lines

Accepting the quest

Deleted

Grynewyda

Summerford Farms bears the charge of the Admiral's settlement initiative. We're rewarded handsomely to brave new frontiers.

Yet if we fail to fulfill our part of the bargain, the grant will be withdrawn. In spite of this, the washed-up pirates elect to laze their days away.

There is still time. We need only clear away the rocks and debris for the area to be deemed settled.

If you are willing to help, you'll find a shovel outside that hut on the hillside.

Report to Grynewyda.

Grynewyda

You've certainly proven you are not one to let obstacles stand in your path.

FR Oh, ne me dites pas que vous avez déjà fini ! ‘Oh, don't tell me you've already finished!’ English quips the hero lets no obstacles stand in the path; French marvels the hero is already done.
DE Du bist schon zurück? ‘You're back already?’ English quips the hero lets no obstacles stand in the path; German marvels the hero is already back.
JA やや、もう終わっちまったのかい！？ ‘Whoa, you're already finished!?’ English quips the hero lets no obstacles stand in the path; Japanese marvels the hero is already done.
FR Vous autres aventuriers, vous êtes de vraies bêtes de travail. ‘You adventurers, you are real beasts for work.’ French calls adventurers real workhorses; English puns on not letting obstacles stand in your path.
DE Dieses Tempo bin ich von den faulen Ackerpiraten nicht gewohnt. ‘This pace is something I am not used to from the lazy field pirates.’ German jokes that the lazy “field pirates” never work this fast, then refuses to compare you to that rabble.

If only these supposedly pioneering pirates were half as industrious as you...

Expanding borders is all well and good, but the Admiral ought to know rugged frontiers can't be settled by layabouts.