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Claudian132

Strawman Defense

Map quest, level 24. 132nd of 180 in play order.

Quest giver: Claudian, Eastern Thanalan (X 20.1, Y 20.4).

Next: Scholarly Funds ›

Steps

  1. Set handmade scarecrows at the specified locations.
  2. Report to Claudian.
Journal
  1. The researcher Claudian could use an adventurer's assistance in dispatching some bothersome birds.
  2. Winged purveyors of death and destruction are wreaking havoc with Claudian's investigation of the ruins. Set handmade scarecrows at the specified locations in Highbridge.
  3. The scarecrows have been placed. Inform Claudian that the avian pests will disrupt his research no more.
  4. Now free to immerse himself in his research, Claudian thanks you for your assistance.
Hidden
In-game text The scarecrow's item text hides a small joke: it scares cloudkin, but it does little against actual crows.
Title reference The title plays on the 'straw man', a weak fake version of an argument that is easy to knock down. Here the straw men are real scarecrows, set up to defend the ruins from birds.
Characters 1

  • Claudian

    Claudian is a researcher studying the ruins at Highbridge. Birds keep swooping at him, and he is very nervous.

What happens in this quest spoilers for this quest
  • Claudian is afraid of heights and talks himself through it. He says the birds stop all his research, so he gives you scarecrows to set up. When the birds are dealt with, he thanks you and heads back to work.
Dialogue 4 lines

Accepting the quest

Do not look down, Claudian! You must not, you will not, you cannot look─aaaaaahhh!

By the Twelve, my good woman/man, you frightened me half to death! But you must forgive me: I've been a bit restless of late, what with those winged nightmares swooping in from every which direction, pecking and poking and pricking at me.

I might as well pack up my instruments and go home, as I won't be getting an onze of research done. If, however, a kind adventurer like yourself were to use these scarecrows to drive the birds away, it would be another story. What do you say?

Report to Claudian.

Do not look─oh, you've seen to the birds, have you? Splendid work, friend! Now to head back down and return to my research. Er, worry not, I'll be along any moment now─be on your way.

  • DE Jetzt brauche ich nur noch ein gutes Rezept gegen Höhenangst. ‘Now all I need is a good remedy for fear of heights.’ English says he will now head back down to his research; German says he only needs a remedy for fear of heights.
  • JA あとは高所恐怖症を克服するだけか……。 ‘All that's left is to overcome my fear of heights...’ English says he will now head back down to his research; Japanese says all that is left is beating his fear of heights.