We've got two votes for the Thieves Guild, one for the Hunting Grounds, and three for rat diplomacy. Before we move on to the popular requests, I'll do a sidequest that is easy to miss. In fact I did miss it first time around, but bumped into it the second playthrough. It exemplifies DSA's sense of humor.
An ox driver appears near the warehouse, to the west of the harbor.
... dumb ox!
There must be something wrong with my hearing. What did you say?!
Oh, excuse me, I didn't notice you there at all! Naturally I wasn't referring to you!
Well, who were you talking to?
Bogumil, my most important associate! I should actually have passed through the toll station long since, but the dumb ox has simply run off! He's probably stuck at the 'Mellow Ox' tavern and I didn't notice it. I should have known that would happen, after all, it isn't the first time.
Hah, we all know that story right? Got a friend you forgot at the bar. Let's help the poor sod out and pick up his drunk buddy.
Why not? I always enjoy visiting a new tavern.
We head to the Mellow Ox. There's more people there now than usually (as in when the quest isn't active), so let's see if one of them is Bogumil. The most likely candidate is a travel-stained man...
Pardon?
I'm looking for a certain Bogumil ...
Bogumil? Do you mean my great-uncle in Ferdok, by chance?
No, I don't think so. But thank you for your help.
No luck, perhaps one of the locals knows more...
The gods be with you!
And the same to you! Tell me, have you seen a certain Bogumil hereabouts?
Bogumil? Never heard of him, never seen him.
Well, thank you anyway.
Maybe those guys in the back? Let's try the other villager first...
Yes?
I don't suppose you know who Bogumil is?!
I once knew a Bergamul Pagasul. He still owes me money.
Forget it ...
What's so funny about that?
Oh, nothing! I just think your idea of Bogumil is leading you astray...
Then perhaps you would be kind enough to enlighten me?
Of course... Look around the corner. Bogumil is standing in front of the tavern signboard.
What's he doing there?
Better if you ask him yourself...
Ominous laugh?
No one here but some chickens and another aurochs...
...wait, you don't mean to tell me that...
Moooo ... [You can make out the name 'Bogumil' engraved on the ox's yoke]
FFFFFFffffffffffff...
I am no ox herder! How dare that infidel send me out for this. But alack, a promise made is a promise to be kept, Rastullah teaches...
Bogumil is in no mood to follow us though. Back to the innkeep.
So Bogumil's an ox. Very funny! Unfortunately he hasn't moved even an inch from that spot.
Yes, he belongs to old Hajo. It's not the first time that he's stood there as if rooted to the spot. I think Bogumil is magically attracted to the tavern's signboard.
A magic ox-attracting signboard? Nah...
Maybe it's the helmet that's nailed to the sign. The horns do bear a strong resemblance to those of an ox.
It took me a lot of time to find a suitable helmet.
Would you lend it to me? Maybe I can use it to lure the ox away.
Sorry, no hand-outs here... No free rounds of ale, no tabs and no loans. You'll have to put an adequate sum of money on the table.
Pay? Hell no. Skills, come to the rescue!
[Success] You won't believe it, but my wife always says that too! All right, take the helmet! Then perhaps my wife will stop pestering me about it.
Practically useless? It has better stats than Forgrimm's helmet. Anyway, Sayyid put it on, and back to the aurochs we go...
Hmmm. More advice from the innkeep is needed.
Bogumil still hasn't moved from that spot. I wonder why?
You and that ox... just sit down and have a drink.
:D Imagine being a barkeep and being pestered about a cow all day.
But I promised old Hajo I'd take him into town.
At least the dude's having fun...
Put the helmet on the Dwarf's head... It'll suit him better.
Are you trying to make fun of me, pal?
Calm down, it was a serious suggestion, not an insult.
Well, I'll consider it.
Hell, it's worth a try...
May I present: The very first Dwarf ox in Aventuria!
Heh.
[Bogumil looks in Forgrimm's direction with interest, but doesn't move from the spot]
Dammit.
Something must be missing ...
Bah! I'm already almost taking that personally. We'll get this beast to move at some point, won't we?
And just how will you do that?
My Uncle Gnawgrimm, he was a mountain goat herder. He had the manners of a billy goat and smelled like a whole stable full of them. When he had consumed at least five Pale Ales and approached the beasts stripped to the waist, they all followed him.
Ummm...
How is that supposed to help us?
Well ... I have an idea. I'll turn into the lead steer, I already have this helmet, so I'll do it for the fun and a couple of Pale Ales. Besides, nobody here knows me.
Best. Plan. Ever.
Shall we risk it? Right then, let's do it!
Well, I'll help with the Pale Ale!
That's a deal, Scallywag.
To the beer!!!
I need five Ferdok Pale Ales for my Dwarven friend here!
Coming up! That will be 10 farthings.
Sure, this game is worth 10 farthings to me!
And here comes the first ale. Tasty and fresh, straight from the barrel.
One more? I doubt it, Forgrimm is a dwarf after all...
Here, the next ale!
Gulp! Of course I-I'll get that...o..ox to move! More ale!
Here, the next ale!
Glug! Ahhhh. Wait... let me see if I can already speak ox language... Oxanian ... heh heh! Mooo...burp...
Here, the next ale!
... Burp... I can feel the ox... in me. Mooooo... hahh, that was good.
Right! The last ale!
Brave with Dutch courage.
[Bogumil appears to have found a friend in Forgrimm. It looks as if he wants to follow him.]
Success!
Oh Frith. Scariest thing in the game so far.
Bogumil! Well, finally!
Moo ... aha ha, what fun that was. And five Pale Ales at no charge, that was worth it. Ha ha!
Yes, that was a real blast! And a story like that sticks with you forever. People never forget that kind of thing.
Uh ... do you think so? Hm ... maybe it would have been better not to make an ox of myself.
Hah. Gladys must've loved this part of the story.
Forgrimm really deserves a reward for his deed!
Hmmm, how about if I had this ox helmet repaired by the local blacksmith? You can pick it up there, then. I'm afraid that I hardly have anything that would be useful to you, otherwise.
That's no reward, that helmet is already ours...
[Haggle] Are you sure? I'm sure a merchant of your repute has something more interesting to sell.
Five ducats! And we only spent ten farthings. A nice profit.
Farewell!
If you check with the blacksmith...
The helmet is for you? I had already wondered who it was for.
Well obviously. We'll check back later. Next time, one of the adventures you guys selected. Which one? Who knows!