Up The Ladder

 is a Quest in Outward. It is fourth in the series of main quests, and is the first quest of the Sorobor Academy quest-line.

Quest Summary
The first quest of the Sorobor Academy faction sees the player working their way up through the ranks of the Sorobor Academy. What starts out as a few simple errands very quickly demonstrates the harshness of the Antique Plateau, and the lengths certain members of the Academy are willing to go to in order to make it out here.

Busy Work
"Speak to one of Sorobor’s Deans about doing some work."

The beginning of this quest involves picking a Dean to do some busy-work for. You can choose one of three options, simply do whichever one is easiest for you. You can continue doing more work for other Deans after the first one if you want, but it is not mandatory.


 * Gregory Turnbull, Dean of the Arcane asks for 1 Purity Potion, and rewards you with 15 silver.
 * Erica Kasper, Dean of Naturalism asks you to give 2 Nightmare Mushrooms to "Platypus" Pete at the Citizens Barracks Inn in eastern Harmattan (the Inn near Erica). After giving Pete the mushrooms, return to Erica and receive 15 silver.
 * Samuel Laurent, Dean of Engineering asks for 1 full waterskin of Leyline Water, and rewards you with 15 silver. You can collect Leyline Water at the Mana Lake in south-eastern Antique Plateau.

"Speak with Victor Berthelot about getting a faster promotion."

Speak to Victor Berthelot, Dean of the Military in the Military district in eastern Harmattan about doing some work. He will task you with two objectives: to help Artois Sutherland retrieve a stolen package from some bandits, and to help Desy Laroche retrieve a delivery from the Abandoned Storage room.

Artois
"Help Artois retrieve a stolen package from the bandits in the Ancient Bunker, in the North-West of the Antique Plateau."

Head to the Abandoned Living Quarters in north-west Antique Plateau (which is accessible via the Runic Train system if you have unlocked it). Artois is directly ahead from the exterior Antique Plateau entrance, or at the top of the dungeon if you used the train.

Speak to the non-aggressive Bandits here and you have two options.

"[Optional] Bring the bandits 5 sticks of ordinary Meat Jerky, 1 Waterskin, 1 Iron Claymore and 1 Iron Halberd."

Get 5 Jerky (regular only), 1 Waterskin, 1 Iron Claymore and 1 Iron Halberd and give these items to the Bandits. There is likely a time-limit on this.

"Defeat the Bandits and rescue Artois!"

Simply defeat all three bandits to complete this section. You do not need to talk to Artois afterwards.

Desy
"Help Desy retrieve a delivery from the Abandoned Storage Room, along the South-East side of Harmattan’s cliff."

Head to the Abandoned Storage, east of the southern exit of Harmattan in Antique Plateau. Inside you will see a brightly illuminated Immaculate ahead, the Butcher of Men, who is not aggressive for now. Speak to him and he will fill your glass vial with his blood as Victor requested.

Desy regains consciousness and urges us to attack the Butcher, as she believes he is too dangerous to allow him to leave. You have the option of letting him go or fighting him.

"Fight the Butcher of Men and protect Desy!"

If you choose to fight him, you must defeat him in combat without the help of Desy. The Butcher is weak to Lightning damage, and drops a unique item.

Finishing Up
"Return to Victor Berthelot."

After completing both tasks, return to Victor Berthelot, Dean of the Military in Harmattan to complete the quest.