A detailed guide to completing the “Proper Swamp Fondue” side quest, given by bar owner John Brown before the start of the “Wet Clue” main mission. We’ll explain how to start the quest and find John’s recipe and three “babehs” for the old cheeselegger.
Honestly, most of the side quests in Mouse: PI For Hire don’t require much physical effort. In this game, you’ll battle waves of enemies in arenas clearly inspired by the DOOM series , destroy dozens of monochromatic, crooked mice, and along the way, find and collect what some NPCs in the “Detective’s Office” want. That is, of course, if you’ve managed to listen to their instructions.
You can also check out our main guide , which includes general information on side quests, a list of them, and links to each individual article with a detailed walkthrough.
But the “Proper Swamp Fondue” quest actually turned out to be one of the most challenging in the game. In fact, during my first playthrough, I had to reload and backtrack quite a bit to complete all the objectives.
Let us save you the trouble. We’ll tell you how to find the perfect swamp fondue recipe for John, after completing the old cheeselegger’s quest to find three “babehs.”
How to start the “Proper Swamp Fondue” quest
The “Proper Swamp Fondue” quest will be available to complete in the second half of the game, so you’ll need to be patient and wait a bit before you can take on this optional mission. Specifically, it becomes available immediately after you unlock and can begin the main quest “Wet Clue.” Speak with John Brown, the bartender at Little & Big, and he’ll share all the details.
He’s looking for an old recipe for a proper swamp fondue to offer to his bar patrons. Apparently, it can be found in the Far Wetlands location, where you’ll be heading for the main quest “Wet Clue.” After talking to John, you can set out. Make sure the side quest information appears on your screen.
As a fun Easter egg, after completing this mission for John Brown, you’ll see a new dish on the menu above the bar at Little & Big.
How to complete the “Proper Swamp Fondue” quest
Now that the additional quest has appeared in your journal and on your screen, it’s time to head to the Far Wetlands, where… the swamps await you.
Find the old cheeselegger
This time, you’ll have to complete several objectives at once. First, you must find the Old Cheeselegger—a grumpy anthropomorphic rodent with a distinctly “rolling ball” look. Find him, talk to him (or rather, listen to him sing), and then the NPC will send Jack Pepper in search of three “babes.” These are the ones he wants in exchange for the recipe for the proper swamp fondue that John Brown needs.
However, there’s a chance that you might not find the old cheeselegger on your own, naturally progressing through the story mission, since Far Wetlands is one of the most open locations in the game, and the character you need is located off to the side of the main route.
Instead, look for the hut in the screenshot above. You won’t miss the hut itself, as it’ll be right in front of you about a third of the way through the mission. Look around inside the hut to find an Old Cheeselegger.
Baby No. 1
Now about the “babehs” themselves. In the game, these items look identical: like closed cardboard boxes.
The first baby is located in a shaft you’ll enter during the main quest “Wet Clue.” Look for an elevator shaft at the top, as well as two hooks on the left side of the shaft that you can use to move. To find the first baby, you need to jump down and slightly to the left, landing on a ledge in the leftmost part of the cave inside the shaft.
The screenshot above shows the view you’ll see after successfully landing on the right platform. So if your screen looks something like this, you’re in the right place. From this ledge, you can enter the cave. And if you look closely, you’ll see the first box. Pick it up. There are two more to find.
Baby No. 2
Don’t worry, the second crate is the easiest to find. It’s located right on the path to the main objective, so you’ll definitely not miss the room you need.
Eventually, you’ll reach the eerie dining room pictured above, complete with a working fireplace. On the right side of the dining room is the second baby.
Baby No. 3
The third crate is much harder to find, and you probably won’t be able to find it on your first try. You’ll have to return to a previously completed section of the level using manual saves. However, it’s located in a very easy-to-reach spot. You need to reach the huge, wrecked steamship you’ll see as you move through the swamps along the main mission.
The third baby is on the roof, hidden under a ramp at the top of the ship. You’ll have to climb onto the platform to find this final crate.
To make things easier, there are several trampolines near the bow of the ship that you can use to jump onto the roof. Use them if you’re having trouble.
After finding the three Bebehs, you need to find the old cheeselegger again on the same level before returning home.
Back to the old cheese legger
Fortunately, the old cheeselegger has already abandoned his original position. Apparently, he possesses the ability to teleport, or at least knows about the existence of the teleportation tubes you recently began using, starting in this level.
To meet the old cheeselegger again and give him three babys, continue the main quest. Before leaving the level where you have to use the plane to escape home, take your time and linger. Turn away from the plane and head back.
Hiding in the back of the building you’re currently standing near is an old cheeselegger. Talk to him, listen to some more snide remarks, and he’ll finally give you the recipe for the perfect swamp fondue that bartender John Brown needs.
All that’s left is to return to the plane and leave the area. And yes, another boss battle awaits you .
Reward
Return to the detective’s office in Mouseburg, go to John Brown’s bar. Give him the recipe, and he’ll give you another token for the prize machine inside the bar. If you collect 20 tokens (no more is needed), you’ll be able to open the prize cabinet in the corner of the bar. This will give you a secret weapon, the “RazMishator X1” ray gun. This is the only weapon that won’t unlock automatically.