Just a note to anyone searching online after learning of the the quest "Land of the Desperate" (which has a limited window of opportunity to trigger), the GamePressure (or whatever the site is called) guide online portays an incorrect clue. The pair of "thugs" which you must listen to are not the two in the Marketplace but in the audience at the Crucible (they are indeed Thugs not Mercenaries) and they are wearing hard-hats. Just thought I might flag this. Enjoy the game.