Are you struggling to find Bard’s Guitar in The Forge? I’ve been there too! This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of locating this elusive quest item and claiming the amazing rewards that come with it. Whether you’re a new player or just stuck on this particular quest, I’ve got you covered with detailed instructions, troubleshooting tips, and insider knowledge that most guides miss.
In this guide, you’ll discover exactly where to find Bard’s Guitar, how to start the quest correctly, what rewards you’ll receive, and why this quest is absolutely crucial for your early-game progression in The Forge. Let’s dive in!
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Quest Giver | Bard (located in Stonewake’s Cross) |
| Quest Location | Secret cave in Stonewake’s Cross area |
| Key Requirements | Must start quest by talking to Bard first |
| Main Reward | Unknown Key (unlocks Arcane Pickaxe) |
| Additional Rewards | XP, Cash, Guitar Finder Badge |
| Difficulty | Easy (but hidden location makes it tricky) |
| Importance | High (essential for early-game progression) |
Finding Bard’s Guitar isn’t just about knowing the location—it’s about understanding the quest mechanics and avoiding common pitfalls that many players encounter. Let me break this down into a comprehensive step-by-step process that guarantees success.
Before you can even think about finding the guitar, you need to start the quest properly. This is where many players go wrong!
Bard’s Location:
Starting the Quest:
Pro Tip: You absolutely MUST start the quest by talking to Bard first! I can’t stress this enough—many players waste hours searching for the guitar only to discover they can’t pick it up because they forgot this crucial step.
Now that the quest is active, it’s time to find the guitar’s hidden location. This is where the real adventure begins!
Directions to the Secret Cave:
The Secret Entrance: Here’s the tricky part that confuses most players—the entrance is completely invisible! The bush patch is actually covering a hidden hole in the ground. When you walk into the right spot, you’ll automatically drop down into the secret cave.
Visual Cues to Look For:
Once you’ve successfully dropped into the secret cave, finding the guitar is straightforward.
Inside the Secret Cave:
What to Do If You Don’t See the Guitar:
With the guitar in hand, it’s time to complete the quest and reap the rewards!
Returning to Bard:
Quest Rewards You’ll Receive:
I want to emphasize why completing Bard’s Guitar quest should be one of your top priorities when starting The Forge. This isn’t just some random side quest—it’s a game-changer for your early progression.
The Unknown Key you receive is actually the key to unlocking one of the best early-game pickaxes available:
What the Unknown Key Unlocks:
Why the Arcane Pickaxe Matters:
Beyond the immediate rewards, completing this quest early gives you several advantages:
Progression Benefits:
Economic Benefits:
Based on my research and community feedback, here are the most common issues players encounter and how to solve them:
Problem: You find the guitar but can’t pick it up. Solution: Always talk to Bard and start the quest before searching for the guitar. The guitar won’t be interactable until the quest is active.
Problem: You’re searching in the wrong cave or area. Solution: The guitar is specifically in Stonewake’s Cross, not in other areas. Make sure you’re in the first area’s cave, not later game areas.
Problem: You can’t find the invisible hole to drop down. Solution: The entrance is in the bush patch opposite Umut the Brave. Try walking along the wall in that corner area—you’ll drop down automatically when you hit the right spot.
Problem: You’re in the secret cave but don’t see the guitar. Solution: The guitar is beside the skeleton, not on it. Check the rocks around the skeleton carefully. It can blend in with the environment.
PC Players:
Mobile Players:
Console Players:
Want to take your Bard’s Guitar quest completion to the next level? Here are some pro tips I’ve discovered:
Optimal Path:
Time-Saving Techniques:
What to Do After Getting the Arcane Pickaxe:
Synergy with Other Quests:
I reached out to the official sources and community to bring you some additional insights that you won’t find in most guides.
From FireAtacck (Lead Developer):
Community Manager Notes:
Top Community Strategies:
Common Player Feedback:
Based on community questions and search data, here are the most common queries about Bard’s Guitar:
You must start the quest by talking to Bard first! The guitar won’t be interactable until you’ve accepted the quest from him. Go back to Stonewake’s Cross, find Bard, press E to interact, and accept his quest. Then return to the guitar location and you’ll be able to pick it up.
The entrance is an invisible hole in the ground located in a bush patch area in The Cave. From the cave entrance, go down the slope and turn left. Look for Umut the Brave NPC, then find the grassy/bush area on the opposite wall. Walk into the corner where the greenery meets the wall—you’ll drop down automatically.
The Unknown Key unlocks a gated area within The Cave that leads to Fallen Angel’s Cave. Inside, you’ll find the Arcane Pickaxe, which is one of the best early-game mining tools. This pickaxe will significantly improve your ore gathering efficiency.
While not technically required for the main story, it’s highly recommended. The Arcane Pickaxe you obtain makes all gathering and crafting activities much easier, effectively speeding up your overall progression through the game.
No, this is a one-time quest. Once you’ve completed it and received the rewards, you cannot do it again on the same character. However, the rewards (especially the Arcane Pickaxe) are permanent and will serve you throughout your gameplay.
There’s no level requirement! This is designed as an early-game quest that new players can complete immediately after starting the game. In fact, completing it early will give you a significant advantage in progression.
The developers designed it as a hidden quest to teach players about exploration and attention to detail in The Forge. The invisible entrance concept is meant to encourage thorough exploration of the game world.
Don’t worry! The guitar will remain in your inventory even if you die. You won’t lose it and can continue the quest by returning to Bard as normal.
Yes! The Forge features several hidden quests and secret areas. The Bard’s Guitar quest is just one example of the game’s emphasis on exploration and discovery. Keep exploring and talking to NPCs to find more hidden content.
No, these items are soulbound and cannot be traded. They’re personal rewards that are meant to help your individual progression through the game.
Want to expand your knowledge of The Forge even further? Check out these related guides and resources:
Congratulations! You now have everything you need to successfully find Bard’s Guitar in The Forge and claim those valuable rewards. Remember, this quest is more than just a simple fetch task—it’s your key to unlocking better progression and making your early-game experience much smoother.
Key Takeaways:
What to Do After This Guide:
I hope this comprehensive guide has helped you on your journey through The Forge! The game is constantly evolving with new updates and content, so be sure to bookmark this page and check back regularly for the latest information and strategies.
Have you found Bard’s Guitar yet? Did this guide help you? Let me know in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this with other Forge players who might be struggling with this quest!
Remember to save this guide for future reference—The Forge is regularly updated, and quest details may change. I’ll keep this guide current with the latest information!
