Bard looks pretty down in The Forge, and it’s no surprise: he’s lost his guitar! Helping him out not only cheers him up but also kicks off a cool quest that gets you some great rewards early on.
Here’s the quick scoop: start the quest by chatting with Bard near the spawn in Stonewake’s Cross. Then, head into the cave on the first island, turn left at the bottom, and carefully walk over a bush patch to drop into a secret underground room where the guitar waits. Grab it by pressing E (make sure you started the quest!), return it to Bard, and enjoy XP, cash, and the Unknown Key. That key unlocks a hidden gate to the Fallen Angel’s Cave, where you can buy the powerful Arcane Pickaxe.
Let’s start by talking to Bard
- Near the spawn area in Stonewake’s Cross, find Bard standing around looking sad.
- Interact with him to start the "Bard’s Lost Guitar" quest. This is a great early quest similar to how you begin with Sensei Moro’s quests that teach you core game mechanics.
Here’s where you find the guitar
- Go to the first island and enter the cave there.
- At the bottom of the walkway inside, immediately turn left.
- Walk carefully over a patch of bushes: this will drop you into a secret underground room.
- Inside, you’ll see a skeleton and Bard’s lost guitar.
Pro tip: That bush drop is easy to miss if you don’t explore slowly. Take your time and look carefully! For more hidden spots, check out our key locations and secrets guide.
Picking up the guitar
- Press the interact key (E) to pick up the guitar.
- Remember: the quest must be started first, or you won’t be able to collect it.
Returning the guitar and completing the quest
- Head back to Bard near spawn.
- Talk to him and select the dialogue option to return the guitar and finish the quest.
What you get for helping Bard
| Reward | Details |
|---|---|
| XP | A nice boost to help you level up |
| Cash | Some in-game money for gear or items |
| Unknown Key | Unlocks a hidden gate inside the cave |
Using the Unknown Key
- Go back to the cave where you found the guitar.
- Use the Unknown Key to open a hidden gate leading to the Fallen Angel’s Cave.
- Inside, you can buy the Arcane Pickaxe for a high price.
The Arcane Pickaxe gives a +50% Luck bonus, making it one of the best early-game pickaxes. It’s a solid upgrade that really helps with mining and loot. For tips on upgrading your gear further, see our best weapon recipes guide.
No special race or codes are needed for this quest, and you can only do it once. It’s one of the first side quests that really sets you up with a strong tool early on.
Final thoughts
Now you know exactly how to help Bard, find his lost guitar, and unlock a powerful pickaxe. Don’t forget to explore the cave fully with your new key: there’s more to discover! This quest is a neat way to get some XP, cash, and a great tool without any hassle. Happy mining! For a handy overview of all tasks, consider using the The Forge checklist.
