If you’re diving into The Forge and looking for a solid challenge, Captain Rowan is the NPC you want to meet. He offers a series of combat quests that test your skills against waves of skeleton enemies. These quests are a great way to earn XP, cash, and some unique rewards while sharpening your fighting abilities.
Here’s how to find Captain Rowan and start his quests
First, you need to complete Sensei Moro’s early quests to get the Portal Tool. This tool lets you teleport to the Forgotten Kingdom, also known as World 2, where Captain Rowan’s camp is located. If you’re new, check out Sensei Moro’s quest guide to get started.
Finding Captain Rowan’s camp near the Ruined Cave
Once you’re in the Forgotten Kingdom, head toward the Ruined Cave area. Captain Rowan’s camp is set up nearby on a hilltop. A handy shortcut is to use the cannon at the spawn point : it shoots you straight up to the hill, saving a lot of travel time. For more on key locations, see our The Forge key locations and secrets guide.
What you’ll face in his quests
Captain Rowan’s quests start simple but ramp up quickly. Here’s a quick look at the enemy types and progression:
| Quest Stage | Enemies |
|---|---|
| Early | Skeleton Rogues, Axe Skeletons |
| Mid | Deathaxe Skeletons, Elite Rogues |
| Late | Elite Deathaxe Skeletons, The Reaper |
You’ll start by taking down small groups of Skeleton Rogues and Axe Skeletons. As you progress, expect tougher foes like Deathaxe Skeletons and eventually the powerful Reaper.
Preparing for the increasing difficulty
The enemy numbers and strength increase with each quest. It’s important to:
- Upgrade your weapons to deal 30+ damage.
- Improve your armor for better defense.
- Equip slot runes that boost your abilities.
Carrying health potions (Health Potion I) from Maria at Stonewake’s Cross is also a smart move, especially for the harder waves. For tips on runes and boosting your gear, see The Forge runes explained.
Combat tips from experience
- Use fast, high-damage weapons to clear enemies quickly.
- Don’t hesitate to team up with other players for the toughest quests.
- Take advantage of the cannon shortcut to save time between quests.
Rewards you can expect
Completing Captain Rowan’s quests grants:
- Experience points (XP) to level up.
- Cash for upgrades and gear.
- Race Rerolls, which let you customize your character’s traits.
Returning to Captain Rowan
After finishing each quest, be sure to go back to Captain Rowan to receive the next one. This keeps your progress smooth and ensures you don’t miss out on rewards.
Challenges to keep in mind
- Some quests require grinding large numbers of high-tier skeletons.
- Rare ore drops like Eye Ore are hard to find and may require multiple runs.
Final thoughts
From my experience, the cannon shortcut is a real time-saver, and progressing through the waves of undead gives a satisfying sense of accomplishment. With the right upgrades, runes, and a bit of patience, Captain Rowan’s quests offer a rewarding path to mastering combat in The Forge.
Now that you know how to unlock, find, and conquer Captain Rowan’s quests, you’re set to advance confidently in The Forge. Good luck out there! For tracking your progress through quests and upgrades, consider using the The Forge checklist.
