Stumbling upon a quest in a game like The Forge is exciting, but getting stuck because of a well-hidden path can be frustrating. One such quest is finding the lost Bard’s Guitar. Many players walk right past its secret location without a second glance.
This guide will walk you through the exact steps to locate the Bard, find the hidden cave entrance, and retrieve the guitar to complete the quest successfully.
Starting the Quest: Find the Bard
Your journey begins in the relative safety of the World 1 Campfire area. This is a common hub where you’ll find various NPCs resting and offering quests.
Look for a forlorn-looking character, the Bard, usually sitting near the fire. Interact with him, and he will explain that he has lost his beloved guitar somewhere in the nearby caves. Agree to help him to officially start the quest, “The Bard’s Lost Melody” or a similarly named task in your quest log.
The Journey to the Hidden Cave
Once you have the quest, head towards the cave system adjacent to the campfire. This is the main path that most players will naturally follow.
Enter the Cave: From the campfire, proceed directly into the large, obvious cave mouth.
Follow the Main Path: Continue along the primary path. You’ll likely encounter some weak enemies and standard environmental puzzles. Keep moving forward.
Reach the Overgrown Wall: The critical point comes when you reach a section of the cave that seems to be a dead end. This wall is covered in thick vines and foliage, making it look completely impassable at first glance. This is the secret many players miss.
Locating the Secret Entrance
This is the most crucial part of the quest. The “door” to the guitar is not a traditional one.
Do not turn around. Do not look for a switch.
Approach the overgrown wall covered in vines.
Walk directly into it.
The vines are a visual trick. Your character will clip right through them, revealing a small, narrow hole in the cave wall that was completely obscured by the foliage. This is your hidden entrance.
Retrieving the Bard’s Guitar
Crawl Through the Hole: Move through the newly revealed passage.
Enter the Hidden Chamber: You will emerge into a small, secluded room within the larger cave.
Find the Loot: In this chamber, you will find the Bard’s Guitar lying on the ground next to a skeleton—a somber hint at the fate of the last person who tried to retrieve it.
Pick It Up: Interact with the guitar to add it to your inventory.
Completing the Quest
Your task is not finished until you return the guitar to its owner.
Exit the Cave: Simply leave the hidden chamber and backtrack the way you came, through the main cave path, until you reach the World 1 Campfire.
Return to the Bard: Speak with the Bard again.
Hand Over the Guitar: Select the dialogue option to give him his lost instrument.
He will gratefully thank you, and the quest will be marked as complete in your log. You will receive your reward, which typically includes experience points, currency, and perhaps a unique buff or item from the grateful Bard.
FAQ
Q: I’m at the wall with vines, but I can’t go through. Is my game bugged?
A: Make sure you are pressing directly into the center of the vine-covered wall. Sometimes, positioning is key. If it still doesn’t work, try reloading your game. It is not a bug; the collision is simply turned off for that specific wall texture.
Q: Can I complete this quest later in the game?
A: Yes, you can typically complete this quest at any time, as long as you have access to the World 1 Campfire and its connecting cave.
Q: What is the reward for finding the Bard’s Guitar?
A: Rewards vary, but they commonly include a generous amount of XP, some gold, and occasionally a unique cosmetic item or a temporary stat-boosting buff from the Bard’s song of gratitude.
Q: Is the hidden path marked on the map?
A: No, the entrance is intentionally unmarked on the in-game map to encourage exploration and reward players for their observation skills.
Conclusion
Finding the Bard’s Guitar in The Forge is a classic example of a quest that rewards keen eyes and a willingness to challenge what the game environment shows you. The key is understanding that the “wall” of vines is an illusion. By starting the quest with the Bard at the campfire, following the main cave path to the overgrown dead-end, and walking straight through the deceptive foliage, you will easily claim the guitar and earn your reward. Happy hunting