Your Complete 2026 Guide To Finding Bard’s Guitar In The Forge

If you are searching for the Bard’s Guitar in The Forge, you need to find a hidden cave in the starting area. This guide provides the exact steps. First, get the quest from the sad Bard by the campfire. Then, find the secret entrance in the main cave near two NPCs. Your reward is a key to unlock a powerful late-game pickaxe.

This quest is a classic example of The Forge’s design. It hides valuable progression items behind simple tasks. The Bard’s Guitar quest is more than a fetch mission. It is your direct ticket to acquiring the Arcane Pickaxe, a top-tier tool. Understanding this quest’s secrets gives you a major early-game advantage.

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How to Start the Lost Bard’s Guitar In The Forge Quest

Your first task is to locate the Bard. You can find him immediately after spawning into the world of Stonewake’s Cross. Exit the spawn hut and turn to the right. Walk past Sensei Moro and continue towards Maria’s Potion Shop.

Beside the shop, you will see a campfire with a boulder. The Bard sits here, clearly upset. Interact with him and select the dialogue option to “Give me the quest” or accept his request for help. You must complete this step. If you find the guitar without talking to him first, you cannot pick it up.

Finding the Hidden Guitar Location

With the quest active, head towards the cave entrance on the island. Enter the Cave of Stonewake’s Cross and walk down the initial slope. You will see two NPCs, Nord and Umut the Brave, standing together.

From this spot, turn left. Walk a short distance until you are between two wooden pillars or lamp posts. Look at the wall on your left. You will see greenery, moss, and leaves covering part of the stone wall. This foliage hides the secret.

Walk directly into the leafy section of the wall. Your character will fall through into a hidden cavern below. A pro tip is to switch to First-Person Perspective (FPP) and have a lantern equipped for better visibility in the dark cave.

Inside the Secret Cave, you will find a skeleton against the wall. The Bard’s Guitar is on a rocky ledge just to the right of the skeleton. Press the interact button to pick it up. To leave, find the ladder in the cave, climb it, and jump forward to get back to the main tunnel.

Your Rewards for Completing the Quest

Return to the Bard at his campfire. Speak to him and choose the “Here is your guitar” option. You will instantly receive your rewards.

• Experience and Cash: You earn a sum of experience points (XP) and around $1,000 in-game currency.
• The Unknown Key: This is the critical reward. The Bard gives you an “Unknown Key”.
• The Guitar Finder Badge: Completing the quest also unlocks this badge for your profile.

The following table summarizes the key items and their uses:

Item Name	Primary Function	Key Detail
Unknown Key	Unlocks a gate in the Inner Cave area.	Grants access to the Fallen Angel’s Cave.
Arcane Pickaxe	A powerful S-tier mining tool found behind the gate.	Costs $125,000 to purchase after unlocking the area.

How to Use the Unknown Key and Get the Arcane Pickaxe

The quest does not end with the guitar’s return. The real value is in the key.

• Take the Unknown Key deeper into the Cave of Stonewake’s Cross, to an area known as the Inner Cave.
• Find the previously locked gate and use the key to open it.
• This reveals the Fallen Angel’s Cave. Inside, you will find the Arcane Pickaxe available for purchase.

This pickaxe is a major upgrade. Statistics from the game files show it has a Mining Power of 115, a 15% mine speed boost, 50% Luck, and three Rune Slots. Consequently, you should start saving immediately. The pickaxe costs a hefty $125,000.

Common Mistakes and Pro Tips

Many players get stuck on this quest. Avoid these common errors.

A major mistake is trying to grab the guitar before getting the quest from the Bard. The game will not let you collect it. Always talk to the NPC first. Another issue is missing the hidden entrance. The secret cave entry is not a door but a fall-through section of wall. If you do not walk into the leaves, you will not trigger the drop.

When climbing the ladder to exit, turn off your sprint function. You cannot climb while sprinting. If you get stuck at the top, try jumping and moving forward simultaneously.

Completing this quest early is highly recommended. The Arcane Pickaxe significantly speeds up your resource gathering. This efficiency helps you complete every other quest and forging goal much faster.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why can’t I pick up the guitar when I see it?

You must start the quest by speaking to the Bard at his campfire first. The game will not register the guitar as a collectible item until the quest is active in your log.

What does the Unknown Key unlock?

The key unlocks a mysterious gate in the Inner Cave section of Stonewake’s Cross. Behind this gate is the Fallen Angel’s Cave, where you can find and purchase the powerful Arcane Pickaxe.

Can I repeat the Bard’s Guitar quest for more rewards?

No, this is a one-time quest. After you return the guitar and collect your reward, you cannot complete it again for more keys or cash.

Is the Arcane Pickaxe necessary for the main story?

While not mandatory for basic progression, it is one of the best mining tools available. Its high stats make mining ores for forging much easier, effectively speeding up your entire gameplay experience.

Where exactly is the hidden cave entrance?

From the cave entrance, go down the slope until you see Nord and Umut the Brave. Turn left and look at the wall between the pillars for a patch of leaves and vines. Walking into this wall will drop you into the secret area.