The Bard’s Lost Guitar quest in The Forge is one of the first puzzles that asks you to look beyond obvious paths. The game gives you almost no direction, and the solution relies on a hidden drop inside the starting cave of World 1, Stonewake’s Cross.
How to start the Bard’s Lost Guitar quest
The Bard lives in Stonewake’s Cross, the first hub area in World 1. As you explore the village, you’ll find him sitting near a campfire, upset about his missing instrument. Speaking to him starts the Lost Guitar quest.
Once the quest is active, your only objective is to locate the guitar somewhere on the first island. There is no waypoint or map marker, so you need to know where the game hides its first secret cave.
Where the Lost Guitar is hidden (World 1, Stonewake’s Cross)
The guitar is not lying anywhere in the village; it sits in a small secret room underneath the main mine entrance on the first island.
| Step | Location or cue | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stonewake’s Cross, first island | From the Bard’s campfire, head toward the large cave entrance nearby (the main mine in World 1). |
| 2 | Cave entrance | Enter the cave and walk down the initial ramp or walkway that leads into the mine. |
| 3 | First junction at the bottom | As soon as you reach the bottom of the walkway, immediately turn left at the first crossing instead of going straight ahead. |
| 4 | Support pillars and muddy patch | Look between two wooden support pillars for a small patch of muddy ground with a leafy bush or vines growing out of it. |
| 5 | Hidden drop | Walk directly over the bush and muddy patch. There is an invisible hole here; you will fall through the floor. |
| 6 | Secret cave | After the drop, you land in a hidden room. Inside you’ll see a skeleton and the Bard’s Lost Guitar. |
| 7 | Guitar pickup | Interact with the guitar to pick it up and add it to your inventory for the quest. |
| 8 | Ladder exit | Use the ladder in the secret room to climb back up to the main cave and return to the surface. |
Tip: If you are unsure you’re in the right place, use two visual cues: the two wooden pillars close together and the single bush with large leaves between them. Stepping on this bush is what triggers the fall.
Returning the guitar to the Bard
Once you have the guitar, leave the cave via the ladder, walk back out to Stonewake’s Cross, and return to the campfire where the Bard is sitting. Talk to him again to hand over the instrument and complete the quest.
Bard’s Lost Guitar quest rewards
Finishing the Lost Guitar quest grants an early boost of money and experience, plus an important key item used in later content.
| Reward | Type | Use |
|---|---|---|
| $1000 | Currency | Spend on early-game needs such as crafting, upgrades, or other quest costs. |
| 250 XP | Experience | Contributes to leveling up, which helps unlock and survive tougher content. |
| Unknown Key | Key item | Used later to unlock the Arcane Pickaxe mini quest or secret content. |
The Unknown Key is the main reason to prioritize this quest early. It opens up access to an Arcane Pickaxe-related objective, giving you a path into more advanced gathering and progression.
Once the Bard has his guitar back and the rewards are claimed, you are free to move on to other early quests in Stonewake’s Cross, work through Sensei Moro’s tasks, or start preparing for World 2. The hidden drop in the mine sets the tone for The Forge: secrets are often tucked just off the main path, behind what looks like ordinary scenery.
