Bard’s missing guitar is one of the first side quests you can tackle in The Forge, and it hides a surprisingly important upgrade for early mining. The trick is that the guitar only appears once the quest is active, and it’s tucked away behind an invisible drop inside the first cave.
How to start Bard’s Guitar quest in The Forge

Tip: If you reach the cave and can’t pick up the guitar, return to Stonewake’s Cross and make sure you have spoken to Bard and started the quest first.
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Once the quest is active, the guitar is found inside a secret drop area near the start of the cave on Stonewake’s Cross.



Note: If pressing E does nothing, you either haven’t started the quest with Bard, or you’re not close enough to the guitar’s interaction hitbox. Adjust your position slightly and try again.
How to return Bard’s Guitar and finish the quest

Once turned in, Bard’s dialogue and rewards change permanently; you cannot repeat the quest for more loot on the same character.
What you get for completing Bard’s Guitar quest
Bringing the guitar back is more than just a feel-good favor. The completion rewards are tuned to give you a strong early-game push:
- Unknown Key: A rare key that opens a locked gate deeper inside the cave on Stonewake’s Cross. Behind that gate is the Fallen Angel’s Cave, where you can obtain the Arcane Pickaxe, one of the strongest early pickaxes in The Forge.
- XP: A chunk of experience that helps you level up quickly in the first hour of play.
- Cash: A stash of gold you can immediately put into better weapons or gear that pair well with your chosen race.
- The Guitar Finder badge: A badge marking that you’ve successfully completed the Lost Guitar quest.
Because the Unknown Key leads directly to the Arcane Pickaxe, Bard’s Guitar is one of the most valuable side quests to do as soon as you reach Stonewake’s Cross.
Common questions about Bard’s Guitar in The Forge
Why can’t I pick up Bard’s Guitar even when I’m standing on it?
The quest must be active before the guitar becomes an interactable item. Talk to Bard at the campfire near the Stonewake’s Cross spawn, accept his request, then return to the hidden cave and try again.
Is the Unknown Key required to progress the main story?
No. The Unknown Key is optional for core progression, but it unlocks the Fallen Angel’s Cave with the Arcane Pickaxe. Skipping it means missing an efficient early mining upgrade.
Can Bard’s Guitar quest be repeated for more XP or cash?
No. Once you hand the guitar back and receive your rewards, the quest is complete and cannot be redone on that character.
Handled early, Bard’s Guitar turns a short detour in Stonewake’s Cross into one of the most useful power spikes in The Forge, opening up better ore routes and faster progression long before later worlds come into play.






