As a longtime fan who has eagerly explored every corner of the Final Fantasy games, I was instantly intrigued when the rumors swirled about a new emotional side quest chain dubbed "Blacksmith‘s Blues" buried within the rich world of FF16.
And upon finally getting my hands on the full game at launch, I made thoroughly investigating these optional stories revolving around the Hammer Town Hideaway‘s tight-lipped blacksmith, Blackthorne, a top priority in my playthrough.
Having now pieced together the shattering tale across its satisfying four chapter structure through multiple repeat runs, allow me – as a experienced professional gamer and content creator – to comprehensively walk you through every key facet uncovered within this understated yet rewarding narrative-driven experience.
Blacksmith‘s Blues I: Slaying the Deadly Dozmare
Kicking off the chain by speaking to August and the other Hideaway townsfolk, our first clues point towards notable sightings of a vicious griffin dubbed Dozmare disturbing the peace around Cae Norvent on the outskirts of town.
This Mythic beast‘s combination of sharp falcon-like claws, ram-strength horns, and a lion‘s savage bite make it a formidable foe boasting the following stats:
| Stat | Dozmare Griffin |
|---|---|
| Health Points | 18,000 |
| Attack | 850 |
| Magic Resist | 20% |
| Weaknesses | Fire spells |
I‘d highly recommend equipping Eikon Phoenix and aiming for a high Evade build for this fight given Dozmare‘s heavy offense. Around Lostwing Meadows, beware ambushes from roaming Garulessas and Wolves during your search.
Ultimately, the showdown takes place just outside Cae Norvent River Gate amongst craggy canyon walls buffeted by raging rapids. The scenery makes for an iconic backdrop as Dozmare swoops down mercilessly from dizzying heights.
Stay nimble on your feet, and blast fire spells the moment your foe hovers briefly. With Phoienix‘s Hellfire and your best greatsword at the ready, you‘ll fell the mythical monster soon enough.
Rewards for this dramatic confrontation include:
- 8500 Gil
- 550 Exp
- 20 Renown
- Scarletite x1
- Meteorite x1
And afterwards, interacting with the strange hermit in the bushes cues a cutscene revealing…
Blacksmith‘s Blues II: Ambushing Otto‘s Assailants
…a clue tying the peculiar man at Dozmare‘s next to Blackthorne himself. But first, an old friend needs Clive‘s saving hands – traveling merchant Otto barely escapes bandits raiding his wares and is left bankrupt at Dalimil Inn.
This time the path leads south towards the scorching Velkroy Desert, where rounded dunes harbor Palm Cryst oases as reprieves from the harsh beating sun.
Use the map marker to zero in on the precise position of the brigands near some shaded palms. Their posse consists of 1 leader – Balgerda – surrounded by 4 sidekicks. Balgerda‘s burly strength coupled with her subordinate‘s coordinated strikes make separating her from the pack a priority.
I took them out utilizing hit-and-run guerilla tactics – intercepting lone stragglers with Garrador‘s gap-closing LD ability for isolated kills. Eventually their backbone broke upon Balgerda‘s demise, rewarding sharp-eyed scavengers among us with a stash of pilfered goods. Now to return them to a heavily gratified Otto, whose wares should offer discounts after his reversal of misfortunes.
For our troubles, Blackthorne gifts an Excalibur sword diagram – invaluable for boosting greatsword damage stats if your gear is lagging behind enemies scaling up.
Blacksmith‘s Blues III: Salamander Slaying with Zoltan
Leaving arid veldt, this round August dispatches us towards Tabor Hills in search of a Zoltan – potentially tying into Blackthorne‘s lineage like others preceding. Past the winding slopes lies a ramshackle hut housing the man himself, surprisingly sprightly despite hair as white as snow.
Regaling the stories of beast hunting from his youth, Zoltan requests we fetch him the carcass of a rare Sizzling Desert Salamander said to inhabit nearby caves as his proof. He equips us though with special salamander bait to draw out the crafty amphibian.
29% of Tabor Caverns are underwater, so attaining Aquainfo Eikon Shiva proved invaluable for withstanding the Salamander‘s favored terrain. A few tips for claiming its scalding hide:
- Health: 15,000
- Weakness: Lightning damage
- Resists: Water damage
Utilize two accessories providing Shockwave Boost for maximum voltage. Remember to keep antidotes handy – the Salamander‘s gullet harbors lethal toxins capable of poisoning Clive. Ultimately though, properly prepared, this fight proves more smoke than actual fire.
Blacksmith‘s Blues IV: Defending Dravezd Village
At long last, the finale reveals itself as Akashic wormholes rupture violently above remote mountain hamlet Dravézd – the site of Blackthorne‘s childhood no less! Wave after wave of voidsent enemies spew forth chaotically just as Clive arrives, threatening to overwhelm the humble village.
I‘ll confess, with nearly two dozen white scaled fiends scurrying about while rifts blast open sporadically, this battle‘s chaotic nature makes translating coherent strategy difficult! It becomes a pure test of endurance and damage output checking all threats.
The most dangerous of these – ultimately bursting forth through the largest wormhole – is a colossal mutated Chimera grafting the traits of the following trespassing Eikons:
- Akbolto: Poison Feathers | 7000 HP
- Sabertooth: Vorpal Claws | 6000 HP
- Iguvendo: Tsunami | 8000 HP
Thus its combined 21,000 HP pool and diverse elemental affinities force careful adaptation with Eikon shifts. Bait its gap closers and leverage guard counters while saving magic for AOE crowd control.
Ultimately, weathering the marathon onslaught finally stabilizes poor Blackthorne‘s broken community, lifting a weight off the broad shoulders carrying his past.
Closure Through Catharsis
And therein unveils the crux of this profound four chapter emotional arc. By liberating Blackthorne‘s deeply scarred loved ones from turmoil and vanishing threats rooted in his memories, Clive slowly mends the smith‘s long-festering guilt over failing to uphold past duties.
Much like expertly hammering metal, this red hot tempering fire forges Blackthorne anew. Each X on the quest log crossing off names like Zoltan to the survival of his ancestral home delivers a hammer‘s pound, melting away the possessive shackles of past trauma. Liberating demons without to better battle lingering demons within.
Thus in terms of rewards, the Gold and super rare weapon diagrams feel secondary to truly witnessing rounded closure for the Hammeryard‘s stalwart yet silently suffering crafter.
What we gain stretches beyond mere coin – these vignettes bind players tightly to FF16‘s wonderfully characterized game world filled with intricate story threads woven into Blackthorne‘s brooding arc.
So I highly recommend all wanderers immerse themselves within Blacksmith Blues’ profound spiraling journey through loss, guilt and hard won salvation. Its rewarding rhythm will work magic upon that shriveled soul!
