As an avid FF16 enthusiast, I was eagerly anticipating the Blacksmith Blues side questline. Across four multi-part capers, players assist renowned smithy Blackthorne with overcoming threats both external and personal. The narrative hooks pulled me in instantly while the bountiful rewards kept me pushing through to the climax. For fellow fans keen on unraveling this memorable saga, here‘s an in-depth walkthrough from a gamer who‘s gleaned all there is to know about Blacksmith Blues.
Investigating the Blacksmith‘s Plight
From the quest‘s outset, it‘s apparent the normally spirited Blackthorne is beset with troubles. Our first hints come from his dutiful apprentice August, crestfallen at his mentor‘s uncharacteristic gloom. As concerning rumors swirl, he implores the valiant Clive to uncover the root of Blackthorne‘s woes.
Visiting the renowned smithy myself, his distress was palpable. Once jovial and quick to banter with clients, his sullen demeanor felt jarring for a figure of his stature. Between muttered self-doubts about his capabilities, I gleaned worries of fading prowess – troubles that likely jeopardized his standing across Rosaria.
As a fan who‘s followed his famous exploits, Blackthorne‘s visible loss of conviction surprised me. What could be debilitating this stalwart paragon renowned by even the eclipse-consorting Caelestians? Had the growing chaos from the Blights taken a toll on the unflappable veteran? I had to know more.
Heeding August‘s call, our first clues emerged from citizen chatter in their quaint home of Dravozd. While the village seemed peaceful, Blackthorne‘s associates mentioned ominous run-ins with opportunistic bandits. As raider activity increased across Rosaria, they must have turned their sights on vulnerable frontier towns.
It became clear these persistent attacks were destabilizing the region, perhaps even disrupting Blackthorne‘s material imports. While mere speculation for now, my gamer instincts tell me this thread bears watching closely…
Pursuing the First Lead
With this context, August dispatches us to eliminate a vicious Griffin which began encroaching pass Caer Norvent. Now on high-alert after learning of increasing large predator sightings, I swiftly tracked the mythic beast down, expecting a brutal confrontation. To my surprise however, it barely put up a fight before being felled by Clive‘s practiced strikes.
As a seasoned gamer, this anti-climax evoked flashbacks to Witcher 3‘s exotic hunts. Like Geralt pursuing legendary game for prideful aristocrats, was I merely running errands to reinvigorate a sulking craftsman? It seemed our mythical monster was but a welcome distraction – one last grandiose escapade before Blackthorne hung up his smithing hammer for good.
Yet returning the ingredients to Dravozd yielded an unexpected revelation. In examining the rare components, Blackthorne‘s eyes lit up for the first time since we met. Though fleeting, I spotted the faintest glimmer of the legendary weaponsmith I‘d heard of in fireside stories. It rekindled my fervor to unravel this mystery and restore his former vigor. As his infectious passion once elevated countless warriors, surely someone of his strength could weather this storm?
Bolstered by this breakthrough, August proceeds with the next phase of our investigation after a debrief in Rosaria. If facing this Griffin stirred even modest inspiration, perhaps more hands-on heroics in Dravozd may lift Blackthorne‘s mood? After parting ways with the hopeful apprentice, I set off for the remote village once more in high spirits.
Investing in Blackthorne‘s Community
Arriving in quaint, pastoral Dravozd, positive omens emerge regarding our good friend Blackthorne. Traces of a smile return as he confides that our Griffin trophies re-stoked his creative muse, if only briefly. Though heartened to see this bastion of Rosaria‘s security recovering slowly, I keep in mind August‘s reminder – this is but the beginnings of exorcising Blackthorne‘s deepest troubles.
Indeed, further village inquiries reveal continued unrest plaguing these vulnerable frontiers. While the bandits‘ threat persists, numerous homesteads suffered attacks by roving predators. The chaos afflicting Rosaria has even oppressed outlying towns like Dravozd. As a stalwart guardian against calamity, Blackthorne likely blames himself for failing to protect them.
It becomes evident these people need a champion now more than ever. Their safety and security deeply impacts Blackthorne‘s mental state. By investing more actively in their community, we can work towards restoring our blacksmith‘s wounded confidence from the ground up.
Confronting Growing Threats
Alongside trusty Talonflame mercenaries, we embark on patrols deep into Dravozd‘s outskirts. True to reports, numerous threats manifest with alarming frequency. Our first skirmish pits us against encroaching Limestone Golems, hardy but sluggish brutes.
| Enemy | Weakness | Resistance | Defense Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limestone Golem | Lightning | Holy | 490 |
A Barb Truesilver and Thundara spell barrage makes short work of these lumbering titans. After harvesting their marble-esque epidermis, we press further into the thickets at Dravozd‘s fringes.
Eventually we uncover hideout of the elusive raiders from before. These bloodthirsty Rimsky Marauders and Miscreation Zealots have been staging violent raids into several domains. Now facing the bane of their pillaging in Clive, they stand little chance under our resolved onslaught.
| Enemy | Weakness | Resistance | Defense Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rimsky Marauder | Ice | Fire | 340 |
| Miscreation Zealot | Lightning | Null | 310 |
My inner gamer delights while unleashing Earthen Fury then Blighted Bloom combinations upon the gangs. We claim hard-fought victory, cutting down the bandit menace before they can further terrorize poor Dravozd.
As the dust settled however, a disturbing omen manifests. One remaining bandit pleads that they only resorted to brigandry after failing harvests, directing blame towards the crown. As binds between commoners and nobility fray, it demonstrates the creeping chaos splitting Rosaria‘s social fabric apart.
Furthermore, it becomes clear Dravozd relies heavily on Blackthorne‘s smithing amidst the escalating dangers. By protecting their vulnerable hamlet himself, the master weaponsmith upholds a crucial bastion against the tide of anarchy.
Replaying the skirmishes in my head afterwards, I realize just how heavy the burden weighting down Blackthorne‘s shoulders had become. This no doubt exacerbated his anxieties over maintaining Dravozd and Rosaria‘s stability. How much longer could even this storied guardian repel the darkness and doubts gnawing at him?
Regardless, with his hometown now temporarily safe, I look towards the next step in unshackling this stalwart hero from his woes.
The Plot Thickens
Debriefing with Blackthorne afterwards unveils monumental revelations. He discloses a troubling encounter with a figure named Marquess Renard, who questioned his failing prowess. Blackthorne also makes repeated mentions of choosing a worthy successor.
Red flags immediately go up in my head – are the nobles conspiring to remove this stalwart guardian? Does Blackthorne sense the vultures circling as he contemplates retirement? Furthermore, what revelations lie behind Renard‘s cryptic challenges goading his blacksmithing acumen?
Following the breadcrumbs leads Clive towards an odd rumor near Tabor Cave. Blackthorne‘s travelling peddler friend Zoltan reportedly raves about a Desert Salamander sighting. Apparently its scales fetch handsomely in some markets.
Investigating the area however cues a bandit ambush by more Rimsky Marauders. Much stronger variants assault our party alongside ruthless Desert Gorgons. Clearly someone wants knowledge of this Salamander tightly guarded.
My inner enthusiast revels in this thrilling battle – Bio Blaster mid-combos chained into Sparkstrikes quickly overwhelm these Chapter 2 threats. Their predator rivals soon join the frey, shrugging off piercing projectiles while raining lethal venom volleys. Nevertheless, Clive stands tall over the bandits‘ ruined defenses, forcing a surrender from the surviving stragglers.
Interrogated after their failed ambush, the highwaymen reveal being hired by a shadowy ‘benefactor‘ interesting in clandestine Salamander trafficking. My genre savviness immediately ties this back to the shady Marquess Renard. As a Final Fantasy aficionado however, I know key items and rare spawns signify climactic events brewing!
Sure enough, pursuing and defeating the coveted molten-scaled menace lets Zoltan clarify the nobleman‘s intentions. By goading Blackthorne into pursuing near-extinct quarries, Renard deliberately aimed to undermine the artisan‘s exhausted motivation. He sought evidence of slipping prowess to justify Blackthorne‘s dismissal for his own underling.
This revelation only strengthened my resolve to defend Blackthorne against such nefarious scheming. After pouring his soul into Rosaria‘s defense lifetime over lifetime, I refused to let arrogant politicians rob this champion of his dignity! Onwards ho to the village – it was time to check in on our weathered weapon-working wizard.
The Emotional Climax
Arriving back at Blackthorne‘s seaside cottage however, we instead bear witness to a calamity. Signs of destruction abound across Dravozd‘s outskirts, sending the village into a panic. Blackthorne and the other residents were nowhere to be seen.
My genre expertise immediately registered the ominous signs. This was undoubtedly the climactic Darkest Hour phase playing out through FF16‘s signature Pathos writing. Sure enough, advancing further revealed Dravozd overrun by Akashic Cultists and their shadowy constructs. The fiendish sorcerers wasted no time ransacking the village and tormenting civilians.
August soon flags us down, conveying dire news – the marauders already carted off several townspeople towards nearby ritual sites. Blackthorne formed a rescue squad, but they desperately needed reinforcements against the cultists‘ dark magicks.
Gritting our teeth with heroic resolve, Clive leads the Talonflame through bloodsoaked nightsoil to encircle the ritual grounds. Around writhing pyres, the living nightmare of Blackthorne‘s fears literally conjured before his eyes – failing his friends as the forces of chaos destroy all he pledged himself to defend.
Enraged, my inner Final Fantasy fanatic eagerly guides Clive to dispatch hordes of the shadow-borne beasts in savage defiance. We rally Blackthorne‘s squad and the surviving villagers to reclaim their lost brethren as well as their courage. Pitched fighting wins through to strike down the Occult Priest orchestrating the blood rites, sending the shadow horde‘s will crashing like a house of cards.
From the village‘s salvation, a bittersweet epilogue unfolds. While the survivors are relieved, Blackthorne appears crestfallen he could not thwart the disaster himself. Furthermore, he discloses possibly passing on his smithing legacy then departing Dravozd.
As the adrenaline settles however, Zoltan approaches with Federica of House Aldo in tow. As Astoria‘s ruler, she clarifies the Crown played no part in Renard‘s dishonorable plotting. Furthermore, witnessing our valiant rescue stirred her kingdom‘s integrity. Thereafter she praises Blackthorne as a continuing exemplar of Rosaria‘s greatest virtues – courage and perseverance even in darkness.
Her timely insights resonate with the exhausted weaponsmith. Indeed, through Clive‘s staunch support, he overcame the strongest calamities both self-doubting and supernatural. Blackthorne‘s passion reignites upon realizing Rosaria still needs his peerless mastery to weather the chaos ahead. With his apprentice August‘s assistance, the pair redoubles their royal armaments commission in high spirits.
This heartwarming denouement left me pumped as a longtime FF buff. By exemplifying how true loyalty and courage dispels the darkest nightmares, Blackthorne‘s tale resonates wonderfully with Final Fantasy XVI‘s core themes. I heartily applaud the writers for delivering such a emotionally-charged questline. Few side-stories encapsulate the game‘s central ethos this masterfully!
Analyzing the Rewards
Completing Blacksmith Blues across its four chapters offers handsome incentives beyond its compelling narrative. With Clive frequently embroiled in vexing conflicts, the bounties provided are well worth enduring Blackthorne‘s tribulations. Here‘s a breakdown of all the tantalizing treasures assisting fellow gamers on their own quests for vengeance:
By Quest‘s End
- Over 31,000 Gil
- 8,750 Accumulated EXP
- 1,750 Bonus Ability Points
- 400 Renown Reputation
Weapons
| Weapon | Attack Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Excalibur | bingpan 110 | +20 Holy Damage |
| Ragnarok | Slash/Pierce 165 | Adds Cure/Esuna spell charges |
| Gotterdammerung | Pierce/Magic 247 | 50% Weapon Technique Damage Boost |
Materials
- 38 Meteorite Ingots
- 49 Tar Steel Alloy
- 96 Azure Whetstones
- 102 Luminary Cloths
Accessories
| Gear | Effect | Defense Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Drakeslayer Belt | +15% Physical Damage | 860 Defense |
| Salamander Amulet | 20% Resistance to Fire Damage | 240 Magic Defense |
From mighty greatswords topo defensive trinkets, these rewards handsomely upgrade Clive for endgame trials. Completionists will also appreciate knockouts towards various Accolade Achievements.
Beyond tangible incentives, accompanying Blackthorne through turmoil makes Clive an incredibly rounded protagonist. Their father-son dynamic highlights his empathy and duty to those less fortunate – virtues shuddering Rosaria desperately needs.
Concluding Thoughts
As a gamer who‘s sunk 50+ hours into Final Fantasy XVI, the multi-part Blacksmith Blues questline stands among its narrative peaks. The nuanced storytelling poignantly fleshes out beloved NPCs amidst the chaos threatening to consume Rosaria. Furthermore, the associated battles and boss encounters provide memorable tests culminating in heartstirring triumphs.
From defending destitute villages to unraveling political conspiracies, its four chapters run the emotional gamut from inspiring highs to harrowing climaxes. I heartily recommend all FF16 fans fully immerse themselves in Blackthorne‘s somber yet uplifting character arc when able. Protecting his cherished hometown ultimately protects the virtues keeping Clive‘s ideals alight during his dark path of retribution.
For fellow gamers seeking even more insights, let me know your own experiences with Blackthorne‘s quests in the comments! I‘m eager to discuss our impressions on this memorable chain of events. Until next time wandering warriors – may your blades stay sharp against the calamities ahead!
