Unlocking the Bard in Enshrouded: Guide to Musical Adventures and Rewards

Key Takeaways:

1. The Bard is a unique NPC in Enshrouded who introduces music, decoration crafting, and essential inventory upgrades to your base.
2. Unlocking the Bard requires completing the Follow the Melody quest and solving puzzles in the Sunken Ancient City.
3. Valory the Bard offers an array of instruments, banners, and other useful items, including Medium and Large Backpacks for expanded inventory.

If you’re looking to add flair and functionality to your Enshrouded gameplay, rescuing Valory the Bard is an essential quest. Unlike other craftspeople, the Bard focuses on entertainment and utility, creating a lively atmosphere in your base and crafting key items like backpacks and musical instruments. This guide will take you through every step of unlocking the Bard, exploring her crafting options, and how her music can boost your gameplay experience.

Who is the Bard in Enshrouded?

The Bard is a special NPC introduced in the “Melodies of the Mire” update (June 5, 2024). She’s more than just a craftsperson her specialty lies in music and decoration, offering players the chance to craft instruments and aesthetically pleasing items for their base.

While her items aren’t directly combat-related, the Bard’s abilities provide indirect benefits such as increasing inventory space through backpacks and boosting the Rested buff through music. If you’re seeking to optimize your gameplay or simply want to add an artistic touch to your base, unlocking the Bard is well worth your time.

How to Unlock the Bard

Unlocking the Bard begins with the Follow the Melody quest, which becomes available after you:

• Reach Level 12
• Unlock the Revelwood Ancient Spire

Once these conditions are met, you can interact with the Flame Altar to start the quest. This will guide you to the Sunken Ancient City, located just north of the Blackmire Ancient Spire. The Bard is hidden inside the Ancient Vault, which is part of this region.

Important Preparation Beforehand:

• The Blackmire region is designed for level 13–15 players, so ensure you have the best available gear.
• Upgrade your Glider to improve your mobility across ruins and vertical obstacles.
• Unlock the Double Jump skill from the Survivor tree. This skill is critical for traversing the Sunken Ancient City’s challenging terrain.

Step-by-Step Guide to Unlock the Bard

1. Finding the Ancient Vault
   The Ancient Vault where the Bard resides will be marked by a quest marker, so finding it shouldn’t be difficult. This area is surrounded by crumbling ruins and lit braziers, which are key to solving the puzzle.
2. Activating the Three Switches
   To unlock the Ancient Vault, you must locate and activate three hidden switches. These are scattered across the ruins surrounding the vault.
   • First Switch
     Head south of the Ancient Vault to the large ruins. You can reach this area either by gliding from the Blackmire Spire or following the path beneath the ruins. Traverse the area using your Double Jump and Grappling Hook, then locate the switch on a balcony overlooking the vault.
   • Second Switch
     From the first switch, glide to a nearby tree next to another ruined building. Use the tree’s roots to reach the first floor, then climb to the upper floor using the same root. Alternatively, you can navigate through the building’s lower levels, where hostile flowers and trampolines provide an alternate path to the switch.
   • Third Switch
     Face the trampoline near the second switch, then glide to a nearby ruined building. Land on its roof and find a crumbled wall on the left side. Jump over the gap, follow the path, and activate the final switch.
3. Unlocking the Vault
   Once all three switches are activated, return to the Ancient Vault. The gates will now be open. Descend the long staircase and open the final gate to discover the Bard sleeping inside her pod. Interact with her to rescue her and add her to your roster of craftspeople.

The Bard’s Crafting Abilities

Valory the Bard doesn’t require a workstation, which means you can access her crafting recipes immediately after unlocking her. Here’s a breakdown of her most useful items and abilities:

1. Backpack Upgrades

• Medium Backpack (+16 slots): Crafted with Reptile Leather and Linen.
• Large Backpack (+24 slots): Crafted with Leather and Linen.
  Expanding your inventory space is invaluable, especially as you gather more resources and explore deeper into Enshrouded.

2. Musical Instruments

The Bard can craft a variety of instruments for entertainment and boosting the Rested buff:

• Hand Drum: Crafted with Copper Bars, Charcoal, and Hardwood.
• Flute: Crafted with Bones.
• Lute: Crafted with Metal Scraps, String, Hardwood, Linen, Animal Fur, and Dried Fur.
• Harp: Crafted with Metal Scraps, String, Copper Bars, Linen, Animal Fur, and Dried Fur.

These instruments allow you and your friends to play music together, raising your comfort level and maximizing the Rested buff.

3. Decorative Banners

The Bard also crafts banners that add a personal touch to your base:

• Wall Banners
• Ornate Wall Banners
• War Banners (six unique designs)

These banners require simple materials such as Torn Cloth, Indigo Plants, and Saffron, making them easy to craft and great for sprucing up your base.

The Benefits of Playing Music

Playing music with instruments crafted by the Bard provides more than just entertainment:

• Boosts the Rested Buff: Playing music raises your comfort level, which boosts stamina regeneration.
• Enhances Team Dynamics: When playing music with friends, the purple comfort bar at the top left corner fills up faster, enhancing the Rested buff for everyone.
• Adds Atmosphere: The Bard’s instruments create a lively and immersive experience, turning your base into a true sanctuary.

Pro tip: Always play music with your team in a warm, sheltered area before taking on challenging zones like the Hollow Halls.

All Bard Quests

Once you unlock Valory, you can start Bard-specific quests by summoning her to your camp. These quests are identified by a small lute icon next to their names and provide unique rewards:

Valory the Bard may not be a combat-focused NPC, but her contributions to your Enshrouded playthrough are invaluable. From crafting essential inventory upgrades to creating an atmosphere of creativity and camaraderie, the Bard adds a unique layer of depth to the game. Whether you’re playing solo or with friends, unlocking the Bard is a rewarding experience that enhances both gameplay and immersion.

FAQ

Q: What level should I be to unlock the Bard?
A: The Blackmire region, where the Bard’s vault is located, is recommended for level 13–15 players. You’ll also need to reach level 12 to start the Follow the Melody quest.

Q: What skills should I unlock before attempting this quest?
A: Unlock the Double Jump skill from the Survivor tree. It’s essential for navigating the Sunken Ancient City’s terrain.

Q: What are the benefits of playing music?
A: Playing music boosts your Rested buff, which improves stamina and stamina regeneration. It’s especially effective when playing with friends in a sheltered area.

Q: Can I access the Bard’s crafting abilities immediately?
A: Yes, the Bard does not require a workstation, so you can craft her items as soon as you unlock her.

Q: What update introduced the Bard?
A: The Bard was added in the Melodies of the Mire update on June 5, 2024.