Otto’s always been a taciturn, rough around the edges man. But it seems that something’s truly bothering him. Here’s how to complete the sidequest Blacksmith’s Blues in Final Fantasy 16.
Final Fantasy 16: How to Complete Blacksmith’s Blues (FFXVI)
Blacksmith Blues is a sidequest that will have us running around quite a bit, and will eventually culminate in a challenging mini boss fight.
Here’s the succinct steps you’ll need to take to complete Blacksmith Blue’s quest, with a more in-depth version below.
- Speak to August outside of The Mess.
- Speak to Otto, the blacksmith on the Main Deck.
- Speak to Charon, the item seller, on the Main Deck.
- Go to the Hunt Board and speak to the Moogle.
- Go to Lostwing on the Worldmap.
- Go to Norvent Valley.
- Defeat the Griffin.
- Speak to the Tanner.
- Return to Otto.
Speak to August Outside of The Mess
To start this quest, you’ll need to speak to August outside of The Mess and in front of The Counter. He’ll tell you that something has been bothering August, and you’ll need to agree to help him get to the bottom of it.
Speak to Otto the Blacksmith
Otto is the Blacksmith, on the Main Deck just outside of Clive’s chambers. Go straight to him and speak to him. He’ll immediately cotton on to the fact that you and August have conspired and ask you why.
With enough pressure, he’ll admit that he’s feeling insecure after seeing a masterfully crafted cuirass.
Speak to Charon
In a bid to find the person who created the cuirass, speak to Charon, who is right beside Otto. Charon will tell you she bought the cuirass from an odd fellow who hunts for his own leather. And he’ll be going after a griffin next.
Go to the Hunt Board
The Hunt Board is located outside of The Mess, close to where you found August. If you’ve completed all the Bounties already, don’t worry. The Griffin will appear once you start this quest.
Select the green text option from the Moogle to learn more about the Griffin’s location.
Head to Lostwing on the World Map
Lostwing is located to the East. Once you’ve found it, you can load in immediately, as that’s the Obelisk we want to go to.
Go To Norvent Valley
Once you’re in Lostwing, head through town and follow the trail to the very bottom of Norvent Valley. Once you arrive, you’ll see the Griffin on top of a tall castle wall. Get close to him, and you’ll trigger an automatic cutscene.
Defeat the Griffin
This Griffin, called Dozmare, is a Rank-B mark. It appears at level 28, and it can be a challenging fight.
Dozmare uses Aero-based moves, many of which have a high chance to stagger or do area-of-effect damage. I found that this fight was much more difficult than the Rank-B mark Belphegor, as Dozmare is much faster.
Related: Belphegor Hunt Location & Rewards in Final Fantasy 16 (FFXVI)
Speak to the Tanner
Once the Griffin is defeated, the Tanner will appear. Speak to him, and he’ll give you a piece of tanned leatherwork to show to Otto.
Return to Otto
With the leatherwork in hand, return to Otto. Upon inspecting it, he’ll understand exactly how it was made, and why it’s so fine.
For your trouble, you’ll get the following rewards:
- Drakeslayer’s Belt Design Draft
- 250 Experience
- 10 Renown
With the Drakeslayer belt design draft you’ll be able to craft a rare belt that will give you an HP and defense boost. But if you took on this side quest the moment it appeared, it’s likely that you won’t be able to craft it. Electrum, a necessary material, is something you’ll get later in the game.
If you’re still struggling to find the Griffin, check out or more in-depth guide on its location here: Final Fantasy 16: Where to Find the Griffin (FFXVI).
