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What seems like it should be one simple task can, inDragon Quest 3 Remake, actually be quite an involved effort. Obtaining a Black Pepper for the King of Portoga is one such task, requiring multiple different steps and situations in order to get what you need and continue on your adventure.
This sees you into what will likely be a new town for you to explore, into a situation with a kidnapping (and a familiar dangerous face), and into a dungeon that, if you aren’t quite prepared or leveled enough, can prove to be a difficult one to see all the way through.
Entering Portoga
Portoga is located on thewest side of the map, towards the center. Once you enter the region, you’ll want to make for thecastle on the west side. But along the way, if you talk to theman in black and purple armorstanding between the bridge and the equipment shop, he’ll tell you of the King’s love for Black Pepper, and thattowns in the southeastsell it.
Also make a stop on the middle dock, where there’s a monster to add to your monster menagerie.
Speak To The King
Once you’re in the castle,head to the top left andtalk to the King. The King is going to set you on yourquest for the Black Pepper, and in return, he’ll give you a ship to sail the seas with.
The King directs you to the dwarf,Nordy, who is in a tunnel to theeast of Portoga.
How To Find Nordy’s Grotto
Nordy’s Grotto isin a cave just to theeast of Asham, so if you’ve already visited Asham, you can Zoom to that right away, and make it a light trek.
Nordy’s Grotto is a safe area, and is basically just one path straight to Nordy himself.Talk to Nordy,and he’ll open up a path through the tunnelthat will get you through the mountain and out the other side.
There’s a well in Nordy’s Grotto that you can climb down and explore. An item is waiting to be discovered in the middle left, just to the right of a group of stalagmites, and another near the upper right, between one thick stalagmite and the wall of the cave.
How To Arrive To Baharata
Head south and eventuallyslightly eastout of Nordy’s Grotto, and eventually you’llcome upon Baharata. Upon arriving, you’ll get a cutscene setting the scene for the next step of your journey.
It’s definitely recommended that yourecover at the Innbefore you depart for the next step.
Kidnapper’s Cave
From Baharata,cross the bridge to the east, andtravel northalong the coast. You’ll come up onanother bridge; cross that oneto the east, and just across the bridge is going to beKidnapper’sCave.
Kidnapper’s Cave B1
There are only two floors to the Kidnapper’s Cave, and the first one is where you’re probably going to spend the majority of your time. Whileheading straight south is going to be the wayto your goal, exploring the entirety of the cave is going to net you a bounty of rewards.
There’s no real optimal path for exploring Kidnapper’s Cave; it’s a grid, with cells at the northmost and southmost ends. You’re going to run intoplenty of monsters along the way; here are the monsters that can appear in Kidnapper’s Cave:
Hasmultiple spellsat their disposal, including healing.
Lump Mage
Also has multiple spells at their disposal, and canconfuseallies, causing significant problems.
Primarily dealsphysicaldamage, and is not problematic.
Hoodie
Can occasionally dealsignificant damage, taking away half of an ally’s health in one blow.
Can castWoosh, dealing wind damage to your entire party.
Cannibox
Disguised as a chest in the top right, and second from the top left, of Kidnapper’s Cave; has significantdamage resistance, and deals similar damage as a Hoodie.
Shade
These havelow health, and generally deal pretty low damage.
The chest in the center-top of Kidnapper’s Cave contains a Mini Medal.
Exit on the bottom right of the first floor, and head below.
Kidnapper’s Cave B2
The second floor of Kidnappers Cave is primarily built around the boss fight, but before you head south,head to the top left and open the four chests. None of them are canniboxes, and they’ve got some nice loot inside.
Once you’re ready, move down the hallway in the center. Two guards will open the door, and ask if you’re there to join their gang. Reply “no”, anda fight will ensue with four Robbin’ ‘Oodlums.
They deal significant damage, but aresusceptible tolightning damage.
Once they’re defeated,head to the cells that are locatedsouth.There is a leverthat will unlock both cells on the left of Gopal’s cell; pull that, and Gopal and Tanaya will leave their cells and start to head out.
How To Defeat Robbin’ ‘Ood, Again
Robbin’ ‘Ood is going to be more of a problem this time around, but if you play it patiently enough andyour party are all around level 20, you’ll be able to get through it.
Focus primarily onone ‘Oodlum at a time. The less of them there are, the less damage they can do each turn. Keep one or two characters around who canheal each turn; we ran one Monster Wrangler withSoothing Songto keep everyone healing a bit each turn, anda Priest to target healingon the character that needs it the most.
The other two characters focus on dealing damage every turn, and over time,whittling it down to just Robbin’ ‘Ood alone. On his own, Robbin’ ‘Ood can deal significant damage, but as long as you keep up on your healing and don’t overextend, he’ll go down without a problem.
Robbin’ ‘Ood will plead for his life once more, you’ll let him go once more, andyou’ll be on your merry way.
Baharata, And Alltrades Abbey
Make it back to Baharata, andgo to theGeneral Storewhere Gopal works. He’ll offer to grab you some black pepper… but he doesn’t have any. Instead, he mentions hisblack pepper supplier, and directs you to go toAlltrades Abbey,north of Baharata.
Follow the same path as you did from Baharata to get to Kidnapper’s Cave, but instead of going across the second bridge to the east,continue north. In the forest andnestled between the mountain ranges is Alltrades Abbey.
Finding The Trader
The Traderin the Abbey islocated right in thecenter, just a few steps from the front door.Speak to him, and he’ll give you some black pepper. Once you’ve finally got the pepper, it’s time to head back to Portoga, and to the King.
Go Back To Portoga And Receive Your Ship
Once you’re back in Portoga,gostraight to the King, and he’ll take the black pepper. You’ll be met with an important cutscene, and once through, you’ll have access toyour very own ship, waiting for you at the Portoga Docks.
This ship allows you to get toa lot of areasthat wereinaccessible before— and a ton of loot that was inaccessible, too.
