Once you reach the Mt. Forja Quarry in Avowed's Galawain's Tusks region, you will probably come across a barred gate with no clear, accessible entrance from the other side. No matter how much you search the mine, you won't find the entrance because it can only be accessed after completing a somewhat obscure set of objectives. However, if you want to get your hands on one of the best unique great hammers in the game, Forge's Friend, you'll need to track down a letter in Warden's Rest - or figure out how to glitch-jump to the barred-off area.

[Warning: The following article contains spoilers for Avowed.]

You'll be directed to Mt. Forja during the main questline, "Our Dreams Divide Us Still," where you'll eventually face Inquisitor Lodwyn after annihilating the Steel Garrote fanatics. Forge's Friend is in a chest in an inaccessible area visible from the main entrance. The barred gate in question is located after the first chamber full of Steel Garrote fanatics. After following the tracks deeper into the quarry, you'll see a purple tunnel with mushrooms that takes you to the barred gate. However, you're going to have to backtrack if you want to get there the "correct" way.

How To Get The Cantec From Kostya For Forge's Friend

Track Down Kostya's Candid Letter In Warden's Rest

To access the "secret" entrance to Mt. Forja Quarry and get Avowed's unique great hammer, Forge's Friend, you'll need to track down a candid letter in a somewhat obscure location near the Salt Flat Farms. The letter is found next to a body outside an abandoned farm in Warden's Rest, which is haunted by a few powerful skeleton enemies. After taking them out, read the Letter to Ambassador Hylgard (you can't pick it up, which may be a glitch), and return to Kostya in Solace Keep.

Kostya is the Councilor who tries to make a side deal with you and help Aedyr take control of Solace Keep in exchange for setting up trade in the region. If you agree to help Kostya, he will clue you in that the Steel Garrote is waiting at Mt. Forja, but you can follow up with him afterward if you've found the letter (or take it back to him later on) he will give you the following information about a secret entrance:

"There's a path that leads to a Warden storehouse that sits just south of the main entryway [to Mt. Forja]. Instead of a key, you'll need to recite a cantec: "Of all the treasures to which one aspires, none greater than those wrought of sweat and fires." Speak those words aloud, and the door will open."

From here, you can head to Mt. Forja to track down the secret entrance and finally get your hands on the Forge's Friend great hammer. Just that you will face Inquisitor Lodwyn if you venture all the way through the quarry, so if you're only there for the hammer, you can grab it and come back later.

Forge's Friend Location & Details

Mt. Forja is located west of Solace Keep in Galawain's Tusks, and the place is swarming with Steel Garrote. If it's your first time entering the area, you'll have to kill Captain Aelfyr if you didn't already earlier in the story. She will be infected with the Dreamscourge at this point, so don't feel too bad about taking her out - and don't forget to grab the Death Knight Gloves off of her. From here, you can try to sneak into the quarry using a combination of sneak and Shadowing Beyond, or you can start bashing skulls.

The secret entrance is found by following the southeastern path from The Quarry beacon. You'll now have the option to open the door by speaking the above cantec, allowing you to enter the otherwise inaccessible area from the main entrance.

Follow the tunnel straight until you open a gate, and you'll be in the room with the Forge's Friend chest. There are a handful of other smaller chests nearby, which are worth looting while you're there as well. Once finished, you can enter Mt. Forja to continue the story or head back the way you came.

How To Get Forge's Friend Using The Jump Glitch

To Avoid Back-Tracking, Use Charge Jump

If you really don't feel like backtracking or going out on another errand because of Kostya, there's a way to "glitch jump" up to the ledge where the Forge's Friend hammer is stashed. Basically, you need to utilize the Fighter's Charge skill (Rank 2) by climbing up on some of the rocks on the other side of the chamber. In the first room after the main entrance, you'll see some glowing loot on a body up on a ledge - that's what you're aiming for.

While facing the ledge, climb the rocks to the left of the torchlight and mushroom on the ground. Get up as high as you can on that rock, and then jump forward. While in midair, use Charge and spam the action button to parkour up the ledge. Once you make it up the ledge, you're home free, and you'll be able to grab Forge's Friend and progress through Mt. Forja as normal.

Best Build For The Forge's Friend Hammer

Summon The Elements Of The Forge

Now that you've got your hands on the Forge's Friend great hammer, it's time to start bashing some Steel Garrote. The Forge's Friend is hands-down the most powerful great hammer in of damage, and it comes with the Fiery Apprentice effect, which summons a Greater Fire Blight when you perform a special attack. The hammer also deals high Fire accumulation with Power Attacks, which can also be upgraded to affect all nearby enemies. Alternatively, the Steel Yourself enchantment upgrade gives you +25% Move Speed and +30% Dodge Distance for 10 seconds after a successful Parry.

Forge's Friend is the best-in-slot weapon for a Pyromancer build, and makes short work of any enemy susceptible to Fire damage. It deals incredible Stun damage, and will annihilate most enemies before you're even able to get a special attack in, but when you do, the Greater Fire Blight will overwhelm your foes with volleys of fireballs. Overall, the Forge's Friend is absolutely worth the trouble of tracking down. Whether you do it the old-fashioned way and track down Kostya's letter or try your hand at a Charge jump, Forge's Friend will take any Avowed build to the next level.