Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D: How to Get Black Pepper

Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D: How to Get Black Pepper
Credit: Square Enix

Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D: How to Get Black Pepper
Credit: Square Enix

Black Pepper might look like nothing more than a common spice, but in Dragon Quest 3 Remake, it’s far more than that.

It is necessary to obtain a ship, which greatly enhances the player's capacity to explore the game world. This article will walk you through how to get Black Pepper.

How to Get from Nordy’s Grotto to Baharata

The journey begins in Portoga, a town located centrally on the western side of the map.

Dragon Quest 3 Remake screenshot
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Credit: Square Enix

Head straight for the castle and speak with the King when you get there.

He will let you know he needs Black Pepper and pledge a ship as compensation for acquiring it.

The locals may hint that Black Pepper is a specialty of the southeastern lands, giving you a clue about your destination.

The King will also reveal that a dwarf named Nordy can help you forge a path through the mountains.

This will make it possible for you to continue your journey.

Explore Portoga and interact with the NPCs to gather more hints. This will ensure that your group is well-prepared for what's to come.

Nordy resides in a grotto east of Asham, another town near Portoga.

If you’ve already visited Asham, Zoom will get you there in no time. From there, travel east to Nordy’s Grotto.

The grotto is straightforward, with a single path leading to Nordy.

It’s worth taking a detour around the stalagmites and cave walls to uncover hidden items.

When you find Nordy, he will open a passage through the mountains, allowing you to travel south to Baharata.

Once Nordy’s path opens, travel southward and slightly east to find Baharata.

This lively town marks the next key stop on your journey.

As you arrive, you’ll witness a cutscene revealing that the local spice merchant’s daughter and her fiancé have been abducted.

The merchant, Gopal, requests your help. Before departing from Baharata, it's wise to rest at the inn and stock up on supplies.

The upcoming battles will test your party’s strength and strategy.

How to Get Black Pepper

Cross the bridge east of Baharata, then continue north along the shoreline.

Dragon Quest 3 Remake screenshot
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Credit: Square Enix

After crossing a second bridge, you’ll find the entrance to Kidnapper’s Cave.

This dungeon has two tiers, each crawling with adversaries and filled with riches.

Head to the first floor and navigate the grid pattern to uncover valuable items.

But be ready to encounter formidable adversaries, including Bag O’ Laughs, Antguzzlers, and the cunning Canniboxes.

The exit to the second floor can be found in the bottom-right corner. You'll find treasure chests with useful loot in the top-left corner of the second floor.

The real test here is the boss fight against Robbin’ ‘Ood and his group. When you're good to go, travel south to begin the encounter.

Robbin’ ‘Ood is with several ‘Oodlums, so this battle will be challenging if you're unprepared.

Handle his allies first to reduce damage and unleash lightning attacks to exploit their weaknesses. 

Regularly heal your party to secure the win. After taking down Robbin' ‘Ood’s gang, the kidnapped individuals are found locked in cells.

Pull a nearby lever to free them, and they will begin returning to Baharata.

However, Robbin’ ‘Ood will return and trigger another battle. He is more formidable this time, but patience and a strong strategy will see you through.

Focus on consistent healing and use your best damage-dealing abilities to bring him down.

When the hostages are safely back in Baharata, go to the Gopal and access the general store.

He will thank you for your efforts and try to offer Black Pepper, but unfortunately, he doesn’t have any in stock.

Instead, he suggests you visit his supplier at Alltrades Abbey, north of Baharata.

Head down the same route you used to get to Kidnapper’s Cave to find Alltrades Abbey.

Instead of crossing the second bridge to the east, keep heading north. The Abbey is tucked away in a forest surrounded by mountains.

The Black Pepper supplier can be found close to the entrance inside. Chat with him, and he’ll hand over the Black Pepper to finish this leg of the quest.

Once you have the Black Pepper, return to Portoga and give it to the King.

He will express his gratitude and reward you with a ship, which will be docked and ready for use.

Now you're all set with everything you need to know about how to get Black Pepper and claim a ship that helps you travel the seas. Have you found any other hidden items along the way? Share your thoughts in the comments!