How To Get Black Pepper In Dragon Quest 3 Remake

What seems like it should be one simple task can, in Dragon 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 the west side of the map, towards the center. Once you enter the region, you’ll want to make for the castle on the west side. But along the way, if you talk to the man in black and purple armor standing between the bridge and the equipment shop, he’ll tell you of the King’s love for Black Pepper, and that towns in the southeast sell 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 and talk to the King. The King is going to set you on your quest 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 the east of Portoga.

How To Find Nordy’s Grotto

Nordy’s Grotto is in a cave just to the east 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 tunnel that 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 eventually slightly east out of Nordy’s Grotto, and eventually you’ll come upon Baharata. Upon arriving, you’ll get a cutscene setting the scene for the next step of your journey.

It’s definitely recommended that you recover at the Inn before you depart for the next step.

Kidnapper’s Cave

From Baharata, cross the bridge to the east, and travel north along the coast. You’ll come up on another bridge; cross that one to the east, and just across the bridge is going to be Kidnapper’s Cave.

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. While heading straight south is going to be the way to 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 into plenty of monsters along the way; here are the monsters that can appear in Kidnapper’s Cave:

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”, and a fight will ensue with four Robbin’ ‘Oodlums.

They deal significant damage, but are susceptible to lightning damage.

Once they’re defeated, head to the cells that are located south. There is a lever that 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 and your party are all around level 20, you’ll be able to get through it.

Focus primarily on one ‘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 can heal each turn; we ran one Monster Wrangler with Soothing Song to keep everyone healing a bit each turn, and a Priest to target healing on 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, and you’ll be on your merry way.

Baharata, And Alltrades Abbey

Make it back to Baharata, and go to the General Store where Gopal works. He’ll offer to grab you some black pepper… but he doesn’t have any. Instead, he mentions his black pepper supplier, and directs you to go to Alltrades 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 and nestled between the mountain ranges is Alltrades Abbey.

Finding The Trader

The Trader in the Abbey is located right in the center, 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, go straight 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 to your very own ship, waiting for you at the Portoga Docks.

This ship allows you to get to a lot of areas that were inaccessible before — and a ton of loot that was inaccessible, too.