Blades of Fire

This guide details the locations of the Templars of the Sacred Steel in Blades of Fire. Most Templars require you to find and follow an Iridescent Crow to their spawn point. Attacking the stationary statues will make the crow appear on your map. Once the crow reaches the statues, they will materialize, initiating a battle against one to three Templars of the Sacred Steel.

Templars of the Sacred Steel are formidable foes wielding Katanas. They telegraph powerful, relentless combos. Recommended strategies include using a Spear (like the Trident) for charged attacks from a distance, followed by a roll to evade counterattacks. Alternatively, use fast weapons like Sabers or Daggers, baiting attacks, dodging, landing a few hits, and retreating. When their stamina is depleted, they kneel to recover, leaving them vulnerable to multiple charge attacks.

Kar-Lethel Swamp Templar 1 Location

The first group of Templars is in the northwest corner of Kar-Lethel Swamp. From the Kar-Lethel Wall Anvil, proceed through the large gate and hug the right wall. The Templars will be to your right. It's advised to defeat surrounding enemies first.

Kar-Lethel Swamp Iridescent Crow 1 Location

The Iridescent Crow is near the Kar-Lethel Wall Anvil. From the Anvil, look behind you at the red tents. The crow is perched on the battle standard next to the left red tent.

Kar-Lethel Swamp Templar 2 Location

This Templar group requires the Light Rune. They are located in the northwest corner of Kar-Lethel Swamp. Fast travel to the Coastal Watchtower Anvil and head northwest. The Templars are behind a large rock opposite the bridge.

Kar-Lethel Swamp Iridescent Crow 2 Location

The Crow is on the other side of the bridge, south of the Coastal Watchtower Anvil. The bridge requires a blue flame, obtained after acquiring the Light Rune. With the Light Rune, travel to the Black Metal Towers Anvil and head north to find the Crow. The blue flame is in the Black Metal Towers area of the Forgers’ Sanctum.

Kar-Lethel Swamp Templar 3 Location

This Templar encounter also requires the Light Rune and access to the Black Metal Towers in the Forgers’ Sanctum to obtain a blue flame for a bridge. A puzzle must be solved to reach the Templars, located on a plateau south of the Forgers’ Sanctum in the center of the swamp. Refer to the Forger’s Sanctum Flame Puzzle Guide for assistance.

Kar-Lethel Swamp Iridescent Crow 3 Location

The Crow is located at the southern exit of the Forgers’ Sanctum, requiring completion of the puzzle to access the bridge leading to the Templars.

The Crimson Fort Templar 1 Location

The first Templar in The Crimson Fort is near the Cellars Anvil. Fast travel to the Anvil, descend to the floor below, and follow the path northeast. In the next room, go northwest; the Templar is in the center of the room, between the pillars.

The Crimson Fort Iridescent Crow 1 Location

The Crow is located above the Templar, on the roof. Climb the ladder next to the Templar and follow the path northwest until you find a hole in the roof.

There are a total of 12 Life Criptex scattered throughout the world of Blades of Fire. These collectibles are found within chests and are crucial for upgrading your Healing Flask, either by increasing its effectiveness or adding more uses, up to a maximum of seven. You'll find most of them in the first two regions: Aceides' Domain and Tok's Kingdom.

Below is a list of all Life Criptex locations. Note that some require the Key of the Lord, obtained after defeating Cavimo Rex for the first time.

1. Life Criptex 1: Besacaar Hamlet - Dry Riverbed

   In the large northern house. Find the external stairs leading up, enter, and drop down. Look for a ladder; interacting with it will cause Aran to boost Adso, who will then drop the ladder, revealing the chest.

2. Life Criptex 2: Kar-Lethel Swamp - Forger’s Sanctum

   From the Forger’s Sanctum anvil, exit south and backtrack northwest to find a cave containing the chest.

3. Life Criptex 3: The Crimson Fort - Cellar’s Roof

   After obtaining the Key of the Lord (post-Cavimo Rex fight), return to the building ahead and go down the stairs. Find a gap on your left leading to a locked door that requires the Key of the Lord. The chest is behind this door.

4. Life Criptex 4: The Crimson Fort - Hollow Hall Entrance

   In the main room where you first fight Cavimo Rex, look under the stairs for a shortcut door. Ignore it and go outside to the right, jump across a gap to find another locked door (requiring the Key of the Lord) that leads to the chest.

5. Life Criptex 5: Ancient Garden - Doyen Graves Vantage

   From the anvil, go right to find a path into a cave with a rope. Take the rope to the top, then break through the wall to find the chest.

6. Life Criptex 6: Doyen Graves - Funeral Bridge

   After passing through the Phantom Key door south of the Funeral Bridge (down the slope with the patrolling Queens Hound), enter the cave ahead. Defeat the Setanza, then proceed through the room to a tower. Climb the stairs to find a rope to the next floor, and continue upwards to find the chest.

7. Life Criptex 7: Doyen Graves - Cursed Bridge

   Proceed past the Cursed Bridge and enter the cave. You will find the chest inside.

8. Life Criptex 8: Kar-Lethel Swamp - Angel’s Cliff

   Head to Angel’s Cliff in the Kar-Lethel Swamp. The chest is located here.

9. Life Criptex 9: Tok’s Kingdom - The Roggs Mountains

   The Life Criptex can be found in The Roggs Mountains within Tok’s Kingdom.

10. Life Criptex 10: The Iron Castle - Aecides’ Chapel

    Located within Aecides’ Chapel in The Iron Castle.

11. Life Criptex 11: Tok’s Kingdom - Northern Hiss City

    Find this Life Criptex in Northern Hiss City, located in Tok’s Kingdom.

12. Life Criptex 12: Tok’s Kingdom - Citadel of Tharas-Munda

    The final Life Criptex is situated in the Citadel of Tharas-Munda in Tok’s Kingdom.

This guide details the locations of the materials needed to craft the Aureus Spear in Blades of Fire. The materials include the Aureus Steel Ingot and two parts of the Aureus Spear Scroll.

1. Aureus Steel Ingot Location:

   Fast travel to Dhyrias’ Forge. Head down the slope toward the elevator, but turn north and follow the path to confront Koko. This initiates a three-part boss fight. After defeating Koko in the area to the right of the elevator, take the zipline to the Lava Temple Forge. Fight Koko again, then take the zipline to Koko’s Hollow. Follow the northern path and turn right to find Koko’s lair for the final fight. Lure Koko onto the boarded hole in the center of the arena when his health is low to defeat him. His corpse will fall through the hole, dropping the Ingot. Climb down to retrieve it. The area below the hole contains additional loot, including a Forger’s Criptex, which requires a weapon with the Light Rune.

2. Aureus Spear Scroll I Location:

   Travel to The Ergion’s Abbey. From the Abbey Heights Forge, cross the bridge north into the Abbey courtyard. Go northwest through a gap in the fence. In the next area, run northwest to an open coffin and descend the ladder into the Catacombs. Navigate the Catacombs by closing coffins and defeating enemies. Use the lever on the upper floor to unlock a gate below. After opening the gate, defeat the Blazing and Lightning Sentenza enemies. Follow the tunnel northeast and ascend the ladder into the Abbey. After a scene, head southwest into the Abbey proper. Another scene will reveal the scroll on an altar in the next room. Pick up the scroll.

3. Aureus Spear Scroll II Location:

   Speak with Glinda, the Master Forger. She will provide the second half of the scroll after you engage in dialogue. Once you have all the required parts, you can craft the spear at a Forge. Note that after obtaining all parts, interacting with the Forge table will initiate the crafting process and trigger a boss battle upon exiting.