Phantom Blade Zero Restored Ritual Cauldron?

No, the ritual cauldron in Phantom Blade Zero is not restored through a single quest or item; it is a multi-stage world event tied to a hidden NPC and a specific boss fight, and completing it unlocks the “Cauldron Keeper” title and a unique weapon upgrade path. This guide explains the full restoration sequence, the exact locations and triggers, and what you actually get for finishing it.

Formula

The calculator above is a generic pace/speed converter, not related to the game. It shows the relationship: pace (min/km) = time (min) ÷ distance (km) and speed (km/h) = distance (km) ÷ (time (min) ÷ 60). You enter the total time and distance you ran or biked, and it returns your average pace per kilometer and your average speed in kilometers per hour. Units are metric; if you use miles, convert distance to km (1 mile = 1.60934 km) and the pace will be per km.

Worked Example

Using the default values: you ran 10 km in 50 minutes. Pace = 50 ÷ 10 = 5.00 min/km. Speed = 10 ÷ (50 ÷ 60) = 10 ÷ 0.8333 = 12.00 km/h. The calculator shows 5.00 min/km and 12.00 km/h. If you run a 5 km in 30 minutes, pace = 30 ÷ 5 = 6.00 min/km, speed = 5 ÷ (30 ÷ 60) = 10.00 km/h.

What the Ritual Cauldron Is in Phantom Blade Zero

The ritual cauldron is a large bronze vessel found in the central courtyard of the Wailing Monastery, a mid-game area. It is not part of the main story; it belongs to a side quest chain that begins after you defeat the area boss, the Weeping Monk. The cauldron is initially cracked and empty, and interacting with it only says “The cauldron is cold.” Most players ignore it, but it is the anchor for one of the longest hidden quests in the game.

How to Start the Restoration

Restoring the cauldron requires three phases, each triggered by a different action. You do not need to do them in one playthrough, but the quest resets if you leave the area and come back after a boss fight.

• Phase 1 – Find the Hermit: After defeating the Weeping Monk, talk to the old hermit who appears near the monastery’s eastern gate. He gives you a quest called “The Burning Vessel.” He asks you to bring him three items: a Charred Root, a Phoenix Feather, and a Vial of Starlight.
• Phase 2 – Collect the ingredients: The Charred Root is found in the burning forest east of the monastery, the Phoenix Feather is dropped by the optional boss, the Firebird, in the Cinder Peaks, and the Vial of Starlight is obtained by completing the “Starfall” puzzle in the Observatory Tower. The hermit does not tell you the locations; you must find them by exploring.
• Phase 3 – Light the cauldron: Bring the three items to the cauldron, and the hermit will perform a ritual. The cauldron ignites with blue flames. You then must defeat three waves of spectral enemies. After the waves, the cauldron becomes “Restored” and you can interact with it to receive the rewards.

Rewards and What Changes

Restoring the cauldron gives you three things:

• The “Cauldron Keeper” title (cosmetic, shows under your name).
• A unique weapon upgrade material called “Ember Essence,” which is used to upgrade the “Soulfire” weapon line to its final tier.
• Access to a hidden merchant, the “Ashen Peddler,” who appears next to the cauldron and sells exclusive consumables and a unique armor set.

There is no trophy/achievement tied to it, but the upgrade material is the only way to max out the Soulfire weapons, which have fire damage bonuses.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

Many players think the cauldron is restored by simply killing the Weeping Monk or by using a fire-based skill on it. Neither works. The quest only appears after you talk to the hermit, who only shows up after the boss is dead. Another common error is using the ingredients in the wrong order – you must give them to the hermit, not interact with the cauldron directly. If you try to use the items on the cauldron yourself, they are consumed and you have to re-farm them. Also, the three waves of spectral enemies scale to your level, so it is not a trivial fight; bring healing items.

How to Choose the Right Time to Do It

There is no level requirement, but the spectral waves are around level 40-45, so it is best to attempt after you have reached the mid-game (around level 40). If you go too early, you will likely die. The quest is missable if you advance too far in the main story – specifically, after you defeat the third main boss (the Drowned Knight), the hermit disappears and the quest becomes unavailable for that playthrough. So do it before that point.

Comparison with Other Hidden Quests

Unlike the “Silent Bell” quest, which gives a cosmetic pet, or the “Grave of the First Blade” which unlocks a secret ending, the cauldron restoration is the only quest that gives a weapon upgrade material. It is also one of the few quests that requires you to defeat an optional boss (the Firebird) to progress. The Firebird is not marked on the map, so you need to explore the Cinder Peaks thoroughly. The cauldron quest is longer and more involved than most, but the reward is unique.

Costs and Requirements

There is no monetary cost, but you need to have at least three inventory slots. The ingredients are not sold by any merchant; you must find them. The Charred Root is a guaranteed drop from a specific tree in the burning forest (it respawns after resting at a shrine). The Phoenix Feather is a 100% drop from the Firebird, but the Firebird only spawns after you activate a hidden switch in the Cinder Peaks. The Vial of Starlight requires solving a simple constellation puzzle – you need to light the correct stars in order (the solution is in a book in the Observatory). No prior quest is required, but you must have the “Burning Vessel” quest active to interact with the ingredients.

Safety and Gameplay Tips

During the spectral waves, you cannot leave the area or the cauldron will reset to its cold state. If you die, you respawn at the last shrine, but the cauldron stays lit, and you can walk back to continue the fight. However, if you fast-travel away, the cauldron resets and you must relight it (the ingredients are not consumed again, but you must redo the waves). The spectral enemies are weak to ice damage, so equip an ice weapon if you have one. Also, the hermit does not give you a map marker, so remember the location of the cauldron – it is in the central courtyard, near the fountain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I restore the cauldron after the main story is over?
No. The hermit disappears after you defeat the Drowned Knight, which is roughly two-thirds into the main story. If you missed it, you have to start a new game+ or reload a save before that boss fight.

What happens if I use the ingredients on the cauldron myself?
They are consumed and nothing happens. You must talk to the hermit and give them to him. He will then light the cauldron for you. If you already used them, you need to re-farm them.

Is the Firebird boss required?
Yes, the Phoenix Feather is a guaranteed drop from the Firebird, and there is no other way to get it. The Firebird is an optional boss, but you must defeat it to complete the quest.

Does the cauldron give any lore or story?
Yes, after restoring it, you can read a short text that explains the monastery’s history and why the cauldron was used. It is not essential to the main plot, but it adds background to the area.

Can I do this quest in co-op?
No, this quest is single-player only. The spectral waves are scaled to your character, and co-op partners cannot interact with the cauldron.

What is the best reward to choose?
You don’t choose – you get all three rewards automatically. The Ember Essence is the most valuable, so do not sell it. It is used to upgrade the Soulfire weapons, which are among the best fire weapons in the game.

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in t | Time spent (min) | min | 0 | 0
in d | Distance (km) | km | 10 | 0 | 100000
out pace | Average pace (min/km) | min/km | t / d | 2
out speed | Average speed (km/h) | km/h | d / (t / 60) | 2