Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 takes players back to medieval Bohemia, offering an immersive RPG experience filled with quests, treasures, and unique weapons to discover. Among these special items is the legendary Silver Axe, which can be obtained through a fascinating side activity called “The Axe From The Lake.” This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step needed to find, retrieve, and repair this powerful weapon, unlocking one of the game’s most valuable early-game items.
The Legend of the Silver Axe: Starting the Quest
Before you can begin your search for the Silver Axe, you’ll need to learn about its existence through local folklore. This section covers how to initiate “The Axe From The Lake” task.
Finding Zdenyek the Mouth in Tachov
The first step in your quest for the Silver Axe begins in the town of Tachov, located in the Trosky region. To start the task:
- Travel to Tachov (you’ll likely visit this location during Main Quest 4, “Laboratores”)
- Find Zdenyek the Mouth, the local storyteller, who typically hangs around the tavern
- Initiate a conversation with him about his stories
According to Prima Games, “You get the Axe from the Lake Task in Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 by talking to Zdenyek the Mouth NPC in Tachov,” who is known as the town’s storyteller.
Getting Zdenyek to Tell the Tale
Convincing Zdenyek to share his story requires one of the following approaches:
| Method | Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Persuasion | Sufficient Speech skill | Most cost-effective option |
| Payment | 25 Groschen | Guaranteed success |
| Drink | Any alcoholic beverage | Can purchase from the tavern keeper |
When given the choice of stories, select “Something informative” to hear the tale of the Silver Axe.
The Tale of Two Brothers
Zdenyek will recount the story of two brothers, Matthias and Kuba, and a magical silver axe. The story involves:
- Matthias finding a silver axe in a lake, given to him by a water goblin
- His brother Kuba’s greed leading to his drowning
- Matthias burying both his brother and the silver axe on a hill near Rocktower Pond
Pay close attention to the landmarks mentioned in the story, as they will guide your search:
- A pier by Rocktower Pond
- An old oak tree
- A large rock
- A burial site on a hilltop with a view of the valley
Locating the Silver Axe: Following the Trail
With the tale fresh in your mind, it’s time to follow the path described in Zdenyek’s story. This section will guide you to the exact location of the buried Silver Axe.
Required Items for the Search
Before setting out, make sure you have:
- A spade (can be purchased from merchants like Jurg Thomel in Troskowitz, or found in the world)
- Some inventory space for the items you’ll find
Journey to Rocktower Pond
The search area for the Silver Axe is west of Zhelejov, near Rocktower Pond. According to GamesRadar, “The Kingdome Come Deliverance 2 Axe from the Lake is found Northeast of Rockwater Pond Pier, where the trail begins, buried in the forest in the hills above the lake.”
To reach this location:
- Travel to the western portion of the Trosky region
- Find Rocktower Pond on your map
- Locate the pier on the northeastern shore of the pond
Following the Landmarks
Once you’ve found the pier, follow these steps to locate the burial site:
- From the pier, look for a path heading uphill to the north
- Continue along this path until you come across an old oak tree
- Henry will comment on this being from the story
- Keep following the path until you reach a large rock
- From the rock, continue uphill and slightly to the left
- Look for a burial site on the hilltop with a view of the valley
The Destructoid guide notes that you must follow the directions precisely as told in Zdenyek’s story, starting with “a pier hidden in the reeds at Rocktower Pond southwest of Tachov.”
Digging Up the Buried Axe
When you reach the burial site:
- Use your spade to dig up the grave
- Loot the contents to find:
- A Broken Axe (the Silver Axe from the story)
- A Gemstone Silver Ring (valuable item worth keeping or selling)
- Other minor items
Repairing the Silver Axe: Blacksmithing
Now that you have the Broken Axe, you’ll need to repair it to restore its former glory. This section explains the repair process.
Required Materials for Repair
To repair the Broken Axe, you’ll need:
| Item | Source | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Broken Axe | From the grave | Already obtained |
| Fastening Material | Purchase from blacksmith | 1-2 Groschen |
| Blacksmithing Fee | For using the forge | Varies by blacksmith |
Visiting the Blacksmith in Tachov
The most convenient place to repair the axe is at Radovan’s forge in Tachov:
- Return to Tachov and find Radovan the blacksmith
- Ensure you’ve completed the blacksmithing tutorial (if not, speak with Radovan)
- Interact with the forge to begin smithing
- Select the “Adorned Axe” recipe from the crafting menu
The Blacksmithing Process
According to Gamerant, the smithing process works as follows:
- Heat the metal in the forge until it glows whitish-orange
- Take it to the anvil for hammering
- Avoid hitting the same spot repeatedly
- Move and rotate the piece to smith all sides
- Reheat when the glow fades
- Repeat until the smithing is complete
Listen to Henry’s dialogue for cues on whether you’re doing it correctly. When done properly, you’ll transform the Broken Axe into the “Adorned Axe.”
Completing the Quest and Axe Specifications
Now that you’ve repaired the Silver Axe, you can complete the quest and enjoy your new weapon.
Returning to Zdenyek
To officially complete “The Axe From The Lake” task:
- Return to Zdenyek in Tachov
- Tell him about finding and repairing the axe
- He’ll be surprised that the story held some truth after all
While this step is optional, GamerBlurb notes, “If you’re feeling thorough, head back to Zdenyek in the Tachov Tavern and let him know you’ve solved the mystery.”
Adorned Axe Statistics and Usage
The Adorned Axe (repaired Silver Axe) has impressive statistics that make it valuable for early-game combat:
| Statistic | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Slash Damage | High | Effective against lightly armored opponents |
| Blunt Damage | Moderate | Some effectiveness against armored foes |
| Durability | Good | Lasts through multiple battles |
| Value | ~120 Groschen | Can be sold if needed |
The Adorned Axe sits between swords and maces in terms of combat effectiveness, offering good slashing power while providing some blunt force. It’s particularly valuable in the early game when better weapons are scarce or expensive.
Silver Axe Location Map and Visual Guide
For visual reference, here’s a breakdown of the key locations in your search for the Silver Axe:
Key Locations for the Silver Axe Quest
- Tachov Town – Starting point, where you meet Zdenyek
- Rocktower Pond – The lake mentioned in the story, west of Zhelejov
- Northeastern Pier – Where your trail begins at the pond
- Old Oak Tree – First landmark on the path uphill
- Large Rock – Second landmark, where Matthias tried to destroy the axe
- Hilltop Burial Site – Final location where the axe is buried
The burial site is located on a hill with a view overlooking the valley, marked by a small mound that can be dug with a spade.
Using the Silver Axe Effectively in Combat
Now that you have the Adorned Axe, here are some tips for using it effectively in combat:
Combat Techniques
- Shield Combination – Use a shield alongside the axe to compensate for its lower defense
- Heavy Attacks – Utilize the axe’s weight for powerful swings against enemies
- Skill Development – Using the axe will level up your Heavy Weapons skill, providing long-term benefits
Maintenance Tips
To keep your Adorned Axe in optimal condition:
- Regularly sharpen it at a grindstone to maintain maximum damage
- Repair it when durability gets low to prevent damage penalties
- Consider applying weapon oil for temporary combat bonuses
Alternatives and Decisions
While finding the Silver Axe is certainly worthwhile, you do have options regarding what to do with it:
Keep or Sell?
You can either:
- Keep the axe for combat use – Recommended for players focused on combat with axes
- Sell the axe for around 120 Groschen – A good option if you need money or prefer other weapon types
As Dexerto notes, “It’s a powerful weapon, especially in the early game, so you can either keep it for yourself or sell it for a nice profit.”
FAQs About the Silver Axe in KCD2
Where exactly is the Silver Axe buried in Kingdom Come Deliverance 2?
The Silver Axe is buried on a hilltop northeast of Rocktower Pond. Starting from the pier on the northeastern shore of the pond, follow the path uphill past an oak tree and a large rock until you reach a burial site overlooking the valley.
Do I need specific skills to repair the Silver Axe?
No special skills are required, but you do need to have completed the basic blacksmithing tutorial with Radovan in Tachov. The repair process involves standard blacksmithing mechanics that any player can complete.
Is the Adorned Axe worth keeping or should I sell it?
The Adorned Axe is one of the better weapons available in the early game, offering good damage and versatility. Unless you specifically prefer other weapon types or desperately need money, it’s generally recommended to keep it for at least the early stages of the game.
What happens if I sell the axe before completing the quest?
If you sell the axe before speaking to Zdenyek to complete the quest, the dialogue will change slightly, but you can still complete the task. According to the Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 Wiki, this just results in “different dialogue” without affecting quest completion.
Can I find the Silver Axe without talking to Zdenyek first?
Technically yes, you can find and dig up the burial site without starting the quest. However, without Zdenyek’s story to guide you, finding the exact location would be extremely difficult. Additionally, starting the quest properly ensures it will be tracked in your journal.
Conclusion
The Silver Axe quest in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 represents one of the game’s more interesting side activities, blending folklore with tangible rewards. By following the trail from Zdenyek’s story to the Silver Axe’s burial site and then repairing it through blacksmithing, players not only gain a powerful early-game weapon but also experience one of the many rich narratives woven throughout the game world.
Whether you choose to keep the Adorned Axe for combat or sell it for profit, the journey to find it offers a microcosm of what makes Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 special—the attention to detail, the blend of historical realism with folklore, and the way even simple tasks can turn into memorable adventures.
