A Lyre for the Underworld
Among the many side stories woven into the sprawling world of Hades, the quest for the Gift of Song stands out as one of the most charming and musically rewarding. It is not a quest of combat or conquest, but one of friendship, artistry, and the slow building of trust with a grieving musician. The reward is not a weapon or a boon of power, but something far more lasting: the ability to change the soundtrack of the Underworld itself. For players who love the game’s music, this quest becomes an essential pilgrimage.
Meeting Orpheus and Hearing His Sorrow
The quest begins in the House of Hades, where Orpheus sits in a corner, strumming his lyre and singing fragments of mournful tunes. In the game’s story, Orpheus is a court musician whose music once charmed stones and trees, but he has fallen into despair after losing his muse, Eurydice. His songs are subdued, incomplete, and heavy with longing. Zagreus, the prince of the Underworld, can speak with him between escape attempts, and over time, Orpheus reveals that he has lost the inspiration to compose anything new. He mentions that his lyre, once a gift from the Muses themselves, has fallen silent in his hands.
Unlocking the Quest Through Nectar and Conversation
The Gift of Song quest does not activate immediately. Players must first build a relationship with Orpheus by giving him Nectar, the game’s primary gift item. After receiving enough Nectar, Orpheus will share more about his past and his lost love. Eventually, he will admit that he wishes to write a new song, but feels he cannot do so without Eurydice’s presence. This confession triggers the quest’s next phase. Zagreus learns that Eurydice is not truly gone; she resides in Asphodel, having chosen to remain in the Underworld rather than return to the surface. The task becomes clear: reunite the musician with his muse, at least in spirit, and help him find his voice again.
Finding Eurydice in Asphodel
Locating Eurydice requires several successful escape attempts. She appears in a special chamber within Asphodel, a cozy grove where she tends to her garden and bakes treats for passing shades. When Zagreus meets her, he can mention Orpheus and his sadness. Eurydice is gentle but hesitant. She explains that she and Orpheus parted ways for complicated reasons, and that she has found her own peace in the Underworld. However, she does not refuse to help. She offers Zagreus a message for Orpheus, along with a request: she wants him to write a song about their story, not one of sorrow, but one of gratitude and acceptance.
Delivering the Message and Completing the Song
Returning to the House of Hades, Zagreus delivers Eurydice’s words to Orpheus. The musician is moved, and over the next few runs, he begins to compose. Each time Zagreus speaks with him, Orpheus has a new verse or a new melody to share. The quest culminates when Orpheus finally performs the completed song. It is a beautiful, bittersweet ballad that plays in the House of Hades, replacing the usual ambient music with something deeply personal. The Gift of Song is not a physical item; it is the restored music itself, a permanent change to the game’s atmosphere that reflects the healing of a broken heart.
Why the Gift of Song Matters
This quest exemplifies what makes Hades special as a narrative experience. It takes a minor mythological figure and gives him a story of recovery and creative renewal. The reward is intangible but meaningful: players who complete the quest hear Orpheus’s full song every time they return to the House, a reminder of the connections they have built. It also deepens the game’s themes of family, loss, and the possibility of joy in the afterlife. For many players, the Gift of Song becomes the emotional heart of the game, a quiet counterpoint to the violence of the escape attempts.
In the end, the quest for the Gift of Song is a reminder that even in the Underworld, music can heal. It asks nothing of the player except patience, kindness, and a willingness to listen. The reward is a song that lingers long after the controller is set down, proof that the smallest acts of friendship can echo through the halls of Hades forever.
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