The Bowhole

Dungeon The Bowhole
In-game map of The Bowhole Japanese 魔獣のどうくつ Rōmaji Majū no dōkutsu Game Dragon Quest IX

The Bowhole is a dungeon in Dragon Quest IX. It is located far to the northwest of Wormwood Creek in Western Wormwood. The entrance to the cave is sealed by a magic barrier that can only be removed by Serena. After the barrier has been evaporated, Serena departs and the party is able to explore inside.

The cave contains the Wyrmlight bow at the deepest level, which is required to progress in the game. It is guarded by a statue of a great beast named Gadrongo, who is the keeper of the path of light. The statue will come to life and challenge the party to a battle to deem them worthy of unlocking the Wyrmward. The pedestal holding the bow and arrow is marked: The path of light in this arrow is sealed, Cradled here 'til a chosen one be revealed. Let fly this bolt o'er the Wyrmward wide, As the way unfolds, boldly onward stride.

Treasures

Treasures
Item	Location
Rank 4 (F) blue treasure chest	Southeast corner of the exterior
Rank 4 (F) blue treasure chest	Exterior section, west of the northeast clearing
Rank 5 (E) blue treasure chest	Exterior section, east of the northeast clearing
Weird Dance party trick	Speak to the ghost on L1 after the barrier has been removed
3,000 gold coins	Red treasure chest in southeast room on B1F
Prayer ring	Red treasure chest near center of B1F
Rank 4 (F) blue treasure chest	Southwest section of B1F
Mini medal	Red treasure chest in northwest section of B1F
Rank 5 (E) blue treasure chest	Northwest section of B1F above red treasure chest
Holy talisman	Red treasure chest in northern room on B2F
Rank 5 (E) blue treasure chest	Northwest room on B2F surrounded by poisonous swamp
Light gauntlets	Red treasure chest in southeast room on B2F
Rank 4 (F) blue treasure chest	Southeast room on B2F beneath red treasure chest
Rank 5 (E) blue treasure chest	North room on B3F
Gold bar	Red treasure chest in south section of central room on B3F
Wyrmlight bow	Received from the pedestal on B4F after defeating Gadrongo

Monsters in the Area

Dragon Quest IX (DS)
Enemy	Gold	Exp	Drop Item
#145 Bloody manguini	148 G	1000	Wing of bat Terrible tattoo	1/8 1/16
#146 Blood mummy	108 G	1200	Grubby bandage Malicite	1/8 1/128
#147 Harmour	120 G	1300	Silver mail Iron mask	1/64 1/256
#148 Python priest	164 G	950	Watermaul wand Fizzle-retardant suit	1/64 1/128
#149 Sculpture vulture	160 G	1320	Narspicious Resurrock	1/32 1/128
#150 Living statue	172 G	1500	Flintstone Resurrock	1/16 1/128
#151 Goodybag	336 G	500	Brighten rock Pink pearl	1/16 1/64
#152 Drakularge	187 G	1600	Dragon's scale Gold bar	1/16 1/256
#153 Liquid metal slime	40 G	40200	Agility ring Depressing shoes	1/32 1/128

Gadrongo

Other notable attributes

      This location contains poisonous marshes/swamps.

Trivia

• The name "Bowhole" describes the function of the dungeon, as the dungeon itself can be described as a "hole" which contains a special "bow".
  • The name is also a play on a geological feature "blowhole".
• The name of the boss is Gadrongo, after the Hero open the way to Upover, the mayor of Wormwood Creek will apologize and say, "Sorry for bein' such ungrateful drongoes. "
• On B3F of the dungeon, there is a method to easily encounter Liquid metal slimes. By standing in the upper right section of the platform in the southwest near the stairs to B4F, a monster will eventually spawn. After a moment, the monster will walk offscreen to the right and a liquid metal slime should spawn right after. Quickly run up to it from behind to prevent it from running away. This method is known as the "Liquid Metal Slime Conveyor" (はぐれメタルコンベアー, Hagure metaru konbeā) among Japanese players since it looks like a conveyor belt.

Layout

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  Entrance

• 

  Level 1.

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  Level 2.

• 

  Exit in Level 1.

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  Level 3.

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  Level 4.

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  Inside of Level 4.