How do you unlock the Windmill, and what does it process?

The Windmill is a crucial crafting station in Valheim that allows players to process barley and flax into barley flour and linen thread, respectively. These resources are essential for advanced crafting recipes, particularly in the late game. To unlock the Windmill, you must first defeat Moder, the fourth boss located in the Mountain biome. Moder drops the Dragon Tear, which is required to craft the Artisan Table, the crafting station that unlocks the Windmill recipe.\n\nTo begin your journey toward unlocking the Windmill, you must first prepare for the Moder fight. Moder is a challenging boss, so ensure you have upgraded gear, such as Wolf Armor or Padded Armor, and a strong weapon like the Draugr Fang bow or Frostner. Stock up on healing meads, frost resistance meads, and arrows. Once you defeat Moder, you will receive the Dragon Tear, which allows you to craft the Artisan Table at your Forge.\n\nThe Artisan Table requires 10 wood, 2 dragon tears, and a Forge to craft. Place the Artisan Table near your Forge to unlock advanced crafting recipes, including the Windmill. The Windmill itself requires 20 stone, 30 wood, and 30 iron nails to build. Iron nails are crafted at a Forge using iron ingots, which are smelted from scrap iron found in the Swamp biome. Once you have the materials, place the Windmill in an open area with sufficient space for its rotating blades.\n\nThe Windmill processes barley and flax, which are grown in the Plains biome. Barley is used to make barley flour, a key ingredient for bread and other advanced food recipes. Flax is processed into linen thread, which is used to craft high-tier armor like the Padded Armor set. To grow barley and flax, you must first cultivate the Plains biome, which is dangerous due to the presence of Fulings and Deathsquitos. Build a secure farming area with walls and workbenches to prevent enemy spawns.\n\nOnce you have harvested barley and flax, place them in the Windmill''s input slot. The Windmill will automatically process them into barley flour or linen thread, depending on the input. Note that the Windmill requires wind to function, so ensure it is placed in an area with consistent wind. If the Windmill is not spinning, it may be due to insufficient wind or obstructions blocking its blades.\n\nA common challenge players face is finding enough barley and flax to sustain their crafting needs. To maximize your yield, plant barley and flax in large quantities and protect your crops from Fuling raids. Use the Cultivator tool to prepare the soil and plant the seeds. Over time, you can expand your farming operations to produce a steady supply of these resources.\n\nIn summary, unlocking the Windmill requires defeating Moder, crafting the Artisan Table, and gathering the necessary materials to build the Windmill. Once operational, the Windmill processes barley and flax into essential resources for advanced crafting. By securing a safe farming area in the Plains biome and optimizing your crop yields, you can efficiently produce barley flour and linen thread to support your Viking adventures.\n\nPractical tips: Always monitor your Windmill''s placement to ensure it has access to wind. Build a secure base in the Plains biome to protect your crops from Fulings. Stockpile barley and flax to avoid shortages during crafting sessions. Finally, consider building multiple Windmills to increase processing speed and efficiency.