The Hardships of Seafaring Overview

The Hardships of Seafaring is the first quest series you’ll encounter in Of Ash and Steel. These tutorial quests take place in the Shores region and teach you the basic gameplay mechanics while introducing key NPCs and the game’s story.

The Shores region where your adventure begins

Video Walkthrough

Quest Series Components

The Hardships of Seafaring consists of 4 separate tasks that can be completed in different orders depending on which NPCs you interact with first:

1. Provisions in Danger - Kill three bugs for Chump
2. Break Time - Find tobacco and brandy for Squid
3. Fish Steak - Spar with Fish using a makeshift weapon
4. What Use is a Cartographer - Speak with various NPCs about your role

Complete Walkthrough

1. Provisions in Danger

Quest Giver: Chump (sitting by the boat at the shoreline)

Objective: Kill three bugs that are bothering the camp

Step-by-Step:

1. Find Chump: From where Sirdar is standing, go left to reach the shoreline
2. Talk to Chump: He’s sitting by the boat and will ask you to kill three pests
3. Locate the bugs: The bugs are found along the path between the shoreline and the medical camp

Key NPCs and locations in the starting area

Bug Locations:

• First bug: Behind the first tent, directly behind Chump’s position
• Second bug: Near the path that goes uphill to the right, where a soldier is blocking access
• Third bug: In front of the medical camp, usually roaming around

Combat Tips:

• The bugs are weak and easy to kill
• Use basic attacks - no special techniques needed
• This is good practice for the combat system

2. Break Time

Quest Giver: Squid (soldier sitting by the shoreline)

Objective: Find tobacco (Rutmane) for Squid

Step-by-Step:

1. Talk to Squid: Go straight from Sirdar, then turn left to find Squid by the shore
2. Visit Emmett: Squid sends you to the Physician in the medical camp
3. Find Emmett: Go straight from Squid’s location to reach the medical camp
4. Learn about missing item: Emmett says he doesn’t have Rutmane, but mentions something was stolen

Finding the Brandy:

1. Locate the chest: Return to Chump’s boat area
2. Open the chest: Contains 3 Brandy bottles
3. Take one Brandy: You only need one for the quest
4. Return to Emmett: Give him the Brandy

The Stolen Item Subplot:

1. Talk to Rower: He admits to stealing something and throwing it on a rock
2. Find the Armor Reinforcing Kit:
   • Take the ladder on the opposite side of the Medical Camp
   • Climb all the way up
   • Jump across ledges as needed
   • The kit is on a high rock platform
3. Return to Emmett: Give him the Armor Reinforcing Kit
4. Choose your response:
   • Option 1: Maintain peace (recommended for beginners)
   • Option 2: Tell the truth (causes conflict between Emmett and Rower)
5. Get Rutmane: Emmett gives you tobacco as a reward
6. Complete quest: Return to Squid with the Rutmane

3. Fish Steak

Quest Giver: Fish (found while searching for Brandy)

Objective: Obtain a weapon and spar with Fish

Step-by-Step:

1. Find Fish: You’ll encounter him while looking for the Brandy chest
2. Talk to Fish: He wants to spar but you need a weapon
3. Get a weapon from Chump:
   • Return to Chump by the boat
   • Ask if he has any weapons
   • Chump offers his false leg (yes, really!)
   • Accept the “Pirate’s leg” as your weapon
4. Return to Fish: Go back with your new “weapon”
5. Complete the spar: Engage in friendly combat with Fish
   • This is a tutorial fight
   • Focus on learning the combat mechanics
   • You cannot lose this fight

Combat Tutorial Tips:

• Practice stamina management
• Learn basic attack and defense
• Get comfortable with the control scheme

4. What Use is a Cartographer

Quest Giver: Sirdar (your initial contact)

Objective: Speak with various NPCs about your role as a cartographer

Prerequisites: Must complete “Provisions in Danger” first

Step-by-Step:

1. Talk to Sirdar: After completing the bug quest, he gives you this task
2. Find Murray: Located beside the Medical Camp
3. Complete dialogue: Go through all conversation options with Murray
4. Return to shoreline: Go back to where Chump is sitting
5. Talk to Gellert: He’s another NPC in the shoreline area
6. Listen to his story: Complete all dialogue options
7. Quest complete: Return to Sirdar if needed

Key NPCs and Locations

Important Characters

Sirdar: Main quest coordinator, gives overall direction Chump: Boat keeper, provides equipment and bug-killing quest Emmett: Physician in medical camp, involved in tobacco quest Squid: Soldier wanting tobacco, starts the Break Time quest Fish: Combat trainer, teaches basic fighting Murray: Information source for cartographer quest Gellert: Storyteller with background information Rower: Thief who stole the Armor Reinforcing Kit

Key Locations

Shoreline: Central hub where most NPCs gather Medical Camp: Emmett’s location, source of healing supplies Boat Area: Chump’s location, contains important chest High Rocks: Where the stolen item is hidden Blocked Path: Soldier checkpoint requiring higher stats

Rewards and Experience

Experience Points: Each completed quest gives XP Gold: Small amounts from quest completion Items:

• Armor Reinforcing Kit (if you keep it)
• Pirate’s Leg weapon (novelty item)
• Brandy (healing item)

Most Important Reward: Access to Act 1 - Completing this series unlocks the main game

Common Issues and Solutions

Navigation Problems

Getting Lost:

• Use the shoreline as your central reference point
• The medical camp is always “inland” from the shore
• NPCs will repeat directions if you ask again

Missing NPCs:

• Some NPCs move around slightly
• Check nearby areas if someone isn’t where expected
• Restart the area if NPCs disappear (rare bug)

Quest Bugs

Items Not Appearing:

• The chest by the boat sometimes doesn’t highlight properly
• Try approaching from different angles
• Save and reload if items don’t appear

Combat Issues:

• If the spar with Fish doesn’t trigger, try talking to him again
• Make sure you have the Pirate’s Leg equipped
• Combat tutorial is forgiving - focus on learning

Tips for Success

Efficient Completion

1. Talk to everyone first to get all quests active
2. Complete Provisions in Danger early as it unlocks other content
3. Save before climbing to get the Armor Reinforcing Kit
4. Keep extra Brandy for healing later
5. Practice combat during the Fish spar - it’s safe training

Preparation for Act 1

• Learn the area layout thoroughly
• Understand basic combat from the Fish encounter
• Note important NPC locations for future reference
• Manage your limited resources carefully
• Save your game before leaving the starting area

What’s Next?

After completing The Hardships of Seafaring:

1. Gain access to Act 1 of the main storyline
2. Leave the starting area and explore new regions
3. Find better equipment and training opportunities
4. Begin the main quest to uncover the island’s mysteries
5. Start working on achievements that require story progression

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Ready for the main adventure? Check out our Complete Walkthrough or learn more Survival Tips for the challenges ahead.

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