Of Ash and Steel: Where to Find the Free Hunters Headquarters

Of Ash and Steel is a dark open-world RPG that takes you to a distant island where you’ll face dangerous monsters and bands of marauders. The story follows the young cartographer Tristan, who arrives on the shores of these harsh lands. In this guide, we’ll explain how to reach the Free Hunters headquarters.

Tristan’s attempt to return to the capital ends with an assassination attempt in the quest The Long Road Home. The hero is saved by Irwin, who advises him to seek support from influential friends—either the knights of the Order of Seven or the rangers of the Free Hunters.

The rangers’ fortress is located in the eastern part of the island. It is built from rough wooden logs and decorated with green flags and lanterns. The fort is cut off by a river, so you can only get there by a suspension bridge or from the shore where the hunters draw water. There are two ways to get there: through the customs post and the fishing village. We’ll describe both routes in detail in the following sections.

Reach the city port and look for the bridge in the eastern part. Cross it and you’ll arrive at the customs post. Then go up the stairs and follow the path forward until you reach the settlement.

Pay attention to the many paths. The main road leading to the transition between locations is marked by the presence of stones. You’ll also see a signpost: Grayshaft, Alpha and Omega—the name of the biome. To reach the Free Hunters, you need to pass four windmills heading south. For now, go straight along the stone-paved road to the crossroads, where there’s a quest board on the right—here, turn left and go downhill.

On the way, you’ll see a tree and a homestead to the right of it. Turn left, follow the road between fenced fields, and cross the stone bridge. From the signpost, go straight without turning until you reach the village by the third windmill.

Turn right and follow the paved road forward to the second stone bridge. The compass arrow should now be pointing south. Continue along the path. On the way, you’ll come to a fork near a cart—go right and keep moving.

Next, you’ll pass through a village. At the crossroads with the signpost, don’t turn anywhere. Go straight to the transition between the “Alpha and Omega” and “Free Hunters” locations.

Continue along the paved path to the next crossroads with a signpost. Choose the middle path and go to the post with a lantern. Turn left, pass the tent camp, and at the fork, go left until you see the bridge leading to the Free Hunters’ fort.

This route makes it much easier to travel between the city and the Free Hunters, as it runs through the center of the island and also provides convenient access to other locations. Enter the suburbs and go to the signpost near the giant statue. Follow the paved path east toward the “Grayshaft Hound” tavern. Pass the inn and proceed into the “Fishing Village” biome.

At the transition, immediately turn left to get onto the path. Follow it forward to the signpost at the “Expedition” camp. Walk past the settlement and at the fork, go left. At the next intersection, turn left toward the bridge. Notice the ruins on the left—these ruins can become the main character’s home for just 300 gold.

Cross the bridge and move to the intersection with the altar and signpost. Choose the left path, follow it to the fork, then go right and enter the Free Hunters’ territory.

At the signpost, turn right and follow the stony path. Eventually, you’ll reach a fork. Take the left road. This will bring you to a lantern post. From there, turn right to reach the Free Hunters’ fortress.