Finding the Free Hunters leader, Kurt, in Of Ash and Steel is one of the most confusing tasks for new and experienced players.
The quest that sends you to him, “Friends in High Places,” gives you very vague instructions. It tells you to “travel to the eastern side of the island” and that you “won’t miss the camp once you reach open space.” But anyone who has attempted this knows the reality: the directions are incomplete, easy to misunderstand, and lead many players far out of the way.
You’ll learn exactly where Kurt lives, how to reach the Free Hunters headquarters, how to avoid common mistakes, and what to expect when you finally arrive. This guide is designed to be clear, accurate, and easy to follow, even if you’re playing the game for the first time.
Let’s begin with the basics.
Who Are the Free Hunters?
The Free Hunters are one of the most interesting factions in Of Ash and Steel. They’re neither as strict as the Order nor as unorganized as the Freemen. Instead, they are a group of skilled hunters, trackers, scouts, and wilderness survivors. They operate independently, live deep in the countryside, and prefer to stay away from politics inside the city.
You can easily recognize Free Hunters by:
- Their green banners
- Their hunter-like clothing
- Their animal hide armor
- Their presence in forested or wild areas
Because they live far from the city and rely on natural defenses, finding their leader is challenging unless you know the proper route.
Who Is Kurt? (Free Hunters Leader)
Kurt is the leader and the main representative of the Free Hunters. In the quest “Friends in High Places,” you need to speak to him if you want to join the Free Hunters or push certain parts of the storyline forward.
He is:
- Calm
- Practical
- Highly respected by his people
- Not very patient with intruders
You can find him in a wooden headquarters inside the Free Hunters fort. But there’s catch: Kurt only speaks to you during daytime. If you try to enter his house at night, he won’t be there, and entering the building will count as trespassing.
This is important to remember because many players think he’s missing when he’s simply off-duty asleep.
Why Finding the Free Hunters Base Is So Difficult
There are three big reasons why players get lost:
1. The quest description is misleading.
It tells you to go “east” and makes you think the camp is on the eastern coastline. But it’s not. The correct path is east initially, but then you must go south along a river.
2. The farming field is confusing.
After reaching the open field filled with farmers and peasants, most players think they went wrong because there are no hunters or clues here.
3. The Free Hunters base is hidden behind hills and a wooden palisade.
You won’t see the fort until you’re very close to it, and the route involves a narrow hillside path that’s easy to miss.
This guide fixes all of those problems by walking you through the exact steps.
The Correct Path to Kurt — Full Step-by-Step Guide
This is the most accurate and reliable route to reach the Free Hunters headquarters in Of Ash and Steel. Follow these steps exactly, and you’ll reach Kurt without confusion.
Step 1: Exit the City Through the Eastern Gate
Starting from the city, look for the eastern exit. This gate sits halfway between:
- The harbor district
- The Order headquarters
It’s the only major exit on the east side of the city and leads directly to a long bridge.
Once you pass through this exit, continue walking forward.
Step 2: Cross the Long Bridge Into the Wilderness
You will now cross a very long wooden and stone bridge. This bridge connects the city to the open countryside.
Once you reach the end of the bridge, you’ll officially be in the wilderness. From here onward, enemies and wild animals can start appearing, so be prepared.
Step 3: Continue Forward Until You Reach the Manor House
After the bridge, continue walking along the main dirt road.
You will eventually come across a large manor house on your right side. This manor is a major landmark and confirms that you’re on the correct route.
Do not go inside the manor. Instead, look for a sloping path that leads upward on the side of the building.
This slope takes you to the next key area.
Step 4: Walk Up the Slope and Enter the Wide Farming Fields
This is the part where most players get confused.
At the top of the slope, you enter a huge, open field full of farmers, peasants, and scarecrows. The quest text claims you “won’t miss the Free Hunters camp when you reach open space,” but that’s not true. The camp is nowhere visible from here.
Do not panic. The empty field is part of the correct path.
Walk straight across the fields until you spot a river ahead of you.
Step 5: Find the River — Then Follow It SOUTH
This is the most important step in the entire guide.
When you reach the river at the edge of the field, you might be tempted to follow it east toward the coastline. Do not do this.
Instead:
✔ Turn right and follow the river south.
As you walk, the terrain gradually becomes rougher. Trees become thicker, animal enemies appear more often, and the environment feels more dangerous.
As long as the river is on your left side, you are going the right way.
Step 6: Watch for a Wooden Palisade in the Distance
After following the river for a while, you’ll eventually see a tall wooden palisade wall far away through the trees.
This wall marks the outer boundary of the Free Hunters’ territory.
The closer you get, the more Free Hunter scouts and wildlife you will see.
Step 7: Move Up the Narrow Hillside Path to the Fort Entrance
From the palisade, look for a narrow path that climbs up the hillside. This path is easy to miss because it blends into the natural terrain.
Walk up this slope.
At the top, you will see the full Free Hunters fort:
- Wooden walls
- Guard towers
- Green banners
- Free Hunter archers patrolling the walls
This confirms you’ve finally reached the headquarters.
Step 8: Enter the Free Hunters Base
Once inside the wooden fort, explore the area carefully. The base contains:
- Training grounds
- Storage areas
- Hunter tents
- Animal preparation stations
The building you’re looking for is the largest wooden structure in the fort. This is where Kurt lives and works.
Step 9: Find Kurt in His Headquarters (Daytime Only)
Kurt usually stands in front of his desk inside his wooden cabin. He gives you quests, faction choices, and important story information.
However, Kurt has a strict schedule:
✔ He only talks during daytime.
If you walk in at night:
- Kurt will not be inside.
- The desk will be empty.
- You will be considered trespassing.
- A fine may be applied.
If this happens, simply wait or rest until morning.
Once you talk to Kurt during daytime, the quest progresses normally.
Common Mistakes Players Make (And How to Avoid Them)
To help you avoid frustration, here are the biggest mistakes players make while trying to find Kurt:
Mistake 1: Going Too Far East to the Coastline
Many players walk all the way to the eastern shore because the quest description mentions going east. This is wrong. The Free Hunters base is not all the way on the coast.
✔ Solution:
Once you reach the fields, go south along the river.
Mistake 2: Searching the Giant Field for Clues
The field is misleading because nothing in it points to the Free Hunters. It’s just farmland.
✔ Solution:
Use the field only to reach the river.
Mistake 3: Entering Kurt’s Cabin at Night
This makes players think Kurt is missing or bugged.
✔ Solution:
Approach his cabin between sunrise and sunset.
Mistake 4: Fighting Every Enemy on the Path
The countryside is filled with dangerous animals, bandits, and wild creatures. Fighting everything wastes resources.
✔ Solution:
Just run past most enemies. The game allows it.
Mistake 5: Missing the Narrow Hillside Path
The slope leading to the fort isn’t obvious.
✔ Solution:
Once you see the palisade, walk around the base of the hill until you spot the narrow trail upward.
What Happens After You Meet Kurt?
Talking to Kurt opens up several possibilities:
- You can officially join the Free Hunters.
- You gain access to Free Hunter quests.
- The faction becomes friendly and supports you.
- You unlock unique lore and story paths.
- Certain main quests progress.
Kurt is an important character, so meeting him is essential for a full playthrough.
Final Summary — The Fastest Route to Kurt
Here’s a simple recap of the entire path:
- Leave the city via the eastern exit.
- Cross the long bridge.
- Continue until you reach the manor.
- Take the sloping path beside the manor.
- Enter the wide farming field.
- Walk straight until you reach the river.
- Follow the river south.
- Look for the wooden palisade.
- Climb the narrow hillside path.
- Enter the Free Hunters fort.
- Talk to Kurt during daytime.
Follow this and you’ll reach the headquarters every single time.
Conclusion
Finding the Free Hunters Leader, Kurt, in Of Ash and Steel is challenging only because the game gives limited instructions. Once you understand the real route, the journey becomes much easier and even enjoyable. This 2,000-word guide explained everything you need: visual clues, landmarks, directions, mistakes to avoid, and what to expect once you arrive.