Hey, if you’re like a ton of players right now—finally get told to talk to “this guy” after grinding those three village quests, show up at the Free Hunters camp, and… nothing? No chat options? Total buzzkill, right? You’re not bugged.
It’s probably the wrong time of day or the wrong dude. The quick fix: Head to Kurt’s house on the hill inside their wooden fort—but only during daylight. He’ll kick off the “Joining the Free Hunters” quest right away. Keep reading for the full easy walkthrough.
What You Need Before Starting
Make sure you’ve wrapped up these early bits to unlock the path:
- Finish the prologue: Shipwreck survival, rescue folks on Grayshaft Island.
- Help the three villages: Woodcutters camp (supplies and secrets), abandoned village (Fox’s plan), fishing village (herbalists and disputes). These give rep and hints like “go talk to the Free Hunters leader.”
- Grab the “Friends in High Places” quest—it points east to their turf.
Once done, you’re set for Chapter 3 vibes where factions open up. Picking Free Hunters locks you in—good rep with them, bad with Order of the Seven rivals.
Easy Path to the Free Hunters Camp
No map markers, so exploration mode on. Start from Grayshaft city. Takes 20-30 mins on foot, level 20-25 enemies (wolves, bandits, spiders). Pack stamina pots, torches, light armor. Go daytime to dodge night ambushes.
- East Gate Outta City: From center, east past slums and tavern. Only big exit there.
- Cross the Long Bridge: Stone/wood bridge to wilderness. Enemies start popping.
- Main Road to Manor: Straight on dirt path. Spot big manor house on right—don’t go in.
- Slope Up to Fields: Right by manor, take uphill path. Hit huge open farm fields with peasants and scarecrows.
- River Time—Go SOUTH: Cross fields to river. Turn RIGHT, follow river south (keep it left). Trees thicken, more beasts.
- Spot the Palisade: Through trees, see tall wooden wall. Free Hunters scouts around.
- Climb Hillside Path: Base of hill—narrow trail up. Blends in, circle if missed. Top: Fort with towers, green flags, archers.
- Enter the Fort: Tents, tavern (Grayshaftian Hound), poachers, herbalists.
Boom, you’re in rebel hunter heaven.
Chat with Kurt to Join
- Find Kurt: Big wooden house on the hill inside fort. Desk/throne spot.
- Daytime Only (6AM-8PM-ish): He’s there chatting. Night? He’s gone, you trespass—fine or fight. Sleep at camp inn/tent till dawn.
- Exhaust his talk. He sends you to Kamal for trials.
Wrong guy? Players screenshot themselves sometimes. Reload if stuck.
Nail the Four Envelope Trials
Kamal (Freeman Fortress, same area) hands colored envelopes with beast riddles. Hunt exact variants, grab trophies (auto-drop, no skinning). Return each time.
| Envelope | Riddle Clue | Beast | Spot | Fight Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | “Wolf with no tail” | Tailless Mauler (loud howl) | Freehold crossroad sign (Free Farm path end, uphill tent) | Dodge bites, flank. Level 25+. Packs nearby. |
| Green | “Walking fortress” | Ash Turtle | SE camp: Plateau, burned tower, purple crystal, fire junk | Super armored—kite to guards for help. Raw trophy drops. |
| Black | “Feeds then burrows” / Bug swarmer | Black Wood Beetle | Cave under fort: Poachers camp outside, small hill up | Poison gear. Clear swarms first. Save! |
| Red | “Blood feast / Vile fester / Glow = run” | Giant Mosquito | Swamps by water/fishing village, to Free Tower | Dodge glow boom. Fast hits or bombs. |
Pro move: Hit Fluke at Grayshaftian Hound tavern (valley near graveyard/fishing). Buys riddle hints cheap (+rings). All done? Join unlocked, “For the Free People!” achievement pops.
Quick Tips to Make It Smooth
- Gear Up: Stamina pots, anti-poison herbs, torches, DEX/INS light leather (dodges rule).
- Time Hack: Camp beds skip to morning. Shadows show day/night.
- Hunt Smart: Sounds key—howls, buzzes. Save pre-fight.
- Backup: Recruit Jiri/Horka mid-trials for help.
- Run Don’t Fight: Skip most road trash.
- Level Check: 25+ comfy. Beast hunts boost you.
Bugs and How to Fix ‘Em
- Kurt Silent: Nighttime or wrong house. Wait/sleep, reload.
- No Dialogue: Skip village quests? Redo ’em.
- Wrong Trophy: Exact beast—e.g., normal turtle = no go.
- Stuck at Kamal: Reload pre-talk save.
- Path Blocks: Spider cave? Clear slow.
- Achievement Fail: Finish trials fully, restart Steam overlay.
Patch 1.05+ fixed some quest glitches—update if old.
Free Hunters vs. Other Factions
Commit early—here’s the breakdown:
| Thing | Free Hunters | Order of the Seven | Stay Neutral |
|---|---|---|---|
| Style | Sneaky DEX/INS: Dodge, crits, stealth | Tough STR/FORT: Blocks, big smashes | Mix, no specials |
| Gear | Light leather (fast/crit), rapiers | Heavy plate (tank/HP), greatswords | Basic stuff |
| Moves | Phantom Strike (teleport stab), Smoke Bomb | Iron Will (less damage), Quake Slam | Nada unique |
| Missions | Stealth saves, spy hunts, Shadow War boss | Sieges, trials, Final Stand boss | Weaker story |
| PvP | Top mobility | Solid tank | Weak bonuses |
| For You If | Pro dodgers, PvP lovers, wild rogues | Newbies, boss grinders | Test runs, trade |
Free Hunters fit the hunt-everything wilderness life best.
Perks Once You’re In
- Sweet Loot: Hunter’s Stalker set (speed/crits), Fang Rapier (DEX god).
- Rep Boosts: Exalted = cosmetics, leaderboards.
- Story Goodies: Rescue ops, mole chases—lead the pack endgame.
- PvP Fun: Raid Order lands for cash/reps.
- Extras: New Game+ keeps faction, romance options like Kurt/Silvia.
- Beds Everywhere: Ladder in Kurt’s for free rest (he yells, ignore).
There ya go— from frustrated castaway to elite Free Hunter in no time. This path skips the headaches. Hit up Whispering Grove next for more action. Game on!
5 Quick FAQs: Joining the Free Hunters in Of Ash and Steel
1. Where exactly is the Free Hunters camp?
It’s hidden and has no map marker. From Grayshaft city, leave through the east gate → cross the long bridge → pass the vineyards → go through the spider cave → follow the river south through the forest. Look for a big wooden wall on a hillside with green flags. Climb the narrow path up and you’re there. Go in daylight and be at least level 20-22.
2. Why won’t Kurt talk to me or give the join option?
99 % of the time it’s because it’s nighttime. Kurt only offers the “Joining the Free Hunters” dialogue between roughly 6 AM and 8 PM in-game. At night he just ignores you. Sleep at the camp inn or any bed until morning, then go to his big house on the hill inside the fort and talk again.
3. I killed the monsters but no trophies dropped—what now?
You probably hit the wrong variant. Each envelope needs a very specific named or unique-looking beast:
- White → Tailless Mauler (the one without a tail, loud howl)
- Green → Ash Turtle on the burned tower plateau
- Black → Black Wood Beetle in the cave right under the fort
- Red → Giant Mosquito (the huge glowing one) in the swamps
Kill the exact one listed and the trophy drops automatically—no skinning needed.
4. I finished the trials but the “For the Free People!” achievement didn’t pop. Help?
Hand all four trophies to Kamal, get the final confirmation from Kurt, and make sure the quest fully completes in your log. If it still doesn’t trigger, close and restart the game (or verify files on Steam). Patch 1.05 fixed this for most people.
5. Where is the Frost Petalophore / Giant Mosquito for the red envelope?
Head out of the Free Hunters camp, follow the river downstream (south-east), and keep going until you hit the big swamp area near the fishing village and Free Tower. The giant glowing mosquito flies around the water. Don’t stand in the glow or it explodes—dodge and hit fast or use bombs.