In Of Ash and Steel, the world map isn’t immediately available in full. Instead, it unlocks gradually as you explore key vantage points tied to the A True Cartographer quest. This guide walks you through every map viewpoint location, helping you clear the fog and fully reveal the world map.
How to Unlock the Map
You gain access to the map during Chapter 2, specifically while completing the second main quest A Letter Sealed with the Royal Rune where you follow Irvine. During this quest, you obtain your mapping tools, which unlock the map interface.
Shortly after, you’ll receive the A True Cartographer quest. Although the map becomes usable, it will still be covered in fog. To uncover regions, you must locate and interact with hidden map viewpoints scattered across the world.
All Map Viewpoints Location
There are a total of eleven viewpoints that you’ll need to locate in order to clear the fog during the A True Cartographer quest. Here’s an easy breakdown of all eleven locations:
Hully Vale Viewpoint
Your first viewpoint is located near the tavern where you meet Irvine. Look for a large guardian tower in the area. Nearby, you’ll spot a massive ship somehow lodged at the top of a mountain, the viewpoint is located at the nose of the ship. To reach it, you’ll need to circle around the area rather than heading straight toward it. Expect heavy resistance, including multiple bandit camps. Follow the road with wooden planks, cross the bridge, and turn into the woods near a destroyed house.
From there, climb uphill, veer left, jump into the river, and climb up the frost rocks on the other side. Use the fallen log to cross toward the ship, reach the very front and interact to unlock a large portion of the map.
Outskirts Viewpoint
To reveal this viewpoint, you will have to start from either the Grayshaft Tavern or the large statue nearby. Then, from the tavern you will need to head left toward the statue and proceed to the crossroads.
After that, take the road that leads toward the High Fort and climbs into the mountains. You’ll need to stay on the left path, follow the road upward, and then you’ll soon reach the Outskirts viewpoint. Interacting with it clears the fog over this expansive region.
Backwoods Viewpoint
The next viewpoint is Backwoods which is located near the woodcutter’s camp. What you’ll need to do is cross the nearby bridge and move slightly towards the left to find an open spot that is ideal for charting. Activating this viewpoint unlocks another significant map section.
Grayshaft City Viewpoint
The Grayshaft viewpoint is well hidden within the city. What you’ll need to do is enter through the main gates and make your way to the market square. From there, take left and climb upward, another turn left, and continue ascending through narrow paths.
You will find the viewpoint concealed among bushes and tall grass near the upper levels of the city. Once it is activated, the Grayshaft map area will be fully revealed.
Crossroads Viewpoint
From Grayshaft, you will have to head towards the Free Lands then follow the main road downhill, ignoring hostile encounters if possible. You’ll need to continue walking until you reach home area and cross the bridge leading to the Free Lands.
Then turn right and head toward an old watchtower that’s nestled in the mountains. Climb to the top using careful platforming and stairs. Finally, at the summit, interact with the viewpoint to uncover the Crossroads region.
Dark Forest Viewpoint
From the watchtower, you will need to return to the Crossroads and turn left to enter the Dark Forest. This region is packed with dangerous enemies so avoiding them is recommended. Try to stay on the main path and avoid heading straight into the swamp. Instead, it’ll be better if you choose the route leading toward red-stone ruins.
Pass beneath a large arch, ignore nearby caves, and continue along the road. Finally, a fort will appear on your right, follow the path leading to the tower behind it and at the top, you’ll find the Dark Forest viewpoint.
Ivarsby Village Viewpoint
This viewpoint is located quite close to the Dark Forest area. Start from the nearby camp then turn right and follow the road ahead. You’ll come across an area that will look like a dead end but it will actually lead you through a passage and into a loading zone.
Once you’re through, turn right toward the mountain path crawling with spiders and guarded by bandits. Then climb the ruined tower at the end of the path to chart the Ivarsby Village, then exit quickly.
Alpha and Omega Viewpoint
To access Alpha and Omega, you will need to head north of the Free Hunters region, then move behind the Free Farm, pass a broken cart, and finally walk beneath a tree to enter the area.
It’s best if you stick close to the town to avoid any sort of enemies. Here, you’ll encounter multiple mills, so head toward the second frost-covered mill that’ll be visible to you. Cross the guarded bridge and circle around the structure. Behind a treasure chest near the mill, you’ll find the viewpoint. Chart it to complete the region.
Freehold Viewpoint
To unlock the Freehold viewpoint, you will have to climb the tallest tower present in the region, visible from almost anywhere on the map. It lies east of the Hunter’s Camp and becomes quite ominous at night.
What you’ll need to do is use wooden planks and narrow ledges to climb to the very top of the tower. At the summit, you’ll see two glowing points. If the interaction prompt doesn’t appear immediately, adjust your camera upward slightly to activate the correct viewpoint.
Frozen Valley Viewpoint
From the Freehold tower, you’ll need to head toward the Frozen Valley. Enter through the bailey and cross the bridge to enter a cave that actually serves as a loading zone. Once you’re inside the valley, follow the main road but do not attempt to scale the mountain directly. Instead, take the right-hand path that winds upward and save your game before proceeding further.
Finally, cross the bridge that’s guarded by powerful skeletons and reach the building ahead. Climb onto the roof, interact with the viewpoint, and escape quickly to avoid any sort of combat.
The Mines (Chapter 3)
The Mines area will become available in Chapter 3 of the game. This viewpoint is located just outside of the mine entrance and is very easy to spot, with this, you’ll complete the final section of the map.
Once all the viewpoints are charted, the fog of will be completely removed, giving you full visibility of the world map. With this, the quest A True Cartographer will be completed.
