When you begin the Shroudbreaker Tall Tale, you unlock the ability to find the Hidden Journals associated with the story. These journals are only accessible while the Shroudbreaker Tall Tale is active and will unavailable at any other time. That being said, we wanted to provide you a list of where these Hidden Journals are and some easy descriptions of how to find them.
If you were looking for a different part of the guide, such as something you need for the main quest, you can find those guides linked below.
- Sea of Thieves | Shroudbreaker Tall Tale | How to get Magpie's Wing Ship's Log
- Sea of Thieves | Shroudbreaker Tall Tale | Locate the Ancient Chest
- Sea of Thieves | Shroudbreaker Tall Tale | Ancient Vault Locations & Solutions Guide
- Sea of Thieves | Shroudbreaker Tall Tale | Where to find Ancient Medallions
Sea of Thieves | Shroudbreaker Tall Tale | Where to find the Journal Locations
The Hidden Journals associated with the Shroudbreaker Tall Tale center around Ramsey's crewmate Mercia. She was loyal to Ramsey, and her story becomes more detailed as you find more of her Journals.
Since these Journals are an optional side-quest, they are not always found on the same islands where you find the Ancient Chest, the Ancient Vault, or the Ancient Medallions. Instead, each Journal will have a clue as to where you can find the next one. When you read through each Journal, pay special attention to any named locations, as that is the clue you'll need to continue.
Unfortunately, these clues are vague. Even if you know the correct island to go to, you may be stuck trying to figure out exactly where on the island they are. We find ourselves starting this side quest on the same island you find the Magpie's Wing Ship's Log: N13 Island!
Journal #1: N13 Island
Since N13 Island is so small, you will find this first Journal is remarkably easy to find. Going off the image above, you can determine its exact spot in relation to the large red plant in the middle of the island. This Journal begins your side quest! After reading through it, you'll note that Mercia mentions leaving her research notes at Ancient Spire, which is, of course, your clue to head to Ancient Spire Outpost for the next Journal.
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Journal #2: Ancient Spire Outpost
Ancient Spire Outpost is significantly larger than N13 Island, so this is where finding these Journals becomes a chore. As stated above, these clues are vague and rarely provide even a minor hint as to where we should look on the island.
Once you've reached Ancient Spire Outpost, take a look at the image above. On the left, you will see the approximate location of the Journal on the map. It is inside a cave, though, so don't go looking on the outside of the spire! On the right, you will where the Journal is placed in its area.
You want to head into the caves on the North Spire. The Journal is sitting upright here against a large rock between two candles. When you've read through it, you'll know that Mercia mentions the next Journal's location: Devil's Ridge.
Journal #3: Devil's Ridge
Devil's Ridge is a huge island, so now you undoubtedly realize how ridiculous it is that we aren't presented with further information to find these Journals. Nevertheless, you can see where it is in the image above. On the left, you will see the approximate location of the Journal on the map. On the right, you will where the Journal is placed in its area.
You will need to head to the Northside of the island on the middle level. You will find a cannon and a barrel with a bottle on top along the edge of this level. The Journal is lying on a rock directly next to that barrel. Upon reading it, you'll see that Mercia's next batch of notes was left at Thieves' Haven.
Journal #4: Thieves' Haven
Thieves' Haven is also a large island, but Mercia left us what might be considered a minuscule clue to where it might be on the island. She notes that it was their first hideout. We'll leave it up to you to determine whether or not this is a clue, but we take it to mean that the Journal will be found at a small campsite.
When you make it to Thieves' Haven, a small campsite is exactly what you'll be looking to find, and it can be seen in the image above. On the left, you will see the approximate location of the Journal on the map. On the right, you will where the Journal is placed in its area.
On the inner part of the island are plenty of docks and broken chunks of a ship, but tucked away on the Northside of this area is a small hut with a single torch and several crates. Inside one of these crates is the fourth Journal. When you read this one, it will tell you the final Journal's location: Plunder Outpost.
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Journal #5: Plunder Outpost
Since you've already activated the Shroundbreaker Tall Tale to find these journals, we would recommend finishing the rest of the main quest before heading to Plunder Outpost. The Tall Tale's final part requires you to go to any Outpost and turn the Shroudbreaker in to the Mysterious Stranger If you complete the Tall Tale, then come to Plunder Outpost to find the last Journal, you've cut a large chunk of the required sailing out of your itinerary.
Once you make it to Plunder Outpost, take a look at the image above. On the left, you will see the approximate location of the Journal on the map. On the right, you will where the Journal is placed in its area. For this final Journal, you simply need to head to the half-covered rowboat near the Gold Hoarders Tent. If you don't know where it is, just look for the campfire next to it. Resting on a board in the rowboat is the fifth and final Journal.
When you read this last journal, you will receive the Mercia's Lost Memories Commendation. This is one of the Commendations required if you'd like to get the A Sunken Legacy Commendation.
As a convenient stroke of luck (or perhaps a purposely intended by the game's developers), Plunder Outpost is where you will start the next Tall Tale: The Cursed Rogue!
Want to do this Tall Tale again to get the Commendations or get another nice chunk of gold? It changes every time, so use our Shroudbreaker Tall Tale Guide again!
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