In this Tall Tale, you will discover the fates suffered by three members of the Morningstar Crew. Ah, but there was a fourth! Jill.
When it became clear that the Morningstar no longer had a fighting chance, Jill fled just before Graymarrow could reach her. It seems her disappearance remains a mystery to her crew and her family. Did she make it out alive? Was she slain? Was she trapped like the rest of her crew?
One plucky young pirate hopes to find out.
Here you’ll find the locations and text for each Journal in The Fate of the Morningstar.
These journal locations serve as trail markers, as you follow along with this young pirate’s quest to see a ghost.
Aye, it seems these journals were written by Jill’s younger sibling. Wanting to restore their father’s hope that they might one day see Jill again, this little pirate steels their nerve and sails to one of the most haunted places in the Sea of Thieves: Old Faithful Isle.
Aye, you will find all five journals on Old Faithful Isle. This island can feel like a large labyrinth. As a result, simply stating on which side of the island—or next to which landmarks—you’ll find a journal, is of less help here.
So, for this journal guide, we are going to walk with you step-by-step, from one journal to the next, helping you make your way around the island. We’ve also included images that show key points in the path described.
Since you’re likely here to hunt down those journals, we’ll begin with their locations. If you’re curious about the writings, you’ll find those further down below.
Remember:
These journals appear only if The Fate of the Morningstar Tall Tale is active!
“Go kill yourself.” This was a direct quote from our Captain to our crew, when they asked if we wanted to do this Tall Tale together.
It’s not meant as harsh as it sounds. It’s simply the first step of this Tall Tale. Hold your breath under water, dance in front of a snake, swallow your pride before a skellie, or—our Captain’s personal favorite—fall from the crow’s nest a few times.
Once you reach the Ferry of the Damned, head on up to the helm. You should spot a ghostly book. Vote to begin the Tall Tale. Once you pass through that hallowed door, you’ll be well on your way.
The Location for The Fate of the Morningstar Journal #1
It might be helpful to begin by parking your boat on the Southeast side of the island. There you should see a large cave opening, with a path that leads up a gentle hill.
Moving upward you’ll see a landmark often used in Riddles on Old Faithful: a white flag.
To the right of that white flag, below the wooden platform, you’ll see a rock platform lit by a small glowing flame. Read your first journal by the light of that glow.
See the journal’s location on your map:
Fate of the Morningstar Journal #1
The Location for The Fate of the Morningstar Journal #2
From that white flag, head West for a bit and you’ll soon see where you can turn right to continue up the hill through a narrow tunnel. Once you’ve passed through that tunnel, turn left to continue on up.
This path will curve leftward, and just after you step across a wooden walkway, you’ll see a rocky cliffside. It might look like a dead end that pushes you leftward, but clamber on up on those rocks until you see where you can head right (North).
Stay up high as you continue heading North, and you should see a nice wide, clear pathway with a scraggly tree up at the top.
Do you see that large rock behind that scraggly tree? Look closer and you’ll also see a broken skeleton, precariously sprawled on the rock’s edge. Next to that skeleton, you’ll see the journal.
Click images to Enlarge
See the journal’s location on your map:
Fate of the Morningstar Journal #2
The Location for The Fate of the Morningstar Journal #3
You’ll now be heading to the Southwest portion of the island. Beginning from Journal #2’s location, head back down that wide, clear path (SW).
As you walk, you may actually stumble right into journal #4’s location—a skull pile landmark with a stormy rock painting. If you want, you could stop and read this journal.
If you’d like to read them in order, head just you’ll first want to head just a little further Southwest passed journal #4, where you’ll see a path. Turn right to head down the hill a bit (WxNW).
You’ll pass a hanging cage and see a gnarled tree and barrels on the island’s edge in front of you. When you get to that gnarled tree, turn left (SxSW). Soon you’ll see the remains of a large kraken.
In the kraken’s cadaverous right eye socket, you’ll see the third journal.
Click images to Enlarge
See the journal’s location on your map:
Fate of the Morningstar Journal #3
The Location for The Fate of the Morningstar Journal #4
If you’ve been following along in order, the fourth journal should be quite easy to find, since you’ll already passed it once.
Beginning from the third journal’s location, head back up the hill (North). When you get to the gnarled tree, you’ll be able to turn right and head further up the hill.
As you head up the hill, you’ll come to where the path splits near a hanging cage. Continue upward (ExSE), on a narrow path flanked by two large rocks. Just after you pass through those rocks, turn left.
You’ll see yet another gnarled tree. Go up to that tree. Turn right. There you will see an altar of sorts, complete with a skull pile and a stormy rock painting.
On one of the altar’s lower rocks, you’ll see the fourth journal.
Click images to Enlarge
See the journal’s location on your map:
Fate of the Morningstar Journal #4
The Location for The Fate of the Morningstar Journal #5
Beginning from the fourth journal, head to the path behind this rocky altar (SxSW). Then, turn left to follow the undulating path down a bit (ExSE), then up a bit (E), passing the “Tale of the Shark” rock painting as you go.
Just passed that rock painting you’ll see yet another conspicuous craggy tree. Standing at that tree, turn to face Northeast. Walk. Soon, you’ll see a fort-like entrance on your left.
Walk through that entrance. To your right, you will see a short wooden bridge extending to a wooden tower. Stepping onto that short wooden bridge, you’ll see a longer wooden bridge below.
You could try dropping down to the longer bridge from that shorter bridge, but we’d be lying if we said we’d never fallen in that attempt.
For a safer route, you can head North down the rock until your feet hit the sand. Then turn to walk across the longer wooden bridge.
Either way, once you get to the tower, you’ll find the fifth and final journal propped up against a wooden post.
Click images to Enlarge
See the journal’s location on your map:
Fate of the Morningstar Journal #5
The Text for The Fate of the Morningstar Journal #1
This journal is titled, “A Ghost Watch.“
It reads:
I made it, Dad! I know you told me my ratty old sloop couldn’t make it safely through the Wilds, but I’m here in one piece.
And that’s good, I mean, this island is one of the most haunted places there is. They definitely don’t need my ghost here, too.
I may not be much of a pirate, Dad, and you’ve never been afraid to say so. But tonight I’m going to finally do something right!
My hands are shaking so much I can hardly write, but I’ve got to do this. I’m GOING to do this.
Definitely not scared and definitely going to do this. Definitely. Right now.
The Text for The Fate of the Morningstar Journal #2
This journal is titled, “Still No Luck.“
It reads:
This is crazy. I’ve met a dozen pirates who claim this island is haunted. Where all of them just teasing me? Laughing at me?
I can’t accept that. I HAVE to meet a ghost! Talk to it, maybe. Find out why they never came back aboard the Ferry of the Damned.
I have to know that there’s more, Dad. I have to prove it.
I want to know, to make you believe, that someday we’ll get to see Jill again.
The Text for The Fate of the Morningstar Journal #3
This journal is titled, “The fright of my life.“
It reads:
The fog had already rolled in by the time I started hunting. You know how it muffles sound and makes everything strange?
Well of course you know, Dad… You know everything. Anyway, my mind started playing tricks on me pretty much straight away.
I got turned around, and started climbing, trying to get out the fog…
Groping, blindly, hoping I didn’t walk straight off a ledge.
That’s when my hand touch it. Polished bone, cold as ice and moist from the fog. I thought I’d be seized by skellies for sure!
Lucky for me, the sun broke through just then. It was just a boring old kraken skull, not anything supernatural! Whew.
The Text for The Fate of the Morningstar Journal #4
This journal is titled, “Hunting by bones.“
It reads:
That kraken skull gave me an idea… I decided that if I were a ghost, I’d take notice pretty quickly if someone messed with my remains.
I went around the island, gathering up all of the skulls I could find and piling them up. I found some candles, too, which is good.
If I do meet an angry ghost, I certainly don’t want to do it in the dark. Also, now I can see to write down more of my adventure.
Looks like a storm will be here by dawn. I miss the bed in my room, with all it’s familiar creaks. But I made a promise to myself. So…
The Text for The Fate of the Morningstar Journal #5
This journal is titled, “Giving Up.“
It reads:
I tried every trick I could think of to stay awake, but I nodded off up on this bridge, amongst another group of skeletons.
I dreamed there was a man standing over me, stern and smart. He reminded me a bit of that old captain Jill used to idolize…
It was like he was trying to say something… and then KABOOM! Lightning strike. I woke up in SUCH a panic!
My foot got tangled in some ropes and I started screaming. I tugged as hard as I could… and all of the cages toppled off the bridge. Oops.
I’m done. Dawn is here and I didn’t see one single ghost. I’ll leave my books behind in case someone else has better luck.
I’m coming home now, Dad. Once again, I’m coming home and Jill isn’t. Sorry.
If you’ve been following our brave little pirate around Old Faithful, you’ve likely gotten a better handle on this labyrinthian island. You’ve also earned a commendation: Ghost Stories.
Reading this young pirates hopes and fears, you can get a glimpse of how such ghost stories spread through the seas—and how few pirates can attest to their veracity. Perhaps, this is because dead men tell no tales.
Ah, but what about a woman? Alive or dead, what might Jill have to say…?
Note: Sometimes this commendation can be as elusive as the ghosts on Old Faithful. If it still appears locked the first time you check, don’t give up and return home.
Simply exit the commendations page, then go looking for it again. On your second attempt, your Ghost Stories should appear.