The Starting Island is the tutorial island in Windrose where every new character begins the game. The player washes up on its beach after the prologue ambush by Edward Teach's crew, and the Islander tutorial walks them through their first Bonfire, tools, and base.
Starting Inventory
Each new character arrives on the starting island with a basic kit: a Hatchet, a Pickaxe, a length of Rope, the Broken Blade saber, the Worn-Out Pistol (with no initial bullets), and the Torn Doublet chest armor.
The Islander Tutorial
The Islander tutorial quest triggers automatically and walks the player through gathering 5 Wood to build the first Bonfire. Placing the Bonfire grants the "Rested" stamina-regeneration buff (duration scales with the Comfort System camp level). Shipwreck debris along the shore provides additional Wood and Nails for the first Workbench and structures.
Points of Interest
POI | Purpose |
|---|---|
[object Object] | West side; contains the first Fast Travel Bell, two Tumbaga Ingots, and a hidden-button puzzle chest |
[object Object] | Hidden coastal area with the entrance concealed behind vines. Guarded by a Drowner. Contains the player's first Fast Travel Bell |
[object Object] | Southwest; contains the first Alexandre Exquemelin journal ("Twist of Fancy"), which begins the buried-treasure trail |
[object Object] | East; Decrepit Chest contains the Blurry Sketch that triggers Fifteen Men on a Dead Man's Chest |
[object Object] | Island center; multi-room dungeon with chests and Healing Herbs. Between the ruins and Copper Deposits is the clay gathering area |
Key First-Hour Actions
Place the first Bonfire (Islander tutorial objective)
Craft the Workbench and gather 3 Plant Fiber to make Coarse Fabric and Rope
Craft the Torn Sailcloth Bag (2 Coarse Fabric + 1 Rope) for the +4 slot upgrade
Craft the Shovel (3 Copper Ingots + 10 Wood) after mining the first cave deposits, then search Traveller's Camps for journal notes
Trigger the Blurry Sketch quest at Pirate Remains on the east side
Leaving the Starting Island
The starting island's resource loops cap out once the player has cleared its caves, chests, and quests. The I Need a Bigger Boat quest leads to a second island where the Ketch is repaired at the Shipwright's Workshop. The starting island can be revisited later as needed, but it is primarily a tutorial space.
See Also
Islander Quest — tutorial quest
Exploration — broader exploration mechanics
Coastal Jungle — the biome the starting island sits inside