TL;DR
- Unwritten Tales are hidden quests not marked on your map that contribute to the Common Courtesy trophy
- The beekeeper mission is located east of Shattered Cliffs on Iki Island’s western coast
- Prepare for multiple waves of Mongol soldiers requiring strategic sword style switching
- Successfully defending the area and speaking with the beekeeper completes the quest
- These secret missions offer unique world-building and character development opportunities
Ghost of Tsushima’s Iki Island expansion introduces a compelling layer of exploration through Unwritten Tales, which are deliberately hidden quests that don’t appear on your main map. Unlike standard missions with clear waypoints, these encounters rely on player discovery and environmental awareness, rewarding those who venture off the beaten path.
While most content in Ghost of Tsushima features explicit map markers for main quests, side activities, and collectibles, Unwritten Tales break from this pattern by requiring organic discovery. These secret missions, including the beekeeper rescue, aren’t mandatory for completing the main storyline but play a crucial role in earning the game’s Common Courtesy trophy. Each completed Unwritten Tale contributes to your overall completion percentage and provides deeper immersion in Iki Island’s narrative landscape.
For players seeking to experience all Unwritten Tales, our comprehensive Complete Guide offers detailed walkthroughs. Those interested in broader Iki Island content should explore our expansion review, while additional guidance can be found in our Iki Island guides collection and base game resources.
This particular Unwritten Tale unfolds east of the Shattered Cliffs region along Iki Island’s western shoreline. Navigation requires careful observation rather than following map indicators, as the quest activates through environmental interaction rather than UI prompts.
When approaching the correct location, you’ll identify a modest dwelling surrounded by natural vegetation. The primary indicator you’ve found the right spot is a visibly agitated man who will actively call out to Jin Sakai as you near the area. Engaging in conversation reveals his identity as a local beekeeper whose apiary is threatened by approaching Mongol forces seeking to destroy his livelihood.
The combat sequence consists of several organized waves of Mongol warriors descending upon the beekeeper’s property. Strategic awareness becomes paramount, as enemies approach from multiple directions and employ varied attack patterns. Maintaining situational awareness and adapting your fighting style to different enemy types determines success.
Effective engagement requires mastering stance transitions between Water Style for shielded opponents, Stone Style for swordsmen, Wind Style for spearmen, and Moon Style for brutes. Each wave typically introduces 3-5 combatants with increasing difficulty, culminating in a final wave featuring an elite Mongol officer accompanied by regular soldiers. Proper positioning near choke points and utilizing the environment for cover significantly improves survival odds.
For experienced players, several advanced approaches can optimize this encounter. Stealth initiates the engagement advantageously—using blow darts to eliminate scouts before they alert reinforcements, or setting up explosive traps along approach routes. The Weapons Unlock guide provides additional combat insights that can be adapted to Ghost of Tsushima’s mechanics.
Resource management proves crucial during extended combat. Ensure you have adequate resolve reserves for healing and special attacks, and consider using hallucination darts to create chaos among Mongol ranks. The Class Guide offers strategic thinking that translates well to managing Jin’s versatile capabilities.
Upon successfully eliminating all Mongol threats, return to the beekeeper to conclude the Unwritten Tale. This interaction not only completes the quest but often reveals additional character backstory and world context. While no substantial material rewards are provided, the narrative satisfaction and progress toward the Common Courtesy trophy make the effort worthwhile.
Action Checklist
- Navigate to the area east of Shattered Cliffs on Iki Island’s western coast
- Locate the distressed beekeeper near his dwelling and initiate conversation
- Prepare for 3-4 waves of Mongol soldiers with appropriate sword stances
- Employ strategic positioning and stance switching during combat encounters
- Return to the beekeeper after defeating all enemies to complete the quest
No reproduction without permission:SeeYouSoon Game Club » Ghost Of Tsushima Iki Island Unwritten Tale Guide – Save The Beekeeper Complete guide to finding and completing the secret beekeeper rescue mission in Ghost of Tsushima's Iki Island expansion
