> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.4thewords.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Hunt for the Ancients
> A side quest journey across 200+ quests. Track down the Valley's four guardian spirits and earn 250+ exclusive rewards.
## Overview
The **Hunt for the Ancients** is a side quest journey thats spans the entire Valley and has 200+ quests. Led by veteran warrior **Velts**, you'll explore every corner of the Valley, meet dozens of new creatures, and uncover the story of the four **Ancients**, guardian spirits long believed lost to the Dust.
Completing the Hunt earns you access to 250+ exclusive [Wardrobe](/character-and-gear/wardrobe-and-characters) and House rewards, and the right to wear the colors and insignia of a **Hunter**, a mark few Dust Warriors achieve.
The Hunt is not a main story campaign. It runs alongside your regular writing, expands as the seasons change, and has no time pressure. Work through it at your own pace.
> **Where to find it:** Left sidebar → **Adventure** → **Universe** → Expedition Areas map → **Elder Library** [Open in 4TW ↗](https://app.4thewords.com/adventure/universe)
## How to Unlock
1. **Complete the main quests in Luciola Forest** and unlock **Mama Tree** (the second main area of Our Valley).
2. In Mama Tree, complete the side quest **"Winding Path To Elder Library"**.
3. This unlocks a new Expedition Area called **Elder Library**.
4. Visit Elder Library and pick up the quest **"Joining The Hunt"** from the area's quest market.
5. Complete "Joining The Hunt". You're now officially a Hunter.
Start the Hunt as soon as you reach Mama Tree. The unlock quest is short, and getting into Elder Library early means Hunter Tokens can be used sooner.
Once you've started, new Hunt quests appear at Elder Library over time. Return whenever you want a new challenge.
## Elder Library
**Elder Library** is the home base of the Hunt, an Expedition Area located through Mama Tree that houses all Hunt content.
| What | Details |
| ---------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Hunt quests** | The ongoing storyline, available in the quest market |
| **Hunter Store** | 250+ Wardrobe and House items, purchased with Hunter Tokens |
| **The Curator** | The Ancient of Hope, resident at the Library: offers Paper Wignow themed rewards to Dust Warriors who help them |
## Hunter Tokens
**Hunter Tokens** are the currency of the Hunt. You spend them at the Elder Library Hunter Store to unlock Wardrobe and House rewards.
### How to Earn Tokens
* **Fight eligible monsters.** Velts designates Hunt creatures across the Valley that drop Hunter Tokens. Each eligible monster drops approximately **1 token per \~100 words** of its HP. So larger monsters yield more tokens per fight.
* **Complete Hunt quests.** Each quest you finish at Elder Library rewards tokens directly.
## The Four Ancients
The Ancients are the guardian spirits of the Valley, each tied to one season of the year. For years they were believed gone, taken by the Dust. Velts led the hunt that found them, and with the help of Dust Warriors across the Valley, all four were rediscovered.
Each Ancient's presence is felt most strongly during their season. You'll encounter them and their storylines through Hunt quests.
### The Curator: Season of Hope
**January 24 – April 24**
The Curator lives at Elder Library, surrounded by four assistant cats. Their purpose is to record and preserve knowledge for today's Dust Warriors and future generations. Cross-referencing indexes, cataloging the world, keeping the drink station stocked for those working late.
### The Shepherd: Season of Wandering
**April 24 – July 24**
The Shepherd is rarely in one place for long. Known for veering off familiar trails, exploring ruins, and finding beauty in unexpected places, they roam the desert with their assistant dogs, always glad to meet someone new and lend a hand along the way.
### The Caretaker: Season of Growth
**July 24 – October 24**
The Caretaker tends the Valley's living things. Humming to lotuses, singing to vines, and checking in on the old Ruins where an Elder Nursery once stood. They have recently developed a surprising fondness for fungi and mushrooms, which they say makes sense: sometimes breaking things down is how other things grow.
They now have a permanent home in the Caretaker's Garden area.
### The Bard: Season of Jubilee
**October 24 – January 24**
The Bard wanders, bringing communities together as the months grow colder. You'll find them dropping in on Dust Warrior camps unannounced, or settling in at Luko's Inn in Riza to cheer victories and listen to stories. Always moving, always present where people gather.
The [community Wikia](https://4thewords.fandom.com/wiki/Main_Page) has complete quest lists, token drop tables, and reward catalogs for the Hunt.
## Frequently Asked Questions
No. You only need to reach **Mama Tree** (the second main area). You don't have to complete the full Valley story before starting the Hunt.
They're spent at the Elder Library Hunter Store on Wardrobe and House rewards. 250+ unique items with more added throughout the year.
No. Hunter Tokens don't expire. Accumulate them at your own pace and spend them when you find rewards you want.
It's an Expedition Area. Go to Adventure → Universe → use the map dropdown to switch to the **Expedition Areas** map, then find Elder Library.
This quest is in Mama Tree. Make sure you've completed the main quests in **Luciola Forest** first and unlocked Mama Tree, as the quest won't appear until you're in the correct area.
You need to complete "Winding Path To Elder Library" in Mama Tree first. That quest is what unlocks Elder Library as a destination.
Only specific monsters drop tokens. Keep unlocking areas to discover more hunted creatures.
Hunt quests unlock progressively. Return to Elder Library's quest market, as new quests may have appeared. Some quests also require items or conditions from your main adventure progress before they become visible.
**Quests, events, and the wider world**
Live events where all event creatures also drop Hunter Tokens.
Expedition Areas, world maps, and how to unlock new regions.
Main Storyline progression and how quests work.