What to know
- The Old Inn is the chapter-1 “main tale” that unlocks merchants and new mechanics.
- Key merchants/NPCs include: Ran the Bowyer, Kojiro the Bounty Broker, and Isaburo the Cartographer, plus the Settler who gives the clue.
- Combat includes an opening Standoff, multiple waves of Saito’s outlaws, and the introduction of Onryo’s Howl.
- Your choice of clue (Kitsune vs Oni) from the Settler affects which Yōtei Six target you pursue next.
In Ghost of Yōtei, The Old Inn acts as a vital turning point. You’ll travel to the Shadow Inn, face off with Saito’s forces, unlock new abilities and merchants, and leave with a lead you must follow. Below is a full, coherent guide including all NPCs you meet during this quest.
Memories of Home Quest quick overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Quest Name | The Old Inn (Yōtei’s Shadow Inn) |
| Quest Type | Main Tale / Chapter 1 |
| Starting Point | Automatically unlocked after completing the Prologue |
| Main Objective | Investigate the Old Inn, defeat Saito’s outlaws, and obtain a clue about the Yōtei Six |
| Major Combat Segments | 1 Standoff + 3 Waves of Enemies + Reinforcement phase |
| New Ability Unlocked | Onryo’s Howl (L3 + R3) |
| Merchants Unlocked | Ran the Bowyer, Kojiro the Bounty Broker, Isaburo the Cartographer |
| Key NPC | Settler (gives clue choice: Kitsune or Oni) |
| Main Rewards | Onryo’s Howl, Standoff mechanic, Access to merchants, First Yōtei Six clue |
| Difficulty | Moderate (early-game, crowd control needed) |
| Next Recommended Quest | The Way of Dual Katana |
Reaching the Old Inn and triggering combat
After completing the Prologue, the map unlocks The Old Inn (also called Yōtei’s Shadow Inn) northwest of Atsu’s home.
Ride there and enter the building of Yotei's Shadow Inn. A cutscene will play where Saito’s men eject you from the inn, prompting the combat portion.
How to defeat Saito’s outlaws
Step 1: Win the opening Standoff
Right after the cutscene, you’ll be prompted to initiate a Standoff.
- Hold Triangle (or the equivalent on your platform) to ready your strike.
- Wait for the enemy’s attack animation (arm raised or lunge), then release Triangle to land a decisive blow and instantly defeat them.
If you miss, you’ll fall back to normal combat.
Step 2: Battle waves of enemies
After the Standoff, multiple waves of Saito’s outlaws will assault you. Use your standard moves (light, heavy attacks, dodge, block) to survive.
Key cautions:
- Two bowmen/archers often appear early on. Dodge their arrows (using Circle) and prioritize taking them out.
- Stronger melee opponents and Brute types show up later; their attacks have red glow tells—dodge when needed.
Step 3: Use Onryo’s Howl
During one of the later waves, reinforcements will arrive. This is when Onryo’s Howl becomes available.
- Press L3 + R3 together to activate it.
- The Howl terrifies enemies briefly, allowing you to land powerful or instant strikes while they are staggered.
Use this window to clear remaining foes quickly before they recover.
Step 4: Final battle & clue reveal
Once you eliminate the last outlaw, a cutscene triggers. Then you head inside the inn (first floor) where a Settler NPC will speak with you. During the dialogue, you choose a clue (either about Kitsune or Oni) which becomes part of your lead on the Yōtei Six.
After that, the quest completes.
Which NPCs and merchants appear in The Old Inn
Here’s a list of all the NPCs / merchants you’ll meet or unlock during The Old Inn, along with their roles:
| NPC / Merchant | Location | Role / What they offer |
|---|---|---|
| Ran the Bowyer | Inside the inn on the first floor | Sells bows (e.g. Hankyu for ~300 coins, Yumi longbow ~2,000 coins), ammunition, and allows selling of goods. |
| Kojiro the Bounty Broker | Outside the inn, to the left, near the Bounty Board | Gives you bounty posters; you can take on side hunts and return to him to claim rewards. |
| Isaburo the Cartographer | Outside, opposite the Bounty Board, near Inn gate | Sells traveler’s maps (cost ~50 coins) which you place on your map to reveal points of interest. Also provides the side mission Lost in Reflection. |
| Settler (Inn Settler NPC) | Inside the first floor of the inn after combat | Offers you lodging at the inn, gives you your choice of clue (Kitsune or Oni) which becomes your lead on the Yōtei Six. |
Once The Old Inn is done, these merchants remain accessible so you can stock up, take bounties, buy maps, and prepare for upcoming quests.
Why the clue choice matters
When the Settler gives you the clue, you must pick between learning about Kitsune or Oni. That selection determines which Yōtei Six member you’ll pursue next. The lead turns into a “clue card” visible on your map that launches your next mission.
What you unlock by finishing The Old Inn
Completing this quest gives you several benefits:
- Onryo’s Howl becomes permanently available.
- Standoffs are unlocked, letting you instantly take out some enemies in future duels.
- The merchants (Bowyer, Cartographer, Bounty Broker) now remain active so you can trade, get maps, and accept bounties.
- You can purchase Hankyu, your first bow.
- You can pick up bounties at the Yotei Grasslands.
After the quest ends, you’re free to rest in the inn, use its services, and move onward to your next objective (such as The Way of Dual Katana or Saito).
The Old Inn’s significance
The Old Inn quest is more than a fight—it's your gateway to the deeper systems in Ghost of Yōtei. By completing it, you not only gain a critical clue about the Yōtei Six, but also unlock merchants, map tools, and the powerful Onryo’s Howl ability. The NPCs you meet here will serve you for the rest of your journey.
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