What to know

  • Found in the Ishikari Plain near the Ishikari River, north of Matsumae Encampment.
  • The puzzle involves masked wolf statues—three with demon masks and one without.
  • The riddle hints that “demons looked away” while “the wolf watched.”
  • Reward: Charm of Mount Yotei (defense buff or upgrade if already owned).

Deep in the Ishikari Plains, the Reliquary of Strength stands as a monument to endurance and focus. Like other reliquaries in Ghost of Yotei, it challenges you to interpret poetic riddles and manipulate statues to channel Mount Yotei’s blessing.

Reliquary of Strength: Quick overview

Aspect Details
Quest Type Environmental Puzzle / Reliquary Challenge
Region / Location Ishikari Plain — northeast of Matsumae Camp, east of Ishikari Market
Riddle Text “The mountain raised the boy as her own. Demons looked away from them in fear. But the wolf watched them both, ready to provide aid.”
Objective Align all demon statues to face away from the shrine, and the wolf statue to face toward it
Puzzle Type Rotational pedestal puzzle (statues rotate in linked pairs)
Recommended Gear None required — puzzle only
Enemies None (peaceful puzzle area)
Estimated Completion Time Around 5–10 minutes once solved

Reliquary of Strength location

You’ll find this reliquary in the Ishikari Plain, a serene yet treacherous region bordered by rivers and cliffs. Head northeast of the Ishikari Fork and climb a low ridge to spot the reliquary embedded in stone terraces. It’s visible from afar, illuminated faintly by sunlight refracting off the river. If you encounter an NPC guarding the site, talk to them for hints about the “demons in masks.”

Decoding the riddle’s meaning

When examining the altar, the poem etched into the stone provides both clue and metaphor:

“The mountain raised the boy as her own
Demons looked away from them in fear
But the wolf watched them both, ready to provide aid”

The message means the demon-masked statues must avert their gaze from the altar, while the wolf statue — symbolic of courage and guardianship — must face it. Understanding these relationships simplifies the task dramatically.

How to complete the Reliquary of Strength

Step 1

Locate the four statues around the central reliquary: three wear red demon masks, and one remains unmasked.​

Step 2

Stand in front of the altar and observe the positions — every statue can rotate, but turning one affects its neighbor to the right.​

Step 3

Interact with the statues in this order to achieve alignment:

  1. Turn the front left statue once.
  2. Turn the back left statue twice.
  3. Turn the front left statue once again.
  4. Turn the front right statue twice.​

You’ll notice all masked statues now face away, and the unmasked wolf watches the reliquary.

Step 4

When the final rotation is done correctly, a warm light will erupt from the altar as Atsu receives the blessing of Mount Yotei.​

Note: If you make an error, fast travel away and return — the statues will reset automatically.​

Rewards from completing the Reliquary of Strength

Reward Type Description / Item Name Details
Cosmetic Item Yōtei’s Shelter Hat A vanity hat themed after Mount Yōtei’s protector spirit
Charm Upgrade Charm of Mount Yōtei May receive a power enhancement or effect boost upon solving
Exploration Reward Reliquary Completion Progress Counts toward 100% completion and reliquary achievement progress
XP / Progression Moderate XP gain Increases exploration experience and lore progression

How to make the most of your reward

Equip the Charm of Mount Yōtei from the inventory menu for consistent defense gains during your exploration. Continue solving reliquaries across Ezo; each additional one expands the charm’s protection and gradually unlocks vanity gear sets themed after Yotei’s virtues.

The Reliquary of Strength embodies the virtue of inner fortitude — not brute force, but the composure to withstand trials. Facing the “demons” of your path calmly mirrors the wolf’s watchfulness, symbolizing strength through balance and vigilance.