Sunward Island has nine Strange Tales hidden around the area in Neverness to Everness. These activities range from simple interactions to short objectives that require a particular time, weather condition, item, or NPC.
Completing every tale gives 216 Footprint points in total. Some objectives can also be handled during the same trips, particularly the Golden Tree fragments needed for Buried Sword.
All Nine Strange Tales
The Strange Tales on Sunward Island are:
- The Well
- The Bell
- Buried Sword
- Shipwreck
- Dance Party
- Swimming
- Tunnel
- Sunni Island Fishing Spot
- Breakwater Stone Boneyard Bonfire
Several of these can be completed while collecting the three Golden Tree fragments required for Buried Sword, so doing them together can save significant travel time.
The Well
Players starting near the ReroRero Phone Booth can take care of this one quickly. The Well is southeast of the phone booth. Once you reach it, interact with it to register the Strange Tale as complete.
The Bell
The Bell is also close to the ReroRero Phone Booth, although it sits farther east and higher up the hill. Find the bell and interact with it to complete the tale immediately. Ringing it also changes the weather in nearby areas, but that does not lead to another objective for this Strange Tale.
Buried Sword
Buried Sword should be treated as a later objective since its solution depends on three separate pieces.
Three Broken Parts are scattered around Sunward Island near the Golden Trees. These locations are easier to spot after dark because the trees give off a golden glow.
All Sunward Island Strange Tales in Neverness to Everness
After collecting all three pieces, head to the small island on the eastern side of Sunward Island. Interact with the stone found there to complete Buried Sword.
Shipwreck
The Shipwreck tale starts with Great Jerry, who is located beside the wreck near Sunward Resort. Talk to him and keep selecting the first response until his conversation moves forward.
The next stop is the resort itself. Go upstairs to the second floor and find Ken, who provides the Rusted Blade required for the next step. Bring the blade back to the shipwreck and use it with the bonfire nearby to finish the Strange Tale.
A Golden Tree is also located close to this area, making it a convenient place to pick up one of the Buried Sword pieces.
Dance Party
This Strange Tale only becomes available at night. The party is held at a building near the top of the hill. Set the in-game clock to 10 PM, then equip the Cubox Portable Player Walkman and use it to enter the event. Progress through the party to complete the tale.
The area also provides access to another Golden Tree location, so players collecting the Buried Sword pieces can handle both objectives during the same visit.
Swimming
The Swimming tale is found along the northern shoreline. Ms. Bulan and her son Laut are the NPCs involved. Speak with Ms. Bulan first, then head out into the water.
Swim away from the shore until the character's stamina is depleted. After the sequence ends, return to Ms. Bulan to finish the tale.
The remaining Golden Tree location for Buried Sword is southwest of this area, making it another useful stop while exploring the northern part of the island.
Tunnel
The Tunnel tale is linked to nighttime. Head into the tunnel after dark to check whether the Strange Tale activates. If nothing happens, try again during the appropriate nighttime window.
Sunni Island Fishing Spot
The fishing-related Strange Tale is located at the fishing spot in the northwestern part of Sunward Island. Visit the area during the morning and speak with the two anglers to start the tale.
The objective is straightforward: fish at the spot until an anomaly banner fish is caught. Once the required fish is obtained, the Strange Tale is completed.
All Sunward Island Strange Tales in Neverness to Everness
Breakwater Stone Boneyard Bonfire
The last Strange Tale requires both an item and the right conditions. At the marked location, look for a wooden boat with a storage box inside. Open the box to obtain a flintstone.
Take the flintstone to the nearby bonfire and use it to light the fire. The final step requires a rainy night. Once those conditions are met, return to the bonfire and speak with the figure that appears there to complete the Strange Tale.
Best Way to Clear the Tales
Players looking to finish all nine with as little backtracking as possible should combine the Strange Tales with the Golden Tree hunt.
The Golden Tree fragments are spread across areas used by the Shipwreck, Dance Party, and Swimming tales. Collecting each fragment while completing those activities means Buried Sword can be finished afterward without making several extra trips around Sunward Island.
The remaining tales are mostly independent and can be completed whenever their location and time requirements are available. Completing all nine gives 216 Footprint points, making the Strange Tales a worthwhile part of Sunward Island's exploration progress.
More Neverness to Everness Guides
Still working through other NTE side content? The Lonely Player Anomaly Commission guide covers all the Wandering Puppet locations needed for the quest. Players preparing for tougher content can also check out the best Hotori build guide for tips on building the character.
For more Neverness to Everness guides covering anomalies, events, exploration, and character builds, browse the full NTE guides section on GAMES.GG.