If you don’t have a boat in Octopath Traveler 2, there’s a chance you can miss things like “The Washed-Up Letter” side story. This is a sidequest that starts on Lighthouse Island, an island just north of New Delsta Harbor: Anchorage. Actually completing it is very straightforward, once you know where it is.
When you get to Lighthouse Island, talk to the Lighthouse Keeper’s Wife. She’ll mention she discovered a message in a bottle. It says, “For Ruby in Timberain” on it. That’s a town on the continent on the west side of the map, if you haven’t been there yet.
Once you get to Timberain, you need to head to the northeast part of the first half of town. You’ll see a courthouse, and to the left is an elderly woman. I actually scrutinized her with Osvald before starting any ordinary conversation with her. Doing so notes her name and mentions her son’s tragic tale.
As this “The Washed-Up Letter” notes, she is the person it is directed to, and speaking to her when you have the item lets you finish this Octopath Traveler 2 side story. For your trouble, you’ll get a Jade Dagger and 6,600 leaves.
Octopath Traveler 2 is available for the Switch, PS4, PS5, and PC. A demo is available.