Salem

I can't figure out how to go about getting a writ of homesteading for my claim stake.

Port to Boston and buy one from the white roof vendor stalls for 150 silver.

Not sure what skills and humors you have but spider hunting is very lucrative right now. If that is a bit too hard i would recommend running around collecting feathers and arrow heads for savage charms and snake skins from stumps. You should be able to buy a writ in a couple hours.

The productive areas closest the Boston will have the most stuff from stump... I used to think it was population that mattered most... but it seem darkness also matters...

Suffice it to say as new player... you will port into no darkness... look around... find a settlement... likely there are lots of stumps around.,.. even more than occur naturally...

Find a snake skulll ( that's pure gold 1000's of silver )... but more likley to find lots of snake skins... that are world silver... as as poster suggested you you will find feathers and arrow heads...

Peronally I find it best to leave arrow heads where they are until you have found feathers... the former will proc x10 as often as feathers... but you can't get charms w/o 1 of each... so save space until you have feather first.