I'm trying to fetch all the relics for Mr. Stern's collection but I'm stuck at Squat Hole because anytime I get there there is no Council Offices link. It's the last relic I need and I don't know how to get it.
Is it a bug or is there somewhere else in Squat Hole that I'm supposed to get the relic.

The Council staff are, I'm sorry to say, weak-kneed sniveling babies -- or, maybe they just feel they're not being paid enough to take stupid risks. At any rate, they always close down the Council office in an outpost whenever too many monsters are clamoring at the gates.

The solution is to kill off enough monsters to reduce the threat level until they feel safe. Then they'll unlock the office door, and you will be able to get the item you need.

Now... obviously, as a new player, no-one expects you to be able to kill that many monsters all by yourself. Luckily, the Island is a cooperative game. The best general answer is to ask for help in Player Chat. Chances are, not just one, but several scarred veterans will be more than happy to go clear the place out. (As for your specific need, well, I have to go to bed right now, but if Squat Hole is still overrun in the morning I'll see what I can do!)

Thank you for your reply. And thank you for that information. If I had not been ... um ... so ... um ... focused on the improbable ... Apparently they've killed enough monsters.

In other outposts maybe, but this is Squats we're talking about here! Taking stupid risks is pretty much a defining characteristic. They heard there was a fight in the offing and didn't want to miss out.