A Gentle Touch
Complete walkthrough for A Gentle Touch, the 44th main quest in Crimson Desert. Kliff returns to Howling Hill after recruiting Luke, examines the Dragon Head Totem at the camp shrine to retrieve Shakatu's letter, and learns about the camp expansion dispatch system. Includes step-by-step objectives, rewards, troubleshooting tips for the totem interaction, and connections to surrounding Pioneering quests.
Overview
A Gentle Touch is the 44th main quest in Crimson Desert and part of the Pioneering sub-chapter within Chapter 3: Howling Hill. After successfully recruiting Luke at the Coalvale Workshop during the previous quest, Kliff returns to the Greymane Camp at Howling Hill. A package from Shakatu has been delivered through the Dragon Head Totem at the camp shrine. The package contains a letter explaining the camp expansion system along with starter resources to begin building up the settlement.
This is a short, non-combat quest that is the tutorial introduction to the dispatch and camp expansion mechanics. Despite its simplicity, many players get stuck on the totem interaction because the prompt is angle-sensitive and easy to miss.
Quest Details
Detail | Information |
|---|---|
Type | Main Quest |
Quest Number | 44 of 82 |
Chapter | Chapter 3: Howling Hill (Pioneering) |
Region | |
Location | |
Prerequisite | |
Next Quest | |
Combat | None |
Estimated Time | 2 to 3 minutes |
Rewards
Reward | Quantity | Use |
|---|---|---|
Camp Oats | 200 | Food supply for camp residents and dispatch missions |
Camp Coins | 200 | Currency for camp upgrades and supply management |
6 | Crafting material used for armor and camp structures | |
5 |
Walkthrough
Step 1: Return to Howling Hill
After speaking with Luke and completing Rumors From the Sawmill, travel back to the Greymane Camp at Howling Hill. Follow the quest marker on your minimap. You can ride your horse or fast travel if a waypoint is available. The journey from the Coalvale Workshop is straightforward with no enemies or obstacles along the route.
Step 2: Examine the Dragon Head Totem at the Shrine
Once you arrive at camp, head toward the shrine structure. The Dragon Head Totem is a statue positioned to the left side of the shrine. Approach it and press Square (PlayStation) or X (Xbox) to interact. This triggers a short scene where Kliff discovers that Shakatu has sent a package containing supplies and a letter.
Important: The interaction prompt on the totem is angle-sensitive. You need to position Kliff so he is facing the back or side of the totem at a moderate distance. If the prompt does not appear, try the following:
Slowly circle the totem while watching for the interaction icon to appear.
Stand at a moderate distance. Being too close or too far will prevent the prompt from triggering.
Try rotating your camera angle rather than moving your character. Sometimes the prompt depends on the camera's viewing angle.
If the prompt still does not appear after several attempts, reload your most recent save or restart the game to reset the interaction system.
Step 3: Check the Letter from the Dragon Head Totem
After examining the totem, the letter and supplies are automatically added to your inventory. A notification appears confirming that you have received Shakatu's Letter along with the quest rewards (200 Camp Oats, 200 Camp Coins, 6 Thick Hide, and 5 Iron Ore).
Step 4: Read Shakatu's Letter
Open your inventory and locate the purple-colored item labeled Shakatu's Letter. Select it and press L1 (PlayStation) or LB (Xbox) to examine it. The letter is from Shakatu, who explains that resources are being sent to help expand the camp. It introduces the camp expansion system and the concept of dispatching recruited Freeswords on missions to gather resources passively.
Note: You must actually read the letter to complete the quest. Simply collecting it from the totem is not enough. If the quest objective does not update, make sure you have opened and examined the letter through your inventory.
Quest Objectives Summary
Return to Howling Hill
Examine the Dragon Head Totem at the Shrine
Check the letter from the Dragon Head Totem
Read the letter (examine Shakatu's Letter from your inventory)
Camp Expansion Introduction
A Gentle Touch is the gateway to the camp expansion system, one of the core progression mechanics in Crimson Desert. Shakatu's letter explains that you can grow Howling Hill by investing resources and assigning recruited companions to tasks. The immediately following quest, Bustling Hill, puts this system into practice by asking you to dispatch your first expansion mission.
The dispatch system allows you to send Freeswords on timed missions that gather camp resources in the background while you continue exploring or completing other quests. For the first dispatch mission in Bustling Hill, you will assign Luke and Ronald to the Howling Hill Camp Expansion task, which takes roughly 18 in-game hours to complete. You can speed up the wait by resting at a bed or campfire.
The Camp Oats and Camp Coins you receive as rewards from this quest provide a solid starting reserve for the expansion. Thick Hide and Iron Ore are crafting materials that will be needed for building new camp structures as the settlement grows.
Pioneering Quest Progression
A Gentle Touch sits near the end of the Pioneering sub-chapter within Chapter 3. The full quest sequence for the Pioneering arc is listed below.
# | Quest | Summary |
|---|---|---|
39 | Begin the Pioneering arc at Howling Hill | |
40 | ||
43 | Investigate rumors and recruit Luke at the Coalvale Workshop | |
44 | A Gentle Touch (current) | Return to camp, retrieve and read Shakatu's letter |
45 | Dispatch the first camp expansion mission with Luke and Ronald | |
46 | Complete the Pioneering arc and transition to Chapter 4 |
Tips
The Dragon Head Totem interaction is the most common point where players get stuck. If you cannot trigger the prompt, focus on approaching the rear side of the totem rather than the front.
After reading the letter, spend the Camp Oats and Camp Coins wisely. The next quest (Bustling Hill) will require you to interact with the dispatch system, so familiarize yourself with the camp management interface.
The Dragon Head Totem at the shrine acts as a recurring communication channel with Shakatu throughout the rest of the game. Return here periodically to check for new messages and supply deliveries.
This quest has no time limit or failure conditions. Take the opportunity to explore the Greymane Camp and speak with camp residents before moving on.
If you are having trouble finding Shakatu's Letter in your inventory, look for a purple-colored item in the quest items or key items section rather than the general inventory tab.
Lore and Story Context
At this point in the story, Kliff and the Greymanes have been working to rebuild their mercenary band after the events of earlier chapters. The Pioneering sub-chapter focuses on gathering scattered former members and establishing a proper base of operations. With Luke recruited from the sawmill near Coalvale Workshop, the group's numbers are growing, and Shakatu recognizes the need for a larger, better-equipped camp.
Shakatu, the leader of the Goldleaves merchant guild, has been supporting the Greymanes from behind the scenes. The Dragon Head Totem is his method of delivering supplies and instructions without needing to visit the camp in person. His letter in this quest marks the formal beginning of Howling Hill's transformation from a small encampment into a thriving settlement.
Related Quests
Rumors From the Sawmill (prerequisite): Recruit Luke at the Coalvale Workshop
Bustling Hill (next quest): Dispatch your first camp expansion mission using Luke and Ronald
Greymanes Reunited: The final quest of the Pioneering arc
Scattered Comrades: Earlier quest in the Pioneering arc where you search for former Greymane members