Overview
The main story of Crimson Desert is divided into 14 story segments: a Prologue, 12 numbered chapters, and an Epilogue. Together they contain 168 main quests and take roughly 60 to 100 hours to complete depending on how much side content you tackle along the way. The story follows Kliff, the leader of the Greymanes mercenary band, as he navigates the political turmoil of the continent of Pywel.
Each chapter introduces new mechanics, regions, bosses, and story revelations. This page provides a high-level summary of every chapter, highlights the most important unlocks and milestones, and links to individual walkthrough pages for detailed quest-by-quest guidance.
Chapter Summary
The table below lists every story segment with its official title, approximate quest count, and the most significant unlock or milestone associated with it.
Chapter | Title | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Dead of Night | 6 | Introduction to combat, first Abyss visit | |
The First Encounter | 9 | ||
Golden Greed | 16 | Full Hernand exploration opens | |
17 | Damiane unlocked; Greymane Camp established | ||
The Price of Knowledge | 14 | Spire of the Stars; Lightning Surge element | |
Guest Unbidden | 10 | Spire of Soaring; Crowcaller boss rematch | |
Cracks in the Shield | 14 | Calphade region; siege warfare begins | |
Homecoming | 15 | Oongka unlocked as playable character | |
18 | Spire of Clockwork key; Storm Veil (wind) element; Blood Coronation event | ||
14 | |||
9 | Full-scale counteroffensive across Pywel | ||
Truth and Reality | 18 | ||
20 | Final boss; Abyssal endgame | ||
Journey's End | 8 | Narrative wrap-up; revisit all regions |
Prologue: Dead of Night
The Prologue is the game's tutorial section. The Black Bears ambush the Greymanes, and Kliff awakens in the Abyss for the first time. During this sequence you learn the fundamentals of melee combat, dodging, and lock-on targeting. The Prologue ends with Kliff escaping the Abyss and setting out across Pywel. It is short and linear, primarily designed to establish the backstory and teach you how to fight.
Chapter 1: The First Encounter
Chapter 1 takes place in the Hernand region. Kliff arrives at the city and begins earning the trust of the locals through a series of introductory quests. The chapter introduces Force Palm, the Abyss traversal system, and the basics of exploration.
The major milestone of Chapter 1 is unlocking the Flight ability (gliding). After collecting an Abyss Artifact at the top of a restored area, White Crow the Witch reveals herself and grants Kliff the power of flight. This transforms exploration for the rest of the game, allowing you to glide from any height by pressing the jump button mid-air. Completing Chapter 1 opens up Chapter 2 and significantly expands the accessible portions of Hernand.
Key Unlocks
Force Palm combat ability
Abyss traversal system introduction
White Crow the Witch encounter
Chapter 2: Golden Greed
Chapter 2 plunges Kliff deeper into the corruption festering inside Hernand. What begins as a lead on a mysterious glowing pendant quickly spirals into a full investigation of the Goldleaf Merchant Guild and the bandit networks operating across the region. The chapter spans 16 quests across three quest arcs and features two significant boss encounters: Matthias and Kailok the Hornsplitter.
By the end of Chapter 2 you have full access to the Hernand region for open-world exploration, side quests, and the first batch of Abyss Artifact collectibles. This is a good point to spend time exploring before pushing forward, as the difficulty ramps up noticeably in Chapter 3.
Key Unlocks
Full Hernand region exploration
Side quests and commissions become available
First significant boss fights (Matthias, Kailok the Hornsplitter)
Abyss Artifact collectibles begin appearing
Chapter 3: Howling Hill
Chapter 3 shifts the focus to rebuilding. Kliff establishes a new home base at the Greymane Camp on Howling Hill, investigates a sinister presence near the settlement, and begins recruiting surviving Greymane members. The chapter contains 17 quests across three quest arcs.
The most significant unlock here is Damiane, the second playable character. She becomes available at the start of Chapter 3, right after the End of Greed questline, when Marshall Middler introduces her at camp. Damiane wields a rapier with her own unique weapon set and skill tree, offering a faster, more agile playstyle compared to Kliff.
Chapter 3 also introduces the Elowen Witch encounter. Elowen is the first Witch you meet as part of the campaign and is located in the Witchwoods of Hernand. Meeting her unlocks the ability to slot Abyss Gear into your equipment via the Witch's Lair vendor. This system allows you to socket special items onto weapons and armor for stat boosts and unique abilities. The Greymane Camp management system (provisions, recruits, dispatches, and camp expansions) also opens during this chapter.
Key Unlocks
Greymane Camp management system
Elowen Witch encounter
Abyss Gear slotting via Witch's Lair vendor
Camp expansions, recruits, and dispatch missions
Chapter 4: The Price of Knowledge
Chapter 4 sends Kliff in pursuit of forbidden knowledge tied to the Abyss. The chapter begins at the Kilnden Workshop with a mysterious artifact and leads through the Scholastone Institute, an ancient seat of learning. The centerpiece of the chapter is the Spire of the Stars, a puzzle tower located atop the mountains near Scholastone. You solve environmental switch puzzles across multiple floors, culminating in the Engraved Stone puzzle where you must arrange four symbols in the correct order.
Completing the Abyss challenges beyond the Spire of the Stars unlocks the Lightning Surge elemental skill. This is likely the first elemental imbue most players will acquire, though the Frost and Flame elements from the Spire of Ringing Truth can also be pursued around the same time. Chapter 4 also unlocks Focused Force Palm, which lets you break through magical walls found throughout Pywel to access hidden rewards.
Key Unlocks
Spire of the Stars puzzle tower
Lightning Surge elemental attack
Focused Force Palm (breaks magical barriers)
Scholastone Institute region access
Chapter 5: Guest Unbidden
Political tensions escalate in Chapter 5 as representatives from Demeniss arrive with unclear motives. The chapter has two quest arcs (Uninvited Guest and Black and White) totaling 10 quests. The climactic boss fight is a rematch with the Crowcaller, who returns with three full health bars and a devastating dive-bomb attack pattern.
The Spire of Soaring becomes accessible during Chapter 5 through the main quest "Toward the Nest." Completing its Abyss challenges provides additional skill points and Abyss rewards. The Sanctum purification system also becomes available around this point. Sanctums are large areas that require a Witch companion to cleanse, and they are tied to the Witch Locations faction questline. Purifying Sanctums grants powerful rewards and contributes to faction progress.
Key Unlocks
Spire of Soaring Abyss challenge
Sanctum purification system
Crowcaller boss rematch (three health bars)
Demeniss political storyline begins
Chapter 6: Cracks in the Shield
Chapter 6 marks the point where the game stops easing you in. War erupts, and the Greymanes are thrust into large-scale combat for the first time. Kliff receives word of a Greymane comrade somewhere in Calphade, and the entire region is mid-war with the Black Bears faction. The chapter spans four quest arcs and 14 quests, ending with a betrayal at Calphade Castle.
The main boss of Chapter 6 is Cassius Morten, who fights aggressively and punishes passive play. The chapter opens up the Calphade region and introduces siege defense sequences, which set the stage for the large-scale battles in later chapters. This is also where the narrative tension escalates significantly, as alliances shift and the stakes for the Greymanes become survival-level.
Key Unlocks
Calphade region access
Siege warfare and large-scale battle mechanics
Cassius Morten boss fight
Narrative betrayal that sets up Chapter 7
Chapter 7: Homecoming
Chapter 7 sees Kliff return to Pailune and lead the Greymanes in liberating the region from enemy forces. The chapter has four quest arcs and 15 quests. The Battle at Silverwolf Mountain is a landmark story fight and one of the most memorable set pieces in the game.
The biggest unlock in Chapter 7 is Oongka, the third playable character. Oongka becomes playable after your confrontation with Myurdin inside Ashclaw Keep. When the encounter leaves Kliff incapacitated, the game transfers control directly to Oongka, who wields a massive hammer with devastating stagger damage. From this point forward you can switch between Kliff, Damiane, and Oongka using the party system.
Key Unlocks
Oongka as a playable character
Full three-character party system
Pailune region liberation
Battle at Silverwolf Mountain story event
Chapter 8: Blood Coronation
Chapter 8 is the story's climax. Kliff travels to Demeniss for a decisive campaign. The chapter spans three quest arcs and 18 quests. Major encounters include a boss battle against Fortain, the Cursed Knight, and the dramatic Blood Coronation sequence that is the chapter's narrative centerpiece.
Completing Chapter 8 rewards you with the Spire of Clockwork Key. The Spire sits at the eastern edge of Demeniss and has a timed flying challenge through rings called Riddle Square. Clearing it unlocks Storm Veil, the wind elemental skill. Storm Veil deploys a smoke cloud that breaks enemy line of sight, making it useful for both combat escape and stealth approaches.
A Traitor quest arc within Chapter 8 delivers a major story revelation that sets up the endgame. All three playable characters (Kliff, Damiane, and Oongka) are fully available by this point, and you should experiment with builds for each as the difficulty continues to climb.
Key Unlocks
Spire of Clockwork key and puzzle tower
Storm Veil (wind) elemental attack
Blood Coronation story event
Fortain, the Cursed Knight boss fight
Demeniss campaign
Chapter 9: The Sage of the Desert
Chapter 9 takes the story into the desert regions of Pywel. The chapter contains 14 quests and has the Goyen boss fight at the Nest of Valor. Goyen is a human-sized enemy with a shield and sword who uses a moveset similar to Kliff's. He hits extremely hard and can kill in one or two hits with his strongest attacks, particularly his jumping shockwave slam. The recommended strategy is to dodge right, wait for his combo to end, then land four heavy attacks followed by a few light attacks.
Completing Chapter 9 unlocks the Spire of the Sun and the Nest of Valor challenge. The quest "New Perspectives" rewards the Karmic Pulse Abyss Gear, one of the stronger story-awarded gear pieces. The Witch's Ring and Greymane's Earring accessories are also awarded during this chapter, making it worthwhile to push through even if the boss fight proves challenging.
Key Unlocks
Spire of the Sun Abyss challenge
Nest of Valor challenge
Karmic Pulse Abyss Gear
Witch's Ring and Greymane's Earring accessories
Goyen boss fight
Chapter 10: Counterattack
Chapter 10 launches a full-scale counteroffensive across Pywel. At nine story missions it is one of the shorter chapters, but the battles are large and intense. The Greymanes and their allies push back against the forces that have been building throughout the story. Multiple regions see combat, and the chapter is the bridge between the political machinations of Chapters 5 through 9 and the endgame revelations of Chapters 11 and 12.
By this point in the game you should have a well-developed roster. Make sure your Abyss Gear is upgraded across all three characters, and consider visiting Witch Locations to socket any gear you have been holding onto. The difficulty spikes significantly in the chapters ahead.
Key Unlocks
Full-scale counteroffensive story content
Multi-region battle sequences
Preparation checkpoint before the endgame
Chapter 11: Truth and Reality
Chapter 11 takes Kliff to the City of Steel, a heavily fortified location where the boundary between truth and illusion begins to blur. The chapter is one of the longest at 18 quests, and it includes a sprawling sequence through a Strange Manor, a Fortress Key collection, and the penultimate setpiece: Cloud Castle Orbian, a floating fortress.
The Golden Star boss appears at the end of Chapter 11 and drops Golden Star's Component, a key crafting material. The chapter features story arcs including Brave New World, The City of Steel, Crossroads, Strange Manor, Truth and Lies, Foreboding Shadow, Master of a Forgotten Land, Whispers in the Wind, and Cloud Castle Orbian. Narratively, this chapter peels back the layers of deception that have been building since Chapter 5 and positions the player for the final confrontation.
Key Unlocks
Cloud Castle Orbian setpiece
Golden Star boss; Golden Star's Component drop
City of Steel region
Major story revelations
Chapter 12: The Abyss
Chapter 12 is the final numbered chapter and the longest in the game at approximately 20 quests. The story arcs include The Final Battle, Precise Execution, Deferred Advance, Departure of the Brave, Forbidden Gate, The Void, A Shadow in the Void, and Blinding Darkness. This chapter pushes you through the deepest layers of the Abyss for the final boss encounter.
Expect the most challenging combat in the game during Chapter 12. Fully upgraded Abyss Gear, complete elemental attack loadouts, and well-built skill trees for all three characters are strongly recommended before entering. The final boss tests mastery of every mechanic you have learned across the previous 11 chapters.
Key Unlocks
Final boss encounter
Deepest Abyss exploration
Endgame story resolution
Epilogue: Journey's End
The Epilogue wraps up the narrative with eight short quests that revisit key locations and characters across Pywel. There are no boss fights. Instead, you return to Hernand for a peace sequence, check in with allies, and see the results of your actions throughout the campaign. Quests include Journey's End, A New Beginning, Peace in Hernand, The Unyielding Shields, The Heart of Pywel, The Desert's Edge, The Enduring Flame, Evolving City, and New Horizons.
After completing the Epilogue, all regions remain accessible for continued exploration, Sanctum purification, Spire challenges, and endgame content including Another Journey multiplayer.
Elemental Skills by Chapter
The four elemental attacks are unlocked by completing Spire Abyss challenges. While some can be accessed earlier through optional exploration, the story naturally guides you toward them in the following order:
Element | Skill Name | Spire | Earliest Chapter |
|---|---|---|---|
Frost | Chapter 3-4 | ||
Flame | Spire of Ringing Truth (deep Abyss) | Chapter 3-4 | |
Lightning | Chapter 4 | ||
Wind | Chapter 8 |
Character Unlock Timeline
Crimson Desert features three playable characters. The party system lets you switch between them freely once they are unlocked:
Character | Weapon | Chapter Unlocked | How |
|---|---|---|---|
Prologue | Available from the start | ||
Chapter 3 | After End of Greed questline; Marshall Middler introduces her at camp | ||
Chapter 7 | After Myurdin fight in Ashclaw Keep; control transfers to Oongka when Kliff is incapacitated |
Progression Tips
Do not rush the main story. The open world fills with side quests, Abyss Artifacts, and exploration rewards after each chapter. Take time between chapters to explore.
Upgrade your camp. The Greymane Camp provides resources, recruit bonuses, and dispatch rewards that compound over time. Expand it whenever possible.
Visit Witches regularly. Witch Locations provide Abyss Gear upgrades. The Hermit Witch is available from Chapter 3, but stronger upgrades require the Witch of Wisdom in Chapter 5 and beyond.
Pursue Spires early. Spire challenges grant elemental attacks that make combat significantly easier. The Frost and Flame elements from the Spire of Ringing Truth are available as early as Chapter 3-4.
Build all three characters. Once Damiane and Oongka are unlocked, invest in their skill trees and gear. Some boss fights are easier with specific characters, and the party system lets you switch mid-combat.
Kearush tip: use fire. The gorilla boss Kearush the Slayer is extremely weak to fire. Equip a flame-imbued weapon or use Flame Strike to deal massive bonus damage.
Stock up before Chapter 10. Chapters 10 through 12 escalate difficulty rapidly. Ensure your Abyss Gear is upgraded and your potions are stocked before pushing into the endgame.