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Everfrost is a vast mountain range located in the western reaches of the Hernand region, blanketed on all sides by pure white snow. The snowy landscape stretches so far that it is difficult to maintain one's bearings, and visiting explorers often lose their way and become stranded. Howling winds, deep drifts, and whiteout conditions turn even short journeys into dangerous ordeals, and the mountains' sheer scale means that losing your footing or your direction can cost hours of progress.
The range sits directly behind Fort Warspike, which is the primary gateway between the lowlands of Hernand and the icy heights above. A mountain path winds up from the rear of the fort into the Everfrost proper, carrying travelers into terrain where the warmth of the coastal plains gives way to biting cold. For players, Everfrost is best treated as a mid-game destination: the environment itself is a hazard, and most of its worthwhile rewards are tucked behind hidden cave entrances that require specific skills to reach.
Everfrost occupies the western portion of the Hernand region, forming a natural barrier that separates Hernand's central territories from the unsettled lands beyond. Snow covers every visible surface, and the rolling peaks create a horizon that looks almost identical from any angle. Rivers that originate high in the range feed down into several waterfalls, some of which hide cave entrances behind their rushing curtains.
The range is deeply interconnected with nearby areas of Hernand. Fort Warspike anchors the western edge and acts as the most reliable staging point for expeditions into the mountains. Further east, Haunted Hill stretches behind the estates at the edge of the range, while the Sanctum of Atonement sits at the foot of its slopes, just southwest of Haunted Hill. To the south, the Deepfog Basin in the Calphadean Territory contains a set of ancient ruins named after Everfrost, tying the basin's lore directly to the larger mountain range.
House Thorel previously attempted to claim these peaks but were forced to forfeit their ambitions, thwarted by the treacherous terrain. The official regional description notes that the noble house's expedition into the mountains ended in failure: the combination of disorienting whiteout storms, deep crevasses, and hostile wildlife made it impossible to establish a lasting foothold, and any attempt to push a settlement or garrison into the peaks was ground down by the environment itself.
Since that failed venture, the mountains have remained unclaimed by any of Hernand's noble houses. They serve as a natural barrier at the western edge of the region and as a dangerous destination for those unprepared for the harsh conditions. The fact that even a well-resourced noble house could not tame Everfrost has made it a cautionary tale within Hernand, and travelers are generally advised to stick to the lowland routes rather than attempt the passes without proper preparation.
Echoes of older civilizations still sit in the snow. The Deepfog Basin ruins carry the Everfrost name and take the form of an Ancient Ruins Puzzle Challenge, suggesting that whoever raised those pillars once operated across both the basin and the higher range. Solving the pillar puzzle there unlocks an Abyss Cresset, linking Everfrost to the broader network of ancient relics scattered across the continent.
Everfrost contains several named sub-locations, including a central basin and three waterfall caves, each hidden behind falling water and each tied to valuable loot. The caves must be entered by piercing through the waterfall using the Stab skill, one of the earliest Blue skills unlocked on the Sword and Shield weapon set. Only waterfalls with a visible stone platform in front of them and a set of stacked cairns on the banks have an accessible interior, so look for those markers before committing.
Sub-Location | Type | Description | Key Contents |
|---|---|---|---|
Snowy basin | A wide, snow-filled basin located deep within the mountains. Snow-covered peaks encircle the basin and keep the air still and cold. On clear days the ring of white summits creates a dazzling panorama. Tied to the Scholastone area further south. | Hidden cave entrance at the west rock wall (blocked by vines), torches inside. | |
Waterfall cave | A small cave hidden behind a waterfall of Everfrost, tucked away between claw-like cliffs. Known as a place only the strong can reach, thanks to its isolated, cliff-bound location. | Plate Boots of Shadows, Golden Carafe, Water Bottle of the Agonized, consumables, sellables. | |
Waterfall cave | A hidden cave tucked behind a waterfall of Everfrost. Almost no light reaches the interior, and the air stays cold and deathly still. Home to a chest containing a piece of the Fallen Kingdom armor set. | Fallen Kingdom chest armor piece. | |
Waterfall cave | A cave hidden behind a waterfall of Everfrost. The falling droplets reflect light inside the cave, creating a scene reminiscent of a cascading starry sky. The flickering glimmers fill the quiet darkness with a sense of calm mystery. | Fallen Kingdom gloves. |
A fourth generic entry, sometimes referred to simply as Everfrost Cave, sits deeper in the frozen zone and requires pushing through heavy snow to reach. Its entrance is not clearly marked on the world map, appearing as a small opening surrounded by snow buildup rather than a labeled icon. [UNVERIFIED whether this is a distinct location from the three named waterfall caves above or a general community name for one of them.]
The snowfields of Everfrost are home to hardy creatures that have adapted to the cold. Combat in the range usually involves fighting on unsteady footing, with wind and visibility working against the player. Bring healing items, conserve stamina for the journey, and clear any visible threats before committing to a waterfall entry.
Dire wolves: Large white wolves roam the mountain slopes and the nearby Howling Hollow cave just north of The Sage's Peak in Hernand. The Legendary Wolf Silver Fang can be hunted there as part of the Hernand faction questline, and the kill unlocks him as a Legendary Mount.
White Horn Yeti: A large yeti tied to the Sogghorn Tribe. Defeating this creature is required to complete the Fog Over the Forest faction mission from the Longleaf tribe. [UNVERIFIED whether the Yeti itself spawns inside Everfrost proper or in an adjacent area of Hernand.]
Frozen hazards: Beyond wildlife, the environment itself is an enemy. The frigid cold can freeze your character for several seconds if you stand exposed too long, so ice-resistant armor and Abyss Gears are strongly recommended before any deep exploration. A Reindeer Cloak dropped from a research site south of Scholastone provides level 5 ice resistance and is a popular pick for anyone spending time in snowbound territory.
Everfrost is not the setting of any main-line chapter quest, but it hosts several side activities and faction missions that make the trip worthwhile.
Activity | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
House Celeste faction quest | Requires hunting Black Fang first before tracking Silver Fang to Howling Hollow, near Everfrost's eastern slopes. | |
Longleaf Tribe faction quest | Requires defeating the White Horn Yeti from the Sogghorn Tribe. | |
Ancient Ruins puzzle | Located in Hernand > Calphadean Territory > Deepfog Basin, northwest of Calphade Farmhouse. Uses the Stab skill to rotate pillar groups. Rewards an Abyss Cresset. | |
Waterfall cave exploration | Exploration | Frostclaw Cave, Frozen Soul Cave, and Starlight Storm Cave each contain rare equipment, including pieces of the Fallen Kingdom and Shadow armor sets. |
Fast travel in Crimson Desert uses Abyss Nexus points, marked on the world map by circular question-mark icons. Stand on one to activate it, and use the sword's Guiding Light ability to highlight nearby Nexus points in a blue glow when the exact location is unclear.
The closest confirmed Abyss Nexus to Everfrost is in Hernand Town, which was relocated to the middle of town in a patch update. Another reliable staging point is Fort Warspike, which sits at the foot of the mountain path leading up into the range. [UNVERIFIED whether a dedicated Abyss Nexus sits inside Everfrost itself; most guides list nearby Hernand Town and Fort Warspike as the practical starting points for any expedition into the snow.]
Unlock the Stab skill on Sword and Shield before heading into Everfrost. Without it you cannot pierce through any of the waterfall cave entrances, which locks you out of most of the region's loot.
Look for stacked stone cairns near waterfalls. A cairn is the visual signal that the falls can be entered; a waterfall without cairns is just scenery.
Equip ice-resistant armor or a Reindeer Cloak before any deep exploration. The cold can freeze your character for several seconds at a time, which is often fatal during combat encounters.
Use Fort Warspike as your staging point. The path behind the fort leads directly up the mountain and avoids the deeper drifts and whiteout zones that make navigation difficult.
The endless white landscape can be disorienting. Keep the in-game map open and set waypoints on Abyss Nexus points so you have a bearing to return to if visibility collapses.
When farming the waterfall caves, prioritize Frostclaw Cave early. The Plate Boots of Shadows, Golden Carafe, and Water Bottle of the Agonized make it the most reward-dense of the three.
Frozen Soul Cave and Starlight Storm Cave together grant two Fallen Kingdom armor pieces. Combine those trips with a visit to Frostclaw in one expedition to save travel time.
Bring healing items and ranged options. Combat in the snow often happens on slick footing, and pulling enemies into chokepoints is easier than fighting them in open drifts.
