Hills of No Return

Overview

The Hills of No Return is a hilly region that broadly encompasses the area surrounding Arboria Forest. The name carries a solemn meaning: this is the place where those who never return are bid farewell, a final landmark for warriors heading to the battlefield. The hills serve as the opening location of Crimson Desert, where players are introduced to the protagonist Kliff and the Greymane faction.

Location

The Hills of No Return are positioned northeast of the City of Hernand and face Demeniss across the Denn River. The region can be reached by heading northwest from the city, past the Vilkom Outpost. Arboria and its surrounding forest lie within the broader hills area.

Property Details

Story Significance

This is where Crimson Desert begins. The Prologue: Dead of Night opens with Kliff awakening at a cabin in the Hills of No Return after a devastating ambush by the Black Bears. The Greymanes have suffered heavy losses, and the opening sequence focuses on mourning fallen comrades and regrouping the surviving members.

Opening Sequence

• Kliff awakens at the cabin and locates surviving Greymane comrades.

• Players speak with Oongka and make farewells to fallen brethren, including Giles.

• A fight breaks out as the Black Bears launch a follow-up attack. Players fight alongside Oongka, Naira, and Yann to repel the attackers.

• The opening quests introduce core gameplay mechanics including combat, movement, and the narrative tension between the Greymanes and the forces that drove them from Pailune.

Notable NPCs

Several key Greymane members can be found in the Hills of No Return during the opening chapters.

Enemies

During the Prologue, Black Bear attackers ambush the Greymane cabin. These are the first enemies players fight in the game, serving as a combat tutorial. The surrounding area also contains local wildlife and bandits that appear in later chapters when players revisit the region.

Exploration

The Hills of No Return are a sprawling outdoor area with rolling hills, forested paths, and rocky outcrops. The cabin where the Prologue begins sits on elevated ground with views across the surrounding countryside. Multiple paths lead from the hills toward Arboria Forest and the road south to Hernand.

Gathering resources including herbs, timber, and stone can be found throughout the hills. The area connects to Arboria to the west, where an abandoned village and its associated castle offer further exploration opportunities.

Quests

• Unfamiliar Lands: The Prologue quest where Kliff awakens and regroups with the Greymanes at the cabin.

• Combat tutorial encounters against the Black Bears.

Related Articles

• Hernand

• Arboria

• Kliff

• Greymanes

• Black Bears

• Main Story Walkthrough