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How to Unlock Barber
April 4, 2026 at 09:55 AM
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The barber in Crimson Desert lets you change Kliff's hairstyle, hair color, beard, eyebrows, and tattoos. However, the barber is not available from the start. Unlocking him requires progressing through a lengthy series of Greymane Camp faction quests that involve building up the camp, recruiting members, and completing multiple mission-based objectives. The barber (Eric) and the camp dye merchant (Oliver) are both unlocked through the same quest chain, so completing this progression gives you access to both appearance customization and the Dye System at camp.
The overall quest chain is called Grounds of the Sunrise, and it is part of the broader Faction Quests for the Greymanes. The chain becomes available after reaching Chapter 3 of the main story and clearing certain prerequisites. Be aware that one step involves growing an apple tree that takes 4.5 to 5 in-game days to mature, which is the single biggest time bottleneck in the entire process.
Before you can begin the Grounds of the Sunrise quest chain, two conditions must be met.
Chapter 3 completion: You must have reached at least Chapter 3 in the main story to gain access to Greymane Camp and its faction quest system. The camp becomes available as a hub during this chapter.
Karen Quarry cleared: The Karen Quarry must be cleared of enemies before the camp expansion quests can proceed. This is a combat encounter that opens up the area for resource gathering and camp infrastructure.
The following is the complete step-by-step quest chain that leads to unlocking both Eric (barber) and Oliver (dye merchant) at Greymane Camp. Some of these steps are mission-based and run on timers, so it is important to dispatch them as soon as they become available to avoid unnecessary waiting.
This is the introductory quest that kicks off the Grounds of the Sunrise chain. It establishes the camp's need to grow and sets up the subsequent recruitment and expansion objectives. Complete this quest to move on to the resource-gathering phase.
This is a mission-based quest where you dispatch camp members to gather resources. Mission-based quests run on a timer and complete automatically after a set period. Since waiting for the timer is dead time, you should start this mission as soon as it becomes available. While the mission runs, you can continue exploring the open world, completing side quests, or working on other objectives.
A quick quest that introduces the home building system at camp. Luke asks you to help with a small construction task. This quest is short and straightforward, serving primarily as a tutorial for building and upgrading structures within the camp.
Another mission-based quest that expands the camp's physical footprint. Like Secure Resources, dispatch this mission as soon as possible to minimize downtime. The camp will visually grow after this mission completes, adding new areas and NPC positions.
This step opens up more Greymane-related quests and deepens the faction storyline. Completing The Gathered Will is required before the next round of camp development quests becomes available. This quest involves rallying the Greymane survivors and solidifying their commitment to rebuilding.
Another Secure Resources mission. Just like the first one, dispatch it immediately and use the waiting time productively. The resources gathered in this round are needed for the upcoming camp infrastructure improvements.
This quest sends you to investigate a rumor in the town of St. Hus. Completing it recruits Arnold, an engineer, to the camp. Arnold is critical for the next step because Bryce's Request requires Arnold to be present at camp. If you skip or delay this quest, the chain will stall.
Bryce needs Arnold's engineering expertise for a camp improvement project. This quest only becomes available after Arnold has been recruited in the previous step. Complete Bryce's Request to advance the camp's infrastructure to the next tier.
Two objectives run simultaneously in this step: a wagon delivery mission and another camp expansion mission. Both can be dispatched at the same time. Let them run in parallel to save time. The wagon mission brings in additional supplies while the expansion mission opens up new camp areas.
This quest unlocks the farming system at camp. You are tasked with building a farm and planting an apple tree. This is the biggest bottleneck in the entire chain. The apple tree takes approximately 4.5 to 5 in-game days to grow to maturity. There is no way to speed this up. Many players have expressed frustration at this wait, as it can feel like a significant roadblock when you are eager to unlock the barber. Plan accordingly by planting the apple tree as soon as the quest allows and then focusing on other content while you wait for it to grow.
Once the apple tree has fully grown, this quest triggers automatically. It celebrates the farm's first harvest and advances the camp storyline. Complete it to move into the final stage of camp expansion.
The final base expansion quest. This is the culmination of all the camp-building work done throughout the chain. Completing Solid Foundation brings the camp to its fully developed state and unlocks the last wave of NPC recruitments, including the barber and dye merchant.
The final quest in the chain. This quest sends you to investigate a rumor at the Inksworth Bindery, and completing it recruits Eric (the barber) to Greymane Camp. Along with Eric, Oliver (the camp dye merchant) and Connor also join the camp as part of this final recruitment wave.
Step | Quest Name | Type | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Story quest | Starts the chain | |
2 | Mission (timed) | Dispatch ASAP to minimize wait | |
3 | Quick quest | Introduces home building | |
4 | Camp Expansion | Mission (timed) | Dispatch ASAP |
5 | The Gathered Will | Story quest | Opens more Greymane quests |
6 | Secure Resources (2nd) | Mission (timed) | Dispatch ASAP |
7 | Rumor in St. Hus | Story quest | Recruits Arnold (engineer); needed for Step 8 |
8 | Bryce's Request | Story quest | Requires Arnold from Step 7 |
9 | Wagon Mission + Camp Expansion | Dual mission | Both run simultaneously |
10 | Story quest | Plant apple tree (4.5-5 day wait) | |
11 | Story quest | Triggers after apple tree matures | |
12 | Solid Foundation | Story quest | Final camp expansion |
13 | Rumor in the Inksworth Binder | Story quest |
The apple tree growth period in Step 10 (Land of Dreams) is the most frustrating part of the unlock process for many players. The tree takes approximately 4.5 to 5 in-game days to fully mature, and there is no shortcut or item that accelerates the growth. During this wait, the quest chain is completely blocked; you cannot proceed to Step 11 until the tree is ready.
To make the best use of this downtime, consider the following activities while waiting for the tree to grow:
Explore new regions of Pywel and complete side quests you have been putting off.
Work on Naira's dye quest chain ("Brightening the Spirits") to unlock the dye system at Theoric's Dyehouse in Hernand.
Gather crafting materials for alchemy recipes and equipment upgrades.
Progress through other Greymane faction quests that are available in parallel.
Complete boss encounters or tackle the dungeons in areas you have already unlocked.
The barber's name is Eric. After he joins the camp, you can find his tent next to the general store in Greymane Camp at Howling Hills. Walk up to Eric and interact with him to open the customization menu. Eric's tent is positioned alongside the Dyehouse tent, so both appearance customization services are in the same area of the camp.
Oliver is the camp's dedicated dye vendor who joins alongside Eric at the end of the Grounds of the Sunrise chain. Once Oliver has set up shop at camp, you can access the Dye System without traveling to regional Dyehouses. Oliver specializes in red-tone dyes (matching the Hernand regional palette) and offers his own set of exclusive material finish options. For full details on the dye system, color vendors, and material finishes, see the Dye System article.
All three playable characters can visit the barber for appearance changes. The available options vary by character.
Character | Hairstyles | Hair Color | Beard | Eyebrows | Tattoos |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (face and body, with color options) | |
Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes (face and body, with color options) | |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (face and body, with color options) |
The hair color palette at the barber uses the same visual color picker as the Dye System. Rather than choosing from a fixed set of named colors, you select directly from a continuous gradient that spans natural tones (black, brown, blonde, red, grey, white) through unnatural vibrant colors (blue, green, pink, purple). The palette gives players a wide range of options for creating unique looks.
You can revisit Eric at any time for free changes. There is no cooldown, no cost, and no penalty for switching styles.
Focus on progressing the Greymane Camp faction quests if you want to unlock the barber as early as possible. Dispatch timed missions immediately when they become available to reduce waiting.
Plant the apple tree in Step 10 as soon as the quest allows. The 4.5 to 5 in-game day growth period is the longest wait in the chain, so starting it early saves significant time.
Do not skip or delay the "Rumor in St. Hus" quest (Step 7). Arnold must be recruited before Bryce's Request can proceed, and skipping this step will stall the entire chain.
Tattoo options include both facial and body designs, each with multiple color variations. Experiment freely since all changes are free and reversible.
The barber does not change Kliff's overall face shape or body proportions. Those are locked from character creation.
Both Eric (barber) and Oliver (dye merchant) unlock from the same quest chain, so completing Grounds of the Sunrise gives you access to both customization services at camp.
Make sure you have cleared Karen Quarry and reached Chapter 3 before expecting this quest chain to appear in your quest log.