Overview
Howling Hill is a hilltop location in the Hernand region of Crimson Desert that overlooks the surrounding countryside. According to local legend, wolves once gathered on this hill every night and their howls were so fierce they drove off nearby bandits. The hill serves as a reward for Kliff and the Greymane mercenaries after defeating the Hornsplitter boss. Following that victory, the Greymane Camp is established here, making it the player's first base of operations in Hernand.
Story Significance
Howling Hill becomes available during Chapter 3 of the main story. After clearing the Hornsplitter threat, the Marquis Sarkis grants the Greymanes permission to establish their camp on the hill. The chapter focuses on setting up the base, gathering supplies, and rebuilding the mercenary group. Players carry out hands-on construction tasks such as gathering sacks, hammering stakes, breaking boulders with a pickaxe, and raising the camp banner.
This is also where Damiane Spencer is unlocked as a playable character. She joins the camp after the initial setup is complete, expanding the player's combat options with her distinct fighting style.
Sub-Areas
Sub-Area | Description |
|---|---|
Greymane Camp | The main camp area with facilities, quest-givers, and crafting stations. Functions as an expandable base where construction projects can be started and tracked. |
Bonfire | A resting point within the camp used to pass time, cook food, and wait for construction projects to complete. |
Thinker's Meadow | A nearby meadow south of the camp where the hidden Abyss Nexus for the camp's fast travel point is located underground. |
Muckroot Ranch | A ranch area below the camp to the south. A secret trapdoor in a pig sty here leads to the underground chamber containing the Abyss Nexus teleportation stone. |
Key NPCs
NPC | Role |
|---|---|
Greymane member present at the camp. | |
Unlockable playable character who joins the camp. A pickaxe can be collected from a crate near where she initially stands. | |
Wounded Greymane clansman recovering at the camp. | |
Ross | Greymane member stationed at Howling Hill. |
Carl | Greymane member stationed at Howling Hill. |
Main Quests
Several main story quests take place at or around Howling Hill:
Quest | Summary |
|---|---|
First Step to Rebuilding | Initial camp construction tasks including gathering materials and setting up the base. |
A Fresh Start | Continuing the camp setup and meeting the surviving Greymane members. |
Reward for Their Sweat | Completing camp improvements and establishing facilities. |
Return of the Comrade | A returning Greymane member arrives at the camp. |
Familiar Curses | A story quest involving familiar threats that must be dealt with from the camp. |
Resources
Players can find the following resources and tools at Howling Hill:
Fine Stone can be gathered from boulders around the hilltop.
A pickaxe can be collected from a crate near Damiane's initial position.
A mallet and saw are available from a plywood stack at the camp.
Fast Travel
The Abyss Nexus for Howling Hill is not immediately available. It is hidden underground beneath a secret trapdoor in a pig sty at Muckroot Ranch, just south of the camp. Reaching it requires progressing to Act Five of the story. Players need the Focus Palm Force skill (obtained during the Scholastone quest in Act Four) to break through a destructible wall underground. Once the teleportation stone is found and activated, fast travel to and from Greymane Camp is permanently unlocked.
Tips
Use the bonfire to pass time while waiting for camp construction projects to finish.
Craft health-restoring food before tackling the boss fights associated with this chapter.
Look for the small white circle on your minimap near Muckroot Ranch to locate the trapdoor leading to the Abyss Nexus.