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Notable NPCs - Version 38 vs Version 39
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11Overview22Crimson Desert features numerous non-player characters who provide quests, information, services, and story development. Hernand, the starting region where much of the early game takes place, is populated by a diverse range of fantasy races including giants and antlered elf-like beings. NPCs throughout Pywel have dynamic behavior, reacting to weather, the day-night cycle, and the player's actions. NPCs respond to Kliff's actions, such as bumping into them or drawing a weapon), and their disposition changes based on how the player treats them.44Vendor and Service NPCs67NPCRoleLocationRonieBase Camp Food Shop vendor. Sells and buys food and rations. Provides provisions for cooking meals.Greymane CampTurnaliBlacksmith who handles weapon refinement, enhancing base stats incrementally (e.g., Attack from 10 to 12 after successful enhancement).Hernand blacksmithAbyss Gear NPCsSpecial NPCs who equip and remove Abyss Gear from weapon sockets. Players must visit these NPCs to change their Abyss Gear loadout.Scattered across regions89Story NPCs910Alustin1112Alustin is an alchemist and the keeper of the Library of Providence, described as a place "where every book is a world." The Library sits at the center of all worlds, and Alustin reveals that beings plan to bring "everything to nothingness." He summoned Kliff to help restore peace to Providence, which has been plunged into chaos. Alustin explains that stopping this threat was once Gian's mission, a responsibility that has now fallen to Kliff.1314Alustin also appears in Black Desert Online as an alchemist from Calpheon who specializes in Black Crystals, suggesting a shared universe connection between the two games.1516White Crow the Witch1718White Crow is a figure clad in white who serves as a bridge between Providence and the rest of the world. After Kliff meets Alustin in the Library of Providence, he is transported outside where he encounters White Crow. She bestows upon Kliff the Crow Wings ability, a glider-like power that allows him to leap off the Library's floating island. This encounter happens early in the game, unlocking the gliding mechanic that becomes essential for exploration and traversal throughout the rest of the adventure.1920Marquis Stefan Lanford2122Marquis Stefan Lanford is the lord of Calphade and an ally to the Greymanes. His subordinate Cassius Morten betrayed him and allied with the Black Bears to instigate a violent rebellion. By decree of the Marquis, the traitor Cassius Morten is a wanted man. Kliff joins the battle to help Lanford's forces, eventually defeating Morten and ending the revolt. Oongka has been fighting rebels on Lanford's behalf prior to the events of the game.2324Shakatu2526Shakatu is a hooded goblin trademaster who takes over the Goldleaf Merchant Guild after Kailok the Hornsplitter is defeated. After Hubert is freed, Kliff is approached by Shakatu, who explains that the Goldleaf Merchant Guild are currently under the command of the evil Split Horn. Shakatu offers money and his services in exchange for Kliff defeating Kailok, the Hornsplitter. Believing these resources will help find the missing Greymanes, Kliff accepts the quest to challenge Kailok, the Hornsplitter.2728Shakatu is a returning character from Black Desert Online, where he is known as the "Big Hand of Valencia" who runs a powerful merchant guild and forged the city of Shakatu in the Valencia region.2930Barden Middler3132Barden Middler is a quest-giving NPC first encountered in Hernand during Chapter 3, and later plays a role in the Calphade storyline. He triggers a cutscene requesting help identifying brigands who have been harassing the local population. Players encounter Barden Middler after defeating Matthias.3334Hubert3536Hubert is a healer NPC who is captured by goblins early in the game. The player rescues him by defeating the goblin captors, then follows Hubert while gathering Lavender. His rescue leads to the encounter with Shakatu and the subsequent quest to defeat Kailok, the Hornsplitter.3738Faction Leaders and Antagonists3940CharacterFactionRoleMyurdinBlack BearsLeader of the Black Bears. The primary antagonist who led the devastating ambush against the Greymanes. Recognizes Kliff and attempts to recruit him. Functions as a boss with a red health bar.Gwen KraberHostile occupiersFaction antagonist whose forces occupy Root Hold, a stronghold originally under House Celeste's jurisdiction. Defeating him and his soldiers returns Root Hold to House Celeste.Cassius MortenBlack BearsA traitor who was once a loyal officer to Marquis Stefan Lanford of Calphade. Betrayed Lanford and allied with the Black Bears in a violent rebellion.Kailok, the HornsplitterMerchant guildLeader of a local merchant guild in Hernand. A tyrannical goblin chieftain who wields an Abyss Artifact that grants speed, agility, and magical wave-generation abilities. Encountered as a boss in the PlayStation Blog hands-on preview.4142Pywel is home to 110 factions as recorded in the Knowledge Library. Each faction has leaders and members who interact with the player through quests, trade, and territory control. Only a handful of faction leaders have been identified in pre-release coverage, with the full roster expected to be revealed at launch.4243Boss Characters4446Several notable NPCs serve as boss encounters throughout the game.4648BossDescriptionMatthiasA soldier commander who challenges Kliff to a duel in the town square of Hernand. Has a blue health bar indicating a two-phase fight. Favors heavy charge attacks and running kicks.Kailok the Hornsplitter (Split Horn)Also known as Split Horn. Branchmaster of the Goldleafs. An unusual pale goblin (goblins are typically green). Uses rapid attacks and ranged abilities. His guards use red mist as part of their battle tactics.Walter LanfordEncountered at Alfonso Estate. Uses a double-barreled gun with exceptional shooting skills. Has a "Poof" escape ability and only 1 HP bar (unusual for bosses).MuskanAn eight-foot powerhouse who fights with lightning-fast fists. A warrior at the Bonepit.Kearush the SlayerA gigantic gorilla-like beast covered in armor, helmet, and chains. Unleashed on Hernand Castle.Hexe Marie"The deadliest Witch in history." A returning character from Black Desert Online. A follower of darkness who infused darkness into her own child. Two-phase fight with summoned crow/shadow minions in the Smoking Lands.Golden StarA mechanical dragon boss in the Delesyian Territory. Multi-phase fight featuring firestorms, fire breath attacks, and aerial combat.The StaglordA king figure on a forsaken throne in ruins. Has 3 HP bars (more than most bosses). Skilled with sword and shield.The Reed Devil"The Devil of the Reed Fields." A short-statured, masked foe residing in frozen reed fields at Frozen Soul Mountain. Once a slum-dweller outcast cursed and exiled by his own father.Queen Stoneback CrabA gigantic enchanted crab boss with a destructible shell. Awakened during an encounter where Diederik strikes its stony carapace.White Horn"The most feared brute of the White Mountains." A giant white-furred ape with antlers that can summon snowstorms and blizzards.4850NPC Interaction Systems4951NPC trust system5153Each NPC has a changing disposition toward Kliff, tracked through a NPC trust system. Trust increases through gifts, favors, and completing mini-tasks (called "Requests"). Trust decreases through stealing and attacking NPCs. Higher trust unlocks rewards and deeper interactions with that character.5355Observation Learning5557Players can enter an "Observe" mode to watch NPCs perform skills. Observing an NPC fishing unlocks the fishing skill. This also works in combat: observing an enemy performing a special move like a "Belly Slam" lets the player learn that ability. Some skills cannot be unlocked through Abyss Artifacts until the player first observes someone performing them. See the Knowledge System article for more details on learning by observation.5759Threaten Dialogue5961A "Threaten" option exists under the NPC interaction menu, allowing players to intimidate NPCs for information, rob them, or interrogate enemies. This ties into the law system, as threatening NPCs has Contribution penalties.6163Rumor System6365Players can listen to rumors in settlements to uncover hidden quests and locate better loot. Taverns serve as social hubs for gathering information from NPCs about nearby dangers, boss weaknesses, and hidden treasures.6567Freesword Dispatch6769From the Greymane Camp, players can send Greymane companions called "Freeswords" on off-screen missions through the Steinfell Fortress interface. Missions require 4 to 6 people, have durations ranging from hours to days, and cost resources. Each Freesword has individual stats (Health, Attack, Defense, Attack Speed, Movement Speed, Critical Hit) and specializations.6971Mission types include building statues, recapturing forts, gathering resources, and weakening enemy blockades. Rewards include silver, supplies, and materials for camp upgrades. This system allows players to make progress on multiple fronts simultaneously.7173Greymane Companions7375Beyond the three playable characters (Kliff, Damiane, Oongka), several non-playable Greymane members appear throughout the story.7577CompanionDescriptionYannOne of the surviving Greymanes who hid after the Black Bears ambush. Appears in gameplay sequences.NairaOne of the surviving Greymanes. Assists Kliff during gameplay sequences.MariusA Greymane ally with a badly injured leg. Encountered as Kliff searches for scattered allies. Joins Kliff's quest.DiederikA Greymane member who appears in the Queen Stoneback Crab encounter, striking the crab's carapace to awaken it.GianFormer leader of the Greymanes (deceased). His death led to the Black Bears ravaging Pailune. Alustin reveals that Gian's mission to protect the Abyss has now fallen to Kliff.
