Overview
Pailune is the frozen northern region of Pywel in Crimson Desert. Defined by heavy snowfall, blizzards, and treacherous mountain passes, it is the ancestral homeland of the Greymanes. After the Black Bears murdered the Greymane leader Gian and seized control, Kliff and his surviving companions were driven south to Hernand. Reclaiming Pailune from Myurdin and the Black Bears is the central goal of the main story.
The region becomes accessible during Chapter 7: Homecoming. Before that point, the path north from Hernand is blocked by story gates. Once Chapter 7 begins, the road opens and players can explore Pailune freely. However, the Toll of Pailune bell that reveals the full map cannot be activated until the chapter's storyline is completed and the region is liberated.
Pailune is significantly harder than Hernand or Demeniss. Enemies hit harder, the cold saps stamina, and blizzards can limit visibility to a few meters. Players should arrive prepared with upgraded weapons, cold-resistance gear, and a large supply of cooked meals.
Geography
Pailune's terrain is dominated by snow-covered mountains, frozen lakes, dense conifer forests, and jagged cliff faces. The region sits at high elevation, and the temperature is well below freezing in most areas. Rivers and waterfalls are often partially frozen, and wind howls through the narrow passes that connect the region's valleys.
Unlike the relatively temperate Hernand or the political heartland of Demeniss, Pailune is hostile wilderness for much of its area. Settlements are smaller and more scattered, and the spaces between them are occupied by aggressive wildlife and Black Bears patrols. The southeastern border runs along the Kingshield Mountains, which form a natural barrier with Demeniss.
The western portion of the region includes dense woodland areas like the Wayward Woods, where tall trees block sunlight and visibility drops even outside of blizzards. The northern reaches give way to even harsher alpine terrain, with narrow paths along cliffsides and ice-covered rock faces that require careful traversal.
Environmental Hazards
Pailune introduces cold as a persistent environmental mechanic. Without adequate protection, the frigid temperatures reduce stamina regeneration and can leave players struggling in combat situations that would be routine in warmer regions.
Hazard | Effect | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
Extreme Cold | Reduces stamina regeneration rate | Equip cloaks with Ice Resistance; consume ice-resistance food |
Blizzards | Severely limits visibility; periodic storms that appear without warning | Seek interior spaces or campfires; wait for the storm to pass |
Ice-Covered Paths | Slippery footing on mountain trails; risk of falling | Move carefully; use the grappling hook for safety |
Cold Debuff | Accumulates over time outdoors; drains health if left unchecked | Warm up at campfires or interior spaces to clear the debuff |
Fishball Soup offers Level 4 Ice Resistance and is one of the best consumables for surviving Pailune's cold. Stock up on ingredients before entering the region or purchase prepared meals from vendors in Hernand.
Key Locations
Pailune contains a mix of settlements, dungeons, natural landmarks, and points of interest. Several locations are tied directly to the main story while others offer optional content and hidden treasures.
Location | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
Settlement | The regional hub and staging area for the Greymanes' operations in Pailune. Provides vendors, quest givers, and preparation facilities. | |
Vannstein Lake | Landmark | A large frozen lake in the central part of the region. Gathering nodes surround the shore, and several side quests originate here. |
Snowwind Cave | Hidden behind a waterfall near Vannstein Lake. Contains a treasure chest with the Grand Meal Recipe, one of the best cooking recipes in the game. Requires the Stab ability to pass through the waterfall. | |
Kingshield Mountains | Landmark | The mountain range forming Pailune's southeastern border with Demeniss. Features narrow paths, ambush points, and the rematch with One-Armed Ludvig. |
Story Location | The site of the Ludvig boss fight during the Dawn quest. Central to the Chapter 7 storyline. | |
Story Location | The climactic arena for the final battle against Myurdin during the Decisive Battle quest. This is where the Black Bears' hold on Pailune is broken. | |
A tower that uses bell-shooting mechanics to unlock access to the basement, where Priscus the Ancient awaits as an optional boss. | ||
Wayward Woods | Wilderness | Dense northwestern forest home to the Longleaf Tribe and the Mistwood Hunters poacher faction. Offers side quest content. |
Ruined castle where the Saigord the Staglord faction quest takes place. | ||
Landmark | A distinctive multi-peaked mountain. The Second-Finger Cave on its slopes contains gold veins but is difficult to locate. | |
Landmark | Mountain containing the Silver Wolf Cave, which harbors bat colonies and golden ore deposits. | |
Settlement | A small outpost in the Pailune wilderness that provides basic services and quest connections. | |
Settlement | Another minor camp serving as a rest point and quest hub in the region. |
Factions
Pailune is home to numerous factions, both hostile and friendly. The political landscape is dominated by the Black Bears' occupation and the various tribal groups either resisting or enduring their rule.
Hostile Factions
Faction | Leader | Description |
|---|---|---|
The primary antagonist faction. They murdered the Greymane leader Gian, destroyed the Greymanes, and seized control of Pailune. Their forces patrol the region and control key fortifications. | ||
Allied with the Black Bears. Led by Ludvig, they help enforce the occupation of Pailune's people. | ||
Draven | Followers of a figure named Draven who employ dark sorcery. They operate in the shadows and represent a supernatural threat beyond conventional military force. | |
Unknown | Poachers active in the Wayward Woods who hunt woodland spirits. They are hostile to both the player and the native tribes. |
Friendly and Neutral Factions
Faction | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
Southeastern Pailune | An indigenous tribe that maintains ancestral traditions, including ritual food preparation. They offer unique trading opportunities and quest content. | |
Capital settlement | The remnants of the region's military force, weakened after Gian's death. They form the backbone of resistance once Kliff returns. | |
Various | A resistance force made up of Beighen Militia members. They actively resist the Black Bears' oppression. | |
Northern Pailune | A northern tribe that lacks the military strength to resist the occupation directly. They survive by keeping a low profile. | |
Wayward Woods | Forest dwellers with tree-dwelling customs. They are hostile to outsiders, including the player, until trust is earned. | |
Western mountains | A mountain tribe that worships mountain spirits. They maintain spiritual traditions despite the occupation. | |
Northern Pailune | Divided into two villages, Totemfelt and Skallcove, each practicing different spiritual traditions. |
Boss Encounters
Pailune features some of the toughest boss fights in Crimson Desert, including the climactic confrontation with Myurdin. Both main quest bosses and optional encounters are available.
Main Quest Bosses
Location | Quest | Notable Drops | |
|---|---|---|---|
Pailune Castle | Dawn | ||
Kingshield Mountains | Story progression | Modified attack patterns from first encounter; drops upgraded gear | |
Decisive Battle | Melted Ambition, 3000 Pailunese Contribution EXP |
The Myurdin fight is widely considered one of the most challenging encounters in the game. He has a devastating lava transformation phase that requires precise dodging and patience. Bring plenty of healing items and do not get greedy with attack windows during his transformed state.
Optional Bosses
Location | Requirements | Notable Drops | |
|---|---|---|---|
Solve the bell-shooting puzzle to reach the basement | Blessing of the Immortal, Ancient's Necklace, Ancient Retribution | ||
Saigord the Staglord | Complete the related faction quest chain | ||
World boss spawn | Encounter in the open world | Vulnerable to fire damage; equip fire-imbued weapons for bonus effectiveness |
Priscus the Ancient is a flying giant that requires ranged combat and Sleep Arrows to bring down. Players who rely exclusively on melee builds should invest in a bow and Sleep Arrow crafting before attempting this fight.
Quests
Pailune contains a dense network of main story quests and faction side quests. The main story revolves around liberating the region from the Black Bears, while faction quests explore the lore and politics of the various tribal groups.
Main Story Quests
The Pailune main story takes place primarily during Chapter 7: Homecoming. Key quests include:
Shadows Over Pailune: The opening quest where Kliff and Torstein move north to secure a safe house in Pailune. Shane, sent ahead as a scout, has gone missing.
Healing Pailune: A quest focused on aiding the locals and rebuilding alliances with the native tribes.
Dawn: The quest culminating in the first boss fight against Ludvig at Pailune Castle.
Decisive Battle: The climactic quest where Kliff storms Ashclaw Keep to confront Myurdin and end the Black Bears' occupation.
Reconstructing Pailune: Post-liberation quest focused on rebuilding the region after the Black Bears are defeated.
Faction Quests
Pailune has 53 faction quests spread across four distinct groups:
Faction Quest Line | Quest Count | |
|---|---|---|
27 | Military operations across the icy north. Objectives sometimes require travel to Hernand or Demeniss. | |
17 | Explores the region's darker lore. Features puzzle-based objectives tied to ancient ruins. | |
Pailune's Politics | 8 | Factional power plays in Demeniss. Choices here affect NPC availability and vendor access. |
1 | A single quest triggered by a specific NPC in eastern Pailune. Easy to miss since it does not appear on the main quest tracker by default. |
Completing faction quests earns Pailunese Contribution points, which improve standing with local vendors and unlock additional rewards. The Pailune Militia questline is the largest and is the backbone of side content in the region.
Resources and Gathering
Despite its harsh climate, Pailune offers valuable resources that are difficult or impossible to find in other regions. Mining in particular is rewarding here, as several caves contain gold and silver veins.
Resource | Source | Location |
|---|---|---|
Mining veins | ||
Mining veins | Various caves throughout the region | |
Ice Crystals | Gathering nodes | Found near frozen lakes and in high-altitude areas |
Frostbitten Herbs | Gathering nodes | Scattered across the tundra; used in alchemy recipes |
Grand Meal Recipe | Treasure chest | Snowwind Cave (behind the waterfall; requires the Stab ability) |
Animal Hides | Wildlife throughout the region, including wolves and bears |
The Grand Meal Recipe found in Snowwind Cave is considered one of the best cooking recipes in the game. To reach it, look for the waterfall near Vannstein Lake and use the Stab ability to pass through the water into the hidden cave behind it.
Map and Exploration
Pailune's map starts entirely fogged. The Toll of Pailune bell, located in the Pailune settlement in the north, reveals the full map when rung. However, the bell can only be activated after liberating Pailune at the end of Chapter 7. Before that, players must explore manually and rely on the Blinding Flash ability to reveal small portions of the map.
Manual exploration before the bell is activated is worthwhile. Many hidden caves, treasure chests, and gathering nodes are tucked away behind waterfalls, inside mountain crevices, or in places that require the grappling hook or glider to reach. The terrain rewards vertical exploration especially, since Pailune's elevation changes are dramatic.
The interactive map pins for Pailune continue to be updated by the community. Key things to look for include treasure chests in caves, Ancient Ruins puzzle locations, and secret gathering spots that do not appear on the standard map even after the bell is rung.
Regional Mounts
Pailune offers region-specific mounts that handle the icy terrain better than standard horses. These mounts have improved traction on snow and ice, making them essential for efficient travel in the region.
Mount | Terrain Bonus |
|---|---|
Greymane Warhorse | Superior handling on snow-covered roads and frozen ground |
Excellent traction on ice; slower but more stable than horses | |
Frost Raptor | Fast traversal over rough terrain; handles slopes better than other mounts |
Preparation Tips
Pailune is a major step up in difficulty from the earlier regions. Rushing in without preparation will result in frequent deaths. The following checklist covers what players should have before entering the region.
Weapon refinement: Refine your main weapons to at least Level 4. Enemies in Pailune have significantly more health and deal more damage than those in Hernand.
Cooked meals: Stock at least 100 cooked meals. Combat is frequent and healing items get consumed quickly, especially during boss encounters.
Cold-resistance gear: Equip a cloak with Ice Resistance. Without it, stamina regeneration drops noticeably in outdoor areas.
Ice-resistance food: Fishball Soup provides Level 4 Ice Resistance and is one of the best options available. Craft or purchase a supply before heading north.
Ranged weapons: At least one bow should be in your inventory. The Priscus the Ancient boss fight and several traversal challenges require ranged attacks.
Sleep Arrows: Craft these in advance if you plan to fight Priscus the Ancient. They are essential for grounding him during his flight phases.
Fire-imbued weapons: The White Horn world boss is vulnerable to fire damage. Having a fire-enchanted weapon available gives a significant advantage.
Lore and Story Significance
Pailune is the emotional heart of Crimson Desert's main story. It is where the Greymanes were born, where their leader Gian was killed, and where Kliff must return to set things right. The journey from a scattered band of refugees in Hernand to an army capable of challenging Myurdin at Ashclaw Keep is the defining arc of the game's narrative.
The region's various tribes add depth to the story. The Beighen Tribe, the Knytlingar Clan, the Longleaf Tribe, the Skoghorn Tribe, and the Stjar Clan each have their own relationship with the occupation. Some resist. Some endure. Some are too weak to do either. The faction quest lines explore these dynamics and give players the opportunity to shape how Pailune rebuilds after liberation.
After the main Chapter 7 storyline is complete and Myurdin is defeated, the Reconstructing Pailune quest line opens up, allowing players to help rebuild settlements, restore trade routes, and strengthen the Greymanes' hold on their reclaimed homeland.