Pailune

Overview

Pailune is the northernmost region of Pywel and the ancestral homeland of the Greymanes. Once a region unified under the great leader Gian, Pailune enjoyed a period of relative peace and stability before the Black Bears, led by Myurdin, shattered that peace in a devastating nighttime assault. The region is now occupied by the Black Bears, and reclaiming it is a central motivation for Kliff and the surviving Greymanes throughout the game.

Pailune is the stark opposite of Hernand. Where the starting region offers temperate forests and gentle hills, Pailune presents deep snow, hard-to-traverse mountain areas, freezing temperatures, and enemies adapted to the harsh climate. The southern portions of the region feature green highlands and open grasslands, but the terrain transitions dramatically into snow-capped peaks and sub-zero conditions as you move north.

Access to most of Pailune is restricted until Chapter 7: Homecoming, when the Greymanes mount their campaign to liberate the region from the Black Bears. However, some southern areas bordering Hernand can be explored earlier in the game.

History

Under Gian's leadership, Pailune was a beacon of peace on a continent defined by factional conflict. Gian unified the region's disparate communities and maintained order through the strength of the Greymanes, a mercenary company committed to protecting the weak from oppression rather than fighting for the highest bidder.

Gian's death at the hands of Myurdin threw Pailune into chaos. The surviving Greymanes, including Kliff, Naira, Yann, and Oongka, were scattered across Pywel. Without the Greymanes to enforce peace, the region fell vulnerable to the Black Bears' influence and other opportunistic factions seeking to fill the power vacuum.

Black Bear Occupation

Following the ambush, the Black Bears established control over Pailune. The occupation represents more than a military takeover; it is a deliberate attempt to destroy Gian's legacy and prevent the Greymanes from ever reuniting. Myurdin's forces patrol the region, control key settlements, and suppress any resistance from the remaining population.

The occupation makes returning to Pailune a dangerous proposition. Areas that were once safe under Greymane protection are now hostile territory where Black Bear patrols can engage the player on sight. Liberation of occupied zones in Pailune follows the same mechanics as other regions: defeating enemy forces and their leaders causes residents to return, structures to rebuild, and new vendors to appear.

Role in the Story

Pailune is where Kliff's story begins. Though gameplay starts in Hernand after the Black Bear attack, the Greymanes' emotional connection to Pailune drives the entire narrative. The early chapters of the campaign focus on gathering allies, establishing a base of operations at the Greymane Camp, and building strength to eventually push back against Black Bear influence.

The main story takes players beyond Pailune into the other four regions of Pywel: Hernand, Demeniss, Delesyia, and the Crimson Desert. However, Pailune remains significant throughout the game as the Greymanes' emotional anchor and the symbol of what they are fighting to restore. Reclaiming Pailune from the Black Bears represents both a practical military objective and a deeply personal mission for Kliff and his companions.

Geography and Climate

Pailune's terrain varies dramatically from south to north. The southern lowlands feature green highlands, rugged terrain, and open grasslands where wild horses roam freely. Rolling fields stretch across the landscape, and the fertile soil supports both agriculture and ranching. Forests and rocky outcrops break up the grasslands, providing shelter for wildlife and cover for travelers. Rivers cut through the highlands, feeding into the broader waterways that connect Pailune to neighboring Hernand.

Further north, the terrain transitions into a freezing alpine environment. Snow-capped peaks dominate the skyline, blizzards reduce visibility to near zero, and sub-zero temperatures present a constant threat. The temperature gauge on the HUD drops well below freezing in these northern reaches, and players should prepare with appropriate gear and recovery items. The Five-Finger Mountain formation marks the rough boundary between Pailune's temperate lowlands and its frozen northern reaches.

The environmental contrast within Pailune mirrors the broader diversity across Pywel's five regions. Where other regions like Delesyia embrace technology or the Crimson Desert bakes under red sands, Pailune relies on traditional weapons and pastoral living, shaped by its harsh but beautiful landscape.

Map Discovery

Pailune's map is covered by fog of war that can only be fully revealed by ringing the Toll of Pailune bell, located in the settlement's northern area. Unlike the bells in Hernand, this bell is in a conflict area that is only resolved during Chapter 7: Homecoming. Players cannot ring the bell and clear the map until after liberating Pailune from the Black Bears.

Until the bell is rung, players must rely on natural exploration to gradually fill in the map. Discovered locations, roads, and points of interest appear as Kliff travels through them. Given the harsh terrain and hostile patrols, mapping Pailune manually is significantly more challenging than in Hernand.

Key Locations

Pailune contains a mix of tribal settlements, military encampments, mountain formations, and cave systems. Many locations are controlled by the Black Bears until liberation.

Settlements and Camps

Mountains and Natural Landmarks

Caves

Fast Travel Points

Pailune has approximately ten Abyss Nexus fast travel points scattered across the region. Most become accessible only after liberating the region during Chapter 7. The western teleporter near Pailune Town activates immediately upon victory.

Tribes and Factions

Pailune's population is organized into distinct tribal communities, each with their own traditions, territories, and relationships. The Black Bear occupation has disrupted these communities, and liberating the region restores their ability to function.

Quests

The bulk of Pailune's quest content is tied to Chapter 7: Homecoming, which encompasses four quest arcs: Dawn Mist (5 quests), Dawnrise (6 quests), Decisive Battle (6 quests), and Twisted Fate (2 quests). The chapter culminates in the liberation of the region from the Black Bears.

Chapter 7 Key Quests

Post-Liberation Content

After liberating Pailune, the region transforms significantly. The Abyss Nexus teleporter to the west becomes available, residents begin to return to their homes, structures are rebuilt, and new vendors set up shop. Players can ring the Toll of Pailune bell to clear the map fog, and a major resource-intensive quest line for Reconstructing Pailune becomes available, serving as a long-term investment of materials and currency.

Bosses and Enemies

Pailune is home to some of the toughest boss encounters in Crimson Desert. Both major bosses inhabit the colder, more dangerous northern territory.

Standard Enemies

Pailune's varied terrain supports distinct enemy populations. The southern grasslands host standard predators and grazing animals, while the northern mountain zones are home to beasts specifically adapted to sub-zero temperatures. Cold-adapted creatures are significantly tougher than their lowland counterparts, with larger health pools and more aggressive behavior.

• Black Bear Patrols: Human enemies that roam the region in force until liberation. They control key settlements and ambush travelers on sight.

• Snow Wolves: Predatory pack animals found in the northern mountains. Hunt in groups and flank isolated players.

• Mountain Beasts: Large creatures adapted to the freezing conditions. Significantly tougher than Hernand wildlife.

• Mistwood Hunters: Hostile poachers in the Wayward Woods who attack on sight.

Resources and Gatherables

Pailune's natural resources differ from Hernand's due to the harsher climate and terrain. The region supports several life skill activities.

Mounts Available

Pailune offers several unique mounts suited to the harsh northern environment.

Liberation of Pailune

Reclaiming Pailune from the Black Bears is a central story objective that unfolds during Chapter 7: Homecoming. The liberation campaign involves several main quests leading up to a decisive battle for control of the region.

Prior to the assault, Torstein and the Blue Fangs operate out of Beighen, quietly preparing forces for the liberation of their homeland. Torstein never gave up hope of retaking Pailune, and his preparations form the foundation of the liberation effort. During the "Bared Fang" quest, Kliff joins forces with Torstein and the Blue Fangs to coordinate the attack.

The liberation culminates in the "Resolution" quest, a large-scale battle for Pailune. Upon victory, the region transforms: the Abyss Nexus teleporter to the west becomes available, residents begin to return, structures are rebuilt, and new vendors set up shop. Players can also ring the bell in Pailune after liberation as part of the Toll of Pywel quest, which uncovers the region's map fog.

Relationship to Other Regions

Pailune connects directly to Hernand, the region rich with mountains and rivers where much of the early-to-mid game takes place. The transition between the two regions is seamless, with the green highlands of Pailune gradually giving way to Hernand's mountainous terrain. Each of the five regions of Pywel has its own distinct culture and technology level. Where Pailune relies on traditional weapons and pastoral living, regions like Delesyia have adopted steampunk technology with mechs and flying robots.

Tips for Exploration

• Prepare for the cold. Pailune's northern areas have sub-zero temperatures that affect gameplay. Bring recovery items and warm gear before venturing into the mountains.

• Wait for Chapter 7. Most of Pailune is locked behind the Chapter 7 liberation questline. Attempting to explore early means facing overwhelming Black Bear patrols with no fast travel support.

• Ring the bell after liberation. Once Pailune is freed, ring the Toll of Pailune bell immediately to reveal the entire regional map. This makes finding remaining locations and resources much easier.

• Tame horses in the southern grasslands. The open highlands of southern Pailune are one of the best areas in the game for finding and taming wild horses.

• Explore caves for rare minerals. Second-Finger Cave and Silverwolf Cave contain mineral deposits not easily found elsewhere. Bring a Pickaxe.

• Watch for Sealed Abyss Artifacts. Several artifacts are scattered across the region, including one at the intersection southwest of Trovak Camp and another on the road south of Skoghorn.

• Visit Beighen for gambling. The village of Beighen features gambling minigames where players can win significant rewards.

• Save before boss fights. The Staglord and White Horn are among the hardest bosses in the game. White Horn in particular uses environmental attacks that can catch unprepared players off guard.

• Invest in Reconstructing Pailune. The post-liberation reconstruction quest is a long-term resource investment, but it restores the region's settlements and unlocks new vendors and services.

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