Prologue: Dead of Night Walkthrough

The Prologue of Crimson Desert opens with the Greymanes on the run and under attack. Across four quests spanning two sub-chapters (Ambush and Unknown Space), players learn the fundamentals of combat, traversal, and the Abyss. This guide covers every quest in the Prologue with step-by-step instructions.

Prologue Quest List

Location Route

The Prologue takes Kliff through five distinct areas in sequence. Each location introduces new mechanics and advances the story toward Hernand, where the main game opens up after the tutorial.

Ambush Sub-Chapter Details

Unfamiliar Lands

This is the very first quest in Crimson Desert. The Greymanes have been scattered by a Black Bears ambush, and Kliff must regroup with his companions at a nearby cabin.

The quest begins at the Hills of No Return, where the Greymanes are grieving their fallen companion Giles. The mood is somber. Kliff can speak with Oongka, Ross, and Marius before heading to the cabin. Inside the cabin, a cutscene plays with Shane, Yann, Naira, and Duane gathered around a fire. The group discusses their situation and what to do next, setting up the events of the following quest.

Walkthrough

1. Head to the cabin - Walk downhill from your starting position. A cabin sits on the left side of the path.

2. Speak with Oongka - This is optional. Oongka stands outside the cabin. Target him with L1/LB and press Square/X to talk.

3. Speak with Marius - Follow the red X marker on the minimap to find Marius. Interact with him.

4. Speak with Ross - Ross is resting against a tree, also marked on the minimap.

5. Enter the cabin - Approach the front door to trigger a cutscene and finish the quest.

There is no combat in this opening quest. It exists purely to introduce the characters and basic controls.

In Ashes

The Black Bears' ambush has scattered the Greymanes at the Nas River. Kliff must fight off enemies and rescue three companions.

Walkthrough

1. Annihilate the Black Bears - You face five enemies immediately. Use light attacks (R1/RB, no stamina cost) and heavy attacks (R2/RT, consumes stamina) to defeat them. This is the game's first real combat encounter, so take time to learn the attack timings.

2. Help Naira - Check the minimap for three highlighted circles. Naira is at the northernmost position. Travel there, watch a cutscene, then defeat eight enemies surrounding her.

3. Help Oongka - Oongka's location is marked on the eastern side. A cutscene plays before combat begins. Clear all enemies.

4. Help Yann - Yann is on the western side. Same pattern: approach, watch the cutscene, defeat the remaining enemies.

Myurdin Boss Encounter

After rescuing all three companions, Myurdin himself appears at the Nas River alongside a pack of Black Bears fighters. This is the first boss encounter in the game. During this fight, the "Watch and Learn" system activates for the first time. The game pauses briefly to explain new combat techniques, such as the timing for parries and how to chain heavy attacks after a successful dodge.

This encounter is scripted. Regardless of how well you perform, Myurdin will eventually overpower Kliff. It is technically possible to defeat Myurdin here, but you gain no extra rewards and the same cutscene plays either way. The scene ends with Kliff falling into the river and being swept downstream. Use this fight as practice for parry timings and dodge-attack chains rather than trying to win.

• Parry timing: Press L1/LB just before an attack lands to parry. The "Watch and Learn" prompt will walk you through the timing during this fight.

• Stamina management: Heavy attacks drain stamina quickly. Mix light and heavy attacks to conserve stamina while still dealing damage.

• Do not panic: Since this fight is scripted, use it as practice. Experiment with dodge rolls, blocks, and different attack combos without worrying about the outcome.

Tips

• Light attacks cost no stamina, so use them freely when your stamina bar is low.

• Heavy attacks are better for staggering enemies but drain your stamina quickly.

• You can help the three companions in any order since all three circles appear simultaneously on the minimap.

• Light attacks (R1/RB) cost no stamina, making them your bread-and-butter combo starter. Save heavy attacks (R2/RT) for breaking enemy shields or finishing combos.

• Each companion rescue encounter is a self-contained fight. Clearing enemies at one location does not affect the other two.

Realm of Uncertainty

After the ambush, Kliff awakens in a mysterious dimension called the Corridor of the Void. This quest serves as the traversal and ability tutorial, teaching sprint-jumping, wall climbing, and the Blinding Flash ability.

Walkthrough

1. Move forward - Walk ahead until a platform rises to bridge a gap.

2. Cross the gap - Tap the sprint button quickly (do NOT hold it), then press jump. Holding sprint prevents you from jumping, which catches many players off guard.

3. Jump to the desired point - You will see platforms with pillars between them. Hold L1/LB to aim, position the cursor on a pillar, and press Square/X to leap toward it. Repeat until you reach the other side, then climb the small wall.

4. First wall climb - Approach the wall and press Square/X while moving toward it. Use the left stick to climb quickly before your stamina depletes.

5. Navigate the tight passage - At the top, head left and crouch through a narrow hole with L3, or roll through with Circle/B.

6. Learn Blinding Flash - Press L1 + R1 together, then while holding R1, press L1 again to concentrate light. Aim the focused light at the glowing symbol on the wall to open a door. Jump across the moving water platforms beyond it.

7. Lantern navigation - Enter the dark passage and activate your lantern with L1/LB. Follow the illuminated path forward; there are no branching routes.

8. Exit - Follow the path to a diamond-shaped platform. A cutscene plays and the quest ends.

Unlocking Blinding Flash

The Blinding Flash ability is the first Abyss skill Kliff learns. To activate it, enter the Abyss stance by pressing L1 + R1 (or LB + RB) simultaneously. While holding R1, press L1 again to concentrate light into a focused beam. Aim this beam at the glowing sphere above the sealed door. When the light hits the sphere correctly, the door opens and reveals a path forward. This light-reflection mechanic appears again in later Abyss puzzles throughout the game, so mastering it here saves time later.

Your Light in the Dark

Beyond the sealed door, the path continues with three moving platforms suspended over a void. Time your jumps carefully, as each platform shifts position on a regular cycle. After crossing, you reach a dark courtyard where you must activate your lantern (L1/LB) to navigate. The courtyard has only one exit, so follow the lit path forward until you reach the diamond-shaped platform that triggers the ending cutscene for this quest.

Tips

• The sprint-jump requires quick taps, not a held button. This mechanic trips up many new players.

• Watch your stamina during wall climbs. If it empties, you will fall.

• The lantern section has only one path, so you cannot get lost.

New Journey

Kliff has recovered from serious injuries and must locate the rest of the Greymanes. This quest introduces horseback riding and concludes at House Celeste near the city of Hernand.

Kliff wakes up at Three Saints Falls, having survived the fall at the Nas River. Sebastian is waiting nearby with a group of fishermen by the river. Before following Sebastian, take a moment to observe the fishermen. If you hold L1 to watch them cast their lines, the game provides a brief fishing introduction that becomes relevant later when fishing fully unlocks. You can also interact with a Floppy-Eared Bulldog sitting near the riverbank to pet it, which is a small but charming detail.

Walkthrough

1. Follow Sebastian - Sebastian stands behind a group of fishermen near the river. Approach him, then hold X (PS) or A (Xbox) to match his walking pace.

2. Defeat the enemies - After a cutscene, two guards attack immediately. Block with L1/LB right away since they swing first. Defeat both guards.

3. Head to Hernand - Follow Sebastian again using the same pace-matching button.

4. Follow on horseback - Mount the horse with Square/X, then follow Sebastian up the hillsides toward House Celeste. A cutscene plays on arrival, completing the quest and the Prologue.

Expanding Inventory

While following Sebastian toward Hernand, a group of Bleed Bandits ambushes you on the road. These are tougher than the Black Bears from In Ashes, but you now have a better understanding of the combat system. Block immediately when the fight starts, as the Bleed Bandits attack first without warning. After defeating them, you receive a Standard Inventory Expansion Tool, which permanently adds 3 extra slots to your inventory. This is the first inventory upgrade in the game.

After the bandit encounter, Sebastian provides Kliff with a wild Herspia horse. Mount it with Square/X and follow Sebastian along the road. This serves as the horseback riding tutorial, teaching you how to control speed and direction while mounted. The ride takes you up through the hillsides toward House Celeste, where a cutscene plays and the Prologue concludes.

Prologue Rewards

Completing the Prologue grants the following rewards:

First Sealed Abyss Artifacts

Shortly after the Prologue ends, as you explore the area around Hernand, you can find your first Sealed Abyss Artifacts at the Meandering Hills just south of Three Saints Falls. These artifacts unlock combat Challenges that reward equipment and Abyss progression.

Both artifacts are located on small stone shrines along the road. The Sword of Trials I shrine sits to the left before you cross the bridge over the falls, while the Shield of Unchanging Will I shrine is on the road into Hernand just after crossing the large bridge. Completing these early Challenges gives you a head start on the Challenges system and provides useful equipment for Chapter I.

See Also

• Main Story Walkthrough