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11 Overview
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33 Root Hold (also written as "Roothold" in some sources) is a stronghold in the Hernand region of Pywelcentered around the Eldertreedescribed as a place "where ancient power awaits." It is one of many territories across the continent that can be liberated through the game's territory system. The stronghold appears as a node on the map screen alongside other Hernand locations such as Hernand Town ProperNas Riverthe Nas River Fishing Dock, Antumbra Ritual Grounds, and Bluemont Manor.
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66 Location
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88 Root Hold sits within the Hernand region, described as "a region rich with mountains and rivers, and the starting point of your adventure." Hernand is the first region players explore in Crimson Desert and is the home base for the Greymane Camp. The stronghold's position within this starting region means players encounter it relatively early in their journey.
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1111 The Eldertree
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1313 Root Hold is built around the Eldertree, a landmark described as a source of ancient power. The Eldertree is listed as a distinct location within the Hernand region in its own right, suggesting it may serve as a separate area of interest beyond the stronghold walls. The stronghold's name derives from this massive tree at its center. The exact nature of the Eldertree's "ancient power" and its gameplay significance has not been fully detailed, but its description suggests it may hold narrative or progression importance for players who explore the area thoroughly.
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1515 House Celeste
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1717 Root Hold was originally under the jurisdiction of House Celesteone of the noble houses controlling territory within Hernand. House Celeste is one of the named factions in Pyweland their control of Root Hold gives them authority over the Eldertree and the surrounding territory. Before the events of the game, hostile forces occupied the stronghold, displacing its residents and severing House Celeste's control.
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1919 Occupation and Liberation
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2222 Like many territories across PywelRoot Hold has been seized by hostile forces. The political instability following the King of Demeniss's disappearance created a power vacuum that left territories vulnerable to hostile takeover. Forces led by Gwen Kraber occupied Root Hold, displacing its inhabitants and taking control of the stronghold and its resources.
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2424 Players can liberate Root Hold by defeating the occupying soldiers and their leader. Liberation can happen before receiving a formal quest to do so. Players who explore freely can stumble upon the occupied stronghold and clear it on their own initiative, with the game recognizing the liberation regardless of quest status. Successfully clearing Gwen Kraber's forces returns Root Hold to House Celeste's control.
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2626 Dispatch System
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2828 Players do not need to handle every liberation personally. The Greymane Camp dispatch system allows players to send Greymane comrades (called Freeswords) to blockaded locations like Root Hold to weaken enemy positions before engaging directly. This reduces the number of occupants the player needs to fight when they arrive.
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3030 Post-Liberation Changes
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3232 After Root Hold is liberated, the stronghold undergoes significant changes consistent with how the liberation system works across Pywel.
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3434 ChangeDescriptionResidents returnDisplaced inhabitants come back to their homes and the area becomes populated again with NPCs going about their daily routines.Structures rebuiltBuildings and infrastructure are restored as the area recovers from occupation. Visible construction and rebuilding occurs over time.New vendors appearMerchants set up shop, offering goods and services to the player. These vendors may carry region-specific equipment and supplies.Pailune materialsPlayers receive materials that contribute to rebuilding Pailunethe Greymanes' homeland in the frozen north.Trade routes unlockLiberation opens trade routes that were previously blockaded, connecting Root Hold to the wider Hernand economy.Fast travelRoot Hold becomes available as a map node for fast travel once liberated.
3535 This pattern of liberation and recovery is a core part of Crimson Desert's open world. The hands-on report described a similar sequence at another location: "When I drove the bandits out of a fish market, fishermen moved back in, and I was able to observe them and learn to fish myself." Root Hold follows this same design philosophy on a larger scale.
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3838 Faction Connections
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4040 Root Hold's liberation ties into the broader faction and Contribution systems. Liberating territories in the Hernand region contributes to the player's Hernandian Contributionwhich tracks standing with regional factions. Positive actions increase Contributionunlocking additional vendorsquestsand resource nodes throughout the region. Aligning with House Celeste through Root Hold's liberation may provide reputation benefits specific to their holdings.
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4242 Key Details
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4444 DetailInformationTypeStronghold / settlementRegionHernandLandmarkThe Eldertree (source of ancient power)Controlling factionHouse Celeste (original jurisdiction)Occupying forcesGwen Kraber's forcesFast travelAvailable as a map node after liberationNearby locationsHernand Town ProperNas RiverNas River Fishing Dock, Antumbra Ritual GroundsBluemont Manor