Overview
The Rumor System is a quest discovery mechanic in Crimson Desert. While visiting towns, cities, and settlements across Pywel, players can listen for rumors of activity in other parts of the world. These rumors serve as leads to new quests, hidden locations, powerful gear, and secret encounters that might otherwise go undiscovered.
How It Works
NPCs in settlements talk among themselves about events, sightings, and legends. By paying attention to these conversations, players learn about opportunities in distant regions. A rumor might point toward a boss lair, a hidden settlement with its own story, a merchant with rare goods, or an unexplored cave system containing Abyss Artifacts.
Not all rumors lead to quests with formal quest markers. Some are deliberately vague, providing only a general direction or a landmark description, leaving players to find the exact location through exploration. This design encourages organic discovery rather than simply following waypoints on the map.
Hidden Settlements
One category of rumor leads to hidden settlements scattered throughout Pywel. These unique communities each have their own stories, resident NPCs, and perspectives on the world's conflicts. Discovering hidden settlements can unlock new vendors, side quests, and lore entries in the Knowledge System.
Rumor Rewards
Following rumors can yield valuable outcomes:
Equipment: Rumors may point to blacksmiths or tailors whose specialty gear matches the region's themes.
Lore: Discovering the subject of a rumor adds to the player's knowledge entries and may reveal deeper truths about Pywel's history.
Quests: Some rumors lead directly to quest chains, faction missions, or dynamic world events.
Shortcuts: Certain rumors reveal secret paths, hidden passages, or faster routes between regions.