Overview
The Sanctum of Benediction is one of four Sanctums scattered across the continent of Pywel in Crimson Desert. Like all Sanctums, it is described as a place imbued with spiritual power, reportedly created in the ancient past to restore the world and its providence. The Antumbra revere Sanctums as sacred ground because of the immense power they hold.
The Sanctum of Benediction is associated with the Fourth Edict, which declares: "Let only those who embrace suffering and seek to draw nearer to Liberation receive blessing."
This is often among the earliest Sanctums that players encounter, and its lantern-based door puzzle is an introduction to the sealed-door mechanics used in other Sanctums.
Location
The Sanctum of Benediction is located in western Hernand, situated on the side of the road southeast of the City of Hernand. It can be reached on foot or horseback from Hernand proper. The ruins are visible from the road and surrounded by open grassland.
Access
Sanctums become accessible after Elowen, the Witch of Wisdom, is encountered during Chapter 5 of the main story. Once unlocked, she asks Kliff to cleanse four sanctums in the Hernand region. Players can track any Sanctum by setting a waypoint through their quest journal.
Enemies
Antumbra worshippers occupy the Sanctum grounds. Players must clear the area of all enemies before the puzzle components can be interacted with. The enemies here are standard Antumbra foot soldiers and can be defeated with normal combat techniques.
Puzzle Walkthrough
The Sanctum of Benediction puzzle revolves around finding two stone pillar tops and placing them on their designated pillars. One is easily accessible; the other requires opening a sealed door.
Step 1: Find the First Pillar Top
The first stone pillar top is located in a room accessible by heading south toward a set of stone staircases, then entering the doorway on the right. Use Axiom Force to grab it and carry it to the broken pillar near the main structure. Place it on the support and use Aerial Force Palm to push it into position. This piece is a cube-shaped Fusion Reactor Core that fits into a square hole at the base of the central structure. Use Force Palm to lock it into place.
Step 2: Light the Lantern to Unlock the Sealed Door
The second pillar top is hidden inside the tall, sealed structure at the center of the area. To open the door, look for a lantern to the right of the main entrance. Light the lantern using a fire arrow or the Blinding Flash ability. Once the lantern is lit, the sealed door opens.
This lantern mechanic stumps many first-time players because few earlier puzzles require lantern interaction. If you find yourself stuck at this Sanctum, check for unlit lanterns near sealed doors.
Step 3: Retrieve and Install the Second Pillar Top
Enter the newly opened room and use Axiom Force to collect the second component, a sphere-shaped pillar topper. Carry it to the other incomplete pillar and place it on the support structure. Use Force Palm to lock it into place. With both pillars restored, the Sanctum of Benediction is cleansed.
Hidden Treasure
After clearing all the enemies from the Sanctum grounds, players can access a secret chamber that contains valuable equipment. This hidden room is tied to the witches quest line and is easy to miss on a first visit.
How to Find It
Look for an unlit lantern positioned just outside one of the sealed doors in the Sanctum. Light the lantern using a fire arrow or the Blinding Flash ability. Once the lantern ignites, the sealed door beside it opens, revealing a hidden chamber with a treasure chest inside.
Reward: Leather Helm of the Fallen Kingdom
The chest contains the Leather Helm of the Fallen Kingdom, a headgear piece with the following stats:
Stat | Value |
|---|---|
3 | |
Lightning Resistance | Level 1 |
Turning Slash Damage | +35% |
The Turning Slash damage bonus makes this helm particularly valuable. Turning Slash is widely considered one of the highest-damage abilities in the game, so a 35% increase to that specific skill can significantly boost overall damage output in combat. Players who rely on Turning Slash as part of their build should prioritize picking up this helm early.
Rewards
Cleansing the Sanctum of Benediction rewards Kuku weapon and equipment blueprints. Completing all four of Elowen's sanctums fulfills her portion of the cleansing quest and grants additional progression rewards.
After cleansing, Elowen appears and explains the Sanctum's connection to the Fourth Edict, sharing lore about those who sought blessing through enduring suffering.
The Kuku Marni Laser Helm blueprint earned here is one of the most sought-after sanctum rewards. Crafting the Kuku version requires additional materials including Electrical Components, a Gate of Collapse Power Core, a Core of Transgression, and an Enhanced Kuku Pot from the Sanctum of Absolution. See the Kuku Marni Laser Helm article for the full crafting walkthrough.
Completion
The Sanctum of Benediction was cleansed.
Related Articles
Lantern Hidden Chest
Deep inside the sanctum is a chest hidden behind a secret door. The door is opened by lighting the nearby lantern. Inside the chest is the Leather Helm of the Fallen Kingdom, the main reason build-focused players come here. Light the lantern on approach rather than searching for a switch; the hidden door reveals itself once the lantern is lit.
Momentum Abyss Gear Reward
The helm carries the Momentum abyss gear, which adds 35% extra turning slash damage at max tier. Take the helm to a witch to extract Momentum so it can be socketed on whichever helm the rest of your build prefers.