Sanctum of Expiation

Overview

Sanctum of Expiation is a faction-related side quest in Crimson Desert tied to the Witch of Strength, Areciel, one of the surviving Witches of Pywel. It is the first of three sanctums in Areciel's personal cleansing chain and introduces the player to her sanctum purification mechanics, the others being the Sanctum of Revelation and the Sanctum of Renunciation. Completing it advances Areciel's trust, unlocks further Kuku Pot upgrades at Grimnir's Kilnden workshop, and progresses the broader Witches of Pywel storyline against the Antumbra incursion.

Quest Details

Location

The sanctum sits in the northern reaches of the Demeniss region, north of the Gate of Truth, at the end of a narrow road approached from the east. The fastest way in is to fast-travel to the Abyss Nexus near Leafshade House, then follow the path southeast toward the ruins. The site appears as a partially collapsed fortified temple overrun by Antumbra constructs.

How to Start

1. Meet Areciel first. Areciel can be found at her residence near World's Navel. Her unlock involves giving 1 Copper Coin to a beggar/child NPC near Tommaso Fork Posthouse, which reveals her hidden lair on the map.

2. Accept Areciel's request to cleanse her corrupted sanctums. The Witch of Strength quest line is a prerequisite; attempting entry beforehand triggers the message The sanctum cannot be purified yet.

3. Travel to Demeniss via the Leafshade House Abyss Nexus and head to the sanctum.

Walkthrough

1. Liberate the sanctum. Circle the perimeter and fight the Antumbra occupiers. The occupation bar must drop to 0% before any puzzle interactions unlock. A brief cutscene plays once the area is cleared.

2. Burn the thorn barrier. Use Blinding Flash (also called Focused Light) to incinerate the vines blocking the first doorway.

3. First fusion core. Inside the lower chamber, retrieve a fusion reactor core, pull it into the Kuku Pot using Axiom Force, then slot it into the reactor housing using Force Palm.

4. Recover the broken pillar piece. Scale the building's exterior, breach a weakened floor above, and collect the pillar fragment from a windowed room on the upper level. Store it in the Kuku Pot.

5. Install the pillar and align it. Return to the broken pillar next to the reactor, position the fragment above it, rotate it until the alignment cue locks, then finish the install with a jumping Force Palm to drive it into place.

6. Crystal dial puzzle. A rotating dial ringed with crystal stones activates. Strike each crystal with Blinding Flash, stepping around the outer rim. Do not skip over the empty gaps, or the dial resets. Hitting every crystal in sequence completes the cleansing.

7. Step onto the illuminated square at the center. Areciel manifests in a cutscene to thank the player and the quest updates to The Sanctum of Expiation was cleansed.

Rewards

Tips

• Clear the occupation bar fully before touching any puzzle object. Stray Antumbra will interrupt the dial sequence.

• Keep Blinding Flash off cooldown during the dial phase. Missing a crystal because the ability is recharging counts as a gap and resets progress.

• Use Axiom Force to pull the fusion core rather than carrying it manually. You cannot sprint or climb while holding it directly.

• The pillar install requires an aerial Force Palm, not a standing one. Jump first, then slam.

• If you cannot find the second pillar piece, check behind the windows on the upper floor, entering via the weakened floorboards after scaling the exterior.

• Save before starting the dial puzzle. A bad reset can cost several minutes.

Related Articles

Demeniss, Witches of Pywel, Sanctum of Revelation, Sanctum of Renunciation, Kuku Pot, Faction Quests.