The Abyss

Overview

The Abyss is a mysterious supernatural realm that exists above the world of Pywel. It is not underground or in another dimension in the traditional sense -- it is physically above the continent, manifesting as floating islands, ancient ruins, and dimensional fragments suspended in the sky. The Abyss is both a place to explore and an existential threat to the world below.

Fragments of the Abyss have been falling from the sky, creating imbalances and supernatural hazards across Pywel. These fragments are the source of the Abyss Artifacts used for character progression, but they also corrupt the landscape and spawn dangerous enemies.

Abyss Islands

The Abyss contains floating islands accessible via hot air balloons from specific locations on the surface. These islands host Abyss Dungeons filled with ancient ruins, puzzles, platforming challenges, and unique enemies. The islands are remnants of something ancient, with architecture and technology that predates the current civilizations of Pywel.

Telekinetic powers

Within the Abyss, players gain access to telekinetic abilities that allow them to move and place objects in the environment. This mechanic has been compared to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom's Ultrahand ability. You can grab floating platforms, ruins fragments, and environmental objects, then reposition them to create paths, bridges, and solutions to puzzles.

These telekinetic powers are central to the Abyss puzzle design. Solutions require creative thinking about object placement and physics. Multiple solutions may exist for a single puzzle, rewarding experimentation.

Observation puzzles

The Abyss includes observation-based puzzles that require you to study the environment carefully. These puzzles go beyond simple telekinetic object manipulation and may involve pattern recognition, environmental awareness, and understanding how Abyss fragments interact with each other.

Platforming challenges

Abyss Islands feature platforming challenges -- jumping puzzles and traversal sections that test your movement skills. These are interspersed with combat encounters and puzzle sections, creating a varied gameplay loop within the Abyss.

Abyss vision mode

A special vision mode can be activated to reveal Abyss-related objects in the environment that are otherwise invisible. This mode highlights Abyss fragments, hidden entrances, and other supernatural elements both within the Abyss itself and on the surface of Pywel. Some secrets are only discoverable when using this mode.

Fragments affecting the world below

Abyss fragments falling from the sky create real effects on the surface of Pywel:

• Corruption of landscape and wildlife

• Creation of Traces of the Abyss on the surface

• Spawning of supernatural enemies and hazards

• Disruption of faction territories and trade routes

• The source of Abyss Artifacts used for character progression

Fast travel

Abyss-related points serve as fast travel nodes across both the Abyss and the surface of Pywel. Discovering these points expands your fast travel network. After completing Abyss Dungeons or at certain exit points, you can dive from the floating islands back down to the surface seamlessly with no loading screen.

The white mage

A white mage character is connected to the Abyss and the powers it grants. The white mage gifts Kliff the glider wings (Crow Wings) that allow gliding and aerial traversal. This connection suggests the white mage is an early guide or benefactor who helps Kliff understand and harness Abyss powers. The relationship between the white mage and the Abyss is likely tied to unlocking additional supernatural abilities as the story progresses.

Story role

The Abyss is central to Crimson Desert's narrative. Its growing influence is the existential threat beyond the mortal faction conflicts. Exploring the Abyss reveals lore about why it is expanding, who or what is behind the imbalance, and how it connects to the broader history of Pywel. The Abyss threat is described as "something much more insidious" than the Black Bears conflict, risking the entire fabric of the continent.