Overview
Unfamiliar Lands is the first main quest in Crimson Desert, kicking off the Prologue: Dead of Night chapter. The Greymanes are mourning their fallen comrades after a brutal Black Bear ambush. Kliff pays his respects at the graves, speaks with his companions, and enters the cabin where the survivors have gathered. The quest ends with a wounded messenger arriving to deliver devastating news: the Greymane leader Jian has been killed, and another ambush is already underway.
Quest Details
Detail | Information |
|---|---|
Chapter | Prologue: Dead of Night, Ambush |
Region | |
Location | |
Previous Quest | None (game start) |
Next Quest | |
Requirements | None |
Rewards | None |
Key Characters
Character | Role |
|---|---|
Protagonist; player character | |
Greymane scout; plans to investigate in town for leads on the Black Bears | |
Greymane member; suspects the attack's timing points to betrayal | |
Greymane companion; inside the cabin preparing dinner | |
Greymane companion; inside the cabin with the others | |
Greymane member; at the cabin | |
Greymane member; at the cabin |
Walkthrough
Head to the Cabin
The quest begins at the top of a hill overlooking the Hills of No Return. Walk downhill toward the cabin visible on the left side of the starting area. Oongka is standing outside near the cabin entrance. You can optionally interact with him by holding the aim button (L1/LB) and pressing the interact button (Square/X). He is mourning alongside Kliff for a fallen Greymane named Giles.
Speak with Ross
Follow the red marker on your minimap to find Ross, who is leaning against a tree south of the cabin near the graves. Ross does not share the general grief quietly. He expresses suspicion about the ambush, pointing out that it happened right when many Greymanes were away from camp. He believes someone tipped off the Black Bears, though he has no proof yet.
Speak with Marius
The next marker leads to Marius, who is near the horses. Marius tells Kliff he plans to head into town to dig up information on the Black Bears and promises to come back with leads. This short conversation sets up his role as the group's intelligence gatherer for the early chapters.
Enter the Cabin
Return to the cabin with Oongka and head inside. Shane, Yann, Naira, and Duane are there, preparing dinner and recovering from the earlier attack. A cutscene triggers: a badly wounded Greymane stumbles in and delivers grim news. The Greymane leader, Jian, has fallen, and the Black Bears are attacking again. This directly leads into the next quest, In Ashes.
Controls Introduction
Unfamiliar Lands doubles as the game's first control tutorial. To interact with NPCs and objects, hold the aim button (L1 on PlayStation, LB on Xbox) to lock onto the character, then press the interact button (Square on PlayStation, X on Xbox). A small prompt appears on screen when you are within range. Movement is handled with the left stick, and the camera with the right stick. These controls carry over to every quest going forward, so spend time getting comfortable here.
Mourning at the Graves
Before entering the cabin, take a moment to explore the hillside. The graves of fallen Greymanes are arranged south of the cabin near where Ross is standing. One of the graves belongs to a Greymane named Giles, and Oongka mourns alongside Kliff at his resting place. While interacting with Oongka is listed as optional, it provides context for the emotional state of the group and establishes how deeply the ambush affected the survivors.
The hillside overlooks the surrounding landscape and gives a sense of how remote the Hills of No Return truly are. There are no items to collect in this area and no combat encounters, but the environment sets the tone for the Prologue.
The Messenger Scene
Inside the cabin, Shane, Yann, Naira, and Duane are preparing supper when a badly wounded Greymane stumbles through the door. He delivers two pieces of devastating news: the Greymane leader Jian has been killed, and the Black Bears are launching yet another attack. The messenger collapses with a sword still lodged in his back, making it clear the Black Bears pursued him directly to the cabin.
This cutscene transitions seamlessly into the next quest, In Ashes. There is no break or save point between the two quests, so the tension carries over immediately.
Tips
This is a tutorial quest with no combat. Take your time exploring the hill and the cabin surroundings.
Talking to Oongka outside the cabin is optional but adds context to the Greymanes' situation.
Pay attention to Ross's suspicion about a possible traitor. This thread becomes relevant later in the story.