Overview
Witches are essential NPCs in Crimson Desert who provide services related to Abyss Gears and Abyss Cores. They allow players to embed, extract, and craft Abyss Cores that apply buffs to weapons and armor. There are five witches scattered across the world of Pywel, each disguised in a different form. Finding them requires completing specific tasks or noticing environmental clues. Each witch also has a set of Sanctum Challenges that players must complete as part of the Witches faction questline.
All Witch Locations
Sylvia (The Hermit Witch)
Sylvia is the first witch most players encounter. She is unlocked automatically during the early game after completing the "Abyss Without Balance" quest. After fast-traveling to an Abyss Nexus point, a white bird delivers a letter. Reading this letter starts "The Hermit Witch" quest, which leads players to a cavern where Sylvia resides.
Location: Twin Clover Cabins, north of Hernand
How to Find: Complete the "Abyss Without Balance" quest, then read the Unsealed Letter delivered by a white bird
Services: Embed Abyss Gears into equipment sockets, extract Abyss Gears from equipped items, create and unlock Abyss Core sockets on equipment
Elowen (Witch of Wisdom)
Elowen is the second witch, located in The Witchwoods west of Hernand City. She becomes accessible after the Chapter 5 boss fight against Kearush at Hernand Castle. Players receive a letter from a bird and must follow the "Missing Seal" quest to find Elowen being held captive at a bandit-raided farmstead. She is rescued by entering through a hole in the roof of her hut.
Location: The Witchwoods, west of Hernand City, near an Abyss Nexus fast travel point
How to Find: After Chapter 5, read the Unsealed Letter to start the "Missing Seal" quest. Find the hut surrounded by thorny vines, climb the scaffolding, and enter through the window. Elowen's true residence is a few hundred meters north of the hut
Services: All of Sylvia's services plus crafting Abyss Gears using recipes, buying Abyss Gears and recipes, buying Abyss Artifacts, selling equipment and items, and alchemy via her cauldron
Sanctums: Sanctum of Temperance, Sanctum of Absolution, Sanctum of Benediction, Sanctum of Penitence
Bari (Witch of Kindness)
Bari is located in the far northern region of Pailune. She is not encountered through the main story or side quests; players must discover her independently. Her disguised form is an old woman huddled under a tent east of the Wayward Woods landmark.
Location: Cabin on an island in Crimson Lake, south of the Silver Wolf Mountains in Pailune
How to Find: Travel to the area east of the Wayward Woods landmark (directly west of the "A" in "Pailune" on the map). Find the old woman shivering by a tent and light the brazier in front of her to give warmth. This reveals that she is Bari. Then travel to her true home, a cabin in the middle of Crimson Lake
Services: Full witch services including Abyss Gear embedding, extraction, crafting, and socket creation
Lyselia (Witch of Humility)
Lyselia is located in the Serpent Marsh in the far southern region. Her quest is tied to Chapter 7 and the Beighen area. Players must first pass a secret trial before gaining access to her.
Location: A hidden cave in the Serpent Marsh, between two mountains near an Abyss Nexus
How to Find: Travel to the southeastern parts of Pailune and stop at the Denn River near Beighen. Approach the man who is about to fall from a broken bridge and help him up. This triggers her questline. Then travel to the Serpent Marsh and look for a cave entrance between two mountains. Follow the colorful flags inside the cave to reach Lyselia
Services: Full witch services including Abyss Gear embedding, extraction, crafting, and socket creation
Areciel (Witch of Strength)
Areciel is the final witch, located in the Tashkalp territory. Her quest is tied to Chapter 9. Her disguised form appears as a child on a ridge north of Tommaso.
Location: Northwest of World's Navel, near Urdavah, on the second floor of a building accessible by climbing planks
How to Find: Pass by the Tommaso Fork Posthouse in Tashkalp Territory. Find a beggar near the wooden board (under the first "A" of Tashkalp on the map). Give the beggar 1 copper coin to trigger the quest. The beggar reveals the Witch of Strength's location
Services: Full witch services including Abyss Gear embedding, extraction, crafting, and socket creation
Witch Services Summary
All witches provide the following core services once unlocked:
Service | Description |
|---|---|
Embed Abyss Gears | Insert Abyss Cores into equipment sockets to apply buffs |
Extract Abyss Gears | Remove Abyss Cores from equipped items for reuse |
Create Sockets | Unlock new Abyss Core sockets on weapons and armor (costs Silver) |
Craft Abyss Gears | Use recipes and materials to create new Abyss Cores (Elowen and later witches) |
Buy Blueprints | Purchase Abyss Gear recipes and Abyss Artifacts (Elowen and later witches) |
Sell Items | Sell equipment and items to the witch (Elowen and later witches) |
Witches Faction Quest
The Witches are one of several factions in Crimson Desert. Progressing through the Witches faction questline involves finding each witch and completing their associated Sanctum Challenges. Elowen's sanctums (Temperance, Absolution, Benediction, and Penitence) are the primary set that players encounter. Completing all Sanctum Challenges across all witches unlocks access to the Labyrinth Grove treasure.
If you visit sanctums before triggering the Witch of Wisdom questline, the chests inside are fully accessible without any combat requirement. Once the questline activates, Antumbra enemies will guard the sanctums and the free loot window closes.
Tips
Sylvia is the easiest witch to find since her quest triggers automatically during normal progression.
Elowen offers the most comprehensive services among the witches, including a cauldron for alchemy and the ability to buy recipes.
Bari requires no quest to trigger; simply finding and warming her disguised form is enough to reveal her location.
Each witch's true home has an Abyss Nexus fast travel point nearby, making return visits convenient.
All witches provide the same core services of embedding, extracting, and creating Abyss Core sockets.