How the Crime System Works
Crimson Desert tracks your criminal activity across the entire continent of Pywel. Actions that trigger the crime system include theft, assault, murder, vandalism, and even animal cruelty. Every crime follows the same sequence:
- Crime committed — a red detection zone appears on the minimap with a countdown timer
- Spotted — if a witness sees you inside the red circle, you're marked
- Searching — guards enter alert mode and sweep the area
- Arrest — guards engage you in combat and attempt to take you down
Golden rule: If you escape the red circle before anyone spots you, no bounty is issued. The crime itself still costs -5 Contribution, but beyond that you walk free.
Bounty vs Fine — Two Different Systems
Many players confuse these. They're separate mechanics:
Bounty
- Generated by criminal acts (theft, assault, murder)
- Guards actively pursue you
- Tracked per region — each area's bounty is independent
- Cleared through Confessionals or jail
Fine
- Triggered by the Tax Collector when handling large amounts of illegal currency (like selling stolen gold bars)
- A 50-silver fine blocks bank access
- Does not trigger a wanted status — you can walk freely with a fine
- Paid at any bank entrance guard in the region
How to Clear Your Bounty
Method 1: Writ of Absolution (Recommended)
Visit any Confessional inside a church on the continent of Pywel. Speak with the NPC and select "Buy Writ of Absolution." You'll see a list of all your active bounties across every region — you can selectively clear whichever ones you choose.
Why this is the best option:
- Choose exactly which region's bounty to clear
- No additional Contribution penalty
- Any Confessional can clear any region's bounty
- No in-game time skip
Method 2: Jail
If the guards catch you (through combat or a tackle QTE), you'll be arrested and thrown in a cell. After a brief prison scene, time jumps forward and your bounty is automatically cleared — no money spent.
Downsides of jail:
- Additional Contribution penalty on top of the crime itself
- In-game time fast-forwards
- If you can't afford bail, you'll leave with debt
Pro tip: If you're completely broke, jail is actually the fastest option. Let the guards catch you intentionally and clear your bounty for free.
All Confessional Locations (5 Total)
There are 5 Confessionals across Pywel. Here's where to find each one:
1. Church of Hernand Confessional
- Region: Hernand — Fly to location
- Location: South side of Hernand Castle, inside the church
- NPC: Alfred
- Note: The first Confessional most players discover. Available from early game.
2. Church of Calphade Confessional
- Region: Thalwynd (northern area) — Fly to location
- Location: Northern Thalwynd, inside the Church of Calphade
- Note: The church tower also contains a chest with the Shield of Conviction.
3. Pailune Confessional
- Region: Central Pywel — Fly to location
- Location: A standalone stall in central Pailune — not inside a church building
- Note: Easy to miss since it's not in a church. Look for the Confessional icon on the map.
4. Cathedral of Demeniss Confessional
- Region: Demeniss / Southern Pywel — Fly to location
- Location: Near the south wall of Demeniss city
- Note: May require main story progression to liberate the area first.
5. Church of Delesyia Confessional
- Region: Eastern Pywel — Fly to location
- Location: Next to Delesyia Castle, inside the church
- Note: May also require main story progress to unlock.
Important: Some Confessionals require main story progression before they become accessible. If you can't enter, keep pushing the main quest to liberate that region.
All 5 locations are marked on our Interactive Map — use the Services > Confessional filter to find them.
Stealing Guide — Being a Proper Outlaw
If you've decided to walk the criminal path, at least do it professionally.
Getting Started
- You must equip a Mask before stealing or committing crimes
- Buy masks from Back Alley Shop vendors on the outskirts of towns for 10 copper
- Defeating bandits can also drop masks, or complete the bounty quest to catch the pickpocket Jeffrey
- Back Alley Shops also sell Keys (30 copper each) that open most locked doors
Fencing Stolen Goods
- Regular stolen items can be sold at any merchant — no special fence needed
- Stolen wagons must be sold to Wagon Fence NPCs
- Stolen livestock goes to the Livestock Black Market
Contribution Penalties
- Every stolen item costs -5 Contribution, even if no one sees you
- Penalties stack — steal 10 items and that's -50 Contribution
- Contribution can go negative, locking certain regional features and rewards
The golden rule of theft: Steal where nobody can see you. The crime timer and red circle only become a bounty if you're witnessed. No witness = no bounty. You'll still lose Contribution, but that's a small price to pay.
Practical Tips
- Always carry enough silver. Being broke when caught means debt or jail.
- Check the minimap before stealing. If you see NPC dots nearby, wait for them to move away.
- Bounties are regional — if your bounty is high in Hernand, you can operate freely in Thalwynd.
- Don't fight the guards head-on. They hit hard, and losing still lands you in jail.
- Clear your bounty before important story moments. Some cutscenes trigger in towns — you don't want guards interrupting an epic scene.
- Back Alley Shops restock masks and keys, so don't worry about running out.
- Use our Interactive Map to plan your crime spree — filter by Services to find the nearest Confessional before you start.