OVERVIEW
This quest takes you into Hernand Castle and introduces your core Abyss abilities: Axiom Force (telekinesis), Force Palm (energy blast), and Gliding. These powers are essential for exploration and combat throughout the game.
ENTERING HERNAND CASTLE
Start by picking up the Engraved Key from the ground after completing Trials of Kindness.
Tip: Before heading to the castle, climb the nearby tower and ring the bell to clear fog from your map and reveal points of interest.
Approach Hernand Castle's gate. You'll be denied entry due to your appearance, but the Hernandian Attire from the previous quest allows you through.
Inside the castle:
- - Pass the Contribution Shop (spend points on armor and items; points are limited but you can sell items back to recover them)
- - Enter the main hall, go upstairs
- - Ignore the second set of stairs, head past the two guards into the hall
- - Find the room with wooden doors and a chandelier; enter the first door on the left
- - Open the glowing treasure chest for the Faded Abyss Artifact
- - Step through the glowing gateway into the Abyss
THE ABYSS & AXIOM FORCE
Inside the Abyss, activate the stone pedestal (Abyss Nexus = fast travel point). A white bird grants you Axiom Force, which is essentially telekinesis. Think Ultrahand from Tears of the Kingdom.
First Puzzle: To the right of the tower, tubes run through the grass with two circular stone plates. Use Axiom Force to rotate them. Grab the outer rim (not center) for easier rotation. Align the blue lines with the tubes to open the tower door.
SKYBRIDGE PUZZLES
After talking to the wizard in the tower, you need to repair a skybridge:
- Walk through the triangular gate
- Use Axiom Force to grab the circular switch on the wall
- Rotate slowly until you find the sweet spot (sound + visual cue confirm alignment)
- Jump across the floating platforms to a grassy area
- Use the pedestal to warp to the next section
- Activate the second Abyss Nexus for fast travel
FLOATING POWER CORE PUZZLE
A power core floats above a blocked pit. Use Axiom Force to grab the blue electric cube floating above and drag it onto the stone pedestal on the side. The nearby lantern serves as a reference for correct placement. Once positioned, the floor unblocks.
ABYSS CELL & FORCE PALM
Combine the Abyss Cell:
- Use Axiom Force to grab the floating electric brick
- Carry it to the highlighted spot on the wall
- Observe the hologram to learn Force Palm (concentrated energy blast)
Activate the Power Supply:
- - Climb onto the giant wheel on the wall
- - Use Force Palm while clinging to the wheel to spin it
- - Climb stairs and claim the Abyss Artifact
WHITE CROW & GLIDING
White Crow the Witch appears and grants the Gliding ability. Kliff leaps from the sky island, giving you a perfect test flight. Gliding costs stamina. Upgrades (speed boost, aerial dodge) unlock with more Abyss Artifacts.
WHAT TO DO NEXT
All basic abilities are now unlocked. You can freely explore:
- - Fishing, Horse Taming, Crime mechanics
- - Hernand Commissions and side quests
- - Mine Iron Ore and Copper Ore for upgrades
- - Buy a pickaxe and start scanning cliffs
Return to Hernand to complete this quest and begin Chapter 2: Golden Greed.
NEXT: Unexpected Gift Walkthrough
Traces Walkthrough — Crimson Desert Main Quest Guide
OVERVIEW
This quest takes you into Hernand Castle and introduces your core Abyss abilities: Axiom Force (telekinesis), Force Palm (energy blast), and Gliding. These powers are essential for exploration and combat throughout the game.
ENTERING HERNAND CASTLE
Start by picking up the Engraved Key from the ground after completing the Trials of Kindness quest.
💡 Before heading to the castle, climb the nearby tower and ring the bell — this clears fog from your map and reveals points of interest.
Approach Hernand Castle's gate. You'll be denied entry due to your appearance — but the Hernandian Attire from the previous quest allows you through.
**Inside the castle:**
- • Pass the Contribution Shop (spend points on armor and items)
- • Contribution points are limited, but you can sell items back to recover them
- • Enter the main hall and follow the stairs up
THE ABYSS NEXUS
In the castle, find the room with a glowing treasure chest containing the Faded Abyss Artifact. Step through the glowing gateway to enter the Abyss.
Once inside, walk forward and activate the stone pedestal — this is an Abyss Nexus, a fast travel point. These are hidden throughout Pywel and very hard to find.
AXIOM FORCE
A white bird grants you Axiom Force — think of it as telekinesis, similar to Ultrahand from Tears of the Kingdom. You can move and rotate objects to solve puzzles.
**First Puzzle:** To the right of the tower, you'll see tubes running through grass with two stone plates connecting them.
Use Axiom Force to rotate the circular stone plates. Grab the outer rim (not the center) for easier rotation. Align the blue lines with the tubes to open the tower door.
SKYBRIDGE PUZZLES
After talking to the wizard in the tower, you need to fix a skybridge.
Walk through the triangular gate and use Axiom Force to grab the circular switch embedded in the wall. Rotate it slowly — you're looking for a "sweet spot" where the next platform activates. A distinct sound and visual cue confirm correct alignment.
**Jump across floating platforms** until you reach a grassy area. Climb to the top, then use the pedestal to warp to the next section.
**Second Abyss Nexus:** Activate it for a fast travel point.
FLOATING POWER CORE PUZZLE
A power core floats above a pit. The floor is blocked — drop down to find a solution below.
Use Axiom Force to grab the blue electric cube floating above. Drag it onto the stone pedestal on the side of the pit. Use the nearby lantern as a reference for correct placement.
Once positioned correctly, the floor unblocks.
ABYSS CELL & FORCE PALM
Combine the Abyss Cell:
- Use Axiom Force to grab the floating electric brick
- Carry it to the highlighted spot on the wall
- Observe the hologram to learn Force Palm (concentrated energy blast for puzzles and combat)
**Activate the Power Supply:**
- • Climb onto the giant wheel on the wall
- • Use Force Palm while clinging to the wheel to spin it
- • This powers the entire system
Climb the stairs to claim your Abyss Artifact — these are critical upgrades that permanently boost your abilities.
WHITE CROW & GLIDING
A mysterious woman in white, White Crow the Witch, appears and grants you the Gliding ability.
Kliff jumps off the sky island — use this chance to test gliding. It consumes stamina, and you can unlock upgrades like speed boost or aerial dodge with more Abyss Artifacts.
WHAT TO DO NEXT
With all basic abilities unlocked, you can now explore freely:
- • Learn Fishing and Horse Taming
- • Discover Crime mechanics (stealing, pickpocketing)
- • Complete Hernand Commissions
- • Find Watch and Learn skill locations
- • Mine Iron Ore and Copper Ore for upgrades
Return to Hernand to complete this quest and begin Chapter 2: Golden Greed.
NEXT: Unexpected Gift Walkthrough →