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Crimson Desert: Dawn Questline Walkthrough

Dawn is the second questline of Chapter 7: Homecoming in Crimson Desert, following Morning Mist. It spans six quests and covers the full liberation of Pailune – from infiltrating enemy territory and planting explosives, to seizing Pailune and facing the boss fight against Ludvig inside Pailune Castle. This guide covers all six quests with stealth tips, map locations, and boss fight advice.

Related Guides:
Morning Mist
Crimson Desert – Game Guides Hub


Shadows over Pailune is the first quest of Chapter 7: Homecoming -> Dawn. It follows right after Torstein’s plan to infiltrate Pailune succeeded. The questline has six quests.

Description:
“You have secured the sword Torstein had prepared. Seek out Torstein now to discuss the upcoming liberation of Pailune.”

Move with Torstein

Torstein is waiting at the northern bridge that leads out of Beighen village. Summon your horse and follow him. He will stop at the bridge near the Pailune East Gate. Torstein is planning an attack with explosives, which are stored in a safe house. He will also tell you about a Greymane, Shane, that he sent out to scout Pailune, but he never returned.

In-game map showing a terrain with rivers; a highlighted Dog icon at the center-right with crosshair over it Shadows over Pailune - Start - map - Crimson Desert camzillasmom.com
Player character in a red cloak with a shield and a white dog standing on a cobblestone path toward a wooden gate, autumn trees in the scene. Shadows over Pailune - Start - location - Crimson Desert camzillasmom.com

Secure the Pailune Safe House

The safe house is deep in Pailune territory to the north of the previously liberated Pailune Beacon. Sneaking there at night is a good option. There is plenty of high grass to hide in on the way. But I decided to fight my way through until the forces became too overwhelming, at which point I switched to sneaking and mountaineering.

In-game map screen centered on Alaska with a red crosshair and a 'Dog' marker. Shadows over Pailune - Safe House - map - Crimson Desert camzillasmom.com
Medieval knight in a red cape stands on a rocky outcrop overlooking a forested valley with wooden houses and a village below in a video game scene. Shadows over Pailune - Safe House - location - Crimson Desert camzillasmom.com

Your comrades will join after entering. You will then receive the Jackals’ camouflage gear as a reward.

Reward:
Jackals’ Leather Helm
Jackals’ Leather Armor
Jackal Cloth Cloak

Description:
“You have two objectives to complete simultaneously. Find and save Shane while planting explosives to sabotage the Jackals’ defenses.”

Search for Shane’s Whereabouts

The best way to reach your next mission marker is to put the Jackals’ disguise outfit on:
-> Jackals’ Leather Helm
-> Jackals’ Leather Armor
-> Jackal Cloth Cloak

This doesn’t mean you can now walk around unrecognised. They will just take longer to attack, and you have more time to hide in high grass or get away. Thankfully, there is plenty of high grass around. Keep an eye on your minimap while crouching and hiding in the grass. There you will see the enemies and their view cones. This will take you to a house where Shane is being kept.

In-game map UI with a quest list on the left and a mission panel on the right titled 'Driving out the Shadows'. Driving out the Shadows - Shane - map - Crimson Desert camzillasmom.com
Character crouched on a rocky cliff edge with a round shield, overlooking dense forest and a wooden railing. Driving out the Shadows - Shane - location - Crimson Desert camzillasmom.com

Find the Hidden Explosive

To find the hidden explosive, stay in the same room and look for a red trap door below two oak barrels. Carry the barrels away or destroy them to open the trap door. Use the lantern to find the trap door handle, open it, and take the bomb.

Top-down view of a dim wooden storage area with oak barrels and sacks; on-screen prompt shows 'Oak Barrel' with 'Carry' option. Driving out the Shadows - Trap Door - location - Crimson Desert camzillasmom.com
Gameplay screenshot: a character in a dim wooden room kneels by a glowing hatch/trapdoor with on-screen quest prompts visible (find the hidden explosive). Driving out the Shadows - Open Trap Door - location - Crimson Desert camzillasmom.com

Install the Explosive

Exit the cabin and hide in the grass. Before heading out, you may want to activate the Abyss Nexus fast-travel point just above the cabin.

The target for the explosives is in the southeast, by the river. Sneaking around here is extremely difficult. Always keep an eye on your minimap and the enemy’s viewpoint cones. I first went south and climbed up that small fort to see where I was going.

In-game map centered on a narrow island; a marker reads 'Dog' near its center with crosshair lines overlaying the screen Driving out the Shadows - Install Explosives Part 1 - map - Crimson Desert camzillasmom.com
A video game scene showing a red-roofed village by a lake, viewed from a cliff with a player character in the foreground and a minimap and quest UI on the left side. Driving out the Shadows - Install Explosives Part 1 - location - Crimson Desert camzillasmom.com

There was another Abyss Nexus nearby, and I activated it before going east. Now you can climb the roofs and use the ropes to approach the target.

Viking-like player stands on a wooden ledge overlooking a riverside village with thatched roofs and tents filled with NPCs. Driving out the Shadows - Install Explosives Roofs - location - Crimson Desert camzillasmom.com
Third-person view: player character stands on a wooden platform overlooking a forested village by a calm river. Driving out the Shadows - Install Explosives Target - location - Crimson Desert camzillasmom.com

Use the lantern to find the installation spot.

Player character on a ship wiring explosives at a glowing brazier, with UI prompts on screen (Bomb Installation Spot). Driving out the Shadows - Install Explosives at Target - location - Crimson Desert camzillasmom.com

Description:
“Preparations are complete, but you must bide your time. Wait for the moment when the enemy lets their guard down.”

Wait for the Right Moment

As soon as you enter the house, the cutscene takes over, showing Kliff shooting a signal arrow and initiating the attack.

In-game map screen with quest list on the left and a right-side card titled 'Lurking Wolves' showing its image and briefing, centered by a map with a red crosshair. Lurking Wolves - Wait for the Right Moment - map - Crimson Desert camzillasmom.com
Player on a wooden balcony overlooking a river and a red-roofed Viking village with docks and boats in the water. Lurking Wolves - Wait for the Right Moment - location - Crimson Desert camzillasmom.com

Description:
“It’s time to bring justice to the Jackals who have defiled Pailune. Drive out every last one of them and reclaim your home.”

Seize Pailune

Seizing Pailune is all about fighting and bringing the occupation level down to 0%. The quest marker only shows Pailune Castle, the location of the administration/rewards building.

Description:
“Ludvig is somewhere within Pailune Fortress. Track down the traitor and ensure he pays the price for selling out his homeland.”

Defeat Ludvig

Now, a Bossfight against Ludvig awaits. He’s inside the Pailune Castle building.

In-game map showing an island with a river running along the right side and crosshair lines across the center. Lonely Jackals - map - Crimson Desert camzillasmom.com
In a dark red-walled hallway, a armored player character walks toward a village courtyard with enemies ahead, torches glowing along the walls Lonely Jackals - location - Crimson Desert camzillasmom.com

Now, a Bossfight against Ludvig awaits. He’s inside the Pailune Castle building. Ludvig has mean lightning abilities. Consider using gear with lightning resistance.

In the first round, I survived well with dodges and Force Palm. The second round is a huge step up in his forces, with hectic dodges. I still used Force Palm, but you have to wait until Ludvig is just walking around. Then sprint to him, Force Palm, and hit a couple of times. Rinse and repeat.

Reward:
Hungering Fang Leather Cloak
Hungering Fang Leather Boots

Description:
“Ludvig escaped, but at long last, Pailune is yours again. This is only the beginning. Join the Greymanes to discuss the path ahead and determine your future course.”

Join Your Comrades

Enter Pailune Castle to complete the “Dawn” questline.

In-game map showing an island with a river running along the right side and crosshair lines across the center. Lonely Jackals - map - Crimson Desert camzillasmom.com
In a dark red-walled hallway, a armored player character walks toward a village courtyard with enemies ahead, torches glowing along the walls Lonely Jackals - location - Crimson Desert camzillasmom.com
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Third-person view: player character stands on a wooden platform overlooking a forested village by a calm river. Driving out the Shadows - Install Explosives Target - location - Crimson Desert camzillasmom.com

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Camzillasmom Collectibles Hunter
It all began in the ’80s when I was just 7 years old. Starting with basic arcade games, I soon delved into titles like Loom and Monkey Island by Lucasarts. Throughout the years, as I indulged in more and more games, I consistently sought clear guides to swiftly navigate my gameplay. Now, it’s my turn to contribute back to the community.

About Crimson Desert

Release: March 19, 2016
Developer: Pearl Abyss
Publisher: Pearl Abyss
Official Website: https://crimsondesert.pearlabyss.com/en-US/Main