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Crimson Desert All Ancient Ruins Locations & Solutions

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There are 37 Ancient Ruin Locations (The Thread in the Forest Challenges) in Crimson Desert. They are part of the Exploration Category. Finishing all Ancient Ruins Challenges unlocks the Puzzle Solver trophy & achievement.

All Ancient Ruins require solving an environmental puzzle. Solving the puzzle will activate a nearby Abyss Cresset, rewarding you with an Abyss Artifact and a fast travel point.

They are indicated on the map by white search areas with a question mark icon (“?”), though these search areas can also contain other objects of interest. You can also highlight them with the Lantern (L1 / LB / CTRL) or with Guiding Light (L1+R1 / LB+RB / CTRL + Left Click).

At the start of this guide you find a list by the in-game Challenge Menu order, this makes it easy to compare against your missing Secret Places. Below they are also in the order they are closest together, for the most efficient route to collect them all quickly region by region.

Challenges Overview:

Ancient Ruins List:

Hernand

Ancient Ruins 11: Meandering Hills Ruins
Completed as part of Story Chapter 2 – Main Quest: Reunion. During this story quest you will be taught Nature’s Grasp to lift the wall that seals the entrance. Then you must hit the round wall panels with Force Palm in this order: Middle > Left > Right.


 

Ancient Ruins 12: Duskwood Waterside Ruins
Southwest of Duskwood Bandit Camp, east of the City of Hernand. Pick up the white stone by the Abyss Cresset, then place it in line with the other stones to make a line of 5.


Ancient Ruins 32: Dragon’s Stone Chambers Ruins
Southwest of Howling Hill camp, inside the big hole. Push the middle section of the mural that looks like a door to enter. This Ancient Ruin also gives the item Memories of Abundance, which reveals some hidden location information.

Inside the cavern, the painting on the wall hints at where you need to go to find paintings of how to spin the circles in the middle. The correct directions facing the dragon statue:

On the left, spin the circle so the sun is at the top.

In the middle, spin the circle so the C shape is pointing left and slightly up.

On the right, spin the circle so the farther out swirl is on the bottom left. When correctly positioned the wall under the dragon opens to reveal the Cresset.

Ancient Ruins 4: Duskwood Hill Ruins
Southeast of Warspike Spearmaker. To start interacting with the puzzle you need to burn the vines, either with Blinding Flash or by lighting an arrow on fire with one of the nearby braziers.


To solve the puzzle, you need to use Stab on the 4 sockets on the small round pillar, which will move the tall pillars up and down depending on which slot you are in. The pillars need to be raised to match the height of the leftmost pillar. If you accidentally move ones incorrectly and mess up the order, you can teleport to a different region and then come back and the puzzle will reset.

First find the slot that moves pillars 3, 4, and 5, and move them up so they are halfway between the heights of the first and second pillar.

Next find the slot that moves pillars 2, 3, and 4, and move them up so that pillars 3 and 4 are even with the first pillar. They will like up when they match the correct height.

Finally, find the slot that moves pillars 2 and 5, and move them up to match the height of the other pillars, solving the puzzle.

Ancient Ruins 37: Azure Moon Labyrinth Ruins
In Phoniel Ranch, in the wooden building climb the ladder to the lower area and follow it to the end to enter. This Ancient Ruin also gives the item Memories of Tide, which reveals some hidden location information.

Inside this area you need to push the buttons on the wall to open the gate to the Cresset. On the side with the “F” looking symbols, push 2 and 3. On the side with the “P” looking symbols, push 1, 3, and 4.

Ancient Ruins 14: Precipice of Echoes Ruins
South of Fort Perwin.


To solve this puzzle you need to walk on the pressure plates on the floor to connect the symbols. The first one is just showing you what to do, so walk forward 3 spaces.

The next set you start from what you were, so you need to do the symbols in order so the next one you do is touching the current one you are connecting.

The final set requires you to use every possible spot, so make sure to be careful walking and don’t step on one incorrectly. If you mess up you have to start over completely. Once you’ve done the third set the door at the back opens and you have completed the puzzle.

Ancient Ruins 23: Arboria Forest Ruins
Southwest of Arboria Castle, in the forest area. To solve the puzzle use Sword Stab skill ( :r1: + :tr: / :rb: + :y: / SHIFT + Right Click ) to stab the fountain pillars, and rotate them so both spouts on each pillar are pointed into the middle of the fountain.


Ancient Ruins 30: Drakesfall Gorge Ruins
Southeast of Drakesfall Castle. In this ruin you are basically playing red light/green light. Go standing on the platform to the west to start, and then the statue at the far side will continually turn its head to look at you (shown with blue eyes). You need to get to the platform in front of the statue without being caught. Recommend switching to first person so that you can see the statue head moving.


Ancient Ruins 27: Haunted Hill Ruins
East of Sanctum of Atonement, at the top of the second river leading to Three Saints’ Falls. If you haven’t learned it already, observe the hologram near the Cresset to learn Nature’s Snare. Then use Nature’s Snare on the two spinning parts to raise them, draining the water from the area which will solve the puzzle.


Ancient Ruins 7: Hunter’s Cabin Ruins
Southeast of Haunted Hill Hunter’s Cabin. Light all stone lanterns in the graveyard area to open the door on the tomb.


Ancient Ruins 15: Deepfog Basin Dragon Head Ruins
West of Thalwynd. Use Stab Skill on the blocks ( :r1: + :tr: / :rb: + :y: / SHIFT + Right Click ) then move them around to create the correct image to open the door behind the dragon statue.


Ancient Ruins 3: Deepfog Basin Everfrost Ruins
Northwest of Calphade Farmhouse. This puzzle involves using the Stab Skill ( :r1: + :tr: / :rb: + :y: / SHIFT + Right Click ) to rotate groups of pillars, with the intent of having them line up with the one on the left. Pillars are number 1 – 4 left to right. To start, find the slot where you are moving pillars 2 – 4, and move it clockwise 4 moves. Then find the slot where you are moving pillars 1 – 3, and move it clockwise 3 moves. Then find the slot where you are moving pillars 1 and 4, and move it clockwise.


Ancient Ruins 28: Halssius Conflux Ruins
Southeast of St. Halssius’s House of Healing, on the lower level of cliffs.


To solve this puzzle you need to use Stab Skill on the pillar ( :r1: + :tr: / :rb: + :y: / SHIFT + Right Click ), then rotate the metal on the ground to include the corresponding symbol that the light beam from the statue is pointing to. Before you start you should pick up the pillars that are on the ground and move them off the central area or they’ll be in the way. For the first symbol, rotate clockwise to the oval mirror symbol.

For the second set, rotate counterclockwise a short distance to the Scales, Harp, and Vase symbols.

For the final set, rotate counterclockwise a short distance again to the Mirror, Scales, Harp, Vase, and two Horse symbols. After you have correctly moved the frame the door in the statue will open and you have completed the puzzle.

Ancient Ruins 21: Sunrise Plains Ruins
South of Glenbright Manor, in the forest. The entire outside of the area is surrounded by damaging vines. You can burn them with Blinding Flash ( :l1: + :r1: > hold :l1: / :lb: + :rb: > hold :lb: / CTRL + Left Click > CTRL) if you can’t find the path in.


Facing southeast (toward the pillar leaning against the hill), imagine the statues are numbered 1 – 4 from top left to bottom right. Interact with the backs of the statues to spin them, and multiple will spin from interacting with one statue. Spin TWO so that it faces the middle. Spin ONE so that THREE faces the middle. Spin FOUR so both one and four face the middle.

Ancient Ruins 1: Steel Mountains Ruins
Northwest of Spire of Insight. To solve the puzzle you need to shoot the bells in the order shown by the board to the left. Numbered 1 – 8, top left to bottom right, the order is 1 2 3 4 5 6 4 3 2 1.


Demeniss

Ancient Ruins 2: Trembling Woods Ruins
Southeast of Galleypulley. Use the three cranks to spin the mural sections on the wall to match them up. The crank on the right spins the outer section at the back, then the other two spin the metal frame sections, so spin the right one first to line up the back image. The left crank needs to be turned by using Sword Stab ( :r1: + :tr: / :rb: + :y: / SHIFT + Right Click ). One you have successfully lined everything up the water in front of the cranks drains and reveals the Cresset.


Ancient Ruins 35: The Screaming Vault Ruins
West of Rustleleaf Farm. Drop down the hole in the above ground ruins to reach the underground area, then avoid the traps to reach the room with the Abyss Cresset. This Ancient Ruin also gives the item Memories of Turbulence, which reveals some hidden location information. The area is also full of items and chests you can freely loot and then sell.

In each of the side rooms there are spinning discs on the wall that you need to turn to the correct position. In the room on the left, turn the disc so that the line coming off the inside circle is pointing straight up.

In the room at the top, spin the disc so that the circles are on the top, with the points of the triangles pointing up.

In the room on the right, spin the disc so that the double lines on the constellation are pointed up. When all are spun correctly the Abyss Cresset will be activated to complete the puzzle.

Ancient Ruins 34: Secret Chamber of the Golden Plains Ruins
North of Wheelsmith Wainright. Burn the branches in the way with Blinding Flash to get inside ( :l1: + :r1: > hold :l1: / :lb: + :rb: > hold :lb: / CTRL + Left Click > CTRL).

Once you are in the interior ruins area, double jump to grab the grapple hook on the left side. Then Force Palm the specified spots to complete the puzzle.

 

Ancient Ruins 22: Golden Plains Ruins
East of Burnhand Quarry, in the forest.


First use Blinding Flash and Focus Light to burn away the branches in the area ( :l1: + :r1: > hold :l1: / :lb: + :rb: > hold :lb: / CTRL + Left Click > CTRL). Then facing north, imagine the statues are numbered 1 – 4 from top left to bottom right. Interact with the backs of the statues to spin them, and multiple will spin from interacting with one statue. Spin TWO so that it faces the middle. Spin ONE so that THREE faces the middle. Spin FOUR so both one and four face the middle.

Ancient Ruins 20: Kingshield Mountains Ruins
West of Tariv, in the forest. Pick up the pots around the area and stack them in the middle to make a stack of four.


Ancient Ruins 8: Wiggling Hill Ruins
East of Sanctum of Mortification. First you need to use Nature’s Snare on the metal contraption to drain the water in the area.


After draining the water, you need to light all of the stone lanterns in the area, which will activate the Cresset.

Ancient Ruins 19: Bamboo Forest Seonangdang Ruins
South of Sanctum of Revelation, across the river.


On either side of the stacks of stone in the middle there will be three smaller stones that you can pick up. You need to pick them up, then aim ( :l1: / :lb: / Q ) to place them on the middle pile of stones in the order of RED, BLUE, YELLOW ribbons (biggest to smallest). If they are stacked correctly you will complete the puzzle. If you lose one of the stones you can teleport to a different region and come back and it should reset them.

Pailune

Ancient Ruins 10: Black Wall Ruins
East of the City of Pailune, north of THE BLACK WALL map text. Use Nature’s Grasp to lift the block in front of the ruins.


Ancient Ruins 33: Hidden Chamber of Wisdom Ruins
Southwest of Sanctum of Solace. The entrance is on the north wall close to the road, under the painting on the cliffs. This Ancient Ruin also gives the item Memories of the Northern Wind, which reveals some hidden location information.

Inside the ruins, you need to push the buttons with the paintings representing wind, lightning, water, and fire. If you have the skill “Force Current” you can use this to push them, instead of climbing the wall and having to avoid the spikes when you push them with Force Palm directly.

Ancient Ruins 26: Silver Wolf Mountain Ruins
Northwest of Sanctum of Solace. You first need to break the ice using Turning Slash ( :r1: + :r2: / :rb: + :rt: / Left Click + Right Click) then use Nature’s Snare to turn the metal contraptions to drain the water.

Ancient Ruins 16: Five-Finger Mountain Icy Ruins
West of Cloister of Ruination on the other side of the mountain. You first need to break the ice on the surface using Turning Slash ( :r1: + :r2: / :rb: + :rt: / Left Click + Right Click). Then break the ice on the side in the same way which will drain the water. You can then use Sword Stab to move the blocks around to make the correct image.

Ancient Ruins 17: Five-Finger Mountain Valley Ruins
Northeast of Whisperleaf Fortress. For this puzzle you need to push the blocks toward the statue on the far side, which will temporarily open the doors. Then while the door is open, shoot the statue inside to rotate it so that the statues are holding the same item as the visible on in the middle. When they are turned correctly they will turn blue.


On the left statue, turn it so the axe is visible.

On the middle statue, turn it so the sword is visible.

On the right statue, turn it so the shield is visible.

Delesyia

Ancient Ruins 36: Memory-Laden Ruins
Northeast of Stoneback Crab Wetlands. To enter burn all the plants blocking the entrance to the above ground ruins. Inside shoot arrows at the ropes holding the platforms to drop them, then jump across to the room with the buttons.  This Ancient Ruin also gives the item Forgotten Memory, which reveals some hidden location information.

To open the door, use Force Palm on the 4 buttons on the left of the room.

Ancient Ruins 25: Beardtree Hills Sunflower Ruins
East of Redfox Trading Post in the middle of the forest. Use Nature’s Snare on the two spinning parts to raise them, draining the water from the area which will solve the puzzle.


Ancient Ruins 13: Beardtree Hills Rock Ruins
West of Redfox Trading Post in the middle of the forest.


To solve this puzzle you need to walk on the pressure plates on the floor to connect the symbols. The first one is just showing you what to do, so walk forward 3 spaces.

The next set you start from what you were, so you need to do the symbols in order so the next one you do is touching the current one you are connecting.

The final set requires you to use every possible spot, so make sure to be careful walking and don’t step on one incorrectly. If you mess up you have to start over completely. Once you’ve done the third set the door at the back opens and you have completed the puzzle.

Ancient Ruins 5: Timberdale Cliff Ruins
Southwest of Dewhaven Logging Camp, in the forest.


To solve the puzzles you need to punch the discs on the walls with Force Palm (:r3: / Mouse Wheel), so that the lit up lines connect the two sides on each of the three walls.

Ancient Ruins 6: Timberdale Gorge Ruins
East of Sanctum of Devotion.


Before starting the puzzle, go to the north and hit the wall with Turning Slash ( :r1: + :r2: / :rb: + :rt: / Left Click + Right Click) which after a bit will cause the wall to break and drain the water from within the ruins.

You can then go back inside, and you need to hit the buttons with Force Palm. First, hit the set of 4 buttons on the far left and the far right. The order you do the walls doesn’t matter, but they won’t “connect” out of order (top, right, left).

Then on the right side, hit the middle left and top right buttons.

Finally on the left, hit middle left, middle top, on left of bottom right, and top right connect the final section and open the door to the Cresset.

Ancient Ruins 9: Blue Thicket Ruins
Northeast of Sanctum of Veneration. Use Nature’s Grasp :tr: + :o: / :y: + :b: to lift the two blocks to complete the puzzle.


Ancient Ruins 29: The Grey Forest Ruins
Southeast of Sanctum of Veneration, south of the intersection.


To solve this puzzle you need to use Stab Skill on the pillar ( :r1: + :tr: / :rb: + :y: / SHIFT + Right Click ), then rotate the metal on the ground to include the corresponding symbol that the light beam from the statue is pointing to. Before you start you should pick up the pillars that are on the ground and move them off the central area or they’ll be in the way. For the first symbol, rotate  counterclockwise to the Pitcher symbol.

For the second set, rotate counterclockwise a short distance to the Horse and two Mirror symbols.

For the final set, rotate clockwise to the Horse, Pitcher, two Scales, and two Harp symbols. After you have correctly moved the frame the door in the statue will open and you have completed the puzzle.

Ancient Ruins 31: Mount Benus Ruins
Northwest of Delesyia Beacon.  In this ruin you are basically playing red light/green light. Go standing on the platform to the west to start, and then the statue at the far side will continually turn its head to look at you (shown with blue eyes). You need to get to the platform in front of the statue without being caught. You should burn all of the vines and get rid of the bush Abyss enemy along the path before starting. You can defeat the bush enemy by picking up the nearby logs and attacking it with one. While progressing it is recommend switching to first person so that you can see the statue head moving.


Crimson Desert

Ancient Ruins 24: Fuming Lands Ruins
Northwest of Hexe Sanctuary. To solve the puzzle burn the plants around the fountain using Blinding Flash and Focus Light ( :l1: + :r1: > hold :l1: / :lb: + :rb: > hold :lb: / CTRL + Left Click > CTRL). When the plants are burned away use Sword Stab skill ( :r1: + :tr: / :rb: + :y: / SHIFT + Right Click ) to stab the fountain pillars, and rotate them so both spouts on each pillar are pointed into the middle of the fountain.


Ancient Ruins 18: Red River Ruins
Directly northeast of Red River Cliff Watchtower. This puzzle requires you to push the crank clockwise to lower the walls across the river, then shoot the statues with arrows to turn them. Make sure to have a bunch of arrows with you, as the statues turn more or less depending on where you shoot them (outer edges causes them to turn more). You need to turn each of the three statues so that the section facing you looks like the visible one in the middle, having a helmet with beard. When they are in the correct spot the eyes will glow, which can be hard to see depending on your graphical settings.



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  1. Regarding : Ancient Ruins 14: Precipice of Echoes Ruins

    There is a hidden timer. If it takes too long, all blocks are going down and shine white, but the door remains shut and you have to start over

    Reply

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