There are many puzzles that will surprise and possibly confuse you in Crimson Desert. While many of these puzzles are spread throughout the world, such as the Trembling Woods puzzle, most of them can be found during the campaign.
During the Forbidden Information quest, you will be tasked with completing various objectives that may confuse you. This includes breaking rocks, traversing dangerous lands, completing complex puzzles, and defeating an airborne boss.
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Let’s break down all the steps required to complete the Forbidden Information request in Crimson Desert.
Access to Scholastone
A request titled Forbidden Information in the Crimson Desert can begin in many ways. For us, it started when we received a letter from Alustin about a messenger bird. Others have shared that this letter could come from a beggar in Hernand or arrive at your camp, so keep an eye out for those as well.
After reading the book, make your way to Darroch in Harnand to get the Scholastone Uniform. This item is required to communicate with Scholastone people.
You will now be tasked with reaching the Scholastone, which can be found southwest of Hernand, near Fort Perwin. If you haven’t taken it yet, this castle might be full of Blood Bandits. There is also a fast travel area that you can open near this area to make travel easier.
On the way to Scholastone, you will be blocked by walls of shiny stones. Some of these require the Scholastone Uniform to get through, while others require you to use the Focus Force Palm technique. Use this technique on the radiant energy within the stones to separate them, revealing the way forward.
Once you arrive at Scholastone, you will be directed to a troll who will tell you about the facility. This troll will only talk to you if you’re wearing the Scholastone Uniform, so make sure you keep it on.
Go up the road to the Scholastone Institute and talk to Dean Grundir. He will introduce Octavius. From here, pass the time and come back in 24 hours to continue searching.
Helping with Octavius’ test
When you’re ready, talk to Octavius to start the trial. You will need to complete the puzzle to pull the lever and open the dome. Go below where Octavius is standing by using the nearby stairs or by jumping off the cliff and gliding to the room below. To complete the puzzle here, you’ll need to push the various blocks to make them all fit inside and light up.
The quickest solution we found to the puzzle is the following:
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Press the left button in the middle row.
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Press the middle button on the top row.
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Press the left button on the top row.
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Press the right button on the bottom row.
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Press the middle button.
Pressing the buttons in this way will set them all up to be pressed, completing the puzzle and opening the dome. From here, you will need to place four cubes in the columns above where Octavius is.
To place the cubes in the columns, use your Axiom Force ability to lift the cube and move it in front of the hole in the column. Once it’s targeted, use your Force Palm ability to press it into place.
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When all the cubes are placed in the columns, you will see lasers shooting out of the columns and into the center. You will get a cutscene with Octavius where the essence is damaged, which requires you to remove it. Use your Axiom Force ability on the central core and pull it to remove it. This will trigger a boss battle, so you may want to make sure you have some food cooked to restore health.
Defeating Tenebrum
Fighting Tenebrum can be easily done by using both the columns and your Force Palm skill. First, you’ll want to climb one of the columns. If you have your Axiom Force skill upgraded, you can quickly reach the top of the column by pulling yourself up.
Once at the top of the column, run to the ledge, jump, and glide towards Tenebrum. When you’re close to Tenebrum, use your Force Palm ability to deal a lot of damage.
You will probably only need to do this three or four times. It took three hits to defeat Tenebrum using Force Palm.
The Spire of Stars
With Tenebrum out of the way, you’ll need to head up the hill to the Spire of Stars. Once you get to the area, you will need to place a spine on the door to open it.
Inside, you will be required to complete another puzzle, for which we have an in-depth guide. Basically, you will need to direct the situations in a certain way to solve the puzzle.
Once the conditions are placed correctly on the wall, you will be able to enter the Abyssal Gate.
Investigating the Abyss
After entering the Abyssal Gate, you will be tasked with investigating the Abyss. Inside, you’ll see Octavius, who will quickly disappear as you approach.
Start by stepping on the Abyssal Nexus. This way, you can quickly walk back to this place if you get hurt or fall. To cross the abyss, you will need to use towers and floating platforms.
Stand on the floating platform, use Axiom Force on the yellow circle to open the tower, select the tower you wish to use, and open it. This will move the platform you are on to the tower.
Follow the path in the picture above to reach the other side of the abyss, then climb the tower to reach the platform above. Once you reach your destination, use your Force Palm ability on the lighted push switch to trigger a cutscene.
This will complete the area, as it will teleport you to Scholastone at the end of the cutscene. When you’re done talking to Grundir, return to the camp to complete the quest.
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- Released
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March 19, 2026
- The ESRB
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Mature 17+ / Blood, Drug Reference, Strong Violence, Strong Language
