Learn how to cleanse the Sanctum of Mortification in Crimson Desert, how to solve the secret puzzle, and deal with the Hexe Marie forces guarding it.
Quest Structure and Rewards
Following a visit to the Cloister of Enlightenment in early Chapter IX, you’ll be sent off to deal with four different regions. The Sanctum of Moritification is the first big objective of the Veiled Witch Questline that starts there.
- Chapter: IX. Sage of the Desert
- Main Quest: Fragments of Darkness
- Required Abilities: Blinding Flash, Axiom Force, Force Palm, Kuku Pot
- Rewards: Core of Mortification, Autumn Banquet Leather Armor
How to access the Sanctum of Mortification
To access the Sanctum of Mortification, you need to have progressed to Chapter IX and started the Veiled Witch Questline. Approaching the Sanctum before will deal heavy damage over time while remaining near the main Sanctum Structure.
You’ll need to have completed the Cloister of Enlightenment Questline at the start of Chapter IX, and read the plaque in front of the lower statues, in particular the one regarding balance and sanctums.
This will point us toward a Sorcerer’s Tower to the south of Tariv.
If you happen to approach Hexe Marie’s territory, you will get attacked by crows and dropped not too far from this location once you get transported out. Very helpful if you don’t want to path around her territory.
Ascend the Tower and speak with the Sorcerer trapped in the painting, who will point us toward the Sanctum and allow us to progress the quest.
How to solve the Sanctum of Mortification Puzzle
Head east from Tariv and cross the gap from Wiggling Hill to reach the Sanctum.
When you first arrive at the Sanctum of Mortification, you’ll need to clear out Hexe Marie’s Earthen soldiers. They’re very fragile enemies, and not much of a threat unless you get too many of them on you at once.
After clearing out the enemies, head towards the north side of the Sanctum, where there is a Chest here behind a gated door.
Light both of the Stone Lanterns here to claim the chest, which contains the Autumn Banquet Leather Armor for Damiane and a Refined Palmar Pill.
After grabbing the chest, head out of the room and down the stairs. Turn to the right and head into the doorway here.
The Sanctum Core, which we need to cleanse the sanctum, is found up the stairs in the small room here. Grab it with Axiom Force and seal it in the Kuku Pot for now.
Head back the way we came and down both stairs toward the north side of the area. Turn to the Right and you’ll see the Cubic Power Source here, trapped behind thorns and a set of bars.
Burn the thorns away and pull the Cubic Power Source out by sealing it in the Kuku Pot.
Take both the core and Power Source over to the Sanctum’s main structure. Upon approaching, White Crow will arrive to help remove the poison that would previously deal heavy damage.
Pull the Sanctum piece out of the Kuku Pot and get it in place. Socket it with Axiom Current or climbing up and using Aerial Force Palm.
Take the Cubic Power Source out of the Kuku Pot and socket into the Sanctum itself with Force Palm, and it will be completed.
After the cutscene resolves, there’s an extra puzzle here you can solve that works the same as the other sanctum puzzles.
- Activate Blinding Flash.
- Aim Focus Light at the orb in the middle.
- Tap Focus Light for each of the small crystals surrounding the orb as it spins.
Once all of the small crystals are lit up, the puzzle is solved.
After a short animation, the Sanctum will release the Core of Mortification. Climb on top of the sanctum to grab it.
After clearing this Sanctum, you will be able to proceed into Hexe Marie’s territory completely unhindered.
