Crimson Desert: Sanctum Locations & Interactive Tracking Guide

There are 16 Sanctums in Crimson Desert — ancient structures occupied by Antumbra cultists scattered across Pywel's five regions.

Each one is tied to the Darkness over the Sanctum faction questline and the Witch companion system.

Cleansing all of a single Witch's Sanctums unlocks her full reward, including a powerful Kuku weapon and armour blueprints.

Every Sanctum location is included on MapMaster's regional maps, which you can check on our Crimson Desert 100% completion hub.

What are Sanctums in Crimson Desert?

Sanctums are tied to the Witch questline — completing their puzzles advances the story and rewards Kuku-related blueprints, Abyss Artifacts, and faction progress.

Each Sanctum contains two hidden Fusion Reactor Cores that must be located, transported using the Kuku Pot, and slotted into a central generator.

Every Sanctum follows this same mechanic regardless of location.

Skills and Items Required Before You Start

Before entering any Sanctum, confirm you have:

• Kuku Pot — obtained during Chapter 4's main quest. Without it, you cannot transport Fusion Reactor Cores. If the Kuku Pot isn't in your inventory, return to the main quest before attempting Sanctums.
• Axiom Force — required to grab and position Cores (hold L3/LB/TAB). Also used to open some hidden walls in specific Sanctums.
• Force Palm — required to lock Cores into generator slots (R3/RB/right mouse, or Aerial Force Palm for elevated slots).
• Nature's Grasp — needed in some Sanctums, such as the Sanctum of Veneration, where a secret wall only responds to Nature's Grasp and not Axiom Force or heavy attacks.

The Universal Cleansing Mechanic: Step by Step

Every Sanctum uses the same process:

Step 1 — Clear Antumbra enemies. Defeat all cultists in the zone until the green liberation bar on the left side of the screen hits 0%. Flying Antumbra wizards should be priority targets — use arrows or ranged attacks. A cutscene plays once the area is fully clear.

Step 2 — Locate the two Fusion Reactor Cores. Cores are hidden in walls, above doorways, in collapsed floors, or behind barricades. Look up rather than around — one common hiding spot is directly above the doorway of the small room containing the generator. Many players walk straight past it because they're looking at floor level.

Step 3 — Seal each Core into the Kuku Pot. Aim Axiom Force at the Core and press Triangle/Y/R to seal it. The Core is now stored safely and can be transported without losing it.

Step 4 — Position the Core at the generator. Open your inventory, enter the Kuku Pot, and select Discard to release the Core near the generator. Use Axiom Force to drag it toward the correct slot. When green leaf particles appear around the Core, it is correctly aligned.

Step 5 — Lock it in. Enter Focus mode (L3+R3 / LB+RB / TAB + right mouse), then press R3/RB/right mouse to perform Force Palm: Focus and punch the Core into the slot. An audio cue confirms it's locked in correctly. Repeat for the second Core.

Step 6 — Witch appears. The generator activates automatically once both Cores are locked. The associated Witch appears and thanks you, completing that stage of her questline.

Critical Mistakes to Avoid

Do not wander far from a dropped Core. If you move too far away from it, the game will despawn it — you'll need to search the Sanctum again to find where it reappears.

Always seal Cores into the Kuku Pot immediately after locating them rather than carrying them manually.

Story-Gated Sanctum: Mortification

The Sanctum of Mortification in Demeniss cannot be accessed freely — it can only be completed as part of Chapter 9's main quest "Fragments of Darkness."

If you arrive at its location outside that chapter window, you won't be able to enter. Track your main story progress before making the trip.

All 16 Sanctum Locations by Region

Hernand has the highest density with 6 Sanctums: Absolution, Deliverance, Penitence, Temperance, Atonement, and Benediction.

Note that the Sanctum of Deliverance is quest-gated — it only becomes available after speaking with Bari, the Witch of Kindness in Pailune first.

Demeniss has 4: Revelation, Devotion, Expiation, and Mortification (story-gated). Delesyia has 3: Oblation, Veneration, and Faith. Pailune has 2: Exaltation and Solace. The Crimson Desert region has 1: Renunciation.

All 16 Sanctum locations are pinned on the Hernand interactive map, Demeniss map guide, Delesyia interactive map, Pailune region map, and Crimson Desert region guide.