If you bought the Charting the Unknown DLC but can't see the quests, it's almost always a prerequisite issue. This covers where sailing and sea quests, each character's new story, the Garden of Trials, and housing expansion each unlock.
DLC: Charting the Unknown
Sailing starts: After the Greymane camp's 3rd expansion
Character stories: After clearing the base game's "End of the Journey"
Garden of Trials: The Axiom Archive after "End of the Journey"
As of: November 7
Sailing and Sea Quests Hinge on Camp Expansion
You can start the ship and sea story without finishing the base game's ending. What you need is the Greymane camp construction at the Chapter 3 Wolf Hill stage, followed by the Greymane faction quests. Overseas guides explain that on this line you must finish the 2nd expansion quest and the 3rd expansion quest in order (translated names: "Return of the Embers" and "Gathered Will").
Order to Unlock the Sailing Quests
Finish the Wolf Hill quests and set up the Greymane camp.
In the faction quests, finish the Greymane camp expansion quests through the 2nd and 3rd.
Open the Charting the Unknown entry in the faction quest list and accept the first quest (translated name: "A Wider World") at the camp.
If you only see a quest like "New Embers" in the entry, the camp expansion isn't finished yet, so check the expansion quests again.
After that, shipbuilding and the sea story unlock, and you can get your first ship through a companion dispatch (ship construction) or by buying one at the harbor's fleet office.
New Stories for Kliff, Oongka, and Damian
Shared requirement: You must finish the base game's main story through "End of the Journey." The hidden ending is reportedly not required. Check the quests in your journal.
Kliff: Starts at the tavern east of the equipment shop and forge in northern Pailune City. The starting quest is "A Brief Rest" (translated name).
Oongka: Starts at the workshop west of the stables in northwestern Pailune City. The starting quest is "A New Path" (translated name).
Damian: Starts when you find the protesters in Demeniss City and talk to Countess Azerian. The starting quest is "What Was Reclaimed and What Remains" (translated name).
Garden of Trials and New Facilities
You can enter the Garden of Trials by going to the Axiom Archive (translated name) in the Abyss after finishing "End of the Journey" and finding the newly opened passage near the central building. Expanded housing can be used by setting up the Greymane camp, finishing "Luke's Favor," and choosing free building from the placement options in the home decoration menu. Management facilities can be operated from the facilities tab on the world map once you set up the Greymane camp, liberate the region, and finish the faction quests.
Greymane Castles, Romance, and Marriage
Greymane castles: You must finish "End of the Journey" and liberate Drakefall Castle. The Flame Knight's Castle also requires Damian's Politician quest.
Romance and marriage: Choose to flirt with a target NPC to build the relationship, and you can propose when you reach an additional affinity of 100. Some NPCs have separate quests.
Diving has no story requirements. However, you can't stay down long because of the breath (oxygen) limit, so get breathing gear first.
Recommended Order for Newcomers
If you haven't finished the base game yet, it's better to finish Wolf Hill and the camp expansion quests first and get a ship early. If you've already seen the ending, track the new character quests in your journal and take on the Garden of Trials after finishing your combat preparations. For specific sailing tips after getting a ship, see the sailing guide on our site.
💡 Tip: When you can't see the quest, check the Greymane entry in the faction quest list before the journal. A missing camp expansion stage is the most common cause.
⚠ Some quest and place names are translations of English guides and may differ from the in-game Korean names. The wording of the sailing start condition differs slightly between two overseas guides (Wolf Hill completion / 2nd and 3rd camp expansion), so both conditions are listed.
References
KeenGamer — Crimson Desert: How to start Charting the Unknown DLC
Inven Global — Five useful early-game tips for the Crimson Desert DLC (2026.11.3)
This article was newly written by Raon Community based on official announcements and various guides (as of 2026-11-07). The copyright for the game and videos belongs to their respective developers and channels.