What to know
- You must search multiple mounds, but only one contains the quest item.
- The correct mound is located on the northeastern side near bushes.
- The objective item is called the Thieves Note.
- Opening the note instantly completes the quest.
The “Traces of Shadows” quest in Crimson Desert is one of those deceptively simple missions that can quickly become frustrating if you don’t know where to look. While the game encourages exploration, the randomness of empty mounds can waste a lot of your time. If you approach it with the right strategy, though, you can complete it efficiently without digging everywhere.
Below is a clear, updated breakdown to help you finish this quest smoothly.
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Quest Name | Traces of Shadows |
| Location | Three Saints Falls |
| Main Objective | Find and dig up the correct mound |
| Key Item | Thieves Note |
| Difficulty | Moderate (due to trial-and-error digging) |
| Completion Trigger | Open the Thieves Note |
Is the Traces of Shadow quest bugged?
The main challenge of this quest lies in its misleading design. You are presented with multiple diggable mounds scattered around the area, but most of them are completely empty. This creates a trial-and-error loop where you might spend several minutes digging in the wrong spots.
What makes it more tricky is that there are no strong visual indicators separating the correct mound from the empty ones. As a result, many players assume the solution is random, when in reality, there is a consistent correct location you can prioritize.
Understanding this removes the frustration and turns the quest into a quick objective rather than a guessing game.
Where exactly to search in Three Saints Falls
When you arrive at Three Saints Falls, you’ll notice several dirt mounds scattered across the terrain. Instead of digging randomly, you should head directly toward the northeastern section of the area.
The correct mound is located near a cluster of bushes, slightly away from the central digging spots that most players instinctively check first. This positioning makes it easy to overlook if you’re not specifically searching that side.
Focusing your search in this region drastically reduces the number of attempts needed, often allowing you to find the correct mound within one or two digs.
How to complete Track Traces in Three Saints Falls objective
Step 1
Travel to Three Saints Falls and activate the quest area.
Make sure you’re within the marked zone so that your digging interactions count toward the objective.
Step 2
Ignore the central and obvious mounds at first.
Many players instinctively start digging nearby, but these are often empty and waste time.
Step 3
Move toward the northeastern side of the search area.
Look for a slightly quieter section with bushes and fewer obvious landmarks.
Step 4
Locate a mound positioned near the bushes.
This is the most reliable spawn point for the correct dig location based on current gameplay findings.
Step 5
Dig at this mound and retrieve the Thieves Note.
If you’ve found the correct spot, the item will appear immediately.
Step 6
Open the Thieves Note from your inventory.
This is a crucial step—the quest does not complete until you actually read the note.
Tips to avoid wasting time
The biggest mistake you can make in this quest is treating every mound equally. While technically you can brute-force the solution, it’s far more efficient to prioritize the northeastern area first.
Another important detail is remembering that finding the note is not enough—you must open it. Many players overlook this and think the quest is bugged when it doesn’t complete immediately.
Finally, stay observant of environmental clues like bushes and less crowded terrain, as these often subtly guide you toward the correct interaction points in Crimson Desert.
