While exploring the Crimson Forest in the 3rd main mission – Snake’s Reflection in Phantom Blade Zero, you will eventually make it to the hub area for this region – the Thieves’ Camp. Like in Outpost – the hub area for the Weeping Creek Valley across the Against The Fall, and Steel & Steam main quests, this one also has NPCs, side quests – and a locked door.
However, while the one at the Outpost had the key to it nearby, for the Thieves’ Camp in Crimson Forest, the key is in a missable area. It is absolutely worth making the effort to go and get the key, as there are quite a few other goodies, and side quests that you can progress in that area.
Here’s how to get the key to open the locked door at Thieves’ Camp.
Thieves’ Camp Dungeon Key Location
The Thieves’ Camp Dungeon key is located in the cellar of the Cliffside Lodge. To get to the Cliffside Lodge, start from the Cliff of Longing, take the ladder down, and the path on the left to arrive at this place. I have marked the exact location you should be at, in the image above.
Getting the Cellar Crank
When you first arrive here, the entrance to the cellar is locked, and needs a Cellar Crank to open. This, thankfully, is located in the same building – it is on the balcony of the poison-filled room on the first floor. Equip the Preservation Jar to reduce damage from poison by 50%, and go through that room to get the Cellar Crank.
Getting the Thieves’ Camp Dungeon Key
With that, insert the crank in the slot, and that opens up the path behind it. Take the steps down, and focus on the path straight ahead. The right has a room filled with poison, and an enemy guarding a Sha-Chi Amber Shard, so you may want to get that as well. After defeating the enemy straight ahead, jump down, and defeat the three enemies. These are pretty easy ones and should not cause any problems.
On this level, you can now collect the Thieves’ Camp Dungeon Key straight ahead. The place also has a Blackstone Shard – the 4th for the Crimson Forest region to collect, and a Secret Chamber Crank which you can use to progress the Secrets of the Baishan Sect. On the ground level is also a gate that leads to A Healer’s Mercy side quest progression.
Our task here, though, is done, and we can now return to the Thieves’ Camp to unlock the door.
Thieves’ Camp Key Rewards
On unlocking the door to the Thieves’ Camp, take out the enemies at the ground level. There will be an area you should not get into for now – the game warns you as much. Leave that part aside. From the rest, you get 2 Sha-Chi Amber Shards.
You also get the Ancient Crossbow, which you can return alongwith 2 other treasures to Quick Hand Zhang to get a pretty good ranged Phantom Edge – the Flying Dagger.
Also, give the medicine Yu’er has prepared to the Gui the Night Raven to progress A Healer’s Mercy, which gets you the Calming Gourd accessory.
Thus – 2 Sha-Chi Amber Shards, and a couple of accessories, along with the Blackstone Shard at the Cliffstone Lodge – is not a bad haul at all for getting a key.
