List of Correct NPCs to Decipher Golden Ciphers in Mistfall Hunter

TL;DR

• Every Golden Cipher has two clue words printed on it — these tell you which NPC to use.
• There are 7 deciphering NPCs in Windrest camp: Soekja, Dew, Pip, Dramm, Cazarro, Sigrid, and Merimo.
• Giving a cipher to the wrong NPC still pays the base reward — you only miss the bonus.
• Named cipher quick answers: Ashen and Ancestral → Sigrid, Prayer → Pip, Bloodbound → Dramm, Old World and Forbidden → Dew, Echo → Cazarro, Seal and Shadow → Soekja, Abyssal → Merimo.
• Always read the clue words first — the same cipher type can carry different words, so the name alone is not always enough.
• You must be at least character level 5 before deciphering is available.

The Golden Cipher system in Mistfall Hunter is one of the most rewarding mechanics in the game — and one of the easiest to mess up. Every cipher you loot from chests and enemies contains two clue words that point to the exact NPC in Windrest camp who should receive it. Give it to the wrong person and you lose the bonus loot on top. This guide lists every cipher type, every correct NPC, and every known clue word so you never hand one to the wrong camp member again.

Before you start spending ciphers, make sure your camp is set up efficiently. Check our what to upgrade first guide to prioritise the right stations. And if you have not yet claimed all your launch rewards including free ciphers from the milestone events, see our 1 million players free rewards and roadmap guide for everything that was available.

How the Golden Cipher System Works in Mistfall Hunter

Golden Ciphers are special loot items found during expeditions — dropped by monsters, opened from chests, and occasionally sent via in-game mail as event rewards. Each cipher has a name (such as Prayer Cipher or Ashen Cipher) and two thematic clue words printed in its description at the bottom.

When you bring a cipher back to Windrest camp and successfully extract with it, you can take it to any of the seven camp NPCs and choose the Decipher option. Every NPC can technically accept any cipher. But only one NPC is the correct match for each cipher, and handing it to the right one triggers a bonus reward on top of the base payout. The wrong NPC still gives you the base result — usually Gyldenblod — but you miss the bonus epic or legendary material entirely.

The clue words are the key. Each NPC has a themed vocabulary tied to their role in the camp. The two words on your cipher point to one specific NPC. Read the words first, match them to the table below, and always hand the cipher to the correct person.

Important: Deciphering only becomes available once your character reaches level 5. You cannot interact with this system before that point.

List of Correct NPCs to Decipher Golden Ciphers in Mistfall Hunter

All 7 Deciphering NPCs and Their Clue Words

Below is the complete breakdown of every NPC in Windrest camp, their role, the clue words tied to them, and the named cipher types confirmed to be theirs. Use the clue words on your specific cipher to find the correct match — do not rely on the cipher name alone, as the same type can sometimes carry different words.

Pip — Auction House

Pip runs the Auction House and his clue words revolve around secrets, music, and hidden caches.

Clue words: Mantra, Tree Hollow, Secret Cache, Elder Edict, Score, Plucking, Prayer

Named ciphers confirmed for Pip: Prayer Cipher, Elder Edict Cipher, Mantra Cipher

Dew (also known as Serenia) — Maiden of Mysticism and Fate

Dew is the fate goddess fragment who revives fallen heroes. Her clue words centre on destiny, prophecy, and spiritual themes.

Clue words: Homeward, Anchor, Prophecy, Spindle, Echo, Weaver

Named ciphers confirmed for Dew: Old World Cipher, Forbidden Cipher, Echo Cipher

Cazarro — Camp Merchant and Shopkeeper

Cazarro runs the shop at camp. His clue words are tied to trade, commerce, and economy.

Clue words: City State, Intelligence, Insight, Balance, Blood, Barter, Haggling, Covenant, Interest

Named ciphers confirmed for Cazarro: Echo Cipher (some reports), Lost Cipher

Dramm — Blacksmith

Dramm is the camp blacksmith. All his clue words are forge and fire related.

Clue words: Fire, Ashes, Brimstone, Smoke, Anvil, Furnace

Named ciphers confirmed for Dramm: Bloodbound Cipher, Nameless Cipher

Sigrid — Tavern Keeper

Sigrid runs Sigrid’s Tavern in camp. Her clue words are all brewing and preservation related.

Clue words: Sealing Wax, Residual Heat, Acid, Malt, Sealed Cloves, Victory Wine

Named ciphers confirmed for Sigrid: Ashen Cipher, Ancestral Cipher

Soekja — The Raven (Travel and Roads)

Soekja is the white crow and guide. His clue words reflect travel, journeys, and navigation.

Clue words: Stone, Steps, Tides, Signpost, Supplies, Guidance, Return

Named ciphers confirmed for Soekja: Seal Cipher, Shadow Cipher, Survivor Cipher

Merimo — Caravan Keeper

Merimo is Pip’s giant goat and caravan keeper. Her clue words are all caravan and trade goods related.

Clue words: Rugs, Caravan, Hay, Cheese, Camel Bells, Salt Block

Named ciphers confirmed for Merimo: Abyssal Cipher

Named Cipher Quick Reference Table

Use this as a fast lookup when you just need a quick answer by cipher name. Always check the clue words on your specific cipher to confirm before handing it over — the name is a useful shortcut but the words are the definitive guide.

• Ashen Cipher → Sigrid
• Ancestral Cipher → Sigrid
• Abyssal Cipher → Merimo
• Prayer Cipher → Pip
• Elder Edict Cipher → Pip
• Mantra Cipher → Pip
• Bloodbound Cipher → Dramm
• Nameless Cipher → Dramm
• Old World Cipher → Dew
• Forbidden Cipher → Dew
• Echo Cipher → Dew or Cazarro (check your clue words)
• Seal Cipher → Soekja
• Shadow Cipher → Soekja
• Survivor Cipher → Soekja
• Lost Cipher → Cazarro

How to Read Your Cipher and Find the Right NPC

This is the process you should follow every single time you bring a cipher back to camp.

Step 1 — Extract Successfully With the Cipher

A cipher only counts once you extract with it. If you die during an expedition while carrying a cipher, you lose it like any other loot in your bag. Always prioritise extracting safely when you have a cipher on you, especially Legendary ones. If needed, consider using a Mimic Dust to avoid a risky PvP encounter on the way out.

Step 2 — Open the Cipher and Read the Clue Words

Once back in Windrest camp, open the cipher from your inventory or camp storage. Near the bottom of the item description, you will find two thematic clue words. These words — not the cipher’s name — are what you need to identify the correct NPC. Write them down or remember them before you walk over to decipher.

Step 3 — Match the Words to the NPC Table

Check the clue words against the NPC tables above. If you see Sealing Wax or Acid, go to Sigrid. If you see Fire or Anvil, find Dramm. If you see Caravan or Salt Block, head to Merimo. If you see Prophecy or Weaver, speak to Dew. The match is usually clear once you know which words belong to which NPC.

Step 4 — Speak to the Correct NPC and Choose Decipher

Walk to the correct NPC in camp, open dialogue, and select the Decipher option. The cipher is consumed when you accept the result. You will receive the base payout — usually Gyldenblod — plus the bonus epic or legendary material if you matched correctly. The first time you decipher a specific cipher type with its correct NPC pays a one-time bonus; subsequent ciphers of the same type still pay the base reward.

What Are the Bonus Rewards for Correct Deciphering?

The bonus reward for a correct NPC match is an extra material on top of the standard Gyldenblod payout. Most correct-match bonuses pay an Epic-quality material. A smaller number of named ciphers — specifically Shadow, Mantra, and Forbidden — pay a Legendary material as their bonus instead. The game does not tell you in advance which tier your bonus will be, which makes correct deciphering even more important for the higher-value ciphers.

The base payout without the bonus is still worthwhile. Community data puts the most common outcome at 450 Gyldenblod, with roughly 96% of ciphers paying 1,000 Gyldenblod or less at the base tier. The bonus is what makes the system genuinely exciting, so getting the NPC match right is always worth the extra few seconds to check.

How to Get More Ciphers in Mistfall Hunter

Golden Ciphers drop from monsters and chests across all stages and every Gyldening Intensity level. There is no specific zone or difficulty you need to farm — they are part of the general loot pool throughout normal expedition play. Beyond looting, ciphers have also been distributed as in-game mail rewards tied to launch events and player milestones.

Other sources include:

• In-game mail — Launch rewards, the Second Wave reward on August 1, and the one-million-player milestone reward all included free ciphers. Check your mailbox regularly.
• Beta compensation mail — Beta participants received three Golden Ciphers by mail at launch.
• Path of Glory progression — The ranked system can reward Combat Bags, which occasionally contain cipher-type items.
• Milestone rewards — At 10 and 20 ciphers deciphered, guaranteed milestone rewards are available regardless of which NPC you used.

For a full breakdown of free reward sources at launch, see our free rewards and roadmap guide.

Common Mistakes to Avoid With Ciphers

• Do not guess by cipher name alone. The name is a shortcut, not a guarantee. Always cross-check the printed clue words before choosing an NPC — especially after patches or localization updates.
• Do not decipher before level 5. The option simply will not be available until you reach character level 5. Focus on reaching that milestone first.
• Do not die while carrying a cipher. Losing a Legendary cipher to a bad extraction fight is painful. Prioritise safe extraction runs when you are carrying valuable ciphers.
• Do not rush the hand-in. Once the cipher is consumed, that is it. Take two seconds to confirm the right NPC before selecting Decipher.
• Do not confuse Abyssal Cipher with Ashen Cipher. These two similar names go to different NPCs — Ashen goes to Sigrid and Abyssal goes to Merimo. Mix them up and you lose the bonus on one of your free mail ciphers.

Tips for Getting the Most From the Cipher System

• Bookmark this page and check it before every cipher hand-in — it takes five seconds and protects your bonus reward every time.
• Store ciphers in your Warehouse if you are not sure which NPC to use. They do not expire inside storage during normal play.
• Shadow, Mantra, and Forbidden ciphers pay Legendary bonus materials — prioritise getting these right above all others.
• Complete the 10-cipher and 20-cipher milestones as early as possible. These guaranteed rewards do not depend on correct NPC matching and stack on top of any other bonus you earn.
• If the Secret Shop has ciphers listed at below-market prices, picking them up is often worth it — you know the NPC matchup and the bonus is consistent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mistfall Hunter is available on Steam (PC) and Xbox Series X|S.