TL;DR:
- The airship merchant is called Vargon and is found on the Sky Galleon above Snaketail Wall in Gorthak Territory.
- You must first defeat Ironwing Ren-X to make the airship appear.
- Reaching him requires aerial traversal — ideally after Chapter 11 when you have access to the dragon.
- Vargon sells Abyss Artifacts, Cogwheels, the Gamma Barrel Cannon, Enhancements, and more.
- Building 100 Trust with Vargon unlocks an exclusive Dolphin Glass Art home decoration.
Hidden merchants are one of the best parts of Crimson Desert. And the Airship Merchant — officially known as Vargon of the Sky Galleon — is one of the most exciting secrets in the entire game. He floats high above the map, out of sight, stocked with rare items you simply cannot get anywhere else.
Getting to him takes some work. You need to unlock him first, then figure out how to actually fly up there. This guide covers everything — the location, how to unlock the merchant, how to reach him, what he sells, and the trust rewards he offers.
If you are still exploring the basics, check out the full Crimson Desert Guide Hub to get oriented.
Who Is the Sky Galleon Airship Merchant in Crimson Desert?
The airship merchant’s name is Vargon. He operates from a massive flying vessel called the Sky Galleon. The Sky Galleon is described in lore as a masterpiece built using Marni’s technologies and Gorthak’s iron, originally designed for a new era of trade and exploration.
In practical terms, Vargon is a hidden end-game vendor. He carries items that most other merchants don’t — including Abyss Artifacts, rare crafting materials, and unique weapons. He is completely optional, but absolutely worth visiting if you want the best gear and exclusive collectibles.
Here is a quick overview of the Sky Galleon Merchant before we dive in:
- Merchant Name: Vargon (Sky Galleon Merchant)
- Location: Floating above Snaketail Wall, Gorthak Territory
- Unlock Requirement: Defeat Ironwing Ren-X
- Access Method: Aerial traversal (dragon recommended)
- Notable Items: Abyss Artifacts, Gamma Barrel Cannon, Enhancements
- Exclusive Reward: Dolphin Glass Art (at 100 Trust)
Where Is the Airship Merchant Located in Crimson Desert?
The Sky Galleon does not appear on the map by default. It only shows up once you have met the unlock condition (defeating Ironwing Ren-X — more on that below).
After you unlock it, the Sky Galleon can be found floating high above the Snaketail Wall area in Gorthak Territory, in the northwest part of Delesyia. Look up from Snaketail Wall and scan the sky. You will see a large balloon-like structure — that is the airship.
There is no fast travel point that takes you directly to the Galleon. You have to fly up there manually every time you visit.
How to Unlock the Airship Merchant (Vargon)
Before Vargon appears, you need to unlock him by completing a specific chain of faction missions and defeating a boss. Here is the step-by-step process:
Step 1: Complete the Delesyian Aerial Force Faction Missions
The unlock chain is tied to the Delesyian Aerial Force faction. You need to complete the following missions in order:
- Aerial Border
- Locked Barrier
- Wings Across the Sky
These missions lead you toward the final objective — hunting down a powerful aerial boss.
Step 2: Defeat Ironwing Ren-X
The final mission in the faction chain tasks you with hunting and defeating Ironwing Ren-X, a massive mechanical flying creature. This is the core requirement. Until Ren-X is defeated, the Sky Galleon will not appear.
This boss is a serious fight. Want full details on how to infiltrate and deal with Ironwing Ren-X? Check out this dedicated guide: Crimson Desert: How to Infiltrate Ironwing REN-X.
When Can You Unlock Vargon?
Technically you can attempt the Ironwing Ren-X fight before late-game. However, the fight and the aerial traversal to the airship both become much easier after Chapter 11, when you gain access to the dragon and stronger aerial movement tools.
If you are still working through the story, we recommend waiting. Getting your dragon first makes the whole experience significantly smoother.
How to Reach the Airship Merchant in Crimson Desert
Once the Sky Galleon is unlocked and visible, you still have to actually get up there. This is the trickiest part for a lot of players. Here is exactly how to do it:
Method 1: Use the Dragon (Recommended)
The easiest and most reliable method is to use your dragon, available after Chapter 11. Fly up from the Snaketail Wall area and navigate toward the floating airship. The dragon gives you the altitude and range needed without worrying about stamina management mid-air.
Not sure how to get your dragon yet? See our guide on how to get a dragon in Crimson Desert.
Method 2: Launch from an Abyss Launch Point
If you do not yet have access to the dragon, you can use a nearby Abyss launch point to get enough height. From there, use aerial abilities and gliding to close the distance to the Galleon.
Abilities like Focused Aerial Roll are extremely useful here — they extend your aerial range and give you better maneuverability.
Tips for Reaching the Sky Galleon
- Start your approach from Snaketail Wall — it is the closest ground reference point.
- Conserve your stamina early. Avoid unnecessary boosts until you have the Galleon in sight.
- The airship looks like a large blimp with a deck structure. It is distinctive once you spot it.
- Land on the upper deck to access both Vargon the merchant and a treasure chest containing Blaster No. 8.
Managing stamina and aerial movement is part of a larger skill set in this game. For tips on that, see our advanced combat guide.
Sky Galleon Vargon Shop Inventory and Prices
Here is the full list of items Vargon sells on the Sky Galleon, along with their prices and stock amounts:
- Lean Bird Meat — 15 coins / Stock: 4 (Consumable)
- Cogwheel — 56 coins / Stock: 25 (Crafting Material)
- Lubricant — 2.34 coins / Stock: 48 (Crafting Material)
- Small Cannonball — 15 coins / Stock: 12 (Ammo)
- Gamma Barrel Cannon — 14.37 coins / Stock: 1 (Weapon)
- Small Battery — 1.21 coins / Stock: 31 (Resource)
- Clockwork Insect — 2.40 coins / Stock: 22 (Crafting Material)
- Gunpowder — 5 coins / Stock: 15 (Ammo Material)
- Destruction I — 3.17 coins / Stock: 1 (Enhancement)
- Disarm I — 2.14 coins / Stock: 1 (Enhancement)
- Gourmet I — 2.64 coins / Stock: 1 (Enhancement)
- Efficiency I — 1.87 coins / Stock: 1 (Enhancement)
- Abyss Artifact — 29 coins / Stock: 3 (Rare Item)
- Faded Abyss Artifact — 3 coins / Stock: 1 (Rare Item)
The Abyss Artifacts are the main draw here. They are rare and hard to farm in large quantities through other means. If you want to know more about what you can do with them, see our guide on how to get unlimited Abyss Artifacts and the full Abyss Gears list.
The Small Battery is another item worth stocking up on. It is used in various crafting recipes and can be hard to source consistently. See our Small Battery guide for context.
Keep in mind that merchant stocks do restock over time. If Vargon is out of something you need, check back later. See our guide on when merchant shops restock in Crimson Desert for timing details.
Treasure Chest on the Sky Galleon
When you land on the upper deck of the Sky Galleon, do not just talk to Vargon and leave. There is also a treasure chest on the upper level that contains Blaster No. 8 — a unique item that makes the trip doubly worth it.
Always explore the full deck when you visit. The chest is easy to miss if you head straight to the merchant.
Vargon Trust System and Exclusive Rewards
Like several other merchants in Crimson Desert, Vargon uses a trust system. Every purchase you make from him increases your trust level. As your trust grows, you unlock special rewards.
Here is the key trust milestone to know:
- 100 Trust: Unlocks the Dolphin Glass Art home decoration — costs 170 Coins and is exclusive to Vargon. You cannot get this item anywhere else in the game.
If you are a completionist or enjoy decorating your base, reaching 100 Trust should be a goal. It takes consistent shopping trips to Vargon over time, but the exclusive reward is well worth it.
Want to know more about how trust and trade agreements work with merchants in general? Read our guide on how to gain trust with merchants in Crimson Desert.
Is the Sky Galleon Airship Merchant Worth Visiting?
Yes, absolutely — especially if you are in the late game. Here is why:
- Vargon is one of the only merchants who stocks Abyss Artifacts directly.
- He carries the Gamma Barrel Cannon, a unique weapon not easily found elsewhere.
- The crafting materials like Cogwheels and Lubricant are consistently useful for builds and upgrades.
- There is a free treasure chest on the deck with Blaster No. 8.
- The exclusive Dolphin Glass Art decoration at 100 Trust is only available from him.
The journey to get there is part of the fun. It rewards players who explore every corner of the game world rather than sticking to fast-travel routes and main quest paths.
If you enjoy finding hidden content like this, check out some of our other discovery guides: Patrigio Secret Shop location and a guide on the best unique weapons and armor in the game.
Where to Play Crimson Desert
Crimson Desert is available on multiple platforms. You can get it here:
