TL;DR
- This is part of the Shackles of Fate quest (Quest 122, Chapter 9: The Sage of the Desert)
- The dragon is named Blackstar — completing this quest is step one of unlocking it as a permanent mount
- You need Stamina Level 5 before attempting to mount the dragon — the heat mechanic in Crimson Desert drains stamina fast
- Jump from the Urdavah bridge as Blackstar flies under it, use Flight + Axiom Force to grab on
- Use L2/LT to cling when the dragon thrashes, then use Focused Force Palm to remove the spear
- Reward: Stardust Necklace accessory, Knowledge: Blackstar, Region liberated: Great Gate of Urdavah
What Is the Shackles of Fate Quest?
Shackles of Fate is Quest 122 in Crimson Desert, part of Chapter 9: The Sage of the Desert (sub-chapter: Shattered Ties). It’s the quest where you first encounter and ride Blackstar, the dragon that eventually becomes your permanent flying mount later in the story.
This is the first time you ride a dragon in the game. The controls are unusual and not well explained, which is why so many players struggle with this one.
For more help across the full game, visit the Crimson Desert hub page.
Before You Start — Prepare These First
Stamina Level 5 is essential. Riding Blackstar constantly drains stamina. On top of that, the Crimson Desert region applies a heat mechanic that accelerates stamina loss. Without at least Level 5 stamina, you’ll fall off the dragon mid-ride before you can finish the objective. Read our guide on how to get max stamina in Crimson Desert to upgrade before starting this quest.
Make sure you have Flight unlocked. You need to glide toward Blackstar after jumping off the bridge. Flight is required to close the distance.
Know your Axiom Force controls:
- PS: L3 (hold)
- Xbox: LS (hold)
- PC: TAB (hold)
How to Find and Mount Blackstar (the Dragon)
Step 1. Head to Urdavah, the castle in Tashkalp. Your quest marker will guide you there. You can fast travel to the Urdavah Mountain fast travel point from the previous quest to save time.
Step 2. Make your way to the bridge at the top of the Great Gate of Urdavah. Once you’re near the bridge, look at the bottom right of your screen for the “Wait” prompt.
Step 3. Hold Options (PS) / Start (Xbox) / ESC (PC) to trigger the Wait. The game will show you a tutorial explaining the controls, and Blackstar will spawn in the distance flying toward you. If you fail to mount the dragon, you can press Wait again to retry as many times as needed.
Step 4. Stand on the bridge and watch Blackstar approaching. As the dragon is about to fly under the bridge, jump off and press Square / X / Spacebar to activate your wings and glide.
Step 5. While gliding, hold L3 / LS / TAB to use Axiom Force. A blue targeting line will appear. Aim it at Blackstar’s back — you need to be close, as Axiom Force only has a range of a few meters. You should see a blue impact zone where you’re aiming.
Step 6. The moment the Axiom Force line connects with Blackstar (it turns blue), immediately press Square / X / TAB to mount. If done correctly, the line will briefly flash red and you’ll land on the dragon’s back.
Important: If the Axiom Force line breaks and you fall, press Wait again while still in midair before hitting the ground to retry immediately without dying.
Alternative Way to Mount Blackstar
If the Axiom Force method isn’t working for you, try this instead:
1. Jump off the bridge as Blackstar approaches and use Square / X / Spacebar to glide.
2. Fly toward Blackstar and aim your body at the dragon’s head.
3. Simply fly directly into the dragon. This will automatically trigger the mounting animation and place you on its back.
This method is more reliable for some players, especially if Axiom Force timing feels too tight.
How to Stay on the Dragon’s Back
Once you’re mounted, Blackstar will start thrashing to try to throw you off. This phase lasts about a minute.
Hold L2 / LT / Left Click to cling to the dragon whenever it spins, dives, or rolls. Keep holding this whenever Blackstar makes aggressive movements.
Stay near the center of the dragon’s back, close to where the spears are embedded. This makes it easier to hold on during the thrashing.
How to Remove the Spear from the Dragon’s Back
Once the dragon stops thrashing, the game will display the objective: “Focus the mind and purify the taint within using Focused Force Palm.”
Follow these steps while still on Blackstar’s back:
Step 1. Hold L3+R3 (LS+RS / Left Click + Right Click on PC) to enter Focus. Time slows.
Step 2. While in Focus, hold R3 / RS / Right Click to charge Focused Force Palm. This is a skill you learn during this quest — the game is effectively teaching it to you here.
Step 3. Hold R3 until a glowing yellow orb appears on the dragon’s back at the location of the spears. Then release R3 to fire.
Step 4. You need to do this 2 to 3 times. The dragon may thrash again between each attempt. If it does, hold L2/LT to cling and wait for it to settle before attempting the next Focused Force Palm.
Step 5. Once all spears are removed, a cutscene triggers and the quest ends.
Shackles of Fate Quest Rewards
Completing this quest gives you:
- Stardust Necklace — an accessory for your character
- Knowledge: Blackstar — lore entry for the dragon
- Region liberated: Great Gate of Urdavah
This quest also marks the beginning of your bond with Blackstar. To unlock Blackstar as a permanent flying mount, you’ll need to complete the Foreboding Shadow questline in Chapter 11: Truth and Reality. During that quest, Blackstar will save you during the Golden Star boss fight, after which the dragon becomes fully yours to summon. Check our guide on how to get a dragon in Crimson Desert for the full unlock walkthrough.
Troubleshooting — Dragon Not Spawning or Falling Off?
- Dragon not appearing — use the Wait prompt (hold Options/Start/ESC near the bridge). Don’t just stand and wait; the Wait prompt is required to spawn Blackstar.
- Axiom Force not connecting — you need to be within a few meters of Blackstar. Glide closer before activating it.
- Fell off mid-mount — press Wait in midair before hitting the ground to respawn on the bridge and retry.
- Stamina running out on the dragon — this is the heat mechanic. You need Stamina Level 5 minimum. See our max stamina guide.
- Focused Force Palm not triggering — make sure you’re entering Focus first with L3+R3, then hold R3 while in Focus.
Related Crimson Desert Guides
- How to Get a Dragon in Crimson Desert
- How to Get Max Stamina in Crimson Desert
- How to Get Max Health in Crimson Desert
- How to Use Axiom Force in Crimson Desert
- Crimson Desert Urdavah Research Guide
- How to Beat Gregor the Halberd of Carnage
- How to Fast Travel in Crimson Desert
- Crimson Desert All Main Story Quests and Chapters
- How to Parry, Counter, and Dodge in Crimson Desert
- Keyboard & Mouse vs Controller
- Crimson Desert HUD Explained
