Crook’s Hollow Riddle Guide

Crook’s Hollow stands as one of the most enigmatic islands in Sea of Thieves, a jagged outcrop in the Shores of Gold region at grid reference Q19. Its labyrinthine caves, hidden paintings, and cryptic clues make it a hotspot for Gold Hoarder voyages. These riddles demand sharp navigation skills, keen observation, and patience to unearth buried chests. This guide breaks down every known riddle on the island, providing exact locations, actions required, and digging instructions to streamline your pirate adventures.

Navigating Crook’s Hollow: Island Overview

Located in the southern seas, Crook’s Hollow features steep cliffs, multiple beaches, and an extensive cave network connecting its interiors. Approach from the north for easier docking near the central bay, or use the southern piers for beach access. Key areas include the southeast beach for cavern entrances, southwest shores for rock paintings, and the high central caverns for crossroads landmarks. Always equip a lantern for dark tunnels and a compass for precise pacing—steps are approximate, so adjust if needed.

• Southeast Beach: Primary entry to beachside caves.
• Southwest Bay: Features longer docks and duelling artwork.
• Central Caves: Hub for multiple tunnel intersections.
• High Caverns: Accessed via sandy paths and rock stairways.

Core Riddle Mechanics

Gold Hoarder riddles typically involve three clues per map: a landmark description, an action (raise lantern, play music, etc.), and digging directions. Interact by holding your lantern high (LT on Xbox, left trigger on controller) near the spot or playing an instrument like the concertina. Multiple caves can confuse players, so use beach piers as landmarks. If a dig fails, shift one pace forward or back.

Southeast Beach Cavern Riddles

The southeast shore hosts straightforward yet tricky cave entries. Look for cavern mouths amid rocky outcrops.

Cavern Entrance on Southeast Beach

Head to the southeast beach and scan for the prominent cavern opening facing the sea. This is often clued as “the cavern entrance on South East beach is what you seek, when found raise light above your cheek.” Approach the dark tunnel mouth, equip your lantern, and raise it high to trigger the next verse.

No digging here—just the interaction advances the riddle.

Endless Lizard Painting

From the southeast beach pier, enter the adjacent cave and follow the tunnel. Near an old campfire site, spot a skeleton against the wall. Opposite it, a mural depicts two lizards in an eternal chase, biting tails—the “endless lizard.” Face the painting, raise your lantern or play music if prompted. Dig 6 paces south-by-southeast from here.

• Enter cave near wooden pier.
• Pass skeleton and extinguished fire.
• Locate lizard wall art.
• Pace with compass: south-southeast.

Southwest Beach and Bay Clues

The larger southwest bay, with its extended dock, leads to combat-themed artwork and paths between boulders.

Duelling Crabs Painting

Follow the southwest shoreline from the long dock until small rocks appear near the corner. On one rock, find a painting of black and red crabs locked in battle—the duelling crabs. Dig 9 paces northeast.

Path Between Two Pincers

In the southwest, a trail squeezes between massive boulders painted with crab claws or pincers. Stand midway, raise lantern high with flame ablaze to proceed—no digging required.

Central Cave Network Solutions

The island’s heart is a maze of tunnels converging at key points. Enter from any beach cave and navigate inward.

Beetle at the Crossing

Reach the central cavern crossroads, marked by a large rock with three candles. A black beetle painting adorns it. Where there’s no sky, play sweet music or hold lantern high. This lies in wait for the action.

Cavern Campfire

Adjacent to the Endless Lizard area, near the southwest dock cave. Enter, veer left into dim tunnels to an extinguished campfire. Dig 7 paces east-by-southeast—little light marks the spot.

• From bay dock cave, keep left.
• Ignore active fires; seek the dead one.
• Compass for east-by-southeast.

High Cavern and Pathway Riddles

Ascend via sandy trails for elevated features.

Rock Stairway in High Cavern

From the jetty, beach left, follow rising sandy path past wooden stairs and splits. Enter the mid-island cave, turn left immediately to a rocky staircase “swallowed in the belly of the land.” Interact as needed.

Path: Beach → Sandy uphill → Left cave → Left to stairs.

Other High Features

Additional clues like tunnel atop wooden staircase or watcher over east sea appear here. Highest point overlooks the island; twin palms mark a sandbank.

Comprehensive Riddle List

Crook’s Hollow boasts over 20 unique clues. Here’s a table of majors:

Less common: Lone painted crab, hooks in cave, spears, sunstone, call of trumpets, people running, scarab (beetle variant).

Tips for Riddle Success

Solo players: Park ship at north bay for quick cave access. Crews: Assign one to dig while others watch horizons. Nighttime illuminates paintings better with lantern. Failed digs? Recheck compass settling. Multiple voyages can overlap—prioritize fresh maps.

• Use Rare Thief or community maps for visuals.
• Practice pacing on flat sand.
• Record clues before sailing.

Common Pitfalls and Fixes

1. Wrong Cave: Use piers as anchors—short pier for lizard, long for crabs.
2. Pacing Errors: Compass must settle fully; walk straight.
3. Darkness: Always lantern up in tunnels.
4. Spawn Interference: Clear skeletons or skellies first.

Advanced Strategies

Combine riddles with X marks for hybrid maps. Server hop if island contested. Stock lanterns— they break. For efficiency, memorize zones: SE for beaches, SW for bays, center for caves, high for paths.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where is Crook’s Hollow on the map?

Q19 in Shores of Gold—southern quadrant.

How do I raise light above my cheek?

Equip lantern, hold LT (Xbox) or equivalent at the spot.

What’s the Endless Lizard?

Two-tailed lizards mural in SE cave opposite skeleton.

Duelling Crabs location?

SW beach rocks near bay corner, black/red crabs.

Beetle painting?

Central rock with candles, no sky cavern.

Rock stairway high cavern?

Uphill sandy path, left cave entry.

All riddles in one guide?

Yes, video playlists cover 20+.

Master these, and Crook’s Hollow yields riches aplenty. Sail forth, pirate!