Cairn is a fun little game that offers a ton of side activities that the player can do apart from staying on the beaten path while exploring Mount Kami. Side tasks are optional and not required to complete the game but the mountain is worth exploring for useful keepsakes like the Frog Keepsake and the one we are discussing in this guide, the Small Windmill Keepsake.
But there is more then just that there are also optional objectives like locating four crystal shards for the Crystal Cutter NPC in Cairn. Completing this task not only unlocks the One Day, I’ll Be Rich! trophy, but also grants the Small Windmill Keepsake, a highly useful item for surviving dangerous weather conditions.
However, to start doing these things you need reach The Palace of Wind. It is about halfway through the game that you get to find Crystal Shards and Small Windmill Keepsake.
Where to Find the Crystal-Cutter NPC in Cairn
The NPC we talked about earlier, the Crystal Cutter, only shows up after the Two Hundred Steps section of the game where you first encounter the mountain bear. Wait until you reach the area where you come across a rope suspension bridge as seen in the image above. Across the bridge you’ll see The Palace of Wind that has three floors you can enter.
As you ascend the Palace of Wind, you’ll notice several open doorways at different floor levels as you can see in the image above.
Palace of Wind Walkthrough
We need to reach the third floor of the Palace of Wind.
From the first-floor doorway, the most reliable climbing route begins about halfway down the stairs leading up to the door
This section introduces storms and heavy winds, which can easily knock you off the mountain.
During storms, be ready to:
- Place a piton
- Move to safe ground
- Stay completely still to avoid being blown off
Patience is key in this area.
Second Floor
On the second floor, you can explore a structure resembling a Troglodyte burial mansion. While not required, it’s worth taking a moment to look around. For the next section of the climb, start from the second floor doorway on the opposite side of the Palace. If you’re facing the palace, this doorway will be on the right. Continue climbing until you reach the third-floor doorway. Enter, then head straight to the back of the interior area.
Finding the Crystal-Cutter NPC
Inside, you’ll come across a narrow pathway lined with yellow crystals, and you’ll hear someone working nearby.
This is where you’ll finally meet the Crystal-Cutter.
After a short and somewhat unsettling conversation, he’ll task you with finding four Crystal Shards scattered nearby.
How to Find All Crystal Shards in Cairn
Crystal Shard #1
The first shard is directly behind the Crystal-Cutter, resting on the ground. This one is impossible to miss.
Crystal Shard #2
On the opposite side of the room, you’ll find the second shard sitting atop a Troglodyte sarcophagus. Pick it up before moving on.
Crystal Shard #3
The third shard requires a small climb:
- Look to the right of the Crystal-Cutter
- You’ll see a shard embedded in the cave wall above
- Climb roughly 10 feet to grab it
This climb is short and straightforward.
Crystal Shard #4 (Hidden Location)
The fourth shard is easy to miss. What you need to do is leave the Crystal Cutter’s room and backtrack your way to stairway that originally led you this location. Look for a cutout in the stairwell that leads downward. Go inside to find the fourth Crystal Shard and take all the shards back to the Crystal Cutter.
How to Get the Small Windmill Keepsake
When you collect all the shards and return to the Crystal Cutter, the NPC will hand you the Small Windmill Keepsake. You’ll also unlock the One Day, I’ll Be Rich! achievement/trophy at this point. Unlike the Frog Keepsake the is a one-time use, the Small Windmill Keepsake remains useful throughout the game.
It gets attached to your backpack, spins fast to warn when a storm or a strong wind is approaching you. For areas like the Palace of Wind and later sections of Mount Kami, this keepsake can prevent fatal falls and failed climbs.
