Navigating the dark, atmospheric world of Krat in Lies of P requires players to balance intense soulslike combat with deep environmental puzzle-solving. Among the most rewarding hidden collectibles are Cryptic Vessels, mysterious mechanical cylinders that contain cryptic clues pointing toward valuable rare gear and outfit rewards. Successfully finding and decrypting these hidden items provides essential upgrades that will significantly aid your survival efforts against the puppet frenzy.
Understanding the Decryption Process at Hotel Krat
Before you can act on the hidden riddles contained within these metallic cylinders, you must secure the assistance of an expert inventor. Players must rescue the brilliant NPC named Venigni from the Venigni Works Control Room and ensure he returns safely to Hotel Krat. Once he sets up his workstation inside the central hub, you can hand over any discovered vessels to have them decoded into legible handouts.
Each successfully decoded document provides a photographic hint and a brief riddle detailing a specific location in the world where treasure lies buried. If you explore these zones without first completing the decryption process, the specific environmental interactions will remain completely inaccessible. Tracking down these rewards regularly serves as a major tactical advantage for dedicated completionist players.
Locating the Early Crafted and Jeweled Vessels
The first major puzzle container you are likely to encounter is the Crafted Cryptic Vessel, which is hidden inside a chest near the St. Frangelico Cathedral Chapel. Players must navigate the upper wooden rafters of the chapel and throw a glowing brazier into the decay pool below to reveal a hidden underground room. Decrypting this item leads you back to the Krat Central Station Plaza, where striking a suspended dummy reveals a key to a nearby merchant apartment.
Shortly after exploring the scenic views of the Estella Opera House, you can locate the Jeweled Cryptic Vessel tucked away inside a small chest at the end of a dark corridor. Venigni's decoding process will instruct you to search the cliffside paths near the Cerasani Alley Stargazer for a scenic view of the city shoreline. Standing at the exact ledge and utilizing the Check Ground gesture will unearth a high-tier defense part and a stylish clothing cosmetic.
Cracking the Advanced Old and Rusty Puzzles
As you venture deeper into the decaying environments, the acquisition methods and final solutions become significantly more elaborate. The Old Cryptic Vessel can be obtained by speaking directly with Rookie Explorer Hugo at the Barren Swamp Bridge checkpoint. Investigating this document directs adventurers to the Path of the Pilgrim, where a nearby resident will provide a key to a dangerous cavern system filled with traps and a new weapon.
For players aiming to discover every secret, purchasing the Rusty Cryptic Vessel from the Special Kratos Supply Box expands the map layout considerably. Handing this specific device to Venigni unlocks a brand-new pathway within the Barren Swamp area known as the Hermit's Cave. Adventuring through this optional monster-infested tunnel rewards you with elite armor pieces and deep narrative lore regarding the city's past downfall.
Securing the Ultimate Late Game Decryptions
The final phases of the campaign introduce specialized puzzle cylinders that are closely tied to major character storylines and final side content paths. The Mechanical Cryptic Vessel requires careful exploration of the Arche Abbey Broken Rift, where a chest hidden past several elite enemies contains the prize. Solving this riddle requires you to equip a specific boss weapon, the Frozen Feast, before speaking with a wandering merchant to prove your combat prowess.
Finally, tracking down Alidoro's Cryptic Vessel requires players to make critical choices regarding the fate of the enigmatic stalker near the Relic of Trismegistus. Deciphering this personal artifact does not lead to a hidden chest, but instead unlocks crucial dialogue options with Eugenie back at the hotel base. Gathering all of these items completes your collection, ensuring your puppet warrior achieves peak build power before facing the final boss encounters.
