Bellwright is Donkey Crew's medieval survival and town-building RPG, in Steam Early Access since 23 April 2024 and still in Early Access as of August 2026, with a full release the studio has targeted for 2026. You start as an outlaw with a knife in the region of Karvenia, and you finish as the head of a settlement that other people work in. Seven village capitals sit on the map, Haerndean, Padstow, Bradford, Farnworth, Blackridgepool, Horndean and Crasmere, and each one only hands over recruits once you have earned its Trust. The 2026 Summer Update brought a performance overhaul and console versions, while the Maiden Voyage update added the Halmare Isles as a second landmass.
Bellwright features distinct areas with increasing difficulty. This guide covers every major location in progression order: what to do, what to get, and when to move on. For the step-by-step path, see our walkthrough.
Area Progression Order
| Order | Location | Difficulty | Key Rewards | Recommended Build |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Haerndean | Opening area, lowest threat tier | First recruits, early quests, blacksmith access | Companion |
| 2 | Padstow | Opening area, lowest threat tier | Carpenter access, early Renown quests, safe settlement sites nearby | Companion |
| 3 | Bradford | Mid threat tier | Higher-tier recruits, better trade options, mid-game quest chains | Worker |
| 4 | Horndean | Mid threat tier | Blacksmith access, iron-era gear, territory control | Worker |
| 5 | Blackridgepool | Highest mainland threat tier | Best recruits, top-tier profession access, late-game gear | Worker |
Haerndean: Starting Area
One of the two lowest-threat village capitals and a standard first stop. It has a blacksmith among its professions, so early tool and weapon work can be done here while you are still building Trust.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Opening area, lowest threat tier |
| Key Rewards | First recruits, early quests, blacksmith access |
| Recommended Build | Companion |
| Key Equipment | Two handed axe |
What to Do Here
- Learn the basics of Village Trust and Renown recruiting. This is where you practice without heavy punishment.
- Collect starting resources and your first equipment upgrade.
- Clear all main content before moving to Padstow.
- If you're struggling, read our beginner's guide.
Padstow: Early Game
The other low-threat starting village, with a carpenter among its professions. Between Padstow and Haerndean you can cover the two crafting lines that matter most in the first dozen hours without walking into anything that can kill you.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Opening area, lowest threat tier |
| Key Rewards | Carpenter access, early Renown quests, safe settlement sites nearby |
| Recommended Build | Companion |
| Key Equipment | Two handed axe |
What to Do Here
- Focus on mastering Villager jobs and work priorities. It's critical from this point on.
- Farm for Two handed axe if you don't have it yet.
- Complete all objectives for maximum rewards.
- Prepare for the difficulty spike in Bradford.
Bradford: Mid Game
A step up in threat from the opening villages. Camps in its territory hit harder, so this is where a sword and shield player wants a squad of Guards rather than a solo run.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Mid threat tier |
| Key Rewards | Higher-tier recruits, better trade options, mid-game quest chains |
| Recommended Build | Worker |
| Key Equipment | Two handed axe |
What to Do Here
- This is the main skill check. Bring an optimized build.
- One handed sword becomes accessible here. Prioritize getting it.
- Master Production chains and research for the boss encounters.
- Check our boss guide if you get stuck.
Horndean: Late Game
Mid-tier territory with a blacksmith among its professions. Useful as a second base of operations once your production chain has reached iron and you need somewhere closer to the harder camps.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Mid threat tier |
| Key Rewards | Blacksmith access, iron-era gear, territory control |
| Recommended Build | Worker |
| Key Equipment | One handed sword |
What to Do Here
- Full build optimization is expected by this point.
- One handed sword should be your primary, fully upgraded.
- Stamina based melee with companions mastery starts mattering here.
- Farm resources for the push into Blackridgepool.
Blackridgepool: Endgame
One of the toughest mainland territories, with very hard bandit camps. Do not come here on hide armour and a starting sword. It carries both blacksmith and carpenter professions, which is the reward for surviving the surrounding area.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Highest mainland threat tier |
| Key Rewards | Best recruits, top-tier profession access, late-game gear |
| Recommended Build | Worker |
| Key Equipment | One handed sword |
What to Do Here
- This is endgame. Best-in-slot gear and a perfected build are mandatory.
- See our boss guide for endgame fight strategies.
- The reward loop: clear content → upgrade → push harder content.
- Experiment with Crafter for variety once you've mastered the meta.
Exploration Tips
- Clear areas in order: Haerndean → Padstow → Bradford → Horndean → Blackridgepool. Skipping areas means missing resources you'll need later.
- Check every corner: Hidden caches and secrets are often in non-obvious locations.
- Match your equipment: Some areas favor different equipment types.
- Read the walkthrough: Our walkthrough provides exact progression milestones for each area.
- Don't rush: Clearing an area fully gives more resources than speedrunning two areas.
More Bellwright Guides
- Bellwright Bellwright Overview
- Bellwright Best Builds
- Bellwright Tier List
- Bellwright Walkthrough
- Bellwright Beginner's Guide
- Bellwright Tips & Tricks
- Bellwright Weapons Guide
- Bellwright Combat Guide
- Bellwright Boss Guide
- Bellwright Crafting Guide
- Bellwright Classes & Characters
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