The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu hides its nine Sacred Figures across separate expedition regions, and the "Nine Guardians" objective is one of the most rewarding completionist runs in the game. The figures are scattered across dense jungle paths, underground cave systems, and guarded ruins, so wandering without a plan burns resources and leads nowhere fast. This guide covers every altar location in the cleanest route order, plus the one ship-side step most players miss that actually triggers the unlock.
What do you need to unlock Nine Guardians?
The objective requires collecting all 9 Sacred Figures (each representing a Saint) from nine distinct expedition areas, then returning to the main ship to complete a crafting step with the Woodworker. Picking up the final figure in the field does not pop the achievement on its own. The full unlock is tied to the Woodworker crafting all 9 Sacred Figures back on the ship.
Woodworker crafting step on ship
What supplies should you bring?
Before starting the run, stock up on these essentials:
- Area maps for each destination
- Lantern (mandatory for Flooded Forest and Near the Mound cave routes)
- Healing items for enemy encounters near altars
- Weapons for guarded sections like Shambler's Hunting Grounds and Cliffs of Ibara
Return to your rowboat after each altar. The route is built around one Sacred Figure per destination, which keeps backtracking predictable and progress clean.
All Sacred Figure locations
How to find every Sacred Figure in order
Saint Eulalia — South Landing
From South Landing, head west toward the coast and keep moving down toward the sea. The altar sits on the west side of the map right beside the water. This is the most straightforward pickup of the nine and a good way to get oriented with the altar interaction before the harder routes.
Saint Sebastian — Scarlet Flower Woods
Sail to Scarlet Flower Woods and move toward the lower east side of the map. The altar is in the lower east section and easy to spot without much detour.
Archangel Saint Michael — Shambler's Hunting Grounds
Head to Shambler's Hunting Grounds and push north into the loop where the fort sits. Take the track behind the fort and follow it downward. At the end of the track, drop down the rocks, then turn right after the drop to find the altar.
Saint Paschal Baylón — Flooded Forest
Move to the lower side of Flooded Forest where the route darkens. Enter the cave straight ahead and watch for enemies inside. The altar is in the very lower corner beyond the cave exit.
Saint Barbara — Watching Trees
Start from the fort on the east side of Watching Trees and leave through the north exit. Climb the hill and follow the cart path toward the back. After the first tree, curve right into the reeds, then push through the reeds and rocks while watching for enemies. Saint Barbara waits in the northeast pocket near the waterfall.
Saint Dymphna — Cliffs of Ibara
Begin in the central area of Cliffs of Ibara. Move past any enemies if needed, then climb the first ramp and steps and go left. Head up the second ramp on the left, circle left at the top, and climb the ladder. The altar for Saint Dymphna is on the right immediately after the ladder.
Saint George — Abandoned Mapuche Settlement
In Abandoned Mapuche Settlement, find the thin lower path in the bottom center of the map. Push through the plants and head almost straight up toward the small mound. Move around the right side of the mound toward the waterfalls, keep the waterfall on your right as you spin left, and climb toward the altar at the top.
Saint Benedict — Wreck of La Favorita
Enter the lower map section of Wreck of La Favorita through the side cave. Follow the side cave route out to the shipwreck area, pass the large shipwreck, and continue into the back area. Saint Benedict is at the altar in the back of the lower section.
Archangel Saint Raphael — Near the Mound (underground)
This is the hardest pickup. Move to the middle-lower section of Near the Mound and prepare to enter the underground caves. Keep the small trench to your right as you navigate the ground, then scoop right and drop into the cave immediately on your right.
Once inside, use a lantern because the entire altar route stays underground. Go left, then left again when the path splits, and follow the small ramp down. Drop through the next ledges while leaning left, go left again, then move straight through the cave. The altar for Archangel Saint Raphael appears on the left.
How do you actually finish Nine Guardians?
Collecting Archangel Saint Raphael does not trigger the achievement immediately. Leave the underground caves, return to the main ship, and go through the captain and ship flow. The unlock is tied to the Woodworker crafting all 9 Sacred Figures, so complete that ship-side crafting step before considering the run finished.
Faster routes for co-op runs
If you are playing in multiplayer co-op, split your crew across different regional islands simultaneously to cut total expedition time significantly. For solo players dealing with heavy enemy spawns near altars in dark zones, sprint past threats, grab the Saint, and head straight back to the rowboat rather than clearing every enemy.
For more help navigating the game's expedition areas, the Fort Logbook locations guide covers another set of hidden collectibles using the same jungle navigation principles. If your frame rate is making cave sections harder to read, check the best PC settings guide to keep performance stable through the darker underground routes. The full The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu strategy guides collection has everything else you need to complete the game's major objectives.