Triggering the Kaernk in the Cistern?

[Cursed Lemon]

I just have a general question.

I remember on my first playthrough, when I entered the Cistern and opened all three valves, the shadow appeared and the Kaernk was actively pursuing me through the water.

I've noticed on my last two playthroughs, however, that the shadow fails to appear and the Kaernk isn't around, even though I heard all of his little splashes and growls and whatnot.

Is there something you have to do to trigger this event?

[MooseTheScared]

Is there something you have to do to trigger this event?

You should have low sanity, that's what triggers Shadow and the Kaernk.

[Cursed Lemon]

Is there something you have to do to trigger this event?

You should have low sanity, that's what triggers Shadow and the Kaernk.

Hmm, I shall try that then. Thanks. Do I need to have low sanity when I hit the last valve?

[Atganos]

Is there something you have to do to trigger this event?

You should have low sanity, that's what triggers Shadow and the Kaernk.

Hmm, I shall try that then. Thanks. Do I need to have low sanity when I hit the last valve?

Did it happen you went into the morgue before going into the cistern because that mostly triggers the Kaernk to appear.

[Cursed Lemon]

I don't remember what I did on my first playthrough, but on my second and third I know that I went to the morgue first on one, and second on the other.

[nofsky]

It never happened to me but I've seen it in some Let's plays. I think you might have to first enter the Cistern then leave and then come back again and turn the 3 valves and it'll happen, or maybe you just need to have low sanity.

[eiahmon]

My first few playthroughs I kept my sanity high and did the cistern before the morgue and the two did not show. In my last playthrough, I did the morgue first and went in with my sanity at "Hands are shaking", and the Shadow and Kaernk appeared as I was leaving.

[MooseTheScared]

I don't think the order of visiting the morgue/Cistern matters. On my first playthrough I visited the Cistern first and encountered Kaernk, so I believe it's just low sanity that matters. And yes, I think you should have low sanity when you turn the last valve to make Kaernk spawn.