[2021] No mysterious woman? Nightmares without the crucible?

Leaving Lion's Gate Watch, I didn't encounter the scourge npc, and didn't acquire a blood crucible, yet still was able to switch in and out of the nightmares?

Is this intended?

Edit2: Reconnected and opened the Coast again, found the npc this time!

Edit: I was able to play the league mechanic, I just didn't encounter the npc outside of Lion's Gate.