In the vast and treacherous kingdom of Pharloom, not every encounter is about combat. Some of the most rewarding moments in Hollow Knight: Silksong come from assisting the various characters who inhabit this world. One such character is the enigmatic Wandering Merchant, a bug who travels a winding, hidden path across the kingdom. Completing his questline not only rewards you with invaluable items but also provides a deeper look into the lore of Pharloom’s forgotten past. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of ‘The Wandering Merchant’ quest, ensuring you find him at each of his unique locations and receive all of his rare goods.

The quest begins in the Mossy Grotto, one of the earliest areas you’ll explore. However, the Merchant’s path is not linear, and he will only appear at each subsequent location after you have progressed a certain amount in the main story or defeated a specific boss. This makes his quest a true test of exploration and observation. You must pay close attention to environmental clues and listen carefully to the murmurs of other NPCs to pinpoint his next destination. Missing a single step means he won’t appear, forcing you to backtrack through a dangerous path. The rewards, however, are well worth the effort. From powerful new charms to rare crafting materials, the Merchant’s inventory is a treasure trove for any aspiring knight.

Step 1: The Mossy Grotto – The First Encounter

Your first meeting with the Wandering Merchant occurs in the Mossy Grotto. After defeating the first miniboss of the area and acquiring the Needle’s Silk Slash, you will find him resting near a secluded waterfall. He will be selling a few basic items, including a new crest that gives you a small boost to your jumping height. He will also mention that his journey is long and he has many other things to sell, hinting at the quest to come. He will provide you with a cryptic clue about his next location, mentioning “a place of deep water and lost echoes.” This is a hint to his next location.

Step 2: Sunken Gardens – The Aquatic Rendezvous

The next location for the Wandering Merchant is the Sunken Gardens, a watery and dangerous biome filled with bioluminescent creatures and tricky platforming sections. To reach him, you must first acquire the Dive ability from the Deep Basin. Once you have this, head to the underwater tunnels in the Sunken Gardens. He will be on a small, dry ledge in an otherwise flooded area, accessible only by a hidden underwater passage. Here, he will offer you a powerful new crest that increases the damage of your ranged attacks. He will also mention that he must continue his pilgrimage to “the highest peaks, where the wind sings of fire.” This is a clear indicator of his next spot.

Step 3: Scorched Spires – The Fiery Ascent

The journey to the Scorched Spires is one of the most difficult in the game, requiring precision platforming and a high resistance to fire damage. The Wandering Merchant is located on a precarious ledge near the summit, overlooking a lava-filled cavern. He will only appear here after you have defeated the boss of this area, the Magma Wyrm. He will be selling some of his most valuable items, including a badge that greatly reduces the cooldown of your special attacks and a new, rare crafting material. His next clue is his most obscure yet, talking of “a place where the past and future collide, and the dead speak without words.”

Step 4: The Clockwork City – The Final Meeting

The final and most rewarding stage of ‘The Wandering Merchant’ quest takes place in the Clockwork City, a massive, ancient automaton that serves as the final biome of the game. He will be in a hidden chamber off the main path, which can only be opened with a special key dropped by the last optional boss, The Architect. Inside, you will find the Merchant waiting. He will not be selling anything this time. Instead, he will give you a final, unique gift: the Legendary Merchant’s Badge. This rare item is not a traditional crest, but a passive ability that increases the chances of finding rare items from enemies and chests across the entire game. He will thank you for your help, explaining that your assistance allowed him to complete his journey, and then he will disappear, his purpose fulfilled.

Rewards and Legacy

Completing ‘The Wandering Merchant’ quest is one of the most rewarding side ventures in Hollow Knight: Silksong. The items you acquire are not just valuable but also provide a significant gameplay advantage, especially for players looking to complete the game’s more difficult challenges and unlock all of its secrets. The quest also serves as a masterclass in game design, subtly guiding the player through some of the game’s most beautiful and dangerous areas without ever resorting to a simple marker on a map. By following the path of the Wandering Merchant, you not only enrich your inventory but also experience the world of Pharloom in a deeper, more meaningful way, discovering its history and hidden beauty along the journey.