Hogwarts Legacy continues to captivate players with its expansive open-world magic and immersive side missions scattered across the Highlands. One particularly engaging objective is the side quest titled A Thief in the Night, which presents players with an intriguing tracking puzzle. Helping a troubled merchant retrieve his stolen goods requires keen observation skills and familiarity with the local environment.
How to Unlock the Investigation in Irondale
To begin this unique mission, you must travel to the southeastern portion of the Feldcroft Region and visit the small hamlet known as Irondale. Locate a vendor named Padraic Haggarty, who stands behind his outdoor merchant booth looking noticeably frustrated. Speaking with him reveals that his family heirloom and various valuables have been stolen overnight by an enigmatic burglar.
The merchant suspects his own sister might be involved in the crime, but the true culprit remains hidden until you investigate. Before initiating this journey, ensure you have progressed far enough into the main storyline to access the region safely. It is highly recommended to set the in-game time to nighttime since the clues are impossible to track during daylight hours.
Following the Trail of Dropped Coins
Once darkness falls over the landscape, activate your Revelio charm near the merchant stand to reveal a distinct path of golden coins on the ground. This trail winds outside the hamlet boundaries, leading you on a lengthy trek across the rocky hillside terrain. You will need to move steadily while casting your diagnostic magic frequently to ensure you do not lose the glowing trail.
As you navigate further along the mountain path, the clues will guide you through several dangerous territories. Be prepared for sudden combat encounters with aggressive goblin groups or wild beasts roaming the dark wilderness. Staying close to the coin trail ensures you are moving in the correct direction toward the mysterious thief hideout.
Locating the Thief at the Bandit Camp
The golden coins eventually lead to a secluded cliffside area containing a small creature den hidden beneath the rocks. Upon arriving at the final location, you will discover that the actual culprit is a mischievous wild Niffler hoarding the gold. The magical creature has amassed a gigantic pile of shiny stolen objects from the unsuspecting villagers of Irondale.
To successfully capture this agile beast, you must equip the Nab-Sack utility tool in your spell diamond. Cast a freezing spell like Glacius or Arresto Momentum to temporarily slow the creature down before attempting to rescue it. Once secured, search the immediate vicinity to pick up the specific heirloom mentioned by the vendor.
Completing the Quest and Reaping Rewards
With the stolen heirloom safely in your inventory, return to Irondale to deliver the news to the relieved shopkeeper. You have the opportunity to return the item freely or request a small monetary compensation for your arduous tracking efforts. Your decision will slightly alter the dialogue options but will not negatively impact your standing in the village.
Successfully finishing this quest grants you valuable experience points to boost your wizarding level. Additionally, players receive a unique cosmetic appearance item to further customize their character gear options. Resolving the family misunderstanding brings peace back to the merchants of the Feldcroft region.