In 2026, Hollow Knight: Silksong players who have reached the Citadel in Act Two often discover that the biggest rewards are not tied to the final boss. One of the most useful detours is the Wandering Merchant quest, a short rescue mission that unlocks Jubilana as a vendor in Songclave. The quest is easy to miss if players rush through the Citadel, but the payoff is excellent: access to the Ascendant's Grip, a piton-style tool that makes wall climbing and platforming far more forgiving. So, how does one start the quest, and why should a player bother? The answer begins with a bell, a safe harbor, and a missing pilgrim.
The prerequisite: turn Songclave into an NPC hub
Before the Wandering Merchant quest becomes available, players need to restore the bell inside the First Shrine tower in Songclave. This happens after Hornet reaches the Citadel in Act Two. Ringing that bell transforms the area into a safe harbor, and the Caretaker's prediction eventually comes true: NPCs begin to settle around Songclave. If the area still feels empty, the player should double-check that the First Shrine bell has been rung. The Wandering Merchant quest depends on this hub state, so skipping the bell can leave the Wishboard without the right request.
Starting the Wandering Merchant quest
Once Songclave is active as an NPC hub, the player should head to the Wishboard, also referred to as the Wish Wall, and accept 'The Wandering Merchant.' This request sends Hornet searching for Jubilana, a pilgrim merchant who has gone missing inside the halls of Coral Chambers. It is a straightforward rescue quest, but the route matters. Players who simply wander may waste time, while those who follow the environmental clues will find Jubilana much faster. The first destination is the larger vertical area of Coral Chambers, just beyond Songclave.
Following the trail in Coral Chambers
In the larger vertical area of Coral Chambers, players should look for a pile of bodies on a platform to the left. Interacting with this grim landmark lets Hornet track Jubilana's movement and narrow down her location. From there, the trail continues through the halls, with more body piles appearing along the way. These clues are not optional flavor; they are the guideposts for the quest. Why ignore them when they point directly toward the missing merchant?
After moving through the hallways, the player will reach the smaller vertical area of Coral Chambers. Jubilana's trail leads into one of the rooms on the left. That room is not empty. A group of enemies blocks the way, so Hornet must clear them out before the rescue can continue. Players should treat this as a combat checkpoint rather than a simple transition room. Healing before entering, using reliable tools, and avoiding unnecessary damage will make the fight much smoother.
Finding Jubilana and completing the quest
Once the enemies are defeated, Jubilana jumps out of her hiding place and reveals herself to Hornet. After a short conversation, 'The Wandering Merchant' quest is completed, and Jubilana heads to Songclave to set up her shop. That is the entire rescue: track the body piles, clear the enemy room, and speak with the merchant. It sounds simple, and it is, but the reward is what makes this detour worth remembering.
Buying the Ascendant's Grip from Jubilana
After the quest is complete, players should return to Songclave and find Jubilana to the right of the First Shrine. Her shop offers several items, but the standout purchase is the Ascendant's Grip, a piton-style traversal tool. This tool lets Hornet stick to walls indefinitely, which is especially helpful during tricky platforming sections. When a player needs a moment to plan the next jump, the Ascendant's Grip provides that stability. In 2026, it remains one of the best traversal tools to equip for exploration-heavy routes.
| Step | Action | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ring the bell inside the First Shrine tower in Songclave | Creates the NPC hub and enables the quest |
| 2 | Accept 'The Wandering Merchant' from the Wishboard | Starts Jubilana's rescue quest |
| 3 | Inspect the pile of bodies in the larger vertical area | Begins tracking Jubilana's trail |
| 4 | Follow more body piles through Coral Chambers | Keeps Hornet on the correct route |
| 5 | Clear the enemy room in the smaller vertical area | Frees Jubilana and completes the quest |
| 6 | Buy the Ascendant's Grip from Jubilana in Songclave | Unlocks a powerful wall-sticking traversal tool |
Practical tips for the quest
? Players should confirm that Songclave has become an NPC hub before expecting the Wishboard quest to appear.
⚔️ The enemy room near Jubilana can be dangerous if Hornet enters with low health, so healing first is wise.
? The First Shrine bell is the key prerequisite; without it, the merchant hub may not function as expected.
? The Ascendant's Grip should be purchased as soon as possible, since it improves exploration and platforming comfort.
? Players should practice sticking to walls in a safe area after buying the tool, especially before attempting difficult vertical sections.
So, is the Wandering Merchant quest worth the detour? For most players, yes. It is short, it adds a memorable NPC to Songclave, and it unlocks a merchant with one of the most practical traversal tools in Silksong. The quest also rewards careful observation: the body piles are grim, but they tell a clear story and keep Hornet moving in the right direction. As of 2026, this remains a must-do Act Two side quest for players who want smoother platforming and a more complete NPC hub in the Citadel.",
"language": "en
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