- Location (early)
- Old Mine, upper trading stand past the entrance bridge
- Location (late)
- Old Camp, house above Fisk near the market square
- Nearest fast-travel
- Old Camp (then head into the Old Mine northwest)
- Quantity
- 1 (single NPC)
- Farmable (Y/N)
- N
- Required for
- The "Special Pieces" side quest (turn in the Mountain Fortress title deed)
Where Santino is early in the game
Santino is a merchant who deals only in unusual goods, and you meet him while running errands in the Old Mine. He can be found deep in the Old Mine northwest of the Old Camp, and there are many creatures along the way that are best avoided since they can surround and overwhelm you.
- Travel from the Old Camp into the Old Mine to the northwest.
- When you first enter the Old Mine for Diego's quest, you pass Santino and his shop just after the wooden bridge in the entrance area.
- Look for him on the upper level trading stand.
- Talk to him and ask about trade to open his shop and start his quest line.
Where Santino goes later (after the mine floods)
Santino does not stay put. Later in the story the Old Mine gets flooded, forcing everyone to evacuate, including Santino, which means you will need to find him again to complete the quest.
- Return to the Old Camp (do not go back to the flooded Old Mine, he is no longer there).
- Head to the market square. His new spot is at the market square, opposite where Baal Parvez gives his sermons during the day, where a staircase leads up to a house with his shop.
- After the Old Mine floods, you find Santino in his shop above Fisk's place in the Old Camp.
- He is either inside the house or standing outside in front of the stairs.
| When | Where to look | How to reach him |
|---|---|---|
| Before the mine floods | Old Mine, upper trading stand | Enter the Old Mine NW of the Old Camp, cross the entrance bridge |
| After the mine floods | Old Camp, house above Fisk | Go to the market square, take the stairs up opposite Baal Parvez's sermon spot |
How his quest fits in (Special Pieces)
The reason most players are hunting for Santino is his remake-exclusive side quest. This quest is exclusive to the remake and does not exist in the original version, and the NPC asks you to find the deed to the Mountain Fortress.
While you explore the mountain fortress in Chapter 3, Lester helps find the deed to the fortress and the surrounding mountains, then asks you to hold onto it and find a buyer so you can split the proceeds.
Keep that document safe. Do not sell the deed to any other trader by accident, because if you offload it you lose your only way to finish the quest.
When you turn it in, the payoff is substantial. Instead of a fixed ore price, Santino offers a special deal: 1000 ore plus something you cannot buy with ore. The key is the true reward, since it lets you bypass difficult locks and reach areas that are otherwise off-limits. That key opens a door in the next room leading to a secret entrance into the wine cellar under the inner castle.
Tips and warnings
- Watch the quest order. If you clear the mountain fortress before starting Special Pieces, Lester will not interact with you and you never receive the deed, and the same problem can appear if you give the Focus Stone to Saturas too early, so speak to Santino in the Old Mine first and avoid handing over the Focus Stone ahead of time.
- Confirm the quest is active. If you reach Chapter 3 and Santino is not appearing in the Old Camp, check your quest log, since you may have missed the initial conversation in the Old Mine; always check whether the quest is listed as active.
- Roleplay option only. You can kill Santino for his weapon, the Thorn of Wounds, which deals 18 edge damage, but it is not a standout blade and killing this non-hostile trader ends your chance to turn in the deed normally.
FAQ
I went back to the Old Mine and Santino is gone. Where is he?
The mine floods as the main story advances and he evacuates with everyone else. He moves to the Old Camp and reopens his shop in his new spot above Fisk's place. Go to the market square and take the stairs up to his house.
How do I start Santino's quest?
Talk to him in the Old Mine and ask about trade. He makes clear he only deals in unusual pieces, and from then on you can use the dialogue option offering him something that might interest him. The item he wants is the Mountain Fortress title deed you obtain later with Lester.
What do I get for handing over the deed?
You turn it in for 1000 ore and Santino's key. The key is arguably the bigger prize because it unlocks a hidden passage rather than just paying you ore.
Can I miss the quest permanently?
Yes, if you never spoke to him before the mine sealed off. If the Old Mine is already inaccessible due to the flooding, you may have missed your window to initiate the quest in that playthrough. Talk to him early to be safe.