You’ve finally invited The Forgotten back to the Village, finished up "A Forgotten Name," and you’re feeling pretty good about the state of your Valley. Then it happens. You see that creepy, flickering silhouette dancing across the stone of Skull Rock, and suddenly you're thrust into one of the most mechanically specific quests in the game. Shadows on the Wall isn't just a filler mission; it’s the literal gateway to bringing Peter Pan into your world.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a trip.
If you’re standing on Dazzle Beach wondering why the "shadow person" won't stop moving or why your lanterns aren't doing anything, you aren't alone. This quest has some weird logic. It’s a mix of a scavenger hunt, a DIY repair job, and a light-based puzzle that feels more like Tomb Raider than Animal Crossing. Let's break down how to actually get through this without losing your mind.
Starting the Hunt at Skull Rock
To kick things off, you need to head to the southeastern part of Dazzle Beach. Look for that massive stone skull in the water. If you’ve reached the right stage with The Forgotten, you’ll trigger the quest "Shadows on the Wall" immediately upon approach.
Once you step inside Skull Rock, you’ll notice a shadow—Peter Pan’s shadow, specifically—zipping around like it’s had way too much espresso. The Forgotten will be there with you, looking just as confused as anyone else. Your first real task is to find clues.
Search the ground near the gate on the main floor. You’ll see a dig spot right next to a broken lantern. Dig that up. That’s your first piece of the puzzle, but you aren't done yet. There are more lanterns hidden in the water on the bottom floor. You can't just pick them up; you have to fish for them. Look for the orange fishing spots in the water inside the cave. Cast your line, reel them in, and you’ll have the three broken lanterns you need.
The Resource Grind: Pixie Dust and Crystals
This is the part where the game asks you to basically become a master blacksmith and a mystical gatherer all at once. You can’t fix those lanterns with just a hammer and some hope. You’re going to need a specific list of materials:
- 3x Pixie Dust Orbs: These aren’t items you craft. They’re actually flying around the Valley. Look for glowing, golden orbs floating in the air—specifically in the Glade of Trust, Forest of Valor, and the Forgotten Lands. You have to chase them down. It’s annoying, but just sprint until you overlap with them.
- 3x Gold Ingot: If you don't have these, hit up Kristoff’s stall or get to a crafting station with some Gold Nuggets and Coal Ore.
- 9x Glass: Sand and Coal are your friends here. Dig up the beach if you’re short on sand.
- 9x Vitalys Crystal: Head to the Vitalys Mines in the Sunlit Plateau. Hit the glowing rocks. You know the drill.
Once you have everything, head to any crafting station. You’ll find the option to repair the lanterns under the Functional Items or Quest tab. With those fixed lanterns in your pockets, head back to Skull Rock to meet The Forgotten.
The Lantern Puzzle: Trapping the Shadow
This is where people usually get stuck. You need to attach the repaired lanterns to the three winches (those big wooden wheels) located near The Forgotten.
Basically, the goal is to use the light from the lanterns to pin the shadow against the wall. If you just rotate them randomly, the shadow will just keep flying past. First, try rotating a single winch until the light hits the wooden plank walls. You’ll see the shadow zip through the beam.
To actually trap the shadow person, you have to aim all three lantern beams at the exact same spot on the wall. The best spot is usually the section of wall to the right of The Forgotten. When all three beams converge on that one point, the shadow will get "caught" in the light. It’ll stop moving and become interactable.
📖 Related: Nintendo Switch r4 card: What Most People Get Wrong
The Jade Skulls Riddles
Once the shadow is trapped, you’ll need to open the gate. This involves talking to the Jade Skulls nearby. They aren't going to let you through for free; you have to prove you know a thing or two about Neverland.
The skulls will ask you three questions. If you get them wrong, you just have to try again, but why waste time? Here are the correct answers:
- A pirate ship
- A pixie
- A pan flute
After you nail the trivia, the final step is to interact with the wheel (turnstyle) near the gate. The gate will creak open, the quest "Shadows on the Wall" will officially wrap up, and you’ll immediately transition into the next phase: "A Ship of Gold."
Quick Troubleshooting for Bugs
Is the quest not progressing? You aren't the only one. Since this was part of a major update, a few glitches have popped up.
If the "shadow person" isn't appearing even when you have the lights set up, try moving the lanterns away and then back to the center of the wall. Some players have reported that the interaction prompt for the shadow doesn't show up unless you’re standing at a very specific angle.
Another common issue is the Pixie Dust Orbs. If you can't find them, try "un-tracking" the quest and then tracking it again. Sometimes the game needs a little nudge to spawn the quest-specific items in the biomes. Also, make sure you don't have another character "hanging out" with you; sometimes the AI pathing for followers messes with the scripted events inside Skull Rock.
Actionable Next Steps
- Stockpile Gold and Vitalys Crystals now: If you haven't started the quest yet, grab 15-20 Gold Nuggets and clear out the Vitalys Mines once. It saves you the back-and-forth travel later.
- Check your Furniture Tab: Once the quest is done, keep an eye out for the Shadow Theater item. It’s one of the cooler rewards from this questline and looks great in a "spooky" or "theater" themed room.
- Prep for the Ship of Gold: As soon as this ends, you're going to need to find more items to actually bring Peter Pan home. Clear some inventory space before you finish that final riddle.