If you logged into Fisch and noticed a surprise Tuesday update, you’re probably just as confused as the rest of us. Tuesday updates aren’t exactly the norm, but this one brought something players immediately started hunting for: a secret Developer Rod quest.
The tricky part is that the quest doesn’t appear right away. Before you can even talk to the NPC that starts it, you’ll need to find and light eight hidden candles inside the Shady Bazaar during a specific weather condition.
I spent some time looking into how the process works, and thankfully it’s much simpler than it first appears. Here’s exactly how to start the Secret Dev Rod quest and where to find every candle.
Step 1: Activate a Cursed Storm Totem
Before anything else, head over to the Shady Bazaar.
You’ll need a Cursed Storm Totem, which can be purchased from one of the shops inside the Bazaar. Once you have one, activate it.
This step is important because the candles won’t function properly unless the cursed storm weather effect is active. A lot of players miss this and end up wondering why nothing is happening.
After the storm begins, start searching the area for the eight candles.
All 8 Candle Locations
The candles are spread throughout the Shady Bazaar area and can be lit in any order.
Candle #1
The first candle is located near the main candle cluster in the Bazaar area. It’s one of the easiest to spot and is usually the first one players find.
Candle #2
The second candle is positioned right beside the first one. Once you’ve lit the first candle, simply move a few steps over to find this one.
Candle #3
Continue through the Bazaar and you’ll find the third candle slightly farther away from the initial pair.
Candle #4
The fourth candle is located nearby and shouldn’t require much searching. Follow the path around the Bazaar structures and you’ll come across it.
Candle #5
The fifth candle sits farther along the route and is another outdoor candle. Make sure you’ve interacted with it before moving on.
Candle #6
The sixth candle is also outside and can be found near the previous locations. If you’re following the path around the Bazaar, it should be fairly straightforward to locate.
Candle #7
This is the one that catches many players off guard.
Instead of being outside, the seventh candle is found inside the Black Market area. Enter the building and look around carefully until you spot it.
Candle #8
The final candle is located back outside the building. Once you’ve lit this last candle, the requirement is complete and you’re ready for the next step.
What to Do After Lighting All 8 Candles
With every candle lit, make your way to the mysterious Shady NPC located in the Bazaar.
Speak with the NPC and the quest will automatically begin.
You won’t need to manually accept anything. The interaction immediately unlocks the next phase of the secret Developer Rod quest.
The Quest Riddles Explained
After talking to the NPC, you’ll receive objectives mentioning:
- Catching a Tear in the Blooming Tear
- Catching a Tear in the Sinking Tear
At the time the candle locations were discovered, these appeared to be riddle-style objectives rather than straightforward instructions.
The wording strongly suggests that players will need to visit specific locations, weather conditions, or fishing spots tied to the terms “Blooming Tear” and “Sinking Tear.”
Since the quest had only just been released, the full solutions weren’t immediately available, but lighting the candles and speaking with the NPC is the confirmed first step toward unlocking the secret rod.
Is the Secret Dev Rod Worth Chasing?
Absolutely.
Whenever Fisch adds hidden quests, they usually lead to some of the most interesting items in the game. Even if the rod’s final stats aren’t fully known yet, these community-wide mysteries are often some of the most enjoyable content Fisch has to offer.
Plus, getting started only takes a few minutes once you know where the candles are.
I honestly love when Fisch drops these unexpected secrets. One minute you’re logging in expecting a normal fishing session, and the next you’re running around the Shady Bazaar in a cursed storm lighting mysterious candles for a hidden questline.
If you’re planning to unlock the Secret Dev Rod, make sure you activate a Cursed Storm Totem first, light all eight candles around the Shady Bazaar, and then speak with the Shady NPC to begin the hunt. From there, it’s time to start solving the Tear riddles and figuring out what secrets the developers have hidden next.