You’re trekking through the humid, mosquito-thick jungles of Sukhothai in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and suddenly Gina mentions a local kid has gone missing. It sounds like a standard side quest. A bit of flavor text to pass the time between whip-swinging and Nazi-punching. But then you actually start The Kid Who Vanished, and you realize it’s one of the most atmospheric, puzzle-heavy "Fieldwork" missions in the entire game.
Sunan’s nephew, Aran, didn't just wander off. He’s stuck deep inside the ruins of Wat Si Sawai, and honestly, getting him out is a lot more complicated than the quest log lets on.
Finding the Treehouse and the Hidden Map
The quest kicks off almost by accident. Once you’ve had your first chat with Tongdang and you’re heading back to your boat, Gina drops the news about the disappearance. Most players just zoom past the docks, but if you head southeast from Tongdang’s hut, you’ll find a path choked with foliage.
It’s easy to miss. Really easy.
You’re looking for a treehouse. It’s not just a set piece; it’s where Aran was last seen. Inside, the vibe is definitely "something went wrong here." You’ll find a photograph of Aran on the wall, which gives you 50 AP right off the bat. But the real clincher is the loose floorboard. Pry that thing up, and you’ll find the Hidden Map.
This map points directly to Wat Si Sawai. If you haven't been there yet, it’s a massive ruin to the southwest.
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Why the Royal Army Disguise is Your Best Friend
Before you even think about stepping foot near Wat Si Sawai, make sure you’ve got your Royal Army disguise equipped. The place is crawling with Nazis. You can go in guns blazing or try to sneak around in your fedora, but the disguise makes the initial exploration trivial.
Basically, it lets you walk right past the guards so you can focus on the environment rather than getting into a shootout every five seconds.
Inside Wat Si Sawai: The Search for Aran
Once you enter the temple and climb down into the guts of the ruin, you’ll start hearing Aran yelling for help. He’s trapped behind a massive pile of rubble. You can talk to him through the cracks, but you can’t get to him directly.
This is where the game stops being an action-adventure for a minute and turns into a full-blown environmental puzzler. You and Gina have to find an alternate route. Look for the wooden door with the carvings—you’ll need Gina to help you turn the levers simultaneously to get through.
The First Pipe Puzzle
You’re going to get very familiar with ancient Khmer plumbing. In the first major room, you’ll find a system of pipes on the floor and a giant cogwheel that’s going nowhere.
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- The Goal: You need to move that giant cogwheel over a wheel on the ground.
- The Solution: Grab the straight pipe segment from the center of the room. Place it in the intersection facing south. This opens a door to a curved segment. Swap the curved one in, move the straight one to the side, and the water pressure will allow you to push that massive cog into place.
It sounds simple, but the first time I did it, I spent ten minutes trying to "whip" the cog before realizing I just needed to fix the water flow.
Raising the Platform: The Main Event
The meat of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle the kid who vanished happens in the large chamber with the intricate pipe system in the floor. This is the "Raise the Platform" objective that has stumped a lot of people.
You need the water to reach three specific points at the same time. If you’re stuck, you’re probably missing the T-shaped pipe segment.
- Head to the right side of the room and go up the broken stairs. The T-shaped piece is sitting up there.
- Take it back to the start of the system and slot it in facing north.
- Now, climb the ladder on the left and hit the lever to start the water.
- You’ll need to jump across some gaps to grab a curved segment, then swap pieces around until all three destination points are bubbling.
When that platform finally rises, it creates a path of alternating cogs. This part requires some timing. You have to wait for the gaps in the gears to open up so you can move through. If you rush it, Indy is going to have a very bad day.
The "Hidden" Exit
A lot of players finish the quest, save Aran, and then realize they have no idea how to get out. I’ve seen dozens of Reddit threads about people being "soft-locked" in the temple.
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You aren't stuck. Look for the staircase with the portable light at the top. The developers used light cues to guide you out, but in the dark of the ruins, it’s easy to overlook. Just follow those lights and keep heading upward. You'll eventually find a vine you can climb (which looks like a background asset but is actually a ladder) that leads back to the surface.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Quest
The biggest misconception is that you need to buy the breathing device from Tongdang before you can do this. You don’t. While the breathing device is essential for the main questline in Sukhothai, the "Kid Who Vanished" Fieldwork is accessible as soon as you've finished your first conversation with the merchant.
Another thing? The rewards. You get 600 AP for completing this, but the real value is the Handyman Adventure Book found inside the temple. It costs 800 AP to "read" (unlock), but it gives you permanent upgrades that make later puzzles in the Great Pyramid and the Vatican much easier.
Actionable Insights for Your Playthrough
If you're heading into Wat Si Sawai right now, keep these tips in mind to save yourself a headache:
- Take Photos of Everything: Take a picture of the treehouse, the Naga statue, the giant cogwheels, and the bridge with the statue. Each one adds a "Fieldwork Note" to your journal and grants you AP.
- Look for the T-Pipe Early: Don't waste time moving the corner pieces until you've climbed the stairs to grab the T-shaped segment. It’s the "key" to the whole final puzzle.
- Don't Forget the Relics: There are two Ancient Relics hidden in Wat Si Sawai. One is behind a breakable wall near the second pipe puzzle. If you leave without them, you’re leaving precious upgrade points on the table.
- Check Your Disguise: If you get into a fight with the Nazis outside, your disguise might get "blown" (marked by a red icon). If that happens, you’ll have a much harder time navigating the temple entrance. Stay in the tall grass until the "Caution" meter cools down.
Finding Aran and solving the mystery of the vanishing kid is one of the most rewarding moments in the Sukhothai map. It feels like a classic Indy movie—creepy ruins, logic puzzles, and a narrow escape. Just make sure you follow the lights on your way out.