You're wandering through the rain-slicked, blood-stained streets of Krat when a phone starts ringing. It’s persistent. It’s annoying. It feels wildly out of place in a city currently being torn apart by haywire puppets. If you've played Lies of P, you know that sound means one thing: the King of Riddles is calling. Arlecchino is easily one of the most unsettling characters in the game, and honestly, his Lies of P Arlecchino riddles are more than just a lore-building distraction. They are the gatekeepers to some of the best loot in the game, specifically the Trinity Rooms.
Getting these right isn't just about being smart. It’s about survival. Missing a riddle or answering incorrectly can lock you out of specific rewards or force you to hunt down a "pardon" item that’s a total pain to find. Most people think these are just simple logic puzzles, but Arlecchino is a liar by nature. He’s testing your humanity as much as your brain.
Finding the First Phone Booth in Krat City Courtyard
The first time you encounter Arlecchino, it’s usually in Area III, specifically near the Krat City Courtyard. You’ll hear that distinct, rhythmic ringing. It’s eerie. You pick up the receiver, and this distorted, theatrical voice starts mocking you. He calls himself the King of Riddles.
The first riddle he throws at you is a classic: "In the morning it walks on four legs, in the midday on two, and in the evening on three. What is it?"
If you’ve ever read a Greek myth, you know this one. It’s the Sphinx’s riddle. The answer is Human. It’s a bit on the nose, considering P is a puppet trying to become human, right? Arlecchino loves the irony. Answering this correctly nets you your first Trinity Key. These keys are gorgeous, purple-tinted items that open those massive green doors with the triangle symbol you’ve probably seen hidden in corners of the map.
Why you shouldn't panic if you mess up
Look, we’ve all been there. You’re stressed, a puppet just chased you for three blocks, and you click the wrong dialogue option. If you fail a riddle, Arlecchino doesn't just hang up forever. Usually, you can find a "Bright Red Apple" later in the game (often from Polendina’s shop at the Hotel after expanding his inventory). You can offer this apple to the statue in the Opera House to get back into Arlecchino's good graces. But honestly? It’s much easier to just get the answer right the first time.
The Malum District and the Riddles of Choice
By the time you reach the Malum District (Area V), Arlecchino starts getting a bit more philosophical. He’s no longer just quoting the classics. He wants to see how you perceive the world. The second riddle asks about something that is tall when it's young and short when it's old.
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The answer? Candle.
It’s simple, but the atmosphere makes it feel heavier. You're standing in a literal graveyard of puppets while a voice from a wall-mounted phone talks about the passage of time. Once you get this key, you can backtrack to the Cathedral. There’s a Trinity Room tucked away near the bottom of the elevator shortcut. Inside, you’ll find the Blue Blood's Tailcoat. It’s one of the sharpest outfits in the game, and if you’re playing a "Fashion Souls" style run, it’s non-negotiable.
The Grand Exhibition: A Physical Puzzle
The third interaction is where Neowiz, the developers, decided to change the stakes. In the Grand Exhibition (Area VII), the Lies of P Arlecchino riddles take a turn for the interactive. He asks: "What cannot be used before it is broken?"
The answer is an Egg.
But here’s the kicker. He doesn't just hand you a key this time. He gives you a hint about a "cold woman" nearby. You have to find two statues in the gallery nearby. One can be rotated. You need to spin the statue so that it mirrors the one across from it. It’s a visual riddle. Once the two statues are facing the same way (towards the door/center), a secret compartment opens up.
This is where the game starts blending the riddles with the environment. It makes the world feel lived-in, or at least, died-in. It shows that Arlecchino isn't just a voice; he has physical influence over the architecture of Krat.
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The Fourth Riddle and the Truth About Arlecchino
As you approach the end of the game, specifically in the Krat Central Station (Area IX), the phone rings again. This one is different. The city is falling apart, the walls are covered in Ergo crystals, and the King of Riddles sounds... tired? Or maybe just bored.
He asks: "Is this a house of a monster? Or a house of a man?"
This is the Black Seaside riddle. The answer he’s looking for is Ergo.
Actually, wait. Let’s be precise. He asks what "this" is, referring to the puppet. The answer is Ergo. By answering this, you’re acknowledging the very thing that gives you life but also caused the collapse of the city. It’s a meta-commentary on the game's upgrade system. You've been consuming Ergo to get stronger, and now you're admitting it's the core of the riddle.
The Final Meeting: Venigni’s Secret
The last "riddle" isn't really a riddle at all. It’s a confrontation. If you’ve been opening the Trinity Rooms and collecting the lore notes, you’ll eventually find the final room in the Arche Abbey. To get in, you need the Chosen One’s Trinity Key.
To get this, you have to answer the final phone call near the Relic of Trismegistus. Arlecchino will ask you a question that cuts to the bone: "Are you a puppet or a human?"
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There isn't a "wrong" answer in terms of getting the key, but there is a "correct" answer for your ending. If you’re going for the "Rise of P" ending (the "good" human ending), you usually want to tell the lie or the truth that aligns with your current humanity level. Most players at this point choose to say they are a Human.
Inside the final Trinity Room, you actually meet Arlecchino. He’s not a ghost or a god. He’s a broken, decaying puppet strapped to a chair. He is the one who killed Venigni’s parents.
- The Big Reveal: If you talk to him, you can give him the moon world toy (if you found it earlier).
- The Choice: He will ask you if you're a killer. He wants you to admit that you're just like him.
- The Reward: You get the Alchemist’s Cape and, more importantly, the truth for Venigni.
If you take the "Arlecchino's Truth" letter back to Venigni at the Hotel, it completes a massive character arc. It’s heartbreaking. Venigni, the most upbeat guy in the apocalypse, has to face the fact that a sentient puppet murdered his family for a joke.
How to Maximize Your Rewards
If you're hunting for the Platinum trophy or just want to be overpowered, these rooms are essential. They don't just contain clothes. They contain high-tier defense parts (converters and linings) that reduce damage from fire, electric blitz, and acid. In the late-game areas like Arche Abbey, those resistances are the difference between getting one-shot and surviving a boss combo.
Practical Tips for the King of Riddles:
- Listen for the Ringing: The sound is directional. If you hear it, stop running. The phone stops ringing if you move too far away.
- The Apple Trick: Don't sell the Bright Red Apple. Keep it in your inventory just in case you fail a riddle.
- Read the Notes: Every Trinity Room has a note from Arlecchino. They tell the story of his descent into madness. It’s some of the best writing in the game.
- Backtrack Early: As soon as you get a key, use it. The gear inside is usually leveled for the area you're currently in. If you wait until the end of the game to open the first room, the armor inside will be useless.
The Lies of P Arlecchino riddles serve as a dark mirror to P's journey. While you are trying to become a man by learning to love and lie, Arlecchino became "human" through malice and cruelty. He’s what happens when a puppet gains a soul but no conscience.
To wrap this up, make sure you've visited the Trinity Room in the Estella Opera House (behind the swinging burning chandelier) and the one in the Barren Swamp. Missing even one means you won't get the final key from the King of Riddles. Go back and check your map; if an area icon has a small gray symbol next to it, you might have left a door locked.
Once you've cleared the final room in Arche Abbey and spoken to the broken king himself, you’ve effectively mastered one of the most complex side-quests in modern soulslikes. Now, go tell Venigni the truth—he deserves to know, even if it hurts.