You’re running around Hyrule, maybe hunting for Koroks or just trying not to get flattened by a Lynel, when you stumble upon a cryptic note. If you’ve been playing The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, you know the drill. Misko, the legendary Great Bandit, left his loot scattered across the map like a trail of very expensive breadcrumbs. But Misko's Treasure: The Twins Manuscript is the one that usually makes people stop and scratch their heads. It’s not just a "go here, kill that" quest. It’s a riddle. A spatial puzzle that requires you to actually look at the geography of the world rather than just following a waypoint on your mini-map.
Honestly, it’s one of the cooler moments in the game because it ties the lore of the land to the mechanics of exploration. You aren't just looking for a chest; you're deciphering the intent of a thief who died long ago.
What is Misko's Treasure: The Twins Manuscript anyway?
Basically, it’s a side quest you pick up from two NPCs named Domidak and Prissen. You’ll find them hanging out outside Cephla Lake Cave. They are obsessed with Misko. For a handful of Rupees, they’ll sell you "manuscripts"—vague, poetic descriptions of where the bandit hid his most prized possessions.
The Twins Manuscript refers specifically to the Dueling Peaks.
Most players get the manuscript and immediately think they need to climb the mountain. They aren't wrong, but the riddle is specific. It talks about "two brothers" facing each other and a path through their "severed" centers. If you’ve spent any time in Hyrule, you know the Dueling Peaks are the most iconic landmark in the Necluda region. They were literally split in two by a dragon (according to legend) or tectonic shifts (if you're a boring geologist).
The Riddle Broken Down
The text of the manuscript mentions: "In West Necluda stand twins facing one another. They hold a secret between them. Show the little twin what the big twin shows you, and the way to my treasure will open."
That sounds like a bunch of riddles from an old fantasy novel, but in gameplay terms, it’s a direct instruction for a mirror puzzle. You have two caves: one on the northern peak (the "Big Twin") and one on the southern peak (the "Little Twin").
✨ Don't miss: The Hunt: Mega Edition - Why This Roblox Event Changed Everything
Solving the Big Twin and Little Twin Puzzle
First, head to the northern side of the river. You’re looking for the Dueling Peaks North Cave.
It’s tucked away on a ledge. Inside, you’ll deal with some Horriblins—those weird ceiling-dwelling monsters that are more annoying than dangerous—and then you’ll find a puzzle on the floor. There are several pressure plates. On the ceiling, there's a pattern. You need to remember this pattern. Or, if you’re like most of us, you just take a screenshot with your Switch or pull out your phone and snap a grainy photo of the TV.
The pattern is the key.
- The North Cave shows the solution.
- The South Cave is where you input the solution.
Cross the river. Climb up to the Dueling Peaks South Cave. It’s higher up than the north one, so bring some stamina food or your best climbing gear. Once you get inside, you'll see a similar set of pressure plates. This is where the Misko's Treasure: The Twins Manuscript quest actually reaches its climax. You have to place rocks on the specific plates that match the ceiling pattern from the other cave.
If you mess it up, nothing happens. No chime. No chest. Just you standing in a dark cave with some rocks. But when you get it right? A secret door grinds open, and there it is: Tingle’s Shirt.
Why Tingle's Shirt is Actually Worth the Trouble
Okay, look. Tingle is a... polarizing character in Zelda history. Some people love the weird guy who thinks he’s a fairy; others find him deeply unsettling. But in Tears of the Kingdom, his outfit pieces are actually useful.
🔗 Read more: Why the GTA San Andreas Motorcycle is Still the Best Way to Get Around Los Santos
Tingle’s Shirt gives you a Nightspeed Up buff.
When you wear the full set, you run faster at night. It’s perfect for covering ground when you don’t want to waste your horse's stamina or when you're exploring the Depths. Plus, the shirt looks ridiculous in cutscenes, which is a reward in itself. There’s nothing like meeting a high-stakes, dramatic moment with Link wearing a tight green spandex suit.
Common Mistakes People Make with the Manuscript
I’ve seen a lot of players get frustrated with this quest. Usually, it’s because they try to guess the pattern. Don’t do that. The "Big Twin" cave is very specific about which plates are "active."
Another issue? Mixing up the caves.
Remember: North is the Map, South is the Lock.
Also, make sure you actually have the quest active or have talked to the brothers. While you can technically find the treasure without the manuscript if you just happen to stumble upon the cave and solve the puzzle, the game's internal logic flows much better if you follow the "intended" path. Plus, finding Domidak and Prissen gives you the context for the other Misko quests, like the Pirate’s Manuscript or the Droplet Manuscript.
Nuances in the Dueling Peaks Area
The Dueling Peaks are crawling with other secrets. While you're up there solving the Twins Manuscript, keep an eye out for Bubbulfrogs. Both caves have one. If you're hunting for Koltin's rewards, you can't afford to skip these.
💡 You might also like: Dandys World Ship Chart: What Most People Get Wrong
There's also the matter of the nearby Shrines. The Eshos Shrine is right there, providing a fast travel point that makes the trek between the two peaks much easier. Use it. Save your stamina for the actual climb.
The Legacy of Misko the Bandit
Why did Nintendo put so much effort into these bandit quests? It adds a layer of history to Hyrule that isn't just about Zelda and Ganon. It makes the world feel lived-in. Misko wasn't a hero or a villain in the grand scheme of the prophecy; he was just a guy who was really good at stealing things and even better at hiding them.
The Misko's Treasure: The Twins Manuscript quest is a callback to classic adventure tropes—the hidden map, the split mountain, the mirrored puzzle. It rewards players who pay attention to the environment. In a game as big as Tears of the Kingdom, those small, localized mysteries are what keep the exploration from feeling like a chore.
Summary of Actionable Steps
To finish this quest and get your loot, follow this sequence:
- Locate the NPCs: Find Domidak and Prissen at Cephla Lake Cave (coordinates roughly 2606, 1305, 0150). Buy the Twins Manuscript.
- Go to North Cave: Fly or climb to the Dueling Peaks North Cave. Clear the enemies.
- Document the Pattern: Look at the ceiling. Note which floor tiles are highlighted.
- Travel to South Cave: Cross to the higher southern peak. Find the cave entrance behind some breakable rocks or hidden ledges.
- Replicate the Pattern: Place rocks on the floor switches to match what you saw in the North Cave.
- Claim the Reward: Enter the secret room and open the chest for Tingle's Shirt.
- Check for Bubbulfrogs: Before leaving, ensure you've hit the glowing frogs in both caves to collect your gems.
This completes the Twins portion of Misko’s legacy. If you have the other manuscripts, your next best move is to head toward the Lanayru region for the Chronos or Droplet puzzles, as they offer similar gear rewards that stack well with the mobility you just gained.