Sharp Little Pinpricks

Sharp Little Pinpricks is a side quest in Dragon Age II.

Acquisition
This quest is randomly acquired in Lowtown (night). After defeating a particular group of Sharps Highwaymen, you'll receive a letter which indicates the location of Sharps' base in Lowtown.

Walkthrough
During some other quests (e.g. The Way It Should Be or Loose Ends) you will face a large group of Sharps Highwaymen while wandering around Lowtown at night. After the battle, you'll automatically find a letter written by Sharps' leader Ignacio Strand which says:

"Directions to the Sharps' Base

''We've got a new base and you lot best keep the law away. Directions to the Lowtown sneak below, but don't come unless you've got good news or you'll get an answer square between the eyes.''

Ignacio Strand"

After reading the letter, the quest begins. Your goal is to clear the Sharps' hideout located in eastern part of the Lowtown at night. Its entrance is marked in map with a plot point and a name, Hovel (Sharp Little Pinpricks). Travel there and enter the building.

Right after entering you will face Ignacio and four Highwaymen. It's an fairly easy fight and Ignacio will drop random amount of money, The Runt's Spiker (shortbow), Bloody Butcher's Gloves, Lowtown Stompers (boots) and a shortbow (black walnut). There' a single Highwayman inside the room straight from the entrance and the other room has two enemies and a chest with some money inside it. The quest ends as soon as all the enemies in the hideout are killed.

Result
The Sharps are no longer keen on taking Lowtown. After exiting, you'll be approached by a mysterious young woman who says that if you get rid of any other criminal groups, she will be at the Hanged Man and will give you some kind of reward.

After Sharp Little Pinpricks, visit the Hanged Man. Walk upstairs and to the end of the hallway. On your right there is a room in which you can find the woman, now called A Friend. She will give you 2 and 500 XP.

Rewards

 * Random amount of money and other loot
 * The Runt's Spiker (shortbow)
 * Bloody Butcher's Gloves
 * Lowtown Stompers (boots)
 * 2 and 500 XP from A Friend.