Welcome to NGB and our walkthrough for the Imprisoned by the Riddles of Reality side quest in The Outer Worlds 2. This quest will have you tracking down two books for a pair of bickering scholars. Our guide will walk you through all the objectives, highlight the best strategies, and make sure you don’t miss any rewards.
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Imprisoned by the Riddles of Reality Side Quest Guide
How to Start the Imprisoned by the Riddles of Reality Side Quest
To begin the Imprisoned by the Riddles of Reality side quest in The Outer Worlds 2, speak with the two members of the Order locked in a fierce debate on the first floor of Alexandra Monastery. Oblivious to the hostile takeover currently underway, they will request the commander to track down a specific book for each of them.
Imprisoned by the Riddles of Reality Walkthrough
Find “Only Real Numbers: The Casualties of Appeasement” by Exemplar Kuang
To find the “Only Real Numbers” book, you’ll need to head to the library, which is where the puzzle to save the hostages was located, through the door marked “Be A Hero”. Head to the upper level of the library to find the door leading to the Special Collections room. To open it, you’ll need either the Brawny trait or Engineering 5.
If you don’t have either of those, head through the door on the east side to reach the area where the ball started. Look to the left down the walkway to spot a vent.
Follow it to enter the Special Collection room. The book will be sitting on a table inside.
Find Archivist Maler’s Dissertation on Deescalation Theory
The dissertation on deescalation theory is just past the door marked “Betray Your Values”. When you reach the room at the top of the stairs, if you look up and to the left, you’ll notice an upper balcony. Use the ledges marked by the yellow fabric to reach it.
You’ll find the Conflict and Deescalation Theory: An Examination by Archivist A. Maler on a table up there.
Return to the Anchorhold with the Research Materials
Now that you have both of the requested items, return to the anchorites and hand them over through the drawer. The two will read the books and conclude that both have flawed theories. You’ll then be able to pick which one to side with, or if you have Speech 5, you can choose both.
You’ll then be rewarded with XP, bits, an Advanced Decryption Key, and either the Repellent Awakened Seer Robes (Brun) or a Sawed-Off Heavy Machine Gun(Chao). This will complete the quest!
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