Imprisoned by the Riddles of Reality” is among the more difficult side quests within The Outer Worlds 2, simply because it’s extremely easy to miss and the objectives aren’t signposted. The quest is about the Anchorites—two peculiar members of The Order of the Ascendant—which you’ll only find if you make a point to go through the Alexandra Monastery in detail during the “On the Trail of the Traitor” main quest.
Here’s a complete analysis of how to initiate the quest, where to find the Anchorites, and where each missing book is located.
How to Begin “Imprisoned by the Riddles of Reality”
You will activate this quest while investigating the Alexandra Monastery in Golden Ridge, towards the end of “On the Trail of the Traitor.” Within the center courtyard of the monastery—identifiable by the enormous tree in the center—proceed through the southwest entrance.
Inside, you’ll come across a small, quiet chamber with two Anchorites trapped behind a doorless cell. There’s a microphone in the center of the room—use it to speak with them.
Despite being imprisoned, the Anchorites seem perfectly content, though they’ll mention wanting some new reading material. Offer to find them something to read, and you’ll officially begin “Imprisoned by the Riddles of Reality.” Your task: track down two books hidden somewhere within the monastery.
How to Fix the Power Circuit
When you exit the Anchorites’ room, you’ll see that the door to your right is blocked because of a malfunctioning circuit. To repair it, go to the room directly across from the Anchorites’ room. When you use the N-Ray Scanner, you’ll observe that the circuit leads back to the defective door.
There are two ways to restore power:
Hack the circuit (Hacking Level 8)
Get assistance from the Anchorites. Select the dialogue option inquiring about the “Essential History of Mechanized Doors.” A nearby hatch will glow up—take the book and then talk to the power circuit to activate it (you don’t need to read the book).
Once you have the door functioning, go up to the second floor. You’ll pass through the Novice Dormitory, down a corridor, and into a reception room, ultimately ending up in a room where two hostages are captive behind a purple energy shield.
About the Hostages (Optional)
As you enter this room, you’ll naturally initiate a conversation with Seer Wiley, tied to “On the Trail of the Traitor.” He’ll coerce you to make a decision—rescue the hostages or pursue him.
You don’t really have to make that choice yet. The hostages will be safe as long as you don’t proceed into Wiley’s observatory, so go ahead and finish “Imprisoned by the Riddles of Reality” first.
If you finish this quest prior to fighting Wiley, however, you are able to unlock a special dialogue line later in your main quest conversation with him. It’s not revolutionary or anything, but it’s a nice bonus.
Book #1 – Only Real Numbers: The Casualties of Appeasement
After leaving the hostage room, take the right-hand exit through the “Be a Hero” door. This leads into the library, which is crawling with enemies—clear them out before exploring.
After it is safe, go up the stairs to the gallery level above. Find a stuck door near the top. You can force it open if you possess Engineering Level 5 or the Brawny ability. Take Anchoress Chao’s book, “Only Real Numbers: The Casualties of Appeasement,” from the desk to your left.
If you lack the ability or characteristic, leave by the northeast exit (the one where there are painted arrows). In the next hall, find a row of red-lit hatches—crawl through them to find the same office and take the book from there.
Book #2 – Dissertation on Deescalation Theory
Return to the hostage chamber and leave through the left door, marked “Betray Your Values.
You will find yourself in the scriptorium, with the bookshelves and wooden scaffolding. Ascend to the gallery level using the planks with yellow drapes to your left. At a small desk to the left rests Archivist Maler’s “Dissertation on Deescalation Theory.” Take it to fill out the collection.
