“Cages in the Dark” is one of the first side quests available in Titan Quest 2, and it’s unlocked soon after you make it to Pyrgos. The quest is fun, provides a quick dungeon crawl with a good amount of XP, and it exposes players to cave-like spaces, light puzzle elements, and some Ichthian enemies. This guide shows you how to get the quest started, the locations of the prisoners to find and free in the Fiend’s Hollow, and any additional side-content encountered along the way.
How to Start the Quest
After the prologue of Titan Quest 2, the characters are shipwrecked and cast away on Pyrgos, a bigger island with many new challenges and side quests. One of the early quests is “Cages in the Dark.” It comes into play after you encounter a shaken villager named Itys, who tells you that several others have been abducted and may have been taken into a nearby cave.
So, to head out in search of the missing humans, you need to leave the village to the west along the main path. Eventually, it bends to the north and brings you to an entrance for a place called Fiend’s Hollow. This cave isn’t too threatening, but it is filled with Ichthian enemies—amphibious creatures that often travel in groups. You’ll encounter a few slightly tougher variants leading the smaller ones, but overall, this area isn’t overwhelming, especially if you’re playing solo or have a decent build. The cave itself is fairly linear, but the layout can still feel a little maze-like if you’re not paying attention.
Where to Find the Prisoners
Inside Fiend’s Hollow, you’re looking for cages, three in total. However, only two of them actually contain prisoners. To locate the first one, stick to the left-hand side after entering the cave. You won’t have to go far before stumbling upon the first group of captives. Be sure to clear out all nearby enemies, then interact with the cage to set the prisoners free.
After that, head back toward the entrance, this time following the right-hand side of the wall. The path soon slopes downward, leading to a more hidden section of the cave where the second occupied cage is found. Again, take out the nearby Ichthians, unlock the cage, and the remaining villagers will make their way back to safety. While there is a third cage located in the northern part of the cave, it’s empty, so there’s no need to waste time checking it unless you’re curious.
Quest Rewards
Once you’ve freed both groups, it’s time to return to the village. There, you’ll find Timandra waiting with a scroll icon above her head. Speak to her to complete the quest and claim your reward, which includes 4,881 XP and 244 gold. While you won’t receive any rare gear from this mission, it’s still a worthwhile detour early on—especially if you’re trying to level up quickly or build out your skill tree. Compared to other side quests like the coin hunt on the Desolate Beach, this one’s a bit more straightforward but still offers solid progression value.
Don’t Miss the Hidden Door
Interestingly, while exploring Fiend’s Hollow, you might stumble across a mysterious locked door deep inside the cave. Although it isn’t part of the prisoner rescue quest, it ties into a separate side objective involving a puzzle. Solving it can trigger a new chain of events, making the cave worth revisiting if you’re the type of player who enjoys uncovering hidden content.
Note: Cages in the Dark may not offer a big loot drop, but it’s quick, easy, and gives you a nice chunk of XP early in the game. Plus, it introduces you to some dungeon mechanics and hidden side content, making it a solid pick for anyone exploring Pyrgos.
