The mysterious tomes titled Imprisoned by the Riddles of Reality are scattered across the farthest reaches of The Outer Worlds 2, each hiding hints about the game’s deeper lore and cosmic secrets. This guide reveals where to find every copy-and what these enigmatic books might be trying to tell you.
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How to start ’Imprisoned by the Riddles of Reality’ in The Outer Worlds 2
To start the quest “Imprisoned by the Riddles of Reality” in The Outer Worlds 2, players must first locate the mysterious book that triggers the mission. This typically involves exploring specific areas tied to the questline or interacting with key characters who provide clues about its whereabouts. Once found, the book unlocks a series of puzzles and story developments that delve deeper into the game’s lore and challenge players’ problem-solving skills.
“Imprisoned by the Riddles of Reality” is a side quest obtainable near the end of the “On the Trail of the Traitor” main quest. Once you’ve made your way into the Alexandra Monastery in Golden Ridge, you will likely stumble upon two members of The Order of the Ascendant, called the “Anchorites,” who are locked in a doorless cell.
If you haven’t found them yet, go to the large courtyard in the middle of the Alexandra Monastery, the place with the large tree in the middle, and go through the door on the southwest side to find the Anchorites. It’s not far from the Monastery’s entrance. Once inside, use the microphone in the middle of the room to speak with them.
The two Anchorites are perfectly content where they are, but they do desire some fresh reading material. Offer to help them to start the “Imprisoned by the Riddles of Reality” side quest. The goal is to find two books, both of which are somewhere in the Alexandra Monastery, and bring them back to the doorless cell.
’Imprisoned by the Riddles of Reality’ book locations in The Outer Worlds 2
In The Outer Worlds 2, the book “Imprisoned by the Riddles of Reality” can be found scattered across various key locations, each offering unique insights and lore that deepen the game’s narrative. Players will encounter these books in hidden corners of settlements, aboard derelict ships, and integrated into mission areas, encouraging exploration and rewarding curiosity. Collecting all copies unlocks valuable knowledge that enriches your understanding of the game’s mysterious universe.
Both books are found deeper in the Alexandra Monastery. After exiting the Anchorites’ room, you must take the door on your right, but unfortunately, the door is broken. If you haven’t done so yet, you must fix the power circuit in the room opposite the Anchorites’ room – using the N-Ray Scanner will show you that the circuit is connected to the faulty door.
There are two ways to do this:
- Hack the power circuit (requires Hacking level 8).
- Ask the Anchorites for help. Use the conversation option asking for the “Essential History of Mechanized Doors.” Collect the book from the highlighted hatch, then interact with the power circuit (no need to read the book).
Go upstairs and follow the path for a while; you’ll pass through the Novice Dormitory, a long hallway, and a reception room before finally entering a room with two hostages behind a purple screen. You’ll get locked in a conversation with Seer Wiley upon entering, as part of the greater “On the Trail of the Traitor” main quest, and he’ll present you with a choice: to save the two hostages or go after him directly.
Although it may appear that way, you don’t have to make a choice regarding the hostages before completing “Imprisoned by the Riddles of Reality.” You can actually ignore the hostages as you continue to explore Alexandra Monastery – they won’t die as long as you don’t enter Seer Wiley’s observatory yet (follow the routes to the book locations as described below, and that won’t happen).
Alternatively, you can pursue “On the Trail of the Traitor” first and come back later for “Imprisoned by the Riddles of Reality.”
However, completing “Imprisoned by the Riddles of Reality” before “On the Trail of the Traitor,” regardless of the choice you make regarding the hostages, may unlock a unique dialogue option when you finally meet Seer Wiley. This line can be helpful, but there are more ways to reach the same quest outcome.
’Only Real Numbers: The Casualties of Appeasement’ by Exemplar Kuang book location
To find Anchoress Chao’s book, leave the room with the hostages to the right, through the “Be a Hero” door. Enter the library to the left, but beware of the many enemies inside. Best to take them out first.
Next, use the staircase to reach the gallery above. See the jammed door? If you’ve upgraded your Engineering to at least level 5, or chosen the “Brawny” trait during character creation, you can open this door and grab Chao’s book, “Only Real Numbers: The Casualties of Appeasement,” from the desk on the left.
If you don’t have the required skill or trait, leave the library through the door in the northeast – the one marked with arrows. On the other side of the hallway, you’ll see red lights highlighting a hatch. Crawl through it to enter the office with Chao’s book inside.
Archivist Maler’s ’Dissertation on Deescalation Theory’ book location
To find Anchoress Brun’s book, leave the room with the hostages on the left, through the door that says: “Betray your values.” The first room you’ll enter is the scriptorium. Use the wooden planks to your left, the ones marked with yellow drapes, to reach the higher gallery.
Look to your left, and you’ll see a small desk with a book. You guessed it; that’s the Archivist Maler’s “Dissertation on Deescalation Theory” book requested by Anchoress Brun.
Return to the Achorites’ room and give them the books to complete The Outer Worlds 2 “Imprisoned by the Riddles of Reality” quest. As a reward, you’ll receive a hefty chunk of character experience, an Advanced Decryption Key, and the Repellent Awakened Seer Robes medium armor. Don’t forget to collect them from the hatch before you leave.
Where to find Only Real Numbers book location step by step
To find the “Only Real Numbers: The Casualties of Appeasement” book in The Outer Worlds 2 step-by-step:
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Start by exiting the Anchorhold room where Anchoress Chao and Brun are located in Alexandra Monastery.
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Head to the area where the hostages are being held.
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Take the door on the right labeled “Be a Hero.”
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Proceed through the area which will involve facing a number of enemies.
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Climb the stairs to reach the upper floor.
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Turn left and use the bookshelf marked with yellow cloth as a platform to reach the room called “Special Collections.”
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To enter the “Special Collections” room, you either need to:
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Open the door using Engineering 5 skill or the Brawny trait, or
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Use a hidden vent on the east side of the room to sneak in.
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Once inside, the “Only Real Numbers” book is located on a wooden table to the right.
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Pick up the book and then return to the Anchorhold to deliver it for the quest.
Following these steps will ensure you find the book “Only Real Numbers” for the quest “Imprisoned by the Riddles of Reality”.youtube
How to reach the Special Collections room from Anchorhold without combat
To reach the Special Collections room from Anchorhold in The Outer Worlds 2 without combat, follow these steps:
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First, ensure you save the hostages located nearby, as skipping this step triggers combat later.
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From Anchorhold, exit and head to the door labeled “Be a Hero” on the right side.
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Instead of fighting, look for a hidden vent outside the Special Collections room on the east side.
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Use the vent to sneak into the Special Collections room without opening the front door and engaging enemies.
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If you do not have the vent option, you can alternatively use Engineering 5 skill or the Brawny trait to open the door quietly without combat.
This approach allows you to avoid the enemy confrontation in reaching the Special Collections room and obtaining the “Only Real Numbers” book calmly for the “Imprisoned by the Riddles of Reality” quest.
