Outer Worlds 2 has plenty of side quests to distract you from your main objective in the Arcadian star system. One of these is ‘Imprisoned by the Riddles of Reality’ which can be found at the Alexandra Monastery, a location that you’ll naturally encounter as you progress through the main story. To complete the quest, you’ll need to find two books in the monastery for the two Anchoress’, and then side with either Brun or Chao in their philosophical debate. Choosing to side with each one will net you a different reward, so chances are you’re wondering what you’ll get from each one. This Outer Worlds 2 ‘Imprisoned by the Riddles of Reality’ quest guide will tell you everything you need to know to complete the quest.
Where to Find the Books for ‘Imprisoned by the Riddles of Reality’ Quest in Outer Worlds 2
After you’ve used the book that Brun and Chao give you to turn the power back on in the main room, head up the stairs on your left and defeat the enemies in the next room. You’ll eventually cross a covered bridge before heading down some more stairs and eventually into a basement area.
‘Only Real Numbers’ Book Location
At this stage, you’ll have your first encounter with Seer Wiley for the main questline. Head through the ‘Be a Hero’ door, and head up the stairs. Take the first left to head into a room with tables in the center and machinery around the edges and clear out the enemies in here.
On the south side of this room on the upper floor, you’ll find a door that requires either the Brawny trait or Engineering 5 to open.
If you can’t open the door, head back out into the main area where the puzzle is and look in the nearby corner on the upper floor. You’ll find a vent that you can open and crawl through to get to the other side.
Once you’re inside the room, you’ll find the ‘Only Real Numbers’ book on the table.
Conflict and Deescalation Theory’ Book Location
After you’ve grabbed the ‘Only Real Numbers’ book, return to where you made your way through the ‘Be a Hero’ door and instead go through the ‘Betray Your Values’ door (don’t worry, you can complete Wiley’s puzzle and free the two hostages first if you want to).
Make your way up the stairs and you’ll immediately find yourself in a large room. Clear out any enemies and then look for the conveniently yellow-marked ledges and shelves on the left side of the room that you can climb on to reach the upper floor. I’ve marked the route you want to take in the screenshot below.
From there, it’s a case of finding the ‘Conflict and Deescalation Theory’ book on the desk at the end of the room from which you entered. Pick it up and return to Anchoress Brun and Anchoress Chao and place them in the slot next to the window before speaking with them again.
Should You Side with Anchoress Brun or Anchoress Chao in Outer Worlds 2?
There are three dialogue options you’ll be given upon returning the books to Brun and Chao:
- Anchoress Chao is right about it being a loop. Violence only ever begets more violence.
- Anchoress Brun gets it now. Going to war is sometimes an act of self-defense.
- What kind of crazy circular logic is that? I swear, you two just like to argue.
Who you side with ultimately depends on what reward you want from the quest. Siding with Anchoress Brun will get you the Sawed-Off Heavy Machine Gun, whereas siding with Anchoress Chao will get you the Repellent Awakened Seer Robes.
The Robes have an armor value of 10 and increase your evasion chance by +15%, damage resistance by +5%, and combat sprint speed by +25%.
The Sawed-Off Heavy Machine Gun has a damage value of 83 (x3), uses heavy rounds, a magazine size of 45, a rate of fire of 2.5/s, and a weak spot bonus of +45%.
As such, it’s a case of siding with the Anchoress that gives you your preferred reward. Whichever Anchoress you side with, you’ll also get the following items as well as the unique gear that each one gives you:
- Released
-
October 29, 2025
- ESRB
-
Mature 17+ / Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Strong Language
- Publisher(s)
-
Xbox Game Studios
