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” found in the Alexandra Monastery, a place you'll naturally come across as you progress through the main story. To complete the quest, you must find two books in the cloister of the two Anchoress, then side with either Brun or Chao in their philosophical debate. If you choose to bid on each one, you'll get a different reward, so chances are you're wondering what you'll get from each one. This Outer worlds 2 The '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 using the book that Brun and Chao give you to turn the power back on in the main room, go up the stairs on the left and defeat the enemies in the next room. You will eventually cross a covered bridge before going down some more stairs and eventually into a basement area.
'Only real numbers' Book Place
At this stage you will have your first encounter with Seer Wiley for the main quest. Enter the “Be a Hero” door and go up the stairs. Take the first left to enter a room with a table in the middle and machines around the edges and clear out the enemies in here.
On the south side of this upstairs room, you'll find a door that requires either the Brawny Trait or Engineering 5 to open.
If you can't open the door, go back out into the main area where the puzzle is and look in the nearby corner upstairs. You will find a valve that you can open and crawl through to get to the other side.
Once inside the room, you'll find the book “Only Real Numbers” on the table.
Conflict and de-escalation theory book site
After grabbing the 'Only Real Numbers' book, return to where you came through the 'Be a Hero' door and go through the 'Betray Your Values' door instead (don't worry, you can complete Wiley's puzzle and free the two hostages first if you want).
Go up the stairs and you will immediately find yourself in a large room. Clear out any enemies, then look for the conveniently yellow-marked ledges and shelves on the left side of the room that you can climb to reach the upper floor. I've highlighted the route you want to take in the screenshot below.
From there it's all about finding the book “Conflict and Deescalation Theory” on the desk at the end of the room you entered. Pick it up and return to Anchoress Brun and Anchoress Chao and place them in the gap next to the window before talking to them again.
Should you be rooting for Anchoress Brun or Anchoress Chao in Outer Worlds 2?
There are three dialogue options you get when you return the books to Brown and Chao:
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Anchoress Chao is right about it being a loop. Violence only begets more violence.
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Ankaress Brun gets it now. Going to war is sometimes an act of self-defense.
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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 mission. Side with Anchoress Brun gets you the sawed-off Heavy Machine Gun, while siding with Anchoress Chao gets you the Repellent Awakened Seer Robes.
Robes have an armor value of 10 and increase your dodge 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 point bonus of +45%.
As such, it's a case of standing on the anchor journey giving you your preferred reward. Regardless of which Anchoress you side with, you'll also receive the following items as well as the unique gear each one gives you:
- Released
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29 October 2025
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ / Intense violence, blood and gore, strong language
- Publisher
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Xbox Game Studios
