Dragon's Dogma 2 Shadowed Prayers Quest: How to Identify and Arrest the Assassin

How to Start the Shadowed Prayers Quest

The "Shadowed Prayers" quest is a pivotal moment in the Battahl storyline of Dragon's Dogma 2. To unlock this mission, you must have progressed through the main narrative until you have completed the "Nation of the Lambent Flame" quest. Once this requirement is met, head to the city of Bakbattahl.

You will find Menella, the Beastren warrior who previously appeared in the Rockmouse’s Burrow, waiting for you in front of the Flamebearer Palace. As you approach the massive stone doorway with the blue glow, she will initiate the dialogue. She is deeply concerned about a plot against Empress Nadinia and will enlist your help to intercept an assassin during the upcoming morning ritual.

Tip

Always use an inn or your own dwelling to rest and save the game before meeting Menella for the ritual. This provides a hard save point, which is crucial because if you fail to identify the assassin correctly, you may miss out on the rest of the questline and its associated rewards.

Identifying and Arresting the Assassin

Once you have agreed to assist, you must wait until the next morning to attend the ritual at the Flamebearer Palace. When you arrive, Menella will provide you with a "Bandit Bill of Arrest." This item is vital; it contains a brief description of the culprit. You can review this in your inventory under the "Valuables" tab.

The bill describes the assassin as having his hair tied back and possessing a wound on his right arm. During the ritual, you will be surrounded by a group of devotees. It is easy to get confused, as several NPCs might share similar physical traits, such as tied-back hair.

• Look for the sword: The true assassin is the only individual in the group carrying a giant sword on his left hip.
• Observe the arm: Keep an eye out for the visual indicator of the wounded right arm.
• Act quickly: Once you identify the target standing on the stairs, use the "Grab" command (RT/R2 on controllers, or 'E' on PC) immediately. Hesitation may allow the assassin to strike, leading to a quest failure.

Outcomes and Quest Consequences

The outcome of this encounter significantly impacts your rewards. If you grab the wrong person or fail to stop the assassin in time, Empress Nadinia will be killed. While you may still receive a smaller gold reward (approximately 8,500 gold), you lose the opportunity for the full quest completion. In such a scenario, you would need to use a Wakestone at the Battahl Morgue to revive the Empress if you wish to continue the storyline without reloading an earlier save.

If you successfully apprehend the correct assassin, you secure the "Assassination Prevented" outcome. This is the optimal path, rewarding you with 18,000 gold and five pieces of Jasper. Regardless of the outcome, this quest serves as the gateway to the subsequent mission, "A Candle in the Storm."

Deepening the Investigation: Follow-up and Interrogation

Community reports and player experiences suggest that you can gain more insight by visiting the prison cell where the assassin is held. After the initial arrest, you can find the culprit in the Bakbattahl jail. By speaking to him and offering 5,000 gold, you can bribe him for information regarding his co-conspirators.

1. Visit the Jail: After the arrest, head to the local prison in Bakbattahl.
2. Interrogate: Find the assassin’s cell and interact with him. Use all dialogue options to extract information.
3. Travel to Volcanic Island: Follow Menella to the Volcanic Island Camp. If you have already interrogated the assassin, you can skip certain dialogue steps here.
4. Return to the Prison: Return to the jail to speak with a second prisoner (located in a cell opposite the first) to further trick them into revealing details about the conspiracy against the Empress.

Gathering this extra information is highly recommended as it provides context for the plot and ensures you are fully prepared for the final confrontation in "A Candle in the Storm." Setting a Portcrystal at both Bakbattahl and the Volcanic Island Camp will significantly reduce the travel time required for these back-and-forth objectives.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I save the Empress if I fail the arrest?

Yes, if the assassin succeeds in his attempt, the Empress will die. You can revive her using a Wakestone at the Battahl Morgue in southern Bakbattahl, but it is much more efficient to simply reload your inn save and try the arrest again.

Where do I find Menella after the ritual?

If you have progressed through the quest successfully, Menella will eventually move to the Volcanic Island Camp. You can find her near the entrance to the Hot Springs.

Is the "Bandit Bill of Arrest" necessary to keep?

The bill is a quest item. While you don't need to manually use it, reading it in your inventory provides the necessary clues to identify the assassin. You cannot complete the identification step correctly without knowing the physical description provided in the text.

For more information on the game's mechanics or to explore other quests, you can visit the official Dragon's Dogma 2 Steam page.