How to Complete The Caged Magistrate in Dragon's Dogma 2

Starting The Caged Magistrate Quest

To initiate this main quest in Dragon's Dogma 2, you must meet with Captain Brant at the Stardrop Inn during the night in Vernworth. After discussing the magistrate, Brant will provide you with a Gaol Key, which is essential for bypassing the locked doors within the palace dungeons.

The quest requires you to infiltrate the Royal Quarter of Vernworth Castle. It is highly recommended to wear the Marcher’s Armor Set—if you have it from previous quests—to blend in, though caution is still advised. Avoid drawing attention to yourself, as the guards will become hostile if they catch you stealing or loitering in restricted areas.

Locating and Speaking with Waldhar

Once you reach the palace dungeon, navigate to the basement level. The area is relatively compact, consisting of a main room and a few holding cells. Waldhar is located in the first cell on the left.

Upon interacting with him, you will find that he is unwilling to leave his confinement. He demands a "quiet place with a mountain of tomes" to continue his research. This is where most players encounter a progression block, as the game does not provide a direct objective marker for this location. To solve this, you must pivot your efforts to the slums of Vernworth.

Tip

Always keep an extra save file before entering the dungeon. Guards can be aggressive, and having a backup allows you to revert if a stealth attempt goes wrong.

Completing The Heel of History

To find the library Waldhar seeks, you must head to the slums and locate the church known as "The Gracious Hand." Speak to the priest, Kendrick. He will request a donation of food and 1,000 gold. Providing these will trigger the side quest "The Heel of History."

1. Speak to the children in the slums to gather information about a missing boy named Malcolm.
2. Report your findings back to Kendrick.
3. Follow Kendrick to the collapsed tower near the church to enter The Gracious Hands Vaults.
4. Navigate through the vault, jumping over the pit and following Malcolm deeper into the hidden library.

Once you reach the secret library, the "Heel of History" quest concludes, and you now possess the knowledge required to convince Waldhar.

Escaping the Dungeon

With the location of the library confirmed, return to the dungeon through the back entrance to avoid unnecessary conflict with guards. Speak with Waldhar again and mention the Gracious Hands Vaults. He will agree to follow you out.

Follow these steps to ensure a smooth exit:

• Lead him out of the cell block through the one-way door that leads toward the shoreline.
• Stay close to him; he moves slowly, and you may need to sneak past guards stationed in the area.
• Once you have officially exited the dungeon premises, the main quest "The Caged Magistrate" will update as completed.

Rewards and Next Steps

After successfully escorting Waldhar, return to the Stardrop Inn at night and speak with Captain Brant again. Hand over the Gaol Key to finalize the quest.

• [ ] Return the Gaol Key to Captain Brant.
• [ ] Collect your reward: 7,000 gold and a Ferrystone.
• [ ] Note that Waldhar may appear in other locations during your future travels.

The Ferrystone is an invaluable item for fast travel, so ensure you manage it carefully. According to player experience, having this item early significantly improves your ability to navigate the map efficiently.

What happens if the guards catch me in the dungeon?

If guards turn hostile, you can either fight them or allow them to arrest you. Since you possess the Gaol Key, being arrested is not a permanent setback, though it may be time-consuming.

Do I have to escort Waldhar all the way to the library?

No. Once you have convinced him to leave and successfully exited the dungeon area, the quest objective is met. You do not need to walk him to the church.