The Caged Magistrate is one of the three Main Quests that you will receive after speaking to Ser Brant in the Seat of the Sovran quest in Dragon’s Dogma 2. To gain more support in proving yourself as the true Arisen, Ser Brant suggests that you help save a certain Magistrate being held in Vernworth’s Dungeon.
The Caged Magistrate walkthrough
When talking to Ser Brant at the end of the Seat of the Sovrant quest, he gives you three tasks to complete. One of them is The Caged Magistrate.
Ser Brant informs you that a specific magistrate is being held in the palace dungeon. This magistrate is knowledgeable about the Code of Vermund, and Ser Brant believes their expertise will be valuable to your cause.
Ser Brant then provides you with a key to unlock the magistrate’s cell and allows you to proceed on your mission.
The palace dungeon where the magistrate is kept can be found in Vernworth Castle. The quest location should be marked with a yellow pin in your mini-map and map.
Simply approach the palace grounds by passing through Vernworth Castle’s main gate entrance. However, your Pawns cannot go inside, but don’t worry. They will return to you once you are outside.
The Vernworth Castle Gaol Tower can be found by heading westward after entering the Palace Quarter. Continue going to the quest marker, which should lead you to the Vernworth Castle Gaol Tower.
Before descending into the palace dungeons, look beside the tower to find a well with a ladder leading down.
Descend into the well and explore the sewers until you find a chest. Open it to find a set of equipment: the Marcher Helm, Marcher’s Armor, and Marcher’s Cuisses.
These are crucial pieces of equipment as wearing them allows you to disguise yourself in the palace dungeon. Put them on before proceeding into the palace dungeons.
If the guards catch you unlocking a cell and talking to any of the inmates, you will be chased down.
Descend the spiral staircase of the Vernworth Castle Gaol Tower until you reach the bottom floor. Continue deeper into the dungeon until you find the jail cells.
Before seeking the magistrate Ser Brant mentioned, go to the end of the hall of jail cells to find a locked door.
Unlock this door using the gaol cell key provided by Ser Brant. Once open, proceed through it and descend the second spiral staircase until you reach another door, which you should also unlock. Opening this door provides you with an exit route when leaving with the magistrate.
Alternate Escape Route
Next to the exit you just unlocked is a cell with a weak wall. You can open the jail’s door and then break down the wall to create an alternate escape route. This route is a bit longer and passes through the castle sewers but eventually leads to the same area as the main exit: the Slums.
Return to the jail cell halls and free the magistrate found in the cell nearest the entrance.
When speaking to Waldhar, the Magistrate, he will express reluctance to leave his cell unless you find a “place with plenty of tomes.”
To find the “place with plenty of tomes,” complete The Heel of History side quest in the Slums area.
If you’ve already discovered the Gracious Hand’s Vaults, inform Waldhar about it and escape to the Slums.
Once you’ve lost any pursuers and exited the Vernworth Castle Gaol Tower, Waldhar will thank you and disappear. You can find Waldhar in the Gracious Hand’s Vaults if you wish to speak with him.
Report back to Ser Brant about the success of your mission, and the quest will end.
