How to save Waldhar in Dragon’s Dogma 2’s The Caged Magistrate quest

During the first set of jobs given to you by Captain Brant in Dragon’s Dogma 2, one of them sees you trying to free Vermund’s former magistrate, Waldhar. Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as unlocking the door to his cell, but I’ll get you there.

Starting The Caged Magistrate quest in Dragon’s Dogma 2

As mentioned, The Caged Magistrate is part of Dragon’s Dogma 2’s main questline. Speaking to Captain Brant will give you the option “Tell Me of the Magistrate.” That will begin the quest. Brant will also give you a key to the Gaol that doesn’t break. This key is helpful if you get thrown in and need to get out, but unfortunately, you don’t get to keep it.

How to complete The Caged Magistrate in Dragon’s Dogma 2

The job is simple: you need to spring the magistrate from the Gaol. If you want to make this even simpler, you can buy the Marchers armor set from the armory, or you can find a set in the guardhouse on the western end of the palace. The armor will make other guards not take notice of you. It’s not completely necessary if you’re sneaky, but it does allow you to wander in plain sight.

The gaol will be marked on your map, but essentially you need to go through the palace gates, up the stairs, and hang a left. There will be a tower that stands along there. When you approach them, they’ll tell you they got word from Captain Brant and will then let you in.

The Gaol’s layout is rather straightforward. Just keep descending, and you’ll find yourself in a room lined with cells. The Magistrate is the first one on the right. He’s sitting on the bed in a slouched posture. Otherwise, there’s little to tell you he’s Waldhar. Let yourself in and talk to him, and he will tell you he doesn’t want to leave unless you can provide him with some sort of library full of books and records.

That’s… quite a demand from someone you’re trying to spring from prison.

If you return to Brant, he’ll say that he doesn’t know of such a place. He tells you to maybe check with Kendrick at “The Gracious Hand.” This is a spot in the southeast of Vernworth in the Slums.

However, it gets more complicated than that. Kendrick doesn’t know of such a place either, but this will kick off the “The Heel of History” quest.

The Heel of History in Dragon’s Dogma 2

I go into greater detail in this guide, but to put it briefly, you’ll be informed that a boy named Malcolm is busy. You need to talk to three children in the immediate area, who will tell you that Malcolm was last seen digging around the ruins. Bring this finding back to Kendrick, and he will take you to said ruins. Explore the ruins, find Malcolm, and you will find a buried archive.

Once the Heel of History is complete, you can go back to the Magistrate. He’ll agree to follow you. Take him out the backway (turn right when you leave the cell). The tunnel will emerge in the slums. Once you’re a safe distance from the exit, the Magistrate will thank you.

Take this information back to Brant, and he’ll reward you for your efforts. Some time afterward, you can find Waldhar again in the Gracious Hand’s Vaults, where he will give you a quest to find his glasses.