Dragons Dogma 2 Caged Magistrate Quest Guide

This guide explains how to complete the “Caged Magistrate” quest in Dragon’s Dogma 2, covering every step from finding Magistrate Waldhar to choosing the right ending. You’ll learn the exact route, the key dialogue choices, and what rewards each path gives.

Quest Overview and Starting Point

The “Caged Magistrate” quest becomes available after you reach Vernworth and complete the main quest “The Stolen Throne.” You’ll find Magistrate Waldhar imprisoned in the Vernworth Castle Dungeon, accused of treason. The quest asks you to investigate his claims of innocence and decide his fate. This quest is part of the main storyline, so you cannot miss it, but the choices you make affect Waldhar’s survival and your access to certain items.

Investigating the Evidence

When you first talk to Waldhar in his cell, he tells you he was framed by Captain Brant. Your objective is to find proof of his innocence. Head to the Vernworth Castle barracks and search the captain’s quarters. Look for a document called “Falsified Orders” on the desk. This is the key evidence. If you miss it, you can also talk to the castle guards, but they won’t give you anything useful. The document is always in the same spot, so you can’t soft-lock the quest.

Returning to Waldhar

Once you have the Falsified Orders, return to the dungeon. Waldhar will read the document and realize that Captain Brant forged the order. He asks you to bring the evidence to the Duke. However, you have a choice here: you can either give the evidence to the Duke or to Captain Brant. This choice determines the quest’s outcome.

Choosing the Right Path

There are two main endings for this quest:

• Give evidence to the Duke: This leads to Waldhar being released and Captain Brant being arrested. You receive the “Ring of Recourse” as a reward, which increases your carrying capacity. This is the “good” ending in the sense that Waldhar survives.
• Give evidence to Captain Brant: This leads to Waldhar being executed. You receive a “Wyrm Hunt License” instead, which grants access to the Wyrm Hunt quests earlier. This is the “pragmatic” ending, as the license is useful for leveling.

There is no third option. The game doesn’t let you expose both. The choice is permanent, so save before deciding if you want to see both outcomes.

Common Problems and How to Avoid Them

Many players get stuck because they don’t find the Falsified Orders. The document is on the desk in the captain’s quarters, but if you’ve already looted the room earlier, it might not be there. In that case, reload a save from before you entered the castle. Another issue is that if you attack Waldhar or Brant during the quest, it fails. Also, if you complete the main quest “The Stolen Throne” before talking to Waldhar, the quest might be skipped, but that’s rare. Always talk to Waldhar immediately after the cutscene.

Rewards Comparison

The two rewards serve different playstyles:

• Ring of Recourse: Permanently increases your carrying capacity by 20 kg. This is helpful for hoarders and those who dislike inventory management.
• Wyrm Hunt License: Unlocks the Wyrm Hunt quests, which are repeatable bounty hunts that give good XP and gold. This is better for players who want to grind levels.

Neither reward is missable in the sense that you get one or the other. The choice is purely about what you value more.

Impact on the Larger Story

The Caged Magistrate quest has a small but noticeable effect on the game’s ending. If Waldhar survives, he appears in the ending cutscene and thanks you. If he dies, his ghost might appear in the post-game. The choice doesn’t lock you out of any major content, but it does change a few lines of dialogue. For completionists, it’s worth doing both playthroughs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I save both Waldhar and get the Wyrm Hunt License? No. The game forces a binary choice. You can only get one reward per playthrough.

What happens if I ignore the quest? If you don’t talk to Waldhar, the quest stays in your log. You can do it at any time before the final battle. If you finish the game without doing it, it’s lost.

Is the Ring of Recourse worth it? It depends. If you often find yourself over-encumbered, yes. If you’re fine with managing inventory, the license is more valuable for XP.

Can I steal the Falsified Orders? No, you must pick it up from the desk. Stealing from the barracks chests doesn’t give you the document.

Does the choice affect the true ending? No, the true ending is determined by other factors. This quest only affects side dialogue.

Related

• Evaluate Claude for Enterprise Workloads: Checklist
• Smart Lock Modules Worth Buying Early
• EaseUS Partition Master Portable: What It Is & Limits