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“The Outer Worlds 2” is similar to the first game in that it doesn’t feature a traditional open world. Instead, it offers several open zones that give you some freedom to explore. These zones are mostly linear, so you won’t get lost, but you’ll still be able to see everything within reach whenever you want. There are also small secrets hidden across the different planets of Arcadia for you to discover.
When you land on Cloister, you’ll find yourself at The Order of the Ascendant’s stronghold. The members of the Order seem disconnected from reality, especially considering the ongoing war just outside their walls. One member, Laureate Beckett, asks you to explore Cloister to find audio logs hidden in the chapels scattered around the planet, hoping these logs might help bring peace.
How to Start Deviations Under Duress
When you arrive at Cloister, your first task is to head to Laplace Garden to meet with the Order representatives. There’s also a chance to get an audience with Presiding Bishop Ruth Basaar if you’re lucky. Laplace Garden has plenty for you to do, including observing how the residents seem to ignore the war outside their garden walls.
Even the higher-ups in the Order act as if they’re unaware of the chaos, though some, like Laureate Beckett, seem slightly more aware. Beckett can be found meditating by the water in Laplace Garden. He asks you to find audio logs left by those who led the Excogitation Chapels around Cloister. He believes these logs might help bring peace to the Order’s people—and possibly aid the war effort against Auntie’s Choice. Beckett knows you’re not part of the Order and promises you a reward if you bring the logs back.
You can find the chapels and their logs even before starting this quest, but doing it now helps keep track of your progress.
Locations of All Excogitation Chapel Audio Logs
There are four chapels to find, each containing one audio log. Beckett hints there might be more, but there are only four. These chapels are spread out in unusual locations: three are on the east side of the map, with the final one on the west, gated behind story progress.
Each chapel is protected by different challenges, often requiring some effort to access. Here’s a quick overview of where to find each and how to get the logs from inside:
Excogitation Chapel #1 – Sojourner’s Log (North)
The first chapel is on the northern side of the map, east of the bridge. There are no enemies guarding the entrance, but there are difficult foes on the way, including Mantisaurs and Zyranium poison hazards, so bring your Gas-Energy Deflector Shield. To reach the chapel, you can go through the north or south route, with the north being the quicker, more dangerous way.
The door is locked and requires either a high Brawny Trait or four points in Engineering. If you lack those, you can sneak through the rear, climb vents, and find way into the chapel. Inside, you’ll find an Advanced Decryption Key on a table and the Sojourner’s log on an upper level. There’s also an Order Scientist in the top area, but they have no special dialogue. If you hack a nearby terminal, you can activate a lift to access the basement but find only generic Order gear.
Excogitation Chapel #2 – Sojourner’s Log (Northeast)
This chapel is located in the far east, slightly southeast for practical purposes, and is isolated from other fast travel points. It’s overrun by Scrappers and full of mines, so prepare for a fight. The door is locked but can be opened with a Lockpick skill of 17 or by looting the key from Buckshot Bill, the camp’s leader, either from his body or via pickpocketing.
Inside, you’ll find an Advanced Decryption Key on a table and the Sojourner’s log upstairs. Also, the Hugging Vest heavy armor is located upstairs. There’s a panel you can hack to unlock a secret room containing some Order gear, but it’s optional.
Excogitation Chapel #3 – Sojourner’s Log (Southeast)
This chapel is easiest to reach. Located just east of Winter’s Grasp, it sits atop a hill, and its approach involves just a little climbing. You can reach it by go-around routes: either climb scaffolding on the right or navigate around Mantisaurs. You cannot use the dangling rope directly, but the surrounding scaffolding works well.
Once you’re in, find the Sojourner’s log on a table. Like others, it contains a panel that you can hack to access a secret room—which has a Tossball Card (missable). No enemies guard this one, making it straightforward to access.
Excogitation Chapel #4 – Sojourner’s Log (Southwest)
The final chapel is situated on the western side of Cloister, atop a tall hill with steep edges. To reach it, you need to go through the Archive. This requires closing the rift on the bridge, completing negotiations between Auntie Cleo and Ruth Basaar, and entering the Archive.
Inside, you’re taken to the Underlands, where you can pick up extra quests and activate lifts to return to the surface. Take the west elevator back up to reach the hilltop. The chapel can be entered directly, with a challenging approach. Inside, you’ll find an Advanced Decryption Key on a corpse and a secret panel that can be hacked with high Observation Skill to bypass the jammed door. The last Sojourner’s log is seated on crates nearby.
Returning to Laureate Beckett
Return to Beckett in Laplace Garden once you’ve gathered all logs. He’s upset about what they reveal—heretical content that questions the Order’s teachings and their plan to solve the Universa Equation. He intends to destroy the logs, and you have no say in it. As a reward, he provides you with a High-Security Lockbox.
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