Cryptic Quatrains II operates very similarly to Cryptic Quatrains I. You acquire this quest through the Star Chart on the H.E.L.M., and you’re then presented with a series ofpirate-themed riddles, leading you across the solar system toward a buried treasure at the end.
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While you began Cryptic Quatrains I by reaching rank 7 with the Star Chart and acquiring the Small Treasure Beacon, Cryptic Quatrains II unlocks atStar Chart rank 10by acquiring the Medium Treasure Beacon.
Cryptic Quatrains II: Step 1
After acquiring the Medium Treasure Beacon, you will then be able to start the Cryptic Quatrains II Questline. Just like Cryptic Quatrains I, the quest starts by offering you a riddle to a location, with the yellow highlighted words pointing your way.
Thebayfilled mechest, althoughdrownI did not
I coughed and I shivered me way through themist
Theydreamed I waslost, my sad scarper for naught
Yet all that Iwished for was tight in me fist
This riddle isn’t the most direct, but the clues are all there. If you’re having trouble, here’s the solution - head to theDreaming City. Upon landing, turn around and enter theBay of Drowned WishesLost Sector. Fight through the Lost Sector as normal, defeating enemies as you go, and loot the chest at the end. The quest will update after you complete the Lost Sector.
Cryptic Quatrains II: Step 2
Step 2 is a bit more straightforward. Deciphering the clues laid out in the riddle leads you toward your next goal.
I swore I wasdeadat the shore of thelake
Theirshadowsstretched long as they searched the debris
But though they didstrikeout at me and me take
Their words found me ears, but they didn’t find me
You’ll want to head to theEuropean Dead Zone(EDZ) and play through theLake of ShadowsStrike. You could play Strikes from the Vanguard playlist in the hopes of landing on the right one, but you’re much better off selecting the Lake of Shadows strike specifically from the EDZ map screen.
After completing the Lake of Shadows Strike, your quest will update.
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Cryptic Quatrains II: Step 3
The next step offers a fairly straightforward challenge (once you’ve deciphered the riddle).
Me longexpeditionled to no reward
Me bones cried for rest and yet I could not yield
Lest I hear the sound of a crewmate’s drawnsword
I shivered with terror at what they mightwield
You’ll want to head into the Expeditions seasonal activity, accessible from the H.E.L.M., and you’ll want to make sure you have a Sword equipped in the Power Weapon slot on your loadout during the activity. Make sure you have aSword equipped! Once you’ve completed the Expedition, your quest will update.
Cryptic Quatrains II: Step 4
Now that you’ve completed the Expedition with a Sword equipped, you’ll advance to the next riddle. If you’re having difficulty deciphering it, read on.
The red ground ofNessuswould soon be me grave
Acolumnreached high into alien hue
Thoughcisterndid beckon, no water it gave
Atpyramid’s imprint, I sought topass through
This one’s a bit tricky. You’ll want to travel to Nessus. Specifically, head toThe Cisternlanding zone. You can see your destination right when you spawn in. It’s the broken pillar in the distance straight ahead, with the pyramid-shaped entrance at the base. Travel north and west, heading along the path toward theWell of Flamelocation on the map. Once you pass through the pyramid-shaped entrance, you’ll spot a glowing green mark on the ground just off to the right. Interact with it to head to the final step of the quest.
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Cryptic Quatrains II: Step 5
This step might be difficult to parse, but luckily you won’t have to travel far—once you decipher the riddle.
Me crewmates were nearing, t’was just as I feared
And terriblefluid did fall from the sky
I fancied I noticed, beyondbroken sphere,
A place that was safe for metreasureand I
From your location at the Well of Flame, you’ll want to head to thenorthwestcorner of the Cistern subarea of Nessus. You’ll eventually come across a broken sphere, half-submerged into the ground, with abeautiful waterfall(radiolariafall?) in the distance. Just past the broken sphere, you’ll find the glowing green mark on the ground. Dig up the treasure to gain some Season of Plunder gear, map fragments, and the second Crude Cypher Fragment—the first having been acquired from Cryptic Quatrain I.
It’s still unclear what to do with these Crude Cypher Fragments, but you’ll discover that in due time. Once you reach rank 16 on the Star Chart, you’ll be able to acquire the Large Treasure Beacon to begin the next step in the questline.
