I’ve finished the earlier steps but Deeper Research still won’t let me through
Meet Sophia is a second condition, not something this quest hands you. Progress it far enough alongside this quest and the route opens.
STEAM FULL RELEASE · TASK GUIDE
Deeper Research
PROGRESSION TASK
Quick Answer
There's a strange old command console in the mall basement. It leads to Tome of the Sea.
- Given by
- Professor Dayton
- Starts in
- Deep Mall
- Main result
- Tome of the Sea
Start the Walkthrough ↓Why Isn’t Deeper Research Appearing? ↓See Where This Fits in Progression →
Before It Appears
Two different things, and the difference matters: what has to be finished before Deeper Research appears, and what actually starts it.
Complete these first, in any order the release allows.
- Complete Bone Cleanup to unlock Deeper Research.Bone Cleanup gives Mall Elevator Key, enabling Deep Mall where Deeper Research begins
You also need
- You also need Meet Sophia progress for the later stages of Deeper Research.Meet Sophia pit progression is additionally required for the Deep Catacombs phase of Deeper Research
How to Start
Talk to Professor Dayton in Deep Mall to start this task.
Look for Professor Dayton. Starts in Deep Mall.
Deeper Research Walkthrough
The recorded route through Deeper Research, in order.
Your progress
0 of 7 done
A personal checklist saved in this browser. It is not read from your game save.
Investigate the strange command console in the Mall basement and consult Professor Dayton.
- Where
- Deep Mall
- What you need
- Tome of the Sea
Step note: Tome of the Sea
Return the Essence of Daeus to Professor Dayton.
- Where
- Deep Woods
- What you need
- Eternal Lantern
Step note: Eternal Lantern
Explore the Deep Woods and obtain the Essence of Delvek.
- Where
- Deep Catacombs
Step note: Return to Dayton
Return the Essence of Delvek to Professor Dayton.
- Where
- Deep Catacombs
- What you need
- Climbing Rope
Step note: Climbing Rope
Descend into the Deep Catacombs and obtain the Essence of Kaal.
- Where
- Shrine of Xxarteck
Step note: Return to Dayton
Return the Essence of Kaal to Professor Dayton.
Step note: Reveals Art Gallery Ancient Iron Key as the final Stone Tower key
Why Isn’t Deeper Research Appearing?
The conditions this task needs before it appears. Finish them, then check back.
Deeper Research only appears after Bone Cleanup.
- Complete Bone Cleanup to unlock Deeper Research.Bone Cleanup gives Mall Elevator Key, enabling Deep Mall where Deeper Research begins
- You also need Meet Sophia progress for the later stages of Deeper Research.Meet Sophia pit progression is additionally required for the Deep Catacombs phase of Deeper Research
Deeper Research isn’t showing up
It only becomes available after Bone Cleanup. Finish that first, then check back.
Task Started but Not Updating?
The conditions that stall this task after it has started.
I have the Climbing Rope but still cannot enter Deep Catacombs
The Climbing Rope is only one requirement. Deep Catacombs also needs enough Meet Sophia progression to prepare the pit route, so the two have to be done, not either.
Can I do Deep Woods and Deep Catacombs in a different order?
Not on the recorded route. The proven order is Deep Mall, then Deep Woods, then Deep Catacombs, because each area needs the essence returned from the one before it.
Items You Need
The items this task names, and where each comes from. Each opens on the item’s own page.
Places You Need
Where this task takes you. An area with an entry requirement says what the requirement is.
- Deep MallFinish Adrian’s cleanup chain through Bone Cleanup to get the Mall Elevator Key.
- Deep WoodsReturn the Essence of Daeus during Deeper Research to receive the Eternal Lantern.
- Deep CatacombsProgress Meet Sophia far enough to prepare the Catacombs pit route.
- Shrine of XxarteckAfter completing the deep-research arc, obtain the Ancient Iron Key from the Art Gallery for the Shrine’s final sealed room.
- Art GalleryThe Art Gallery opens through a calendar mail event after the first week.
- Town 3
Can This Task Fail?
The release does not record this task as missable.
Is There a Time Limit?
No confirmed time limit. The release records no deadline for this task.
Rewards
What the release records this task as giving you. An item with another source says so on its own page.
Given as a quest reward.
Opens the route toward Deep Woods.
Opens the route toward Deep Catacombs.
What This Task Unlocks
What changes once this task is finished.
- questThe Stone Tower
- areaDeep Woods
- areaDeep Catacombs
- areaShrine of Xxarteck
Complete Deeper Research to unlock The Stone Tower, Deep Woods, Deep Catacombs and Shrine of Xxarteck.
Where This Fits in Progression
The recorded route this task sits on, in order. The marker shows where this task falls.
Deeper Research
- Bone Cleanup
- Deep Mall
- Deeper ResearchYou are here
- Deep Woods
- Deep Catacombs
- Art Gallery
- Shrine of Xxarteck — final phase
What to Do After Deeper Research
Task Chain
- BeforeBone Cleanup
- This taskDeeper Research
- NextThe Stone Tower
What the Journal Says
The game’s own text for this task. It is a running summary, not the full requirement — the conditions above are the ones that decide when the task appears and moves on.
There's a strange old command console in the mall basement. The instructions for the controls are written in an unknown language. Perhaps someone in town can translate this? Professor Dayton Has given you a translation guide, and wants you to help him with a research. Find the Essence of Daeus in the mall basement, and bring it to him. Professor Dayton Has given you an Eternal Lantern. With it, you can enter the deepest parts of the Old Woods, in search of the Essence of Delvek. Professor Dayton Has given you a Climbing Rope. With it, you can enter the deepest parts of the Catacombs, in search of the Essence of Kaal.
Task Details
- Given by
- Professor Dayton
- Primary area
- Deep Mall
- Task type
- Progression Quests
- Reward
- Tome of the Sea, Eternal Lantern, Climbing Rope