Doctor's Orders: A XenGamer's Guide to Persuasion (and Maybe Murder) in Divinity: Original Sin 2 Welcome, fellow Source Hunters, to Arx, the supposed City of Dreams.

Welcome, fellow Source Hunters, to Arx, the supposed City of Dreams. But let's be honest, it's more like the City of Nightmares, especially when you stumble upon Doctor Daeva and his… unconventional medical practices in the local hospital. The "Doctor's Orders" quest is a pivotal one, not least because it involves Alexandar, a key player in the grand scheme of things. This isn't just a simple "fetch quest"; it’s a moral quandary wrapped in flickering gaslight and dripping with unsettling atmosphere.

Fear not, for this XenGamer guide will arm you with the knowledge and, let's face it, the save-scumming strategy needed to navigate this tricky situation. We're going for the "free Alexandar without a fight" ending, because why spill blood when you can spill… uh… convincing arguments? (Though, if things go south, we'll be ready to throw down). Let's dive in!

Initial Investigation: Something's Rotten in the State of Arx

Upon entering the hospital, your first point of contact will be Sister Lidya. This poor woman is practically vibrating with anxiety, so she’s a good place to start. Engage in conversation, choosing dialogue options that subtly probe her about Doctor Daeva and any "unusual occurrences." Think of it as gentle interrogation, not a heavy-handed inquisition.

Pro Tip: If your dialogue reveals that she's deeply distressed, a Persuasion check is your next move. But remember the Golden Rule of Divinity: SAVE. BEFORE. EVERY. SKILL. CHECK. Seriously, do it. Right now. Failed the check? Reload and try again. Note which character tags (Jester, Scholar, Mystic, etc.) are most effective. This is meta-gaming at its finest, and we're not ashamed.

Exploring the Hospital: CSI: Arx

Time to channel your inner detective. Thoroughly explore each room. The operating room on the upper floor is particularly… enlightening. Look for clues: bloodstains (obviously), strange medical equipment that looks more torture device than healing instrument, and hidden notes.

Wits Check: Use the character with the highest Wits attribute to locate hidden objects. No shame in equipping temporary Wits-boosting gear or chugging a potion if your designated detective is a little… dense. Knowledge is power, people, and in this case, knowledge is the key to not getting vivisected.

Confronting Doctor Daeva: The Charm Offensive (or Defensive)

Now it's time to face the music, or rather, the mad doctor. Confront Daeva in his office. This conversation is crucial. Prepare for a potentially difficult exchange. Choose dialogue options that question his methods and his treatment of patients. A high Persuasion skill is absolutely essential.

Tag Team Tactics: If possible, use a character with the "Scholar" tag. Daeva fancies himself an intellectual, so appealing to his (inflated) sense of intelligence is key. And yes, I'm going to say it again: SAVE. YOUR. GAME. Before each dialogue choice. You're welcome.

The Alexandar Choice: A Fork in the Road (Paved with Source)

Eventually, Daeva will reveal Alexandar. Now you have options:

• Side with Daeva: I mean, you could, but why?
• Free Alexandar (by force): Always an option, but messy.
• Report Daeva to the Paladins: A valid choice, but we're going for maximum XP and loot with minimal bloodshed (ideally).

We're aiming for the "persuasion route" because, let's be honest, it's the most satisfying.

Persuading Daeva: Appeal to His Ego (and His Vanity)

This is where the real fun begins. To persuade Daeva to release Alexandar, you need to stroke his ego like he’s a particularly temperamental cat. Choose dialogue options that appeal to his intellectual superiority and suggest that his methods are needlessly… unrefined. Imply that he's too brilliant for such crude techniques. Lay it on thick.

A successful Persuasion check here is vital. Be prepared for a high difficulty check (20+). If you fail, well, you know the drill: LOAD. THE. SAVE. If you succeed, Daeva will release Alexandar, albeit reluctantly. He'll probably mutter something about you not appreciating his genius. Just ignore him.

Final Confrontation (Maybe): Fight or Flight?

Once Alexandar is free, Daeva might attempt to attack. If your persuasion game was strong enough (and your save-scumming skills honed to perfection), he might just let you leave. Consider yourself a master manipulator!

If Combat is Unavoidable: Prepare for a challenging fight against Daeva and his undead assistants. Focus fire on Daeva to eliminate him quickly. He's the biggest threat, and his minions are relatively weak.

Alternatively: just run away! Sometimes, discretion is the better part of valor (and XP).

Tips and Tricks for the Discerning Source Hunter

• Save-Scumming: Embrace the Meta: We've mentioned it before, but it bears repeating. This quest relies heavily on RNG-based skill checks. Don't hesitate to save before important dialogue choices and reload if you fail. It's a valid strategy to bypass undesirable outcomes. It’s not cheating; it’s strategic resource management!
• Character Builds: The Persuasion Specialist: Optimize one party member for persuasion. Maximize their Persuasion skill and equip gear that provides bonuses to social skills (e.g., Amulet of Manipulation, Armor of the Eternal Warrior). Consider using the "All Skilled Up" mod to gain additional skill points.
• Exploit Status Effects (If You Fight): If combat is unavoidable, use status effects like Petrify, Freeze, or Stun to control Doctor Daeva and his minions. A well-placed petrifying touch can make a world of difference.
• Tag Synergy: Experiment!: Experiment with different character tags during dialogue to see which ones are most effective. "Scholar" and "Jester" are often useful for manipulating NPCs.
• Pre-emptive Buffs: Be Prepared: Before confronting Daeva, buff your party with potions and scrolls that boost Persuasion, Intelligence, and Wits. Every little bit helps.

PC-Specific Notes for the PC Master Race

• Modding: Enhance Your Experience: Install the "All Skilled Up" mod to gain extra skill points for Persuasion. Consider mods that display dialogue check difficulty (because transparency is key, even in Rivellon). Be aware that modding might affect game stability, so back up your save files.
• Controls: Master the Quick Keys: Familiarize yourself with the quicksave (F5) and quickload (F8) keys for efficient save-scumming. Your keyboard is your weapon!
• Settings: Adjust the Difficulty: Adjust the game's difficulty settings to reduce the challenge of any potential combat encounters. There's no shame in playing on Explorer mode if you just want to experience the story and avoid unnecessary bloodshed.

Conclusion: A Job Well Done (Hopefully Without Too Much Blood)

Successfully completing "Doctor's Orders" by persuading Doctor Daeva to release Alexandar grants a significant amount of experience points, valuable loot (including potentially unique items from Daeva's corpse if you do choose to fight him), and advances the main storyline. It also unlocks new dialogue options and quests in Arx. Choosing this path minimizes combat and maximizes rewards through strategic dialogue choices and skillful manipulation of the game's mechanics.

So there you have it, XenGamers. Go forth, exploit the system, and save Alexandar (relatively) painlessly. And remember, a little bit of meta-gaming never hurt anyone… except maybe Doctor Daeva's ego. Happy hunting!