The Lost Cohort quest in Anno 117 Pax Romana stands as one of the most pivotal diplomatic missions in the game’s campaign, offering players a meaningful opportunity to shape their relationship with the formidable Voada while navigating the complex moral landscape of Roman-Celtic relations. This comprehensive quest guide will walk you through every step of The Lost Cohort mission, analyze the critical choices you’ll face, and provide expert insights on how to achieve the best possible outcomes for your governor’s journey through the troubled province of Albion.
Understanding The Lost Cohort Quest Context
Before diving into the specifics of The Lost Cohort quest, it’s essential to understand its place within the broader narrative of Anno 117 Pax Romana. This quest becomes available after completing “The Roots Of Our Ancestors” mission, where the Procurator reveals crucial information about deserters and their impact on regional stability. The Lost Cohort represents more than just a simple side quest—it’s a diplomatic tightrope that tests your ability to balance Roman military discipline with Celtic cultural sensitivities.
In the world of Anno 117 Pax Romana, you’re constantly navigating between two worlds: the structured, law-and-order approach of Roman governance and the more fluid, relationship-based dynamics of Celtic society. The Lost Cohort quest epitomizes this tension, forcing you to make decisions that will have lasting consequences for your relationship with Voada, one of the most influential Celtic leaders in Albion.
Starting The Lost Cohort Quest: Initial Steps
The Lost Cohort quest begins with a clear directive: gather intelligence about a missing Roman military unit that has reportedly gone native in the Celtic wilderness. Your journey starts at the lighthouse belonging to Athr Iorgwyn, a key figure who holds information crucial to locating these deserters. Here’s how to get started:
Sailing to Athr Iorgwyn’s Lighthouse
Your first objective is to navigate to Athr Iorgwyn’s lighthouse, which serves as the quest’s starting point. This location isn’t just a random landmark—it’s a strategic information hub where Celtic and Roman interests often intersect. When planning your journey:
- Prepare your flagship: Ensure you have adequate supplies for the voyage
- Check weather conditions: Stormy seas can delay your arrival and affect quest timing
- Consider diplomatic status: Your current relationship with local Celtic factions may influence how you’re received
Upon arrival, you’ll encounter Athr, who presents you with the first significant choice in The Lost Cohort quest. This initial interaction sets the tone for the entire mission and can significantly impact its outcome.
The Critical Athr Conversation: Honor vs. Reward
When you meet Athr, he’ll question your motives for seeking information about the lost cohort. This moment presents your first major decision point in The Lost Cohort quest, with two distinct options:
Option 1: “I seek honor”
- Immediate result: Athr respects your noble intentions and freely shares the information you need
- Cost: No financial penalty
- Reputation impact: Positive with Celtic factions who value honor-based motivations
- Long-term benefits: Establishes you as a governor who understands Celtic cultural values
Option 2: “I’m in it for the reward”
- Immediate result: Athr expresses disappointment in your mercenary attitude
- Cost: Must pay 15,000 Denarii to obtain the information
- Reputation impact: Negative with honor-oriented Celtic characters
- Long-term consequences: May make future diplomatic efforts more challenging
Expert Tip: Choosing the honor path is overwhelmingly the better option for players looking to build positive relationships with Celtic factions, particularly Voada. The 15,000 Denarii saved can be better invested in your settlement’s development or future diplomatic gifts.
Locating The Lost Cohort: Search and Investigation
Once you’ve successfully obtained the information from Athr, the next phase of The Lost Cohort quest involves tracking down the actual location of the deserters. This investigation phase requires both strategic thinking and careful resource management.
Preparing Your Military Expedition
Before setting out to find the lost cohort, you’ll need to:
- Board troops onto a ship: Select appropriate military units for the mission
- Assess threat levels: Consider the potential resistance you might face
- Plan extraction routes: Have contingency plans for quick withdrawal if needed
The game recommends bringing a military ship for protection, especially if you anticipate hostile encounters. This preparation phase is crucial for ensuring your forces can handle whatever challenges await.
Scouting The Isle: Military Camp Investigation
Upon reaching the designated isle, your next objective is to dispatch a land unit to scout for signs of the military camp. This scouting mission is straightforward but requires attention to detail:
- Press on the marked area: Follow the quest marker to the investigation site
- Observe environmental clues: Look for camp remnants, discarded equipment, or other signs of recent military activity
- Document findings: Your observations will inform how you approach the deserters
This investigation phase serves as both a narrative device and gameplay mechanic, immersing you in the detective work of tracking down missing soldiers while advancing the quest’s storyline.
The Alderman’s Request: A Side Objective
During your investigation, you’ll encounter an alderman who reports missing horses—a seemingly minor detail that actually plays a role in the local economy and community relations. To assist him:
- Search for scattered horses: Look for groups of horses around the island
- Interact with five horses: Click on each horse to complete this optional objective
- Consider the implications: Helping with local issues can build goodwill with the community
While this horse-finding mission might appear tangential to the main quest, it demonstrates the interconnected nature of Anno 117 Pax Romana’s quest design, where even small actions can have ripple effects on your overall standing with different factions.
The Pivotal Choice: Deciding The Fate of The Deserters
The climax of The Lost Cohort quest presents you with a morally complex decision that will significantly impact your relationship with Voada and the broader Celtic community. After locating the deserters, you must choose between two starkly different approaches:
Option 1: “Death to the deserters!”
Choosing to execute the deserters aligns with traditional Roman military discipline but carries significant consequences:
Immediate Consequences:
- Combat engagement: You’ll face attacks from 2 mobs of deserters
- Military preparedness test: Your troops must be capable of handling the resistance
- Voada’s reaction: She will be displeased with your harsh approach
Strategic Considerations:
- Military strength required: Ensure you have adequate forces or bring a military ship for support
- Escape option: You can run away from the mob, but this will cause Voada to laugh at you, further damaging your relationship
- Relationship impact: Negative effect on Voada’s opinion, potentially making future diplomatic efforts more difficult
Long-term Implications:
- Roman approval: May increase standing with traditional Roman authorities
- Celtic distrust: Reinforces negative stereotypes about Roman brutality
- Quest completion: Whether you win or lose to the mob, you’ll lose relationship points with Voada
Option 2: “Keep their secret”
Opting to spare the deserters and conceal their whereabouts represents a more nuanced, diplomatic approach:
Immediate Consequences:
- Peaceful resolution: No combat engagement required
- Voada’s approval: She will be happy with your merciful decision
- Relationship bonus: Gain +80 points with Voada, significantly improving your standing
Strategic Considerations:
- Diplomatic capital: The relationship boost with Voada can be leveraged for future negotiations
- Moral complexity: Reflects the game’s themes of cultural understanding and compromise
- Quest efficiency: Completes the objective without resource expenditure on combat
Long-term Implications:
- Celtic trust: Demonstrates respect for Celtic values of mercy and community protection
- Roman scrutiny: May raise questions with Roman authorities about your commitment to military discipline
- Narrative alignment: Consistent with a more harmonious Roman-Celtic coexistence approach
Expert Analysis: Making The Right Choice For Your Playstyle
The decision in The Lost Cohort quest isn’t just about immediate consequences—it’s about defining your governor’s identity and approach to ruling in Albion. Here’s a deeper analysis to help you make the choice that aligns with your strategic goals:
For Players Focusing on Celtic Relations
If your strategy emphasizes building strong relationships with Celtic factions and leaders like Voada:
Recommended Choice: Keep their secret
Rationale:
- The +80 relationship boost with Voada is substantial and can unlock future diplomatic opportunities
- Celtic factions value mercy and community protection, making this choice culturally resonant
- Avoids unnecessary military conflict that could strain resources
- Aligns with the game’s themes of cultural understanding and compromise
Additional Benefits:
- Easier access to Celtic-specific resources and trade opportunities
- Potential for reduced military tensions in the region
- Opens narrative paths that emphasize cooperation over conquest
For Players Embracing Traditional Roman Values
If your approach prioritizes Roman military discipline and authority:
Recommended Choice: Death to the deserters
Rationale:
- Upholds Roman military law and discipline
- May increase standing with traditional Roman authorities
- Eliminates potential future threats from deserters
- Consistent with a more authoritarian governance style
Considerations:
- Be prepared for military engagement and potential resource expenditure
- Accept that Voada’s relationship will suffer, requiring future diplomatic efforts to repair
- May face increased resistance from Celtic factions
For Players Seeking Balance
If you’re trying to maintain a delicate balance between Roman and Celtic interests:
Recommended Choice: Keep their secret (with caveats)
Rationale:
- The relationship boost with Voada provides more flexibility for future Roman-oriented decisions
- Can be framed as a strategic compromise rather than outright defiance of Roman values
- Preserves military resources for more critical engagements
- Allows for narrative development that explores the complexities of cross-cultural governance
Advanced Tips For Maximizing Quest Outcomes
Beyond the basic choices, several advanced strategies can help you optimize your experience with The Lost Cohort quest:
Preparation Before Starting The Quest
- Build diplomatic reserves: Complete other relationship-building quests with Voada before starting The Lost Cohort
- Economic preparation: Save at least 15,000 Denarii as a contingency, even if you plan to choose the honor option
- Military readiness: Have troops trained and equipped, regardless of your intended approach
- Intelligence gathering: Complete other Athr-related quests first to establish a positive relationship
During The Quest Execution
- Save before critical decisions: Create manual saves before major choice points to explore different outcomes
- Monitor relationship meters: Keep track of how your choices affect various faction standings
- Document your decisions: Take notes on the rationale behind your choices for future reference
- Explore dialogue options: Sometimes additional conversation choices can provide more context or alternatives
Post-Quest Strategy
- Leverage relationship changes: Use the +80 Voada boost (if chosen) for immediate diplomatic advantages
- Address faction repercussions: Mitigate any negative consequences with Roman authorities through other actions
- Plan follow-up quests: The Lost Cohort quest may unlock or influence other mission opportunities
- Adapt long-term strategy: Adjust your governance approach based on the quest outcomes
Common Mistakes To Avoid in The Lost Cohort Quest
Based on player experiences and community feedback, here are common pitfalls to avoid during The Lost Cohort quest:
1. Rushing the Athr Conversation
Many players hastily choose the reward option without considering the long-term relationship implications. Take time to consider the honor-based approach, as it provides significant advantages.
2. Underestimating Military Requirements
If you choose to execute the deserters, ensure you have adequate military forces. Underestimating the resistance can lead to defeat and additional relationship penalties.
3. Ignoring the Horse-Finding Side Objective
While seemingly minor, completing the alderman’s horse-finding request can provide additional community goodwill and minor rewards.
4. Failing to Save Before Critical Decisions
The choices in The Lost Cohort quest have significant consequences. Create manual saves before major decision points to allow for exploration of different outcomes.
5. Overlooking Long-Term Relationship Impacts
Focus not just on immediate quest completion but on how your choices affect your broader strategy for governing Albion.
The Lost Cohort in the broader Campaign Context
The Lost Cohort quest isn’t an isolated mission—it’s intricately connected to the broader narrative and strategic elements of Anno 117 Pax Romana. Understanding these connections can help you make more informed decisions:
Relationship with Voada’s Storyline
Voada emerges as one of the most complex and influential characters in the Albion campaign. Your choices in The Lost Cohort quest significantly impact your relationship with her, which in turn affects:
- Access to Celtic resources and trade routes
- Military cooperation opportunities
- Cultural exchange benefits
- Main story progression and endings
Roman-Celtic Tension Themes
The Lost Cohort quest exemplifies the game’s central theme of navigating Roman-Celtic tensions. Your decisions contribute to an overarching narrative about:
- Cultural understanding vs. imperial authority
- Military discipline vs. local autonomy
- Traditional values vs. adaptive governance
- Personal relationships vs. political obligations
Impact on Future Quests and Endings
Choices in The Lost Cohort quest can influence or unlock future mission opportunities, particularly those involving:
- Diplomatic missions with Celtic factions
- Military operations in the region
- Resource management challenges
- Character-specific storylines
Conclusion: Mastering The Lost Cohort Quest
The Lost Cohort quest in Anno 117 Pax Romana represents everything that makes the game’s campaign compelling: meaningful choices, complex relationships, and the constant tension between competing cultural values. Whether you choose to execute the deserters in the name of Roman discipline or spare them to build bridges with the Celtic community, your decision will have lasting consequences that ripple throughout your governor’s journey.
For most players seeking to build positive relationships with Celtic factions and experience a more harmonious path through the campaign, choosing to “keep their secret” and spare the deserters offers the best strategic advantage, particularly with the substantial +80 relationship boost with Voada. However, the beauty of Anno 117 Pax Romana lies in its flexibility—there’s no single “correct” path, and each choice contributes to a unique narrative experience.
As you continue your journey through the complex world of Roman-Celtic relations, remember that The Lost Cohort quest is more than just a mission to complete—it’s an opportunity to define your governor’s legacy and shape the future of Albion. Choose wisely, govern thoughtfully, and may your reign bring true Pax Romana to the province.