TL;DR
- Locate the Hermit in eastern Acasa Marshes near Jova Village to start the photography quest
- Retrieve the Zoom Lens from Talju City during Act 2, located near spider-like Hollow enemies
- Return after completing other objectives to trigger the obelisk puzzle with new photos
- Solve the pattern-matching puzzle by aligning symbols with ground markings
- Clear enemies first and use strategic positioning for efficient completion
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Are you prepared to assist the isolated Acasa Marshes Hermit during your Hell Is Us adventure? This seasoned character resides alone within the swampy terrain, possessing exceptional observational abilities. Specifically, he requires your support with his photographic pursuits, which form the foundation of this engaging side mission.
The Hermit’s dwelling occupies the eastern perimeter of your map. Beginning from Jova Village, traverse the marshlands until you encounter a major roadway immediately preceding the crimson-lit tunnel passage. Glance toward your right side to identify a slender trail leading directly to his secluded cabin.
Initiate conversation with this distinctive NPC to activate the Mystery-category side assignment. He seeks a replacement Zoom Lens for his photographic equipment, though the game intentionally omits specific location details for this item.
Additionally, carefully examine the photographic displays mounted on the board positioned before his residence. These images will become increasingly significant as your progress unfolds.


The essential Zoom Lens component resides within Talju’s urban environment, accessible exclusively after reaching your campaign’s second act. To secure this item, proceed through the arched opening located at the APC’s rear section. Subsequently, navigate the thoroughfares behind the municipal administration building until you spot arachnid-form Hollow creatures. The sought-after object rests adjacent to a blazing structure just beyond the ON-branded vehicle.

Pro Tip: Talju becomes available approximately 4-6 hours into your main storyline progression. The spider-like Hollow enemies typically patrol in groups of 2-3, so consider engaging them from elevated positions or using distraction tactics. Many players waste time searching Talju prematurely – ensure you’ve completed the ‘Broken Bridge’ main quest first.
Common mistakes include overlooking the archway entrance or misidentifying the ON truck location. The lens appears as a small, shimmering object near the building’s foundation, easily missed during combat situations.
Now present the Zoom Lens to the Hermit NPC. He will respond cryptically: “Must gather more data. More pictures, close-ups. Find the patterns. Yes. Come back later…”
During our extensive playtesting, we addressed additional side missions before returning. Upon revisiting the Hermit’s cabin after approximately 30-45 minutes of gameplay, we observed multiple new photographs added to the display board. The central image proves particularly intriguing, featuring an obelisk structure adorned with four distinct symbolic markings.

The Obelisk Puzzle location sits merely a brief distance from the Hermit’s home. The area teems with hostile entities, making preliminary enemy elimination strongly advisable.
Next, scrutinize the stone visage and terrestrial patterns. The photographic evidence reveals the uppermost symbol displays a tapered line resembling directional indicator. Upon the terrain, you’ll discover identical configurations that require alignment.
Advanced Strategy: The puzzle employs rotational symmetry – each symbol corresponds to specific cardinal directions. The arrow-like symbol typically points north, while curved markings indicate secondary orientations. For optimal efficiency, clear enemies systematically from the perimeter inward, using the obelisk itself as cover during engagements.
Optimization Techniques: Complete this quest chain during daylight hours for improved visibility of ground patterns. The obelisk solution typically rewards players with rare crafting materials and experience points equivalent to completing two standard side missions. Many experienced gamers combine this with other swamp-area objectives to minimize backtracking.

Successfully resolving the Hermit’s photographic mystery unlocks additional narrative insights about the Acasa Marshes region. The obelisk itself may contain lore connections to broader game mysteries, making this more than just a standard fetch quest.
Expert Insight: This quest exemplifies Hell Is Us‘s environmental storytelling approach. The Hermit’s photographs document supernatural phenomena patterns that become relevant in later game chapters. Consider documenting the symbol combinations for future reference during main story progression.
Action Checklist
- Navigate to eastern Acasa Marshes from Jova Village to locate the Hermit’s hut
- Progress to Act 2 and retrieve Zoom Lens from Talju city near spider Hollows
- Complete 2-3 other side objectives before returning to Hermit
- Eliminate all enemies around the obelisk before attempting puzzle solution
- Match obelisk symbols with ground patterns using the Hermit’s photos as reference
No reproduction without permission:SeeYouSoon Game Club » How To Help The Acasa Marshes Hermit In Hell Is Us Complete guide to solving the Acasa Marshes Hermit quest and obelisk puzzle in Hell Is Us
