Pathem Abbey Pillars: How to Solve the Enigma in Hell is Us

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The Pathem Abbey Pillars puzzle in Hell is Us is one of the trickiest challenges tied to the “Hermit” Mystery quest in the Acasa Marshes region. It features four rotating pillars in a stone circle, each etched with ancient symbols. To unlock the central chest, players must align these symbols correctly — but the solution isn’t obvious.

Unlike most RPG puzzles, this one requires external clues from the Hermit’s photography side quest, reinforcing the game’s design philosophy of organic discovery over hand-holding UI markers.

📍 Where to Find the Pathem Abbey Pillars Puzzle

  • Region: Acasa Marshes

  • Near: Road to Pathem Abbey (main Act 2 location)

  • Quest Tie-In: The Hermit’s Mystery (requires zoom lens)

  • Difficulty: Mid-game puzzle with combat threats nearby

This location is tightly connected to the Hermit’s photography storyline, making it impossible to brute force without first progressing that side quest.

🔑 The Hermit Connection: Photography Unlocks the Solution

Starting the Hermit Mystery

  • NPC: Fyrgen Bronus (The Hermit)

  • Location: Shack in eastern Acasa Marshes, northeast of Jova Village

  • Quest Start: Requests a zoom lens to continue his photography work

Finding the Zoom Lens

  • Region: Talju (unlocked in Act 2)

  • Spot: Lozon’s Photo & Film shop near Vanderlyn Trust

  • Clue: Burning building with a spider-like Hollow enemy nearby

  • Item: Glowing yellow zoom lens in the display window

Obtaining the Puzzle Clue

  • Deliver the zoom lens → leave and return later

  • Check the Hermit’s bulletin board for new photos

  • One photo shows an obelisk with four symbols → the exact solution

⚡ Quick Reference: Pathem Abbey Pillars Puzzle Solution

If you just want the answer, here it is (viewed from the mountain stone face, clockwise):

  1. Top Pillar → ↓↑ (up and down arrows)

  2. Left Pillar → 🏹↑ (bow and arrow pointing up)

  3. Bottom Pillar → Ω (inverted omega symbol)

  4. Right Pillar → ✵ (four spikes)

How to Solve:

  1. Stand inside the circle near the mountain stone face.

  2. Rotate each pillar until the correct symbol faces the center.

  3. Activate the mechanism → chest unlocks.

🧩 Step-by-Step Guide to Solving the Puzzle

  1. Approach the stone circle and enter from the mountain-facing side.

  2. Interact with each pillar to rotate symbols clockwise/counterclockwise.

  3. Match them to the Hermit’s photo (or the solution above).

  4. Once aligned, activate the central trigger to spawn the chest.

💡 Community Tips & Strategies

  • Do It Early: Best tackled in Act 2 — rewards are highly useful for mid-game.

  • Enemy Management: Use Rémi’s drone KAPI to distract Hollows while solving.

  • Photo Reference: Screenshot the Hermit’s clue photo for easy symbol matching.

  • Orientation Tip: Always align symbols while standing inside the circle facing inward.

  • Progress Lock Fix: If the Hermit’s board doesn’t update → sleep at the APC or complete another quest before returning.

👉 Community Quote (Reddit, r/HellIsUs):

“This puzzle finally made me take real in-game notes instead of chasing map markers. Frustrating at first, but so rewarding.”

🎁 Rewards: What You Get for Solving the Pathem Abbey Puzzle

Reward ItemTypeEffect
Steady Tuning Stones (x5)Leveling Item+1,500 XP to current weapon
Feed on Fear – EnhancedGlyph (Terror)Drain health from terrified enemies (126 DPS / 333 HPS)
Perfect Guard – EnhancedGlyph (Neutral)-66% endurance loss when blocking (45s)
Aarlon’s Last StandRelic (Passive)Grants immunity to control effects when exhausted

Community Favorite: Aarlon’s Last Stand → considered one of the best relics for late-game boss fights where exhaustion mechanics are brutal.

🌌 Why the Pathem Abbey Puzzle Matters

Design Philosophy:
This puzzle embodies Hell is Us’s “no marker” exploration — players must observe, document, and experiment, instead of relying on UI prompts.

Narrative Layer:
It’s tied to the Hermit, a photographer chronicling Hadea’s war-torn landscape, blending gameplay mechanics with thematic storytelling.

Community Reactions:

  • Praise: Immersive, rewarding once solved.

  • Criticism: Lack of in-game guidance makes it frustrating without external references.

🏆 Conclusion: Mastering the Enigma

The Pathem Abbey Pillars puzzle is a perfect showcase of Hell is Us’s approach to exploration — challenging, cryptic, and deeply rewarding. By following the Hermit’s clues (or this guide), you can crack the enigma, claim powerful rewards, and better understand the game’s commitment to player-driven discovery. 

🔗 Community Links & Related Guides

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