Mass Effect 2 Citadel Quest Guide: Xeltan’s Complaint Outcomes Explained
If you’re working through Mass Effect 2’s Citadel side content, there’s a specific quest on the hub that can meaningfully affect what you’re able to gain later: “Citadel: Xeltan’s Complaint.” This task takes place on the Citadel and centers on persuading the right people to clean up a messy situation—especially if you want the strongest outcomes when you’re also handling “Citadel: Asari Consort.”
Background: when to do Xeltan’s Complaint
It’s strongly recommended that you finish “Citadel: Xeltan’s Complaint” before you wrap up the “Citadel: Asari Consort” Assignment. These quests are connected, and completing Xeltan’s Complaint first lets you earn an additional reward from Sha’ira’s Consort when you speak to her to conclude her Assignment.
Note, though: this quest segment isn’t mandatory in the sense that the next step will still give you the main Assignment regardless. Even so, doing Xeltan’s Complaint first is useful because it provides a lot more context about what’s really happening with Xeltan.
If you’re looking for something specific, the guide breaks things down into sections covering essential requirements, where to go on the Citadel, conversations with Xeltan and with General Septimus, and then a final return to Xeltan.
Essential stats
- Persuasion Points: 4 Charm / 4 Intimidate
- Minimum Decryption: N/A
- Minimum Electronics: N/A
What to do: Citadel location and quest start
- Location: Serpent Nebula → Widow → The Citadel → Presidium → Embassies → Volus and Elcor Office
Despite being tied to conversations and choices, the Assignment itself is rooted in the Citadel. The Citadel is the galactic hub for the Serpent Nebula—also the only cluster in the western side of the Milky Way—and it’s where you’ll run the “Citadel: Expose Saren” Mission.
On top of that, the Citadel map only contains a single system, Widow, and it has zero Discoveries.
Talk to Xeltan (Volus and Elcor Office)
Xeltan’s Complaint can technically be started mid-way through another Assignment, “Citadel: Asari Consort.” However, the traditional route is straightforward: head to the Volus and Elcor Office inside the Presidium Embassies.
To reach it, go to the Embassy reception area. Stand so you’re facing the front desk, then take the stairs on the right-hand side. Go through the nearby door, continue upward, and take the far door from that upper walkway. You’ll pass by the entrance to Udina’s Office in the Human Embassy as you go.
Inside, you’ll find a smaller Volus wearing a suit and two large Elcor. Start the quest by speaking with Xeltan—the Elcor positioned to the right of the desk. When the dialogue option appears, choose “Consort” to proceed.
Xeltan will explain that he believes Sha’ira, the Asari Consort, betrayed his trust by releasing some of his secrets, and he’s understandably furious about it.
- When the prompt appears to accept the Assignment, select “Where is she?” If you accidentally chose “I understand” and declined the quest, you can speak to Xeltan again to pick it back up.
Speak with Gen. Septimus (linked progression through Asari Consort)
At this stage, you’ll need to shift away from Xeltan’s Complaint and push forward through “Citadel: Asari Consort,” since the quests are linked. Go to the Consort Chambers in the South-East corner of the Presidium and speak with Nelyna at the reception platform.
You’ll then be brought to the Consort’s room, where she tasks you with speaking to a Turian General named Septimus Oraka. He’s located down in Chora’s Den.
Travel to Chora’s Den and find Septimus Oraka seated at one of the tables near the back. Speak to him and you’ll learn he’s bitter about Sha’ira rejecting him. In his resentment, he claims he’s been leaking her private secrets—specifically aimed at her clients—in order to make her look bad.
- If you have 4 Charm or 4 Intimidate, you can choose either “Straighten up” (Charm) or “Get a grip” (Intimidate) to get Septimus to stop. Choosing “I’m not leaving” at any time will also work.
- DO NOT select “Forget this,” then follow it with “I’m done here,” because doing so will prevent you from continuing this Assignment.
Once you’ve convinced Septimus to change course, he’ll give you a request: you must deliver a message to an Elcor by proving that Septimus was the source of the leaks, not Sha’ira. You’ll need to present Xeltan with a Datapad that confirms Oraka did the leaking.
Speak to Xeltan again (final proof and the reward lockout warning)
NOTICE
It’s CRITICAL to complete this final step BEFORE you talk to Sha’ira and finish “Citadel: Asari Consort.” If you complete Asari Consort first, you’ll lock yourself out of a lore-related reward at the end of Sha’ira’s Assignment.
Return to Xeltan in the Volus and Elcor Office. Present him the Datapad and persuade him that Sha’ira wasn’t the one who exposed his secrets—General Septimus Oraka was. After Xeltan sees the evidence you brought, he should quickly believe you and then head off to speak with the Consort himself.
- If you end the conversation with “Don’t worry,” you’ll earn +2 Paragon Points.
- If you choose “Goodbye” or “Whatever,” there are no rewards.
More Mass Effect 2 help
If you want additional guidance for Mass Effect 2, the guide points readers toward pages that cover Legendary Edition changes, how-to walkthroughs and basics, key decision outcomes, romance options, and a range of side quests.
- Legendary Edition Changes
- How-To Guides
- Key Choices and Consequences
- Romance Options
- Walkthrough
- Side Quests
Up Next: Pre-Service History Side Quests
Top Guide Sections
- Legendary Edition Changes
- Basics
- Tips and Tricks
- How-To Guides
