Path of Exile 2 is one of the most eagerly awaited expansions in the action RPG genre, and with it comes a plethora of new content, including quests, areas, characters, and mechanics. Among the many quests in the game, one of the most poignant and engaging is the “Sorrow Among Stones” quest. This narrative-driven adventure blends lore, exploration, and intense combat in a way that feels both fresh and familiar to fans of the Path of Exile series.
In this guide, we will take an in-depth look at the “Sorrow Among Stones” quest. We’ll explore its storyline, objectives, key locations, the challenges you will face, the rewards, and how this quest fits into the broader Path of Exile 2 experience. Whether you’re new to Path of Exile or a veteran of the first game, this guide will provide everything you need to know to tackle this hauntingly beautiful quest.
Introduction to the “Sorrow Among Stones” Quest
The “Sorrow Among Stones” quest in Poe 2 trade begins when the player is summoned to a secluded region, the Forgotten Vale, which is filled with ancient stone structures, eerie landscapes, and the remnants of long-lost civilizations. The region’s history is steeped in tragedy, and the quest takes players through its haunting past while they unravel the mystery behind the stone monoliths that dot the landscape.
In the quest, the player will uncover the story of a once-prosperous people who fell victim to a cataclysmic event, leaving only stone remnants as markers of their sorrow. As the quest unfolds, the player discovers that these monoliths hold deep magical secrets—secrets that have the potential to shift the balance of power in Wraeclast itself.
The main objective of the quest is not only to uncover the mysteries of the Forgotten Vale but also to prevent a dark force from resurrecting the power of the ancient civilization and bringing ruin to the world.
The Forgotten Vale – A Place of Mystery and Tragedy
The Forgotten Vale is a location that players will visit early in Path of Exile 2. It’s a desolate, misty valley scattered with monolithic stone structures and ancient ruins. The region has a mournful atmosphere, with overgrown trees and cracked stone paths, remnants of a once-thriving civilization that is now lost to time.
The monoliths that populate the landscape are not ordinary stone markers. These structures hold the magical essence of the people who once lived in the valley. Players will encounter stone-carved messages, murals, and cryptic symbols that hint at the rise and fall of the ancient civilization. As the quest progresses, the player will be tasked with deciphering the meaning behind these stone structures, unlocking their secrets and discovering what really happened to the people who built them.
In addition to uncovering the story of the valley, players will also have to contend with the dangers lurking within. The area is home to several hostile creatures, including cursed beasts, spirits of the fallen civilization, and otherworldly monsters drawn to the lingering magic. The Forgotten Vale is a place of sorrow, but also one of tremendous power.
Main Objectives of the Quest
The “Sorrow Among Stones” quest is divided into several stages, each with its own set of challenges and discoveries. Here is a breakdown of the primary objectives players will need to complete:
1. Investigating the Monoliths
The first step of the quest is to investigate the monolithic structures scattered across the Forgotten Vale. These stones are not just markers—they are imbued with ancient magic. The player must search for hidden inscriptions and symbols on these stones to uncover their true significance. Players will need to solve puzzles that unlock the next stage of the quest.
Some of the monoliths contain hidden messages in ancient runes, which the player will need to decipher. These puzzles involve logic, pattern recognition, and sometimes even environmental clues scattered around the area. These inscriptions tell the story of the civilization that once thrived in the Vale, hinting at their downfall.
2. Confronting the Cursed Guardians
As players explore the Forgotten Vale, they will encounter powerful cursed guardians—once the protectors of the ancient civilization, now twisted by dark magic. These creatures are formidable bosses, each one a unique challenge in its own right.
The guardians are typically large, imposing monsters that will require skillful combat tactics to defeat. Some may summon waves of dark energy, while others will call forth smaller minions to overwhelm the player. Learning the attack patterns and weaknesses of each guardian is crucial, as many of these creatures are resistant to standard forms of attack.
Defeating each guardian will grant the player powerful items and help unlock deeper sections of the Forgotten Vale. Some of the guardians may also drop lore fragments that shed light on the civilization’s downfall.
3. Uncovering the Lost Ritual
As players progress through the quest, they will discover that the downfall of the ancient civilization was caused by a dark ritual gone wrong. The people of the Forgotten Vale attempted to summon an ancient entity, but their ritual spiraled out of control, leading to their destruction.
The quest’s next major objective is to uncover the details of this ritual. The player will need to search through hidden libraries, decipher fragmented texts, and engage with the spirits of the fallen to learn more about what happened. These steps reveal the chilling truth behind the ritual, and players will begin to realize that the ritual’s power is still lingering in the Vale.
This discovery leads to the ultimate conflict in the quest, as players are tasked with preventing the rebirth of the dark entity. However, there is a catch—the player will also have the option to use the ritual’s power for their own benefit, which can significantly alter the course of the game’s narrative.
4. Preventing the Resurrection of the Dark Entity
The final stage of the quest revolves around the resurrection of the dark entity tied to the cursed ritual. Players must journey to the heart of the Forgotten Vale and enter the site of the ancient ritual—a place where the fabric of reality is thin and the powers of the dark magic are strongest.
Here, the player will face off against the resurrected dark entity and its followers. The boss battle is intense, with the entity able to manipulate the environment and summon devastating attacks. The player must overcome the entity’s minions and defeat it before it can unleash its full power on Wraeclast.
After defeating the entity, the player will have to make a choice: destroy the remaining dark energy once and for all, or harness its power for themselves. This choice will have far-reaching consequences for the player’s character and the world around them.
Challenges and Combat
The “Sorrow Among Stones” quest is full of challenges that test both the player’s combat abilities and problem-solving skills. In addition to the tough guardians and bosses, the environment itself is filled with hazards. Players will have to navigate through areas filled with traps, crumbling bridges, and shifting terrain. The monsters in the Forgotten Vale are not only dangerous in battle, but they also use the environment to their advantage, making each encounter feel fresh and unpredictable.
One of the most notable challenges in this quest is the powerful “Stone Spirits” that roam the region. These ethereal enemies can phase in and out of the stone walls and floors, making them difficult to track and fight. Players will need to adapt quickly, using abilities that can affect these spirits, such as spells with area-of-effect damage or abilities that can reveal hidden foes.
Rewards
The “Sorrow Among Stones” quest is rich in rewards, offering players some of the most powerful items and equipment in Path of Exile 2. Some of the rewards include:
Ancient Artifacts: Unique items that provide powerful buffs and enhance the player’s abilities. These items may also have lore-based effects that tie into the quest’s narrative.
Skill Gems: Rare skill gems that grant players access to new, powerful abilities. Some of these gems are directly tied to the ancient civilization and its rituals.
Lore Unlocks: As the player uncovers the secrets of the Forgotten Vale, they gain insight into the history of the region and the larger world of Path of Exile 2.
Endgame Currency: cheap POE 2 Currency that allow players to enhance their equipment or unlock new crafting options.
Conclusion
The “Sorrow Among Stones” quest is a pivotal moment in Path of Exile 2, combining narrative depth, challenging combat, and impactful choices. Set in the mysterious Forgotten Vale, the quest explores the tragic history of an ancient civilization, blending lore with intense exploration and combat. Players will be tested in their ability to solve puzzles, defeat powerful enemies, and make tough moral decisions.
The quest is not only an exciting and rewarding journey in its own right but also provides essential context for the larger world of Path of Exile 2. As players venture through the Forgotten Vale, they will come to understand more about the forces at play in Wraeclast, shaping their future actions and the fate of the world itself.
Whether you’re looking to experience the rich lore, face off against challenging bosses, or reap the incredible rewards, the “Sorrow Among Stones” quest is an adventure you won’t want to miss.