GRIM DAWN / QUEST / FACTION
A Catalyst
An Act 3 Order of Death's Vigil faction quest offered by Master Varuuk at Sorrow's Bastion after Seals of Binding. Kill Noveria Stormfire in Stonerend Quarry northeast of Blood Grove, collect the Aetherial Essence, and return it to Varuuk.
Last updated: 2026-07-12
factionEasy to Get LostBoss Fight
Act
Act 3
NPC
Master Varuuk
Area
Sorrow's Bastion / Blood Grove / Stonerend Quarry
Level
35-40
DLC
Base Game
Missable
No
WHY PLAYERS GET STUCK
The destination is not inside Fort Haron. From the Blood Grove Rift, travel northeast and take the side path on the right before Fort Haron. Stonerend Quarry contains Aetherfire ground that normal resistances do not mitigate, and Varuuk's temporary enchantment helps against Noveria.
WALKTHROUGH
- 1Accept the quest from Master Varuuk
- ▸Join the Order of Death's Vigil and complete the prerequisite quest Seals of Binding.
- ▸Speak to Master Varuuk in the Bastion of the Order on the west side of Sorrow's Bastion.
- ▸Accepting the quest grants Death's Vigil Enchantment for about 20 minutes, adding Cold damage to your weapons.
- 2Travel to Stonerend Quarry
- ▸From the Blood Grove Rift, follow the road northeast toward Fort Haron.
- ▸Before entering Fort Haron, take the side path on the right and follow it into Stonerend Quarry.
- ▸Before crossing Aetherfire ground, make sure healing potions and recovery skills are available.
- 3Defeat Noveria and collect her essence
- ▸Find and kill the Aetherial-possessed sorceress Noveria Stormfire deeper in the quarry.
- ▸Watch for Aether and Elemental damage, her invulnerability effect and summons; disengage from heavy attacks while Sundered.
- ▸Pick up the Aetherial Essence she drops and confirm that the objective updates before leaving.
- 4Return the essence to Master Varuuk
- ▸Return to Sorrow's Bastion and give the Aetherial Essence to Master Varuuk.
- ▸Rewards are 11,000 / 36,000 / 70,000 XP by difficulty, +250 Order of Death's Vigil reputation, and a random partial component.
- ▸After completion, the Keeper of Tomes in another room offers the follow-up quest The Sacred Ashes.
STILL LOST?
Return to the Blood Grove Rift and head northeast toward Fort Haron. Do not enter the fort; find the right-hand side path before it. If killing Noveria did not advance the quest, check the ground for the Aetherial Essence.
Prerequisite: Seals of Binding. This quest is exclusive to characters allied with the Order of Death's Vigil and is unavailable on the Kymon's Chosen route. It has no timer or failure branch and is not missable. Base Game only.