GRIM DAWN / QUEST / SIDE QUEST
Descent into Torment
An Act 2 side quest offered by Kalderos outside the Steps of Torment immediately after Old Scars. Descend to Misery, the dungeon's third level, kill Grand Priest Zarthuzellan, and report to Kalderos when he appears nearby.
Last updated: 2026-07-12
Side QuestEasy to Get LostBoss Fight
Act
Act 2
NPC
Kalderos
Area
Broken Hills / Steps of Torment (Misery)
Level
30-40
DLC
Base Game
Missable
No
WHY PLAYERS GET STUCK
The quest starts outside the Steps of Torment in Broken Hills, not at Homestead. After the kill, do not backtrack to the entrance: Kalderos appears on level 3 near Zarthuzellan's room and the Gates of Anguish. Levels 4-5 are not required.
WALKTHROUGH
- 1Accept the quest from Kalderos
- ▸Complete the three Oligarch kills for the prerequisite quest Old Scars.
- ▸Travel from the Broken Hills Rift to the Steps of Torment entrance and turn Old Scars in to Kalderos.
- ▸Continue the conversation and accept his request to kill Grand Priest Zarthuzellan.
- 2Descend to the third level of the Steps of Torment
- ▸Enter the Steps of Torment and travel through levels 1 and 2 to Misery on level 3.
- ▸There is no normal Riftgate inside. Personal Rifts can be used before the roguelike section; prepare for fire, lightning, physical damage, and stuns.
- ▸Level 3 also contains a shrine, but only Zarthuzellan is required for this quest.
- 3Slay Grand Priest Zarthuzellan
- ▸Reach the boss room toward the northeast of Misery. The portcullis at the bridge locks behind you until the boss dies.
- ▸Grand Priest Zarthuzellan uses physical, fire, and lightning damage along with stun effects.
- ▸Prioritize summoned Skeletal Priests because they can heal the boss.
- 4Report to Kalderos on level 3
- ▸After the kill, speak to Kalderos in the room by the Gates of Anguish.
- ▸Rewards are 7,500/29,000/76,000 XP on Normal/Elite/Ultimate, one Skeleton Key, and the Blueprint: Skeleton Key.
- ▸Beyond the gate are the difficult roguelike levels 4-5. Entering them is unnecessary for this quest or the main campaign.
STILL LOST?
If the quest is unavailable, finish Old Scars and continue speaking to Kalderos outside the Steps of Torment in Broken Hills. The target is in northeastern Misery on level 3. After the kill, stay on level 3 and find Kalderos near the Gates of Anguish.
An optional Base Game side quest with no time limit or failure branch, so it is not missable. The Skeleton Key is consumed when the Gates of Anguish are opened, but the reward blueprint lets you craft replacements.