The Sacred Ashes
An Order of Death's Vigil faction side quest offered by the Keeper of Tomes in the Bastion of the Order after A Catalyst. Travel to the Tomb of Archon Barthollem near Fort Ikon, defeat Archon Barthollem on the second level, collect the Desecrated Ashes of Empyrion, and return them to the Keeper.
Master Varuuk, the turn-in NPC for A Catalyst, does not offer this quest. Find the Keeper of Tomes in another room of the Bastion of the Order. The destination is not near Homestead; it is by Fort Ikon in Act 4. Continue through both tomb levels to the boss at the end.
- 1Accept the quest from the Keeper of Tomes
- ▸Join the Order of Death's Vigil and complete the prerequisite quest A Catalyst.
- ▸Enter the Bastion of the Order west of Sorrow's Bastion and speak to the Keeper of Tomes in a room separate from Master Varuuk.
- ▸This Death's Vigil version is unavailable on a difficulty where you sided with Kymon's Chosen.
- 2Travel to the Tomb of Archon Barthollem
- ▸Travel to the Fort Ikon Rift in Act 4.
- ▸Head south from the rift and then a little west to find the entrance to the Tomb of Archon Barthollem.
- ▸If approaching from Asterkarn Valley, continue through Fort Ikon's walls toward the tomb beyond them.
- 3Defeat Archon Barthollem
- ▸Fight through the Kymon's Chosen forces to the end of the tomb's second level.
- ▸Defeat Archon Barthollem, a two-handed melee boss dealing Physical, Fire, and Burn damage.
- ▸His Defensive Ability reduction can expose you to critical hits, so disengage while the debuff is active.
- 4Collect the ashes and report back
- ▸Pick up the Desecrated Ashes of Empyrion dropped after the boss dies.
- ▸Return to the Bastion of the Order at Sorrow's Bastion and give the ashes to the Keeper of Tomes.
- ▸Rewards include 12,000 / 38,000 / 73,000 XP by difficulty, +500 Order of Death's Vigil reputation, and a level 35 relic blueprint. Completion unlocks Service Beyond Death.
If the quest is not offered, look for the Keeper of Tomes in another room rather than Master Varuuk. Once active, go south and slightly west from the Fort Ikon Rift, enter the tomb, and continue to the end of level two. If the quest does not advance after the boss, check for the dropped ashes.