PoE 2 The Third Edict: Interludes

The Third Edict update for Path of Exile 2 will introduce a new set of mini-acts known as Interludes that bridge the gap between the newly added Act 4 and the endgame.

Interludes will introduce new story beats to Path of Exile 2's campaign in a refreshing way that replaces the need to run through the same Acts a second time in cruel difficulty. You'll now need to progress through the first four Acts of the campaign, followed by three Interludes to beat before reaching the mapping endgame.

Notably, the Interludes mechanic is not a permanent fixture. Instead it serves as a temporary placeholder for Act 5 and 6 which are slated to be introduced in future updates. However, the content introduced as part of Interludes will not be wasted when Act 5 and 6 finally come around - GGG intend to recycle the content into the endgame, likely as a 'memory' system similar to that of Path of Exile 1.

In total, the three new mini-acts will add approximately 20 new zones and 12 new boss encounters, providing plenty of new content to enjoy in 0.3.

Return to Ogham

The first Interlude, The Curse of Holten, will have you returning to Ogham in the wake of Count Geonor's death. The village has been slowly rebuilding following the corruption passing through, and you'll be able to catch up with some old friends.

Renly's return in The Curse of Holten

However not all is well in Ogham, as the nearby town of Holten is shrouded in an endless darkness. The fog is seemingly impenetrable, and each night the inhabitants of Holten appear to leave the darkness to attack and pillage nearby farmland.

You'll need to investigate new areas, face unforeseen threats, and ultimately work towards solving the mystery behind The Curse of Holten.

The Vastiri Awaits

In the second Interlude, The Stolen Barya, you'll make your way back to the Vastiri Desert to relink with Asala, the Sekhema of the Ardura tribe. She must perform a sacred ritual involving the Gift of Water, but something is amiss.

Asala, Sekhema of the Ardura, surveying her surroundings

The legendary guardians of the ritual have mysteriously disappeared, and without them the sacred duty cannot be performed. You'll be tasked with seeking out the truth buried beneath the sands of the Vastiri - who disrupted the ritual, and why? Explore new areas and encounter new foes is the search for answers, and reveal the secrets behind The Stolen Barya.

A Time Capsule

In the third and final Interlude, Doryani's Contingency, you'll explore the deepest secrets of the Vaal empire in a story that spans 1000 years.

A door to long-lost civilisations?

The Vaal's Royal Thaumaturge, Doryani, foresaw the cataclysm that would wipe out the entirely of the Vaal civilisation. He knew that to not act would be giving up, but how could he prevent the inevitable? Hidden deep within a mountain lies a massive crypt, a place that members of the Vaal once called home, and a sealed-off area that may have helped the inhabitants survive their doom.

Explore and navigate the perils of the dark and cold climb to the entrance, and discover if the Vaal have survived their fate - they could hold the key to defeating Oriana and the Beast once and for all.