# Interlude: Curse of Holten Journey back to Ogham to aid [[Renly]] in defeating the newfound corruption and impenetrable darkness that encases the town of [[Holten]]. Interlude 1: The Curse of Holten is a temporary side story that is included until the release of Act 5. The first interlude has 6 new areas and 5 new bosses. ## [[The Refuge]] (Town) * NPCs: [[The Hooded One]]; [[Renly]], [[Finn]], [[Una]] [[The Refuge]] is the main town in Interlude 1 and has 4 NPCs by default. Speak to [[the Hooded One]], [[Renly]], [[Finn]] & [[Una]] to learn more about the encroaching darkness. Then take the exit to the Scorched Farmlands. ## [[Scorched Farmlands]] <img src="https://cdn.poe2db.tw/image/art/2dart/uiimages/ingame/worldpanelwaypointicon.webp" height="32"> * Bosses: [[Isolde of the White Shroud]] and [[Heldra of the Black Pyre]] * Quests: [[Recruit the Ezomytes]] The [[Scorched Farmlands]] contains the burnt remnants of the [[Ogham Farmlands]] from Act 1. Battle the corrupted farm-folk and explore the farmlands until you find an impassable wall of darkness. Explore further until encountering [[Isolde of the White Shroud]] and [[Heldra of the Black Pyre]]. * [[Isolde of the White Shroud]] is an ice themed boss, akin to [[Beira of the Rotten Pack]] from Act 1. * [[Heldra of the Black Pyre]] is a fire themed boss, akin to [[Ignagduk, the Bog Witch]] from Act 3. Defeat [[Isolde of the White Shroud]] and [[Heldra of the Black Pyre]] to end their stalemate and progress ahead to the [[Stones of Serle]]. ## [[Stones of Serle]] <img src="https://cdn.poe2db.tw/image/art/2dart/uiimages/ingame/worldpanelwaypointicon.webp" height="32"> * Bosses: [[Siora, Blade of the Mists]] * Quests: [[Recruit the Ezomytes]] The [[Stones of Serle]] is enchanted by Fey Spirits. Seek their help by activating the 6 Megaliths located around the edge of the zone. Upon activating all six surrounding Megaliths, head to the Stone Circle, located in the centre of the map, to battle [[Siora, Blade of the Mists]], a physical and lightning themed boss. Use timely dodges to avoid [[Siora, Blade of the Mists]]'s flurry of slashes and lightning abilities. When [[Siora, Blade of the Mists]] shrouds the arena in darkness, run to the glowing Megalith to clear it. After defeating [[Siora, Blade of the Mists]], speak to [[Una]] and return to the impassable wall of darkness in the [[Scorched Farmlands]] to enter the next zone, [[The Blackwood]]. ## [[The Blackwood]] <img src="https://cdn.poe2db.tw/image/art/2dart/uiimages/ingame/worldpanelwaypointicon.webp" height="32"> * Quests: [[Recruit the Ezomytes]] * Points of Interest: [[Dark Omens]] [[The Blackwood]] is a forested area, shrouded in darkness, inhabited by forgotten stag, nameless horror, treant foulspawn and more. Explore the darkness for the entrance to [[Holten]]. While searching the forest, you may encounter Omen Altars. Interact with them to receive a random Omen which can be used for crafting. Consider exploring the entire area to find every Omen Altar. ## [[Holten]] <img src="https://cdn.poe2db.tw/image/art/2dart/uiimages/ingame/worldpanelwaypointicon.webp" height="32"> * NPCs: [[Soul of the Ferryman]] * Bosses: [[Sigbert of the Sullied Oath]] and [[Godwin of the Shattered Creed]] (Optional) * Quests: [[Recruit the Ezomytes]] The town of [[Holten]] has been left to rot, as the Thane and Lady of Holten have changed their allegiance to a new dark master. Search the town for an entrance to the [[Holten Estate]] and [[Wolvenhold]]. Optional: Search for the [[Psalm of Blood]], where you previously encountered [[Candlemass, the Living Rite]] in Act 1, you can defeat [[Sigbert of the Sullied Oath]] and [[Godwin of the Shattered Creed]] for an [[Armourer's Scrap]] and for some magic and rare loot. Additionally, in the centre of [[Holten]] you can find the [[Soul of the Ferryman]]. A ghostly fisherman who sells a tab of Greater Runes for approximately 2,000 Gold each. You need approximately 20,000 Gold to purchase his whole stock. ## [[Wolvenhold]] <img src="https://cdn.poe2db.tw/image/art/2dart/uiimages/ingame/worldpanelwaypointicon.webp" height="32"> * Bosses: [[Oswin, the Dread Warden]] (2 Weapon Set Passive Skill Points) * Quests: [[Recruit the Ezomytes]] [[Wolvenhold]] is home to [[Oswin, the Dread Warden]], and blood is his price. Navigate the prison-like estate, in search of the boss arena. [[Oswin, the Dread Warden]] is a physical and cold themed boss, akin to [[Azarian, The Forsaken Son]] from Act 2. Defeat [[Oswin, the Dread Warden]] and consume the [[Warden's Ledger]] for 2 Weapon Set Passive Skill Points. ## [[Holten Estate]] <img src="https://cdn.poe2db.tw/image/art/2dart/uiimages/ingame/worldpanelwaypointicon.webp" height="32"> * Bosses: [[Thane Wulfric]] and [[Lady Elswyth]] * Quests: [[Recruit the Ezomytes]] [[Thane Wulfric]] and [[Lady Elswyth]] have barricaded themselves in [[Holten Estate]]'s courtyard. Search for an alternate entrance to the courtyard and confront them. * [[Thane Wulfric]] is a physical and fire themed boss, akin to [[Draven, Eternal Praetor]] from Act 1. * [[Lady Elswyth]] is a physical and chaos themed boss, akin to [[Asinia, Praetor Consort]] from Act 1. Defeat the duo, return to town and speak to [[the Hooded One]] to travel to the next interlude.