In the mysterious and treacherous world of Path of Exile (PoE), the quest "Culling the Cultists" serves as a crucial step in your journey to become a powerful Warlock of the Mists. Tasked by the enigmatic Breaker of Oaths, players must undertake a grim mission to diminish the influence of the King in the Mists by slaying his devoted cultists. This guide will walk you through the key objectives of the quest and offer insights into the lore behind this shadowy assignment.
Your journey begins with a directive from the Breaker of Oaths, a figure shrouded in mystery and darkness. He tasks you with slaying 500 of the King in the Mists’ cultists. These followers are scattered throughout the Wildwood, a dangerous and foreboding forest that serves as the domain of the King in the Mists.
The Breaker of Oaths, in his ominous manner, explains that these cultists are unwitting pawns, their faith fueling the King’s sinister plans. By culling these devotees, you not only diminish the King’s power but also align yourself more closely with the dark energies of the Wildwood, a crucial step in your training as a Warlock.
Objective:
Throughout the quest, the Breaker of Oaths provides you with cryptic guidance, reinforcing the gravity of your mission. His words paint a picture of a twisted power struggle between two formidable entities—the King in the Mists and the Breaker himself.
Key Dialogues:
Culling the Cultists: "Your first task shall be a simple culling. The King in the Mists has created a religion to ensnare travelers through the Wildwood. These unwitting travelers have become his fanatical followers, and their faith fuels his plans. Diminish that fuel by eliminating his cultists. Return to me when the bloody work is done, and we shall see about your schooling."
War for the Wildwood: "You are ready, my apprentice. We must make our greatest move yet. Find the King in the Mists himself, and engage him directly. You must defeat his physical form in combat, however you see fit. It will not slay him utterly, but it will banish him for a time… and that will give me an opportunity to begin tapping into the flow of devotion from his altars."
Once you have slain the required 500 cultists, it is time to return to the Breaker of Oaths. Upon your return, he will acknowledge your efforts, noting how you have attuned yourself with the Wild energies by trafficking in death. This act of culling has prepared you for the next phase of your dark education.
Objective:
With the completion of the "Culling the Cultists" quest, you have successfully weakened the King in the Mists’ hold over the Wildwood. The Breaker of Oaths will now begin training you in his Wildwood Specialization, marking your progression toward becoming a full Warlock of the Mists.
Completion Dialogue:
The "Culling the Cultists" quest is more than just a task of mass slaying; it is a pivotal moment in your journey through the dark and twisted narrative of Path of Exile. By aligning with the Breaker of Oaths, you delve deeper into the mysterious powers of the Wildwood, setting the stage for even more challenging and morally ambiguous quests ahead.
Whether you see yourself as a mere pawn in a larger game or a rising power in your own right, the choices you make in this quest will shape your path as you continue your war against the King in the Mists. Good luck, Exile, and may the shadows guide your blade.