"The Siren’s Cadence" is the final main quest in Act 1 of Path of Exile (PoE). In this quest, you are tasked with confronting and defeating Merveil, the Siren, a once-beautiful woman who has been transformed into a monstrous creature. Merveil’s lair lies deep within the caverns along the coast, where she lures sailors and exiles to their doom. Successfully completing this quest allows you to move forward to Act 2 and rewards you with powerful skill gems that will further enhance your character’s abilities.
Quest Overview
Quest Name: The Siren’s Cadence
NPCs: Nessa, Tarkleigh, Bestel
Objective: Kill Merveil, the Siren, in her lair
Act: 1 (Main quest that transitions to Act 2)
Final Reward: Skill Gems to enhance your character’s abilities
Step 1: Prepare for the Battle with Merveil
Before venturing into Merveil’s Caverns, it’s a good idea to prepare for the battle ahead. Speak with Nessa, Tarkleigh, and Bestel in Lioneye’s Watch to gather information and obtain any helpful items or advice they can provide. Nessa, in particular, may offer you a useful item to help in your fight against Merveil.
NPC Dialogue:
Bestel (Merveil): "Siren’s Cove belongs to Merveil. Those butchering buccaneers sailed off that way, the ones that plundered my poor Merry Gull. T’would be poetic justice if they’d stopped off for a sing-a-long with Merveil’s lovely daughters on their way home."
Tarkleigh (Merveil): "If you have to quench your curiosity about Merveil, go look at the corsairs that haunt the grave of ships. Like any mother, Merveil’s got hungry mouths to feed."
Nessa (Merveil’s Lair): "If you must take your chances with the Siren, then have this. It may be of some help. But please, know that you don’t have to do this. Tarkleigh and I are getting used to having you around."
Step 2: Enter Merveil’s Caverns
After gathering supplies and advice, make your way to Merveil’s Caverns. These caverns are located at the far end of the Ship Graveyard and are filled with various dangers, including Merveil’s corrupted minions. As you progress deeper into the caverns, you will encounter increasingly difficult enemies, leading up to your final confrontation with Merveil.
Objective:
Enter Merveil’s Caverns and make your way to her lair.
Area:
Merveil’s Caverns: A series of dark, twisting caves filled with dangerous enemies and traps.
Step 3: Kill Merveil, the Siren
Merveil herself is a formidable opponent, and the battle takes place in two phases. In the first phase, Merveil attacks you with powerful cold-based spells, summoning waves of minions to assist her. After depleting her health bar in the first phase, she transforms into an even more monstrous form, where her attacks become more aggressive and dangerous.
Objective:
Kill Merveil, the Siren, in her lair.
Tips for the Fight:
Cold Resistance: Merveil’s attacks are primarily cold-based, so increasing your cold resistance before the fight will help mitigate some of the damage.
Mobility: Stay mobile during the fight to avoid Merveil’s spells and the minions she summons. This will also help you dodge her area-of-effect attacks in the second phase.
Focus on Merveil: While it may be tempting to deal with her minions, focusing on Merveil herself is the quickest way to end the fight.
Step 4: Exit Merveil’s Lair
After defeating Merveil, the path to the exit of her lair will open, allowing you to proceed to Act 2. This marks a significant milestone in your journey, as you leave the coast behind and venture into the lush forests of Wraeclast. Before you leave, you may return to Lioneye’s Watch to speak with the NPCs and collect your reward.
Objective:
Find the exit to Act 2 from Merveil’s Lair.
Area:
Act 2: The next chapter of your journey in Wraeclast, filled with new challenges and opportunities.
Step 5: Return to Nessa for Your Reward
Once you’ve killed Merveil and unlocked the path to Act 2, return to Lioneye’s Watch and speak with Nessa to claim your reward. Nessa will offer you a selection of skill gems tailored to your character class, allowing you to further enhance your combat abilities as you prepare for the challenges that lie ahead.
Objective:
Talk to Nessa in Lioneye’s Watch for your reward.
NPC Dialogue:
Bestel (Merveil): "Quite the lady killer, aren’t you? That singing squid didn’t stand a chance. Knew it, from the first time I saw those sharp peepers of yours. Pirates notwithstanding, I thank you on behalf of all the fallen brethren of the waves. Now that the final cadence has been played, no one need remember Merveil’s song."
Nessa (Merveil): "I thought you were a fool for seeking out Merveil. A fool in love with death. Now… I don’t know. Still, you’ve delivered this coast from the terrors that long held sway here. We may now find some respite and that’s more than any of us could have hoped for. But please… consider this. What have you become when even nightmares fear you?"
Tarkleigh (Merveil): "Damn me! I didn’t think it possible. All these souls Merveil and her brood have consumed over the years… you’ve done right by those that are dead, and by those who still might live."
Step 6: Choose Your Reward
After speaking with Nessa, you’ll be given a choice of skill gems as your reward. These gems will help you tailor your build to better suit your playstyle, providing new and powerful abilities as you prepare for the challenges in Act 2.
With Merveil defeated and your rewards collected, "The Siren’s Cadence" quest is complete. You have rid the coast of a great evil and are now ready to continue your journey into Act 2, where new challenges and adventures await.
Objective:
Quest Complete – You have slain Merveil and reached Act 2. Talk to Nessa for a reward.
Final Thoughts
"The Siren’s Cadence" is a critical quest in Path of Exile, marking the transition from the coastal regions of Act 1 to the dense forests of Act 2. By defeating Merveil, you not only secure the safety of those who remain in Lioneye’s Watch but also prove your strength and determination as an exile. The skill gems you receive as a reward will be invaluable as you face the new dangers that await in the next chapter of your journey.
Good luck, Exile, and may your path through Wraeclast continue to be filled with triumphs and powerful rewards!