How to Start Through Sacred Ground
1. You can begin Through Sacred Ground after completing the Act 2 quests Intruders in Black and The Great White Beast.
2. Once those are done, speak to Yeena, the mystic NPC in the Forest Encampment. She'll tell you about a sacred relic - the hand of "the good man" - which lies deep within the Crypt.
Tips: However, you don't necessarily need to pick up the quest from Yeena before heading out. If you find the Golden Hand item inside the Crypt before talking to her, the quest will automatically trigger when you return to town.
For new players or those rerolling builds, this is also a good time to buy POE Items or gear upgrades to make the early game smoother.
Where to Find the Crypt
1. The Crypt can be found south of the Crossroads, which itself is located east of the Forest Encampment. Once you enter the Crossroads area, simply travel down the southern path to reach the Crypt entrance.
·The layout of the world map is static, but the dungeon itself is randomized every time you enter, meaning the path to the quest objective will vary.
2. The Crypt contains two levels, and you'll find the quest item - the Golden Hand - on Level 2.
·Be prepared for a range of undead enemies, including archers and spellcasters that deal cold and chaos damage. Bringing a flask that removes freeze or chill effects can make the run smoother.
Steps to Complete Through Sacred Ground
Once inside the Crypt, you'll need to follow these steps:
1. Explore the Crypt (Level 1) and locate the entrance to Crypt Level 2.
2. Fight your way through Level 2 until you discover the Altar of the Golden Hand.
3. Defeat Archbishop Geofri the Abashed, who guards the altar.
4. Interact with the Altar to claim the Golden Hand.
5. Return the Golden Hand to Yeena in the Forest Encampment to complete the quest.
How to Defeat Archbishop Geofri the Abashed
Archbishop Geofri the Abashed is the mini-boss of this quest. He's not overly difficult, but his mix of Physical and Cold Damage can pose a problem for undergeared characters or those with low Cold Resistance. Here are some tips:
·Bring Physical mitigation: Armour, Molten Shell, or Steelskin can help soak up melee hits.
·Avoid Cold Damage: Equip gear with +Cold Resistance or a Sapphire Flask to reduce incoming Cold Damage.
·Hexproof warning: Geofri is Hexproof, meaning any curses like Enfeeble, Frostbite, or Temporal Chains will have no effect. Plan your build's strategy accordingly.
·Stay mobile: His melee swings and ice-based attacks are telegraphed. Circle him and avoid getting cornered in tight hallways.
Once defeated, the path to the Altar will be open. Interact with it to obtain the Golden Hand, then head back to town through a portal or the waypoint.
If you're aiming for efficiency, players often use Path of Exile Currency to buy better flasks or support gems for this section, helping with survivability in early acts.
Quest Rewards
Upon returning to Yeena with the Golden Hand, she'll thank you and reward you with a Book of Skill. Using it grants:
·1 Passive Skill Point
·2 Respec Points
Passive Skill Points are vital in Path of Exile, as they let you unlock additional nodes on your skill tree - enabling more damage, defense, or utility options. The Respec Points, meanwhile, allow you to refund specific nodes, letting you adjust your build without needing an Orb of Regret.
This makes Through Sacred Ground a must-do quest for every character, especially early in a league when every Passive Point matters.
Additional Notes
The Crypt Level 1 is also home to an Ascendancy Trial, one of several scattered throughout the Acts. If you're working toward unlocking your Ascendancy class (which becomes available after defeating Act 3's final boss), it's worth completing this trial while you're here.
Additionally, Through Sacred Ground isn't the only way to earn a Book of Skill in Act 2. Completing Deal with the Bandits - whether by siding with or defeating the Bandit Lords - also grants a Skill Point if you choose the "kill all" option.
Tips for Rerolling or Seasonal Play
For players rerolling new characters during seasonal leagues, don't overlook this side quest. Many players skip optional content to rush to maps, but the permanent passive point reward adds up across multiple acts. In seasonal ladders or hardcore playthroughs, efficient questing can make a significant difference in survivability and overall progression speed.
Final Thoughts
Through Sacred Ground may seem like a minor side quest, but in a game as complex and build-focused as Path of Exile, every passive point counts. Between its relatively quick completion time, accessible location, and valuable reward, it's one of the most efficient early quests you can do in Act 2.
So whether you're grinding through the Keepers of the Flame league or just revisiting Wraeclast for nostalgia, make sure to stop by the Crypt, defeat Archbishop Geofri, and bring Yeena her sacred relic. Those extra passive points will serve you well throughout your journey into the endgame.