The Love is Dead quest in Path of Exile tests your character's morality by dragging you into Clarissa's desperate, tragic attempt to resurrect her fallen partner, Tolman. Found in Act 8, this optional side quest requires you to locate the Ankh of Eternity in The Quay and hand it over for a ritual gone wrong. While the narrative explores grief and obsession, the mechanical payout is straightforward: a valuable Book of Skill granting passive skill and respec points.
Knowing how to navigate the zone efficiently, handle the ambush, and claim your rewards ensures you don't lose time wandering through Wraeclast's sprawling layouts.
Starting the Quest and Finding the Ankh of Eternity
To begin the quest, speak with Clarissa in The Sarn Encampment during Act 8. She asks you to track down an ancient relic known as the Ankh of Eternity, hidden away in The Quay. Hargan warns you that the artifact was hidden away for a dark reason, but Clarissa's grief blinds her to the danger.
- Travel from The Sarn Encampment into The Quay zone.
- Clear out the undead and imperial remnants while hugging the outer walls to map the layout quickly.
- Locate the container holding the Ankh of Eternity deep within the area.
Once the artifact is in your inventory, your objective shifts to finding Clarissa at her prepared ritual site nearby in the same zone.
The Ritual and the Boss Fight Against Tolman
Head over to the Resurrection Site marked in The Quay to meet Clarissa. Handing over the Ankh of Eternity triggers a cinematic dialogue sequence where she attempts to bring Tolman back from the dead.
The ritual backfires immediately, warping the artifact's dark energy. Instead of breathing life back into her partner, it twists him into a hostile, mindless zombie.
- Survive the Ambush: The moment the ritual fails, a wave of zombies spawns around the platform to swarm your character. Use area-of-effect skills or crowd control abilities to clear them out fast.
- Defeat Zombie Tolman: Tolman joins the fray as an elite enemy type. Keep your distance if you're running a fragile build, as his heavy melee strikes pack a punch, and watch out for lingering hazards on the platform.
- Talk to a Devastated Clarissa: Once Tolman falls, speak with Clarissa at the site. Realizing her tragic mistake, she resolves to destroy the cursed ankh herself and tells you she's heading back to town.
Claiming Your Rewards
Return to The Sarn Encampment and speak with Clarissa one final time. Full completion of the encounter grants you essential character progression items:
- Book of Skill: Right-clicking this item permanently grants 1 Passive Skill Point and 2 Passive Respec Points.
- Experience points scaling with your character level.
Because passive points directly affect your build's power scaling, skipping this optional task means missing out on vital endgame scaling potential. You can read more about game mechanics on the official Path of Exile Wiki.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping the side area: Don't waste time searching the entire map for Clarissa after picking up the ankh; head straight to her designated ritual sub-area in The Quay.
- Standing still during the ambush: Getting cornered by the sudden wave of zombies right after the ritual fails can catch glass-cannon builds off guard. Keep moving and kite the pack.
- Forgetting to talk to Clarissa in town: Killing Tolman updates your quest log, but you won't receive your passive point until you speak with Clarissa back in The Sarn Encampment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Love is Dead mandatory to complete Act 8?
No, it's an optional side quest. However, because it rewards a passive skill point, skipping it leaves character power on the table.
Can you save Tolman during the ritual?
No. No matter what dialogue choices or actions you take, the narrative is scripted so that the ritual fails, forcing you to put Tolman down.
What happens to Clarissa after the quest ends?
Clarissa accepts reality, lets go of her obsession, and decides to safely destroy the Ankh of Eternity, staying in The Sarn Encampment for the remainder of the campaign.
Do other NPCs comment on your choice?
Yes, interacting with other town vendors like Hargan provides extra lore context regarding historical figures like Veruso and the dangers of Azmerian relics. For broader community discussions on character builds and optimal leveling routes, check out Path of Exile Reddit.
