How to use Horn of Vastiri and clear the sandstorm in Act 2 of Path of Exile 2. Trail of Corruption quest guide

TL;DR

  • Complete three quests in any order to obtain the Horn of Vastiri from Zarka
  • Defeat Zalmarath in Titan Grotto and retrieve the Flame Ruby
  • Return to Ardura Caravan and use Desert Map to navigate to sandstorm
  • If NPC is unavailable, revisit the Desert Map room to trigger dialogue
  • Sound the horn at marked location to clear sandstorm and progress story

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Path of Exile 2’s second act presents players with the challenging Trail of Corruption questline, where obtaining and properly utilizing the Horn of Vastiri becomes essential for progression. This ancient artifact serves as the key mechanism for clearing the devastating sandstorms blocking your path through the desert regions. Many adventurers struggle not only with acquiring this powerful item but also with understanding the precise activation sequence required to harness its storm-dispersing capabilities.

The Trail of Corruption represents one of Act 2’s primary narrative arcs, requiring completion of three distinct sub-quests that can be tackled in whichever order suits your playstyle. This non-linear approach allows for strategic flexibility while maintaining the core objective of securing the horn. Understanding the quest’s structure early helps prevent backtracking and wasted effort, especially when dealing with the intricate NPC interaction requirements.

To secure the Horn of Vastiri, you must complete the A Crown of Stone questline, which directs you to Titan Grotto where the formidable boss Zalmarath awaits. This combat encounter demands careful preparation as Zalmarath employs devastating area-of-effect attacks and summoning abilities that can overwhelm unprepared characters. Successful execution requires mastering dodging patterns and identifying attack telegraphs.

Upon defeating Zalmarath, you’ll obtain the Flame Ruby, a crucial component that must be delivered to Zarka to complete the exchange for the horn. The Flame Ruby serves as both quest item and proof of your victory over the grotto’s guardian. Zarka will only relinquish the Horn of Vastiri after verifying your accomplishment, making this the definitive gatekeeping mechanism for progression.


After securing the horn, return to the Ardura Caravan and attempt to converse with the lead NPC. Many players encounter confusion when finding this character unavailable for dialogue, creating an unexpected roadblock in what should be a straightforward progression step. This common issue stems from incomplete map navigation rather than a game bug.

The solution requires returning to the Desert Map room and interacting with the navigation interface to plot your caravan’s course toward the sandstorm location, clearly marked by an active quest indicator. Proper caravan positioning is essential for triggering the horn activation sequence, as the artifact only functions within specific geographical and narrative contexts.


Once your caravan reaches the designated sandstorm area, the lead NPC will display the “Sound the Horn” interaction prompt. Successful activation clears the atmospheric obstruction, revealing new pathways and advancing the main storyline. The horn’s magical properties create a temporary calm zone, allowing safe passage through previously inaccessible regions.

Advanced players should note that the horn’s effects are temporary in the game world, though story progression remains permanent. This distinction becomes important for understanding Path of Exile 2’s environmental mechanics and how quest items interact with the persistent world state.

Action Checklist

  • Complete A Crown of Stone and two other Trail of Corruption quests
  • Defeat Zalmarath in Titan Grotto and collect Flame Ruby
  • Deliver Flame Ruby to Zarka and receive Horn of Vastiri
  • Return to Ardura Caravan and access Desert Map if NPC is unavailable
  • Navigate caravan to marked sandstorm location and sound horn

No reproduction without permission:Game Guides » How to use Horn of Vastiri and clear the sandstorm in Act 2 of Path of Exile 2. Trail of Corruption quest guide Complete guide to obtaining and using the Horn of Vastiri to clear sandstorms in Path of Exile 2 Act 2