Act 2 in Path of Exile 2 has a funny way of making you feel clever one minute and completely lost the next. The Ancient Vows quest is a good example. You pick up a relic, the log tells you to find a use for it, and that's about all you get. No big marker. No friendly hint. If you've been farming gear, checking trade values, or even comparing something like Fate of the Vaal SC Divine Orb prices between sessions, it's easy to forget the relic is even sitting in your bag. The trick is simple, though: one relic isn't enough. You need two pieces before the quest makes sense.

Where the first relic drops

The Kabala Clan Relic comes from Keth, and there's no special chest tucked in a corner that you're meant to notice. Just clear the area and focus on the snake-like enemies as you go. It's a random drop, so don't start thinking your quest is bugged after two packs. Sometimes it appears almost right away. Sometimes the zone makes you work for it. I'd suggest doing a clean sweep instead of rushing straight through, because leaving half the mobs alive only means you may have to come back.

Getting the second half

The Sun Clan Relic is found in The Bone Pits. Same deal, really. Kill mobs, keep moving, and watch the loot labels. This is where a lot of players get tripped up, because they already have one relic and expect the quest to update in a more obvious way. It won't. You need both relics in your inventory at the same time. If one drops and you stash it by accident, grab it again before heading out. The game expects you to carry the pair to the next step.

Using the altar in Valley of the Titans

Once both relics are with you, travel to the Valley of the Titans. The good news is that the altar isn't buried deep in the map. It sits close to the waypoint, near a large stone medallion-style structure. Walk up to it and place both relics into the altar interface. If the interaction feels awkward, you're not alone. The click box can be a bit touchy. Turning on always-show item labels can help, and so can stepping back and approaching the altar from a slightly different angle.

Picking the reward that fits your build

The reward choice gives you either 30% increased Charm Charges or 15% increased Mana Recovery from Flasks. If your build burns mana fast, the flask option feels great, especially during boss fights where you don't get much breathing room. If your mana is fine and you're leaning on charms to deal with elemental hits or other ugly surprises, the charm charge bonus is probably the better pick. Don't stress too much, though. You can return to the altar later and change the bonus, which is handy if your setup shifts after new gear, extra passives, or supplies from u4gm help smooth out your character's weak spots during the campaign.