Tarcus Veruso
Tarcus Veruso, sometimes referred to as the Prima Imperialus, is a historical figure of Wraeclast, the founder of the Eternal Empire and its first Emperor. He was an Azmerian leader who led the Azmeri down from the Azmerian ranges down to the ruins of Azala Vaal, ruined by the Vaal Cataclysm, to found the capital of the Eternal Empire, Sarn. Tarcus Veruso has no offical depictions, in-game or otherwise.
When his wife, Chiara died, Veruso turned to the 
Ankh of EternityAnkh of Eternity"The amulet, it... whispers to me. Horrible things..."
to bring her back. However, Clarissa's dialogue suggests that this experiment was a failure, and that she was transformed into a monster.
History
Egrin
Veruso's descent to found Sarn may have been led by the visions of a young Azmeri, Egrin. Later, Egrin was cast out for possibly Elder-related visions and taken in by the Order of the Djinn.[a]
Imperialus Conceptus (1 IC)
The founding of the Eternal Empire is known as Imperialus Conceptus, and marks the first year of the Eternal calendar, 1 IC.
Tarcus Veruso led "eighty thousand tribesmen and women" of the Azmeri and descended the Azmerian ranges, headeing down into the lands left behind by the Vaal Empire after the Vaal Cataclysm. However, although the majority did, not all Azmeri followed Veruso. The Azmeri of The Forest Encampment are the descendants of "their original culture", those who stayed behind.[1] To reach "the promised land", Veruso and his followers first had to traverse "the doomlands", lands ravaged by the fallout of the Cataclysm. Hunger set in, and the tribesmen may have resorted to cannibalism.[b]
"Plant[ing] his banner" upon Azala Vaal, the former capital of the Vaal Empire, Tarcus Veruso founded the capital city of Sarn, and along with it, the Eternal Empire. According to Cadiro Perandus, the first Perandus market stall, later known as the Perandus Markets, was built on this day.[c]
"The Vaal closed their eyes to flesh and stone, to blood and bronze. We are not Vaal. We are Azmeri. For now and forever, our eyes are open."
- Tarcus Veruso, on founding of Sarn
Reign of Tarcus Veruso
As Emperor, Veruso ruled as a "ruthless despot".[d] He sealed and quarantined the "ancient Vaalish centres of power and knowledge", outlawing thaumaturgy in an effort to prevent a second Vaal Cataclysm. Those that "stained themselves" with "Vaalish folly" were burned for their sin. The "Tears of Maji", gems, were collected up and taken, buried under the mountains of Highgate. The caverns there were "sealed and forgotten".
He introduced the system of Legions and legionnaires, conquering many "lands beneath the Mantle" and clearing them of the "mindless constructs" and "fierce abominations" left after the Vaal Cataclysm.
Chiara
When Veruso's wife, Chiara, died during childbirth, he turned to the Ankh of EternityAnkh of Eternity"The amulet, it... whispers to me. Horrible things..." to try to bring her back.[e] Paired with a specific "Azmerian ritual", the Ankh was said to have been a source of "true resurrection".[f] The origin of the ankh is unknown, but the Azmeri likely already had it in their possession when Tarcus Veruso led them down into their new land. "Inscriptions" upon the ankh suggest that the Ankh was a gift to Veruso from the Vaal, more likely from one of the 3,126 survivors of the Fall.[1][g]
Clarissa's dialogue suggests that the ritual resulted in Chiara becoming a monster, similar to what happened later to Tolman, but the Eternal records of the event were rewritten to describe a success in an effort to "cover up the truth [of the failure]".[h] Afterwards, Veruso took the ankh himself and hid it "to the east", tucked away in a "shrine in the Quay". Later, as part of the quest 
Love is Dead, the exile encounters the ankh in the Quay and gives to Clarissa, who unsuccessfully tries to use it to revive Tolman.
Related items
| Item | Flavour Text |
|---|---|
Veruso's Ambition Veruso's AmbitionShackled BootsEvasion: (111-156) Energy Shield: (23-33)Requires Level 34, 34 Dex, 34 IntGrants Level 20 Ravenous Skill Enemies display their Monster Category (80-120)% increased Evasion and Energy Shield +(13-23)% to Chaos Resistance (20-30)% increased Movement Speed"Follow me if you desire better for yourself, and for your families. Follow me if you hunger for more than this!"  | "Follow me if you desire better for yourself, and for your families. Follow me if you hunger for more than this!" |
Veruso's Battering Rams Veruso's Battering RamsTitan GauntletsArmour: (532-778)Requires Level 69, 98 Str(8-13)% increased Attack Speed (120-180)% increased Armour (3-5)% increased Movement Speed 50% increased Stun Duration on you 4% increased Melee Damage per Endurance Charge You cannot be Shocked while at maximum Endurance ChargesWith unending determination and resolve he destroyed first the gates, then the constructs guarding the tomb on the other side.  | With unending determination and resolve he destroyed first the gates, then the constructs guarding the tomb on the other side. |
Notelist
- ↑ Order of the Djinn, "Module Error: No results found for item using search term "item_name = Rusted Elder Scarab""
- ↑ Unknown, "Distant Mud Pit Memory"
- ↑ Cadiro Perandus, "The Perandus Family"
- ↑ Clarissa, "Emperor Veruso"
- ↑ Clarissa, "Emperor Veruso"
- ↑ Clarissa, "The Ankh of Eternity"
- ↑ Clarissa, "The Ankh of Eternity"
- ↑ Clarissa, on Tolman's second death
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Natalia_GGG (Nov 11, 2020). "Path of Exile Lore: Questions and Answers Part One". Official Path of Exile Website. Retrieved December 24, 2023.