PoE Varashta 3.28: Who is Varashta in Marage?

In Path of Exile 3.28, known as the Mirage League, Varashta is the primary NPC and a central figure of the league's lore and mechanics.

Who is Varashta?

Varashta, an ancient Maraketh Sorceress, has been doing what she can to protect the Djinn, but she needs your help to free them.

Varashta is a legendary Maraketh Sekhema and a Djinn who assists players in their quest to free other spirits of Djinn from a rogue sect known as the Afarud.

Varashta's Role in Mirage League (3.28)

• The Mirage Mechanic: Players encounter Varashta after defeating Afarud Necromancers. She grants access to a "Mirage"—a specialized section of the Astral Realm found within map areas.
• The Three Wishes: Before entering a Mirage, Varashta allows you to choose one of three powerful Wishes that modify and augment the area's difficulty and rewards.
• Djinn Redemption: Players use coins to help Varashta redeem captured Djinn, which can imbue level 20 gems with random support effects.

The Mirage Challenge League

• Take on a rogue sect of the Faridun as they sap the energies of captured Djinn for nefarious ends, and help a legendary Maraketh Sekhema put an end to an ancient war once and for all.
• The Afarud, the most depraved and twisted of the Faridun, have formed a pact with Saresh, a powerful necromancer who built an army of undead to seek revenge on the Maraketh.
• Deny their twisted efforts towards dominion by joining forces with Varashta and freeing the spirits of Djinn before the Afarud can accomplish their goals.
• You will encounter the physical form of trapped Djinn, imprisoned and tortured by Afarud Warlocks. After successfully defeating them, you will be asked by Varashta to enter The Astral Realm, a Mirage containing an imperfect copy of the world around you.
• Varashta can augment the magic of the Mirage she allows you to enter, giving you the option to choose one of three Wishes before you do so. These Wishes modify the Mirage in powerful and potent ways, transforming the copy within and causing monsters slain to drop powerful loot, currency for enhancing your equipment and gems, special caches, or even strange mysterious coins.
• Fight your way through the monsters, astral hazards, and Afarud mages to the tether holding the Djinn. Shatter this chain to free the Djinn, step by step weaking whatever dark plans the Afarud may have for Wraeclast.