OSRS Plague City Ironman Guide
Completing the Plague City quest in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) as an Ironman is a key step for unlocking West Ardougne and the Ardougne Teleport spell, vital for efficient progression. This novice quest, part of the Elf quest series, has no skill or quest requirements, making it accessible early on. For Ironmen, who must gather all resources themselves due to trade restrictions, careful preparation is crucial. This guide provides a detailed, Ironman-friendly walkthrough, optimized for efficiency, with tips to streamline your journey.
Plague City kicks off the investigation into a mysterious plague in West Ardougne. You’ll help Edmond find his missing daughter, Elena, navigating through sewers, mourners, and a hungover official. For Ironmen, the rewards are particularly valuable:
- 1 Quest Point: Progress toward quest cape goals.
- 2,425 Mining XP: A nice boost for early-game Mining.
- Ardougne Teleport Spell: Unlocks at 51 Magic, saving time for future quests like Biohazard.
- Access to West Ardougne: Opens new skilling and quest areas.
The quest is short, taking about 20-30 minutes with preparation, and its rewards make it a priority for Ironman accounts aiming for efficient progression.
Preparation for Ironman Accounts
Ironmen can’t rely on the Grand Exchange, so gathering items is a hands-on task. Luckily, Plague City’s requirements are minimal, and all items can be sourced early in the game.
Required Items
Here’s what you’ll need, along with Ironman-friendly ways to obtain them:
| Item | How to Obtain |
|---|---|
| Dwellberries | Pick in McGrubor’s Wood (north-east of Ardougne, squeeze through loose railing). Alternatively, grow at level 36 Farming or use Telekinetic Grab on spawns. |
| 4 Buckets of Water | Fill buckets at any water source (e.g., Ardougne Castle fountain). Buckets spawn in general stores or near farms. |
| Rope | Buy from Ned in Draynor Village (18 coins) or general stores. Can also be crafted with 20 Crafting using yak hair, but buying is faster. |
| Spade | Pick up from Draynor Manor or general stores. Spawns near farms like Falador. |
| Bucket of Milk | Milk a dairy cow (e.g., Lumbridge or Falador farm) with an empty bucket. |
| Chocolate Dust | Grind a chocolate bar (buy from Port Sarim food shop or Rok’s Chocs in Nardah) with a pestle and mortar (buy from herblore shops). |
| Snape Grass | Pick at Hobgoblin Peninsula (south-west of Crafting Guild) or Waterbirth Island. Spawns are limited, so plan ahead. |
Inventory Setup Tips
To save time, Ironmen should gather all items before starting. For Ultimate Ironmen, who can’t use banks, consider making the hangover cure (chocolate dust + bucket of milk + snape grass) beforehand to save inventory space. The cure is untradeable, so Group Ironmen can’t share pre-made versions. Recommended inventory:
- Dwellberries
- 4 Buckets of Water
- Rope
- Spade
- Bucket of Milk
- Chocolate Dust
- Snape Grass
- Teleport Runes (optional) for faster travel (e.g., Lumbridge Teleport).
Step-by-Step Quest Walkthrough
Follow these steps to complete Plague City efficiently. This walkthrough assumes you’ve gathered all items and are starting in East Ardougne.
Starting the Quest
Head to the north-west corner of East Ardougne, near the wall separating East and West Ardougne. Speak to Edmond in his garden, north of Ardougne Castle. He’ll explain that his daughter, Elena, is missing in West Ardougne. Offer to help, and he’ll direct you to his wife, Alrena, inside or near the house.
Obtaining the Gas Mask
Talk to Alrena, who needs dwellberries to make a gas mask. Give her the dwellberries, and she’ll hand you a gas mask. While in the house, grab the Picture of Elena from the table—it’s essential for later. Check the cupboard for a spare mask if needed.
Entering West Ardougne
Return to Edmond and use your four buckets of water on the mud patch behind his house to soften it. Use the spade to dig, revealing a sewer grate. Use the rope on the grate, and you’ll fall into the sewer with Edmond. Head south-west to the sewer pipe, remove the bars, and climb through (wear the gas mask). You’re now in West Ardougne.
Finding Elena’s Location
In West Ardougne, find Jethick in the town square (east of the manhole). Show him Elena’s picture, and he’ll direct you to the Rehnison house, giving you a book to return. Head north to the grey-planked house against the wall. Mention the book to enter, then speak to Martha or Ted Rehnison. Go upstairs and talk to Milli Rehnison, who reveals Elena is in a plague-stricken house with a black “X” on the doors, south near the wall.
Dealing with the Mourners
Go south past the town square to the house with black “X” marks. Attempt to enter, but the Mourners will block you, citing the plague. Mention a kidnapped girl, and they’ll demand permission from Bravek. Head to the large building north of the square, tell the clerk it’s urgent, and meet Bravek upstairs. He’s hungover and gives you a scruffy note with a hangover cure recipe.
Making the Hangover Cure
Create the cure by adding chocolate dust to the bucket of milk, then adding snape grass. Give the hangover cure to Bravek (don’t use snape grass first, or you’ll drink it). Once cured, tell him the Mourners won’t listen, and he’ll provide a warrant.
Rescuing Elena
Return to the plague house and use the warrant on the Mourner at the east door. They’ll argue, giving you a chance to sneak in. Search the barrel west of the staircase to find a small key. Go downstairs, unlock Elena’s cell, and free her. Exit via the manhole, climb the mud pile, and talk to Edmond to complete the quest.
Tips and Tricks for Ironmen
Ironmen face unique challenges, but these strategies can make Plague City smoother:
- Pre-gather Snape Grass: It’s slow to respawn, so collect multiple pieces from Hobgoblin Peninsula to avoid delays.
- Use Teleports: If you have runes, teleport to Lumbridge or Varrock to gather items faster, then return to Ardougne.
- Combine Trips: Grab items like buckets or spades while doing other early quests (e.g., Cook’s Assistant).
- Quest Helper Plugin: If using RuneLite, enable the Quest Helper to track items and steps visually.
- Plan for Biohazard: Plague City unlocks Biohazard, so consider gathering its items (bird feed, priest gown) while in Ardougne.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Watch out for these mistakes:
- Drinking the Cure: Combine items in the correct order (chocolate dust to milk, then snape grass) to avoid consuming it.
- Forgetting the Picture: You can’t progress without Elena’s picture, so grab it early.
- Inventory Mismanagement: Ultimate Ironmen should drop unnecessary items (e.g., empty buckets) after use to free slots.
Why Plague City Matters for Ironmen
Plague City is a cornerstone for Ironman progression. The Mining XP helps toward early smithing goals, while West Ardougne access unlocks skilling spots like the fishing guild (after Biohazard) and quests like Underground Pass. The Ardougne Teleport, though requiring 51 Magic, is a game-changer for mid-game travel, especially for quests and diaries.
Next Steps After Completion
Once finished, prioritize these:
- Biohazard Quest: Continues the Elf series and unlocks more of Ardougne.
- Ardougne Easy Diary: Boosts XP and unlocks the Ardougne Cloak 1.
- Mining Training: Use the XP to push toward 31 Mining for mithril ore in the Wilderness.
By tackling Plague City early, you set up a strong foundation for your Ironman journey, paving the way for efficient questing and skilling.