Ghosts Ahoy Cant Get Signatures OSRS – Ultimate Guide to Completing the Petition

The Ghosts Ahoy quest in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a fan-favorite adventure that sends players to the spooky port of Phasmatys to help ghostly villagers move on to the afterlife. However, one common sticking point for many players is collecting signatures for the petition form during the quest. If you’re struggling with the “can’t get signatures” issue in Ghosts Ahoy, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, troubleshoot common problems, and provide tips to breeze through this step. With over 1.5 million players engaging in OSRS quests annually, you’re not alone in facing this challenge—let’s solve it!

In the Ghosts Ahoy quest, you need to collect 10 signatures from ghost villagers in Port Phasmatys to protest against Necrovarus, the shady ghost leader. This task sounds simple, but many players hit roadblocks, such as villagers refusing to sign or asking for ecto-tokens. The petition form, given by Gravingas the ghost activist, is crucial for progressing the quest, and getting it done efficiently can save you time and frustration.

Why Signatures Are Essential

The petition is a key plot device in Ghosts Ahoy. It represents the villagers’ desire to break free from Necrovarus’ control. Without 10 signatures, you can’t confront Necrovarus, which halts your progress toward obtaining the bone key and mystical robes needed later in the quest.

Common Issues Players Face

• Villagers won’t sign: Some ghosts refuse to sign or demand ecto-tokens.
• Missing equipment: Players forget to wear the required bedsheet.
• Lost petition form: Dropping the form resets signature progress.
• Confusion over mechanics: Not knowing you can reuse the same villagers.

Step-by-Step Guide to Collecting Signatures

To successfully gather 10 signatures, you need to follow a precise sequence of actions. Below is a detailed breakdown to ensure you don’t get stuck.

Preparation Checklist

Before you start collecting signatures, make sure you have the following:

Item	Purpose	How to Obtain
Ghostspeak Amulet	Allows communication with ghosts	Obtained during The Restless Ghost quest
Bedsheet (dyed with ectoplasm)	Disguises you as a ghost to gain trust	Given by Ghost Innkeeper; dye with bucket of slime from Ectofuntus
Ecto-tokens (optional)	Pay ghosts who demand tokens	Worship Ectofuntus with bones, buckets, and pots

How to Get the Petition Form

Head to the town square near the north entrance of Port Phasmatys and find Gravingas, the ghost activist holding a protest sign. Speak to him and agree to help with the protest. He’ll give you the petition form, which you’ll use to collect signatures. Note: If you lose the form, Gravingas can provide another, but your signature count will reset to zero.

Collecting Signatures Efficiently

Here’s how to gather those 10 signatures without hassle:

1. Equip the dyed bedsheet: You must wear a bedsheet dipped in ectoplasm (obtained by using a bucket of slime on the bedsheet from the Ghost Innkeeper). Without it, villagers won’t trust you enough to sign.
2. Talk to ghost villagers: Approach any ghost villager in Port Phasmatys. You can find them wandering around the town square or near the market stalls.
3. Use the same villagers: A key trick is that you can alternate between just two or three ghosts to get all 10 signatures, as long as you don’t talk to the same ghost twice in a row. This saves time and effort.
4. Avoid ecto-token demands: Some ghosts ask for 1-3 ecto-tokens to sign. If you don’t have tokens or want to save them, simply move on to another ghost who signs for free.
5. World-hop if needed: If a ghost refuses to sign repeatedly, switch worlds to reset their dialogue and try again.

What to Do After Getting 10 Signatures

Once you have 10 signatures, return to Gravingas. He’ll instruct you to show the petition to Necrovarus at the Ectofuntus, just north of Port Phasmatys. Necrovarus will burn the petition in a rage and drop a bone key. Pick it up, as it’s essential for the next quest steps.

Troubleshooting Signature Problems

If you’re still struggling to get signatures, here are solutions to the most common issues players encounter.

Villagers Refuse to Sign

If ghosts won’t sign, double-check these:

• Bedsheet equipped: Ensure you’re wearing the ectoplasm-dyed bedsheet. Without it, villagers will distrust you.
• Ghostspeak Amulet: You need this to communicate. If it’s not equipped, equip it or retrieve it from your bank.
• Try different ghosts: Some villagers are stubborn. Skip those who refuse or demand tokens and focus on cooperative ones.

Petition Form Lost or Reset

Dropping the petition form causes it to blow away, resetting your signatures to zero. If this happens, return to Gravingas for a new form and start collecting again. To avoid this, keep the form in your inventory and avoid dropping it accidentally.

Running Out of Ecto-tokens

While ecto-tokens aren’t strictly necessary for signatures, they’re useful for entering Port Phasmatys (2 tokens per entry) or paying demanding ghosts. To farm ecto-tokens:

• Collect bones, buckets, and pots.
• Grind bones at the Ectofuntus bone grinder.
• Worship the Ectofuntus to earn tokens (each worship yields 5 tokens).

Tips for a Smooth Ghosts Ahoy Experience

Beyond the signature task, here are some pro tips to make your Ghosts Ahoy quest smoother and more enjoyable.

Gather Items in Advance

Before starting the quest, stock up on:

• 35+ ecto-tokens: Covers multiple entries to Port Phasmatys and optional payments.
• Bucket of slime: Buy from trader crewmembers at the docks or collect from the Ectofuntus pool.
• Oak longbow and 400 coins: Needed for the Robin Hood signature task later.

Optimize Your Route

Plan your movements in Port Phasmatys to save time:

• Start at the north entrance near Gravingas for quick access to villagers.
• Use the bank in Port Phasmatys to store items and avoid inventory clutter.
• Keep the Ectofuntus nearby in mind for quick access to Necrovarus after collecting signatures.

Understand the Quest Context

Ghosts Ahoy is a novice-to-intermediate quest requiring completion of The Restless Ghost and Priest in Peril. Familiarize yourself with the quest’s storyline to stay engaged. Helping the ghosts of Port Phasmatys is not only rewarding (with 2,400 Prayer XP and an Ectophial) but also unlocks access to future quests like Dragon Slayer II.

Why Ghosts Ahoy Is Worth the Effort

Despite the signature-collecting hurdle, Ghosts Ahoy is a rewarding quest with lasting benefits. Completing it grants:

• Ectophial: A one-click teleport to Port Phasmatys, perfect for training Prayer at the Ectofuntus.
• Free Port Phasmatys access: No more ecto-token fees for entry.
• Quest progression: Unlocks requirements for Morytania Medium Diary and Dragon Slayer II.

Community Insights

Players on Reddit and OSRS forums often share their struggles with Ghosts Ahoy. One user on r/2007scape mentioned it took them 2.5 days to complete the quest without a guide, highlighting its complexity. Others suggest wearing the bedsheet consistently and alternating between two villagers to streamline signature collection. These community tips reinforce the strategies outlined here.

Final Thoughts

Struggling with signatures in Ghosts Ahoy can be frustrating, but with the right preparation and approach, it’s a manageable task. Equip your ectoplasm-dyed bedsheet, alternate between cooperative villagers, and avoid ecto-token traps to collect your 10 signatures efficiently. By following this guide, you’ll not only overcome the petition hurdle but also set yourself up for success in the rest of the quest. Ready to free the ghosts of Port Phasmatys? Dive back into OSRS and make it happen!