OSRS Beginner Clue Charlie the Tramp Guide for Easy Treasure Trails

Old School RuneScape (OSRS) offers a thrilling adventure with its Treasure Trails, and for new players, beginner clue scrolls are the perfect starting point. One of the most iconic steps involves Charlie the Tramp, a quirky NPC in Varrock who assigns simple skilling tasks. This guide dives deep into everything you need to know about tackling Charlie the Tramp’s beginner clue tasks, from finding him to completing his requests efficiently. Whether you’re a free-to-play (F2P) or pay-to-play (P2P) player, this blog post will help you breeze through these clues and claim your rewards.
Charlie the Tramp, also known as Charles Lyeman or Charles E. Trampin’, is a beloved NPC located near Varrock’s southern entrance, just outside the Black Arm Gang’s alleyway. He’s a reference to Charlie Chaplin’s famous “The Tramp” character, complete with a down-on-his-luck vibe. In OSRS, Charlie plays a key role in beginner clue scrolls, giving players short tasks to progress through their Treasure Trails. His tasks are designed to introduce new players to basic skilling and item gathering, making them accessible even for those with low-level accounts.
Why Charlie Matters for Beginner Clues
Charlie’s tasks are unique because they teach players how to gather or craft items in the game. Unlike other clue steps that might require solving riddles or performing emotes, Charlie’s requests focus on practical skills like fishing, mining, or crafting. This makes his clues an excellent learning tool for newcomers while still offering a chance at Treasure Trail rewards.
How to Start a Charlie the Tramp Beginner Clue
To encounter Charlie in a beginner clue scroll, you first need to obtain a clue scroll. Beginner clue scrolls are the easiest tier in OSRS Treasure Trails, typically involving 1–3 steps. Charlie’s tasks are one of the possible steps, and the clue scroll will explicitly say, “Talk to Charlie the Tramp in Varrock.” Here’s how to get started:
Finding Charlie the Tramp
Charlie is located just northwest of Varrock’s south gate, near the alley leading to the Black Arm Gang’s headquarters. If you’re in Varrock, simply head south from the city center until you reach the gate. He’s hard to miss, standing by the alley with his distinct ragged appearance.
Obtaining a Beginner Clue Scroll
Beginner clue scrolls drop from a variety of sources, making them accessible for both F2P and P2P players. Here are some common ways to get one:
- Killing low-level monsters: Goblins, cows, or chickens in Lumbridge and Varrock often drop beginner clues.
- Skilling activities: Fishing (clue bottles), mining (clue geodes), or woodcutting (clue nests) can yield scrolls.
- Quest rewards: Completing the X Marks the Spot quest guarantees a beginner clue scroll.
- Implings: P2P players can catch baby or young implings for a chance at clues.
Charlie the Tramp’s Tasks Explained
Once you talk to Charlie with a beginner clue scroll, he’ll assign you a short skilling task by requesting one of eight specific items. Unlike other NPCs like Falo the Bard, Charlie keeps the item you give him, so you’ll need to gather or craft it fresh (or buy it). Below is a detailed breakdown of his possible requests and how to complete them.
List of Charlie’s Requested Items
Charlie will ask for one of the following items, each tied to a specific skill or activity:
Item | How to Obtain | Skill Involved | Recommended Location |
---|---|---|---|
Iron Ore | Mine iron rocks or buy from Ore Seller (Blast Furnace). | Mining (Level 15) | South-west Varrock mine |
Iron Dagger | Buy from Varrock Swordshop or find a spawn in Lumbridge’s goblin house. | None | Varrock Swordshop |
Raw Herring | Fish in Draynor Village or buy from Frankie’s Fishing Emporium (Port Piscarilius). | Fishing (Level 10) | Draynor Village |
Raw Trout | Fish with a fly fishing rod in Barbarian Village or Lumbridge river. | Fishing (Level 20) | Barbarian Village |
Trout | Cook raw trout (requires raw trout and a fire/range). | Cooking (Level 15) | Lumbridge kitchen |
Pike | Cook raw pike (requires fishing rod and bait). | Cooking (Level 25) | Lumbridge kitchen |
Leather Body | Craft with leather and needle/thread or buy from Thessalia’s Fine Clothes. | Crafting (Level 14) | Varrock (Thessalia’s) |
Leather Chaps | Craft with leather and needle/thread or buy from Aaron’s Archery Appendages. | Crafting (Level 18) | Ranging Guild |
Tips for Completing Tasks Efficiently
To save time and effort, follow these strategies when tackling Charlie’s tasks:
- Use nearby resources: Varrock’s proximity to mines, shops, and fishing spots makes most items easy to gather locally.
- Buy items when possible: For F2P players, purchasing items like iron daggers or leather bodies from shops is often faster than skilling.
- Keep a clue scroll in inventory: When crafting items like leather chaps, ensure the clue scroll is in your inventory to trigger the completion message.
- Teleport to Varrock: Use a Varrock teleport tablet or spell to quickly return to Charlie after gathering items.
Common Challenges and Solutions
While Charlie’s tasks are straightforward, new players might run into a few hiccups. Here are some common issues and how to resolve them:
Charlie Won’t Accept My Item
If Charlie refuses your item (e.g., leather chaps), it’s often because you didn’t craft it with the clue scroll in your inventory. To fix this:
- Grab a needle, thread, and leather.
- Ensure the clue scroll is in your inventory.
- Craft the item (preferably near Charlie).
- Talk to him again to hand it over.
This issue is most common with crafted items like leather bodies or chaps, as Charlie requires proof you made them yourself.
Lack of Skilling Levels
Some tasks, like crafting leather chaps (Level 18 Crafting) or fishing trout (Level 20 Fishing), might be out of reach for brand-new accounts. In these cases:
- Train the skill: Kill cows in Lumbridge for leather to level Crafting or fish in Draynor for Fishing XP.
- Buy the item: Shops like Thessalia’s Fine Clothes or the Varrock Swordshop stock most of Charlie’s requested items.
Rewards and Why Charlie’s Clues Are Worth It
Completing Charlie’s tasks progresses your beginner clue scroll, bringing you closer to opening a reward casket. While beginner clues offer modest rewards compared to higher tiers, they’re still exciting for new players. Here’s what you can expect:
Beginner Clue Rewards
Reward caskets from beginner clues can contain:
- Cash and resources: Coins, runes, or basic items like feathers.
- Cosmetics: Unique items like the sandwich lady outfit or jester cape.
- Emotes: After 600 beginner clues, you unlock the “Explore” emote.
- Other loot: Occasional rares like shoulder parrots or clue nests.
While the rewards are humble, the low effort and F2P accessibility make Charlie’s clues a fun way to engage with Treasure Trails.
Long-Term Benefits
Beyond immediate rewards, Charlie’s tasks teach valuable game mechanics. By completing his requests, you’ll learn:
- Skilling basics: Fishing, Crafting, and Mining become second nature.
- Navigation: Traveling to Varrock and nearby areas improves your map knowledge.
- Efficiency: Balancing skilling and buying items hones your resource management.
These skills carry over to other aspects of OSRS, making Charlie’s clues a stepping stone to mastering the game.
Charlie the Tramp’s beginner clue tasks are a charming and approachable part of OSRS Treasure Trails. Whether you’re mining iron ore, fishing trout, or crafting leather chaps, his requests offer a mix of challenge and learning for new players. By following this guide, you’ll be able to tackle his tasks with confidence, claim your rewards, and enjoy the journey through Gielinor. So grab your clue scroll, head to Varrock, and give Charlie what he needs—your next Treasure Trail adventure awaits!