OSRS Spirits of the Elid Quest Guide: Unravel the Mystery of Nardah’s Curse

Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is packed with intriguing quests, and Spirits of the Elid stands out as a mid-level adventure that takes players deep into the desert of Gielinor. This quest revolves around the town of Nardah, where a mysterious curse has dried up the water supply, leaving its inhabitants desperate for help. In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through every step of the Spirits of the Elid quest, offering tips, requirements, and strategies to complete it efficiently. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a newcomer, this SEO-optimized blog post will ensure you’re well-prepared to tackle this desert mystery.
Before diving into the sandy dunes of Nardah, it’s essential to understand what Spirits of the Elid entails and what you’ll need to get started. This quest is a blend of exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving, making it a well-rounded challenge for OSRS players.
Quest Details
Spirits of the Elid is a quest released in 2005, designed for intermediate players. Your primary objective is to assist the villagers of Nardah by restoring their water supply, which they believe has vanished due to a curse. Along the way, you’ll encounter golems, spirits, and a tricky genie, all while uncovering the lore of the river Elid and the goddess Elidinis.
Skill and Item Requirements
To begin the quest, you’ll need the following:
- Skills: 33 Magic (for Telekinetic Grab), 37 Ranged, 37 Mining, 37 Thieving
- Items: Rope, bow and arrows (or a crossbow with bolts), pickaxe, needle, thread, runes for Telekinetic Grab (1 Law Rune, 1 Air Rune), light source (e.g., candle or lantern), combat gear, food
- Recommended: Desert robes, waterskins, Shantay Pass disclaimer, coins for carpet rides
You must also be on the standard spellbook, as Telekinetic Grab is required. If you’re using Spellbook Swap, ensure it’s available.
Step-by-Step Walkthrough
Ready to embark on this desert journey? Here’s a comprehensive walkthrough to guide you through Spirits of the Elid, broken down into manageable steps.
Starting the Quest
Head to Nardah, located southeast of Pollnivneach. The easiest way is to take a carpet ride from Shantay Pass to Pollnivneach, then another to Nardah. Speak to Awusah the Mayor in the eastern part of town. He’ll explain the water crisis and ask for your help, officially starting the quest.
Gathering Information
Next, go north of the Mayor’s house and talk to Ghaslor the Elder. He’ll give you the Ballad of Jareesh, a scroll that hints at a cave near the river’s source. Then, visit the temple west of Ghaslor’s house. Use Telekinetic Grab to retrieve the Ancestral Key from a display and search the cupboards for the Robes of Elidinis. Repair the torn robes with a needle and thread.
Entering the Cave
Equip your combat gear, pickaxe, bow, rope, and repaired Robes of Elidinis. Follow the River Elid northwest from Nardah until you reach a cave entrance with a waterfall. Use the rope on the entrance to descend into the Elidinis cave system.
Defeating the Golems
Inside the cave, you’ll face three Level 75 Golems, each requiring a specific combat style:
- White Golem (South Door): Use a stab weapon (e.g., dagger or spear).
- Black Golem (Middle Door): Use a crush weapon (e.g., mace or hammer).
- Grey Golem (North Door): Use a slash weapon (e.g., sword or scimitar).
After defeating each golem, clear the water channels behind the doors using your thieving skill (and pickaxe for the north channel). This unlocks the second set of double doors to the east.
Confronting the Spirits
Proceed through the unlocked doors and speak to the Water Spirits. They reveal that Nardah’s curse stems from the townspeople discarding the statue of Elidinis. To lift the curse, the statue must be restored to its temple.
Retrieving the Statue
Return to Nardah and speak to Awusah again. He’ll mention that the statue was thrown into a crevice west of town. Before heading there, pick up the Mayor’s Shoes from his house and cut the soles off with a knife. Travel west to the crevice, climb down, and confront the Genie. Trade the soles for the Statuette of Elidinis.
Finishing the Quest
Take the statuette back to Nardah’s temple and place it on the plinth. Return to Awusah to complete the quest and claim your rewards.
Rewards and Benefits
Completing Spirits of the Elid offers both immediate rewards and long-term perks for your OSRS adventures.
Quest Rewards
Upon completion, you’ll receive:
- 2 Quest Points
- 8,000 Prayer XP
- 1,000 Thieving XP
- 1,000 Magic XP
- Robes of Elidinis (functions like desert robes for heat protection)
- Ancestral Key (access to the Elidinis cave)
Post-Quest Perks
The Elidinis cave becomes a fishing spot for river fish, and praying at the statuette grants a +70 health boost, making it a valuable prayer spot.
Tips and Tricks for Success
To make your Spirits of the Elid experience smoother, consider these expert tips.
Combat Preparation
The golems hit moderately hard (up to 10 damage), so bring decent food (e.g., lobsters or sharks) and armor. A spear can cover all three attack styles if you’re short on inventory space.
Travel Efficiency
Use carpet rides to save time, and wear desert robes with waterskins to manage the desert heat. A Necklace of Passage teleport to Eagle’s Eyrie can also get you close to the cave entrance.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
Ensure you have the Robes of Elidinis equipped and the Ancestral Key in your inventory before entering the cave, or the first double doors won’t open. Also, don’t forget to cut the soles off the Mayor’s shoes—without them, the Genie won’t trade the statuette.
Why Spirits of the Elid Matters in OSRS
Beyond the rewards, Spirits of the Elid adds depth to the OSRS world and offers unique gameplay elements.
Lore and Storytelling
The quest ties into the desert’s rich lore, exploring the relationship between the river Elid, the goddess Elidinis, and Nardah’s fate. It’s a classic example of RuneScape’s quirky yet engaging storytelling.
Strategic Value
The health boost from the statuette and access to a new fishing spot make this quest worthwhile for players looking to optimize their training spots.
Aspect | Details |
---|---|
Quest Difficulty | Intermediate |
Length | 30-60 minutes |
Combat Level | Level 75 Golems |
Rewards | XP, Robes, Key, Health Boost |
With a runtime of 30-60 minutes, Spirits of the Elid is a compact yet rewarding quest that balances combat, skilling, and exploration. Whether you’re chasing quest points or diving into Gielinor’s lore, this adventure is a must-do for any OSRS player.