What’s good, RuneScape fam? If you’re thinking about tackling Shadows of Custodia in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), you’re in for a spooky little adventure. This quest, set in the moody town of Auburnvale in Varlamore, is short but sweet, with a vibe that’s straight out of a horror flick. I’ve been grinding OSRS quests since I was a kid, and this one’s got that perfect mix of mystery, some light combat, and a dash of creepy lore. It’s beginner-friendly, too, so if you’re new to the game, don’t sweat it I’ve got your back. Let’s walk through this step by step and get you through it like a pro.

What’s the Deal with This Quest?

Shadows of Custodia dropped with the Varlamore: The Final Dawn update, and it’s labeled as an experienced-level quest. Don’t let that scare you it’s not some marathon like Song of the Elves. You’re basically playing detective in Auburnvale, chasing clues about missing kids and creepy monsters tied to the Custodia Pass. It’s quick, it’s atmospheric, and it unlocks some cool stuff for later. If you’re into Varlamore’s dark, Lovecraft-inspired lore, this quest is a must-do.

Stuff You Need to Get Started

Before you roll into Auburnvale, let’s make sure you’re ready. The requirements are pretty chill, but you gotta hit these marks to start.

What You Need	Details
Quests	Finish Children of the Sun
Skills	54 Slayer, 45 Fishing, 41 Construction, 36 Hunter
Items	4 Willow Longbows, 4 Maple Logs, Fishing Rod, Hammer (you can snag these in-game)
Combat	Ready to take on 3x Strange Creatures (Level 93)

My Prep Advice:

If your bank’s looking sadder than a low-level noob at the GE, don’t worry. You can grab most items in Auburnvale.
Pack some combat gear magic’s the way to go for the fights. I’m talking Mystic Robes, a staff, and some runes.
Bring food (lobsters or sharks are solid) and a Varlamore teleport to save your legs. Trust me, I learned the hard way after running from Lumbridge one too many times.

Your Step-by-Step Quest Guide

Alright, let’s dive into the quest. I’ve broken it down into bite-sized chunks so you can follow along, even if you’re still figuring out how to navigate Gielinor. Let’s get to it!

Step 1: Starting the Adventure

Make your way to Auburnvale and head straight for the Auburn Pub. There’s a Noticeboard on the wall give it a quick read to kick things off. It’s got this eerie note about kids going missing, and the whole town feels like it’s hiding something. Sets the mood perfectly for what’s coming.

Hot Tip: New to Varlamore? Use the Quetzal transport to zip to Auburnvale. It’s like the OSRS version of an Uber, minus the surge pricing.

Step 2: Talking to the Locals

Time to play investigator. Start at the pub and chat with Marcus, who’s just chilling there. He’ll fill you in on the missing kids and point you to the Bartender. Pick option (2) when you talk to her she’s got some juicy details about the weird stuff happening around town.

Next, head north of the Quetzal transport, just a smidge left of the hill, to find Ictus. This dude’s got the scoop on some creepy claw marks and the Custodia Pass. That’s your next clue, so keep it in your noggin.

Newbie Tip: Auburnvale’s small, but the map’s your best friend if you’re feeling lost. I once spent 10 minutes running in circles looking for an NPC don’t be me.

Step 3: Fishing for Evidence

Now you’re getting somewhere! Grab a Fishing Rod there’s one southwest of the log in Auburnvale, or you can buy it at the general store. Head to the marked spot near the log and fish up a Wet Fabric Scrap. This thing’s a big deal it matches what the missing kids were wearing.

Take the scrapوص

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Shadows of Custodia: Your Go-To Guide for This Creepy OSRS Quest

What’s the Deal with This Quest?

Stuff You Need to Get Started

Before you roll into Auburnvale, let’s make sure you’re ready. The requirements are pretty chill, but you gotta hit these marks to start.

What You Need	Details
Quests	Finish Children of the Sun
Skills	54 Slayer, 45 Fishing, 41 Construction, 36 Hunter
Items	4 Willow Longbows, 4 Maple Logs, Fishing Rod, Hammer (you can snag these in-game)
Combat	Ready to take on 3x Strange Creatures (Level 93)

My Prep Advice:

If your bank’s looking sadder than a low-level noob at the GE, don’t worry. You can grab most items in Auburnvale.
Pack some combat gear magic’s the way to go for the fights. I’m talking Mystic Robes, a staff, and some runes.
Bring food (lobsters or sharks are solid) and a Varlamore teleport to save your legs. Trust me, I learned the hard way after running from Lumbridge one too many times.

Your Step-by-Step Quest Guide

Alright, let’s dive into the quest. I’ve broken it down into bite-sized chunks so you can follow along, even if you’re still figuring out how to navigate Gielinor. Let’s get to it!

Step 1: Starting the Adventure

Hot Tip: New to Varlamore? Use the Quetzal transport to zip to Auburnvale. It’s like the OSRS version of an Uber, minus the surge pricing.

Step 2: Talking to the Locals

Time to play investigator. Start at the pub and chat with Marcus, who’s just chilling there. He’ll fill you in on the missing kids and point you to the Bartender. Pick option (2) when you talk to her she’s got some juicy details about the weird stuff happening around town.

Newbie Tip: Auburnvale’s small, but the map’s your best friend if you’re feeling lost. I once spent 10 minutes running in circles looking for an NPC don’t be me.

Step 3: Fishing for Evidence

Take the scrap to either Francis or Aemilia near the pub. They’ll confirm it’s from their boys and beg you to keep digging. You can tell they’re freaking out, which makes you wanna solve this even more.

Pro Tip: If your Fishing level’s a bit meh, you might need a few tries to snag the scrap. Don’t rage-quit just keep clicking.

Step 4: Into the Creepy Custodia Pass

Follow the path outta Auburnvale, which loops around to the northern end of the Custodia Pass. You’ll need your 4 Maple Logs, 4 Willow Longbows, and a Hammer for this part. Forgot to grab them? No biggie hit up the general store or chop some trees nearby. The path leads to the Stalker Den cave, and let me tell you, this place gives off serious haunted house vibes.

Inside, you’ll find two boys one’s banged up pretty bad. Talk to the Injured Boy deeper in the cave to get the full story. Your job’s to get them outta there, but hold up things are about to get hairy.

Beginner Tip: Make sure you’ve got some inventory space. You’ll need it for the quest items and a quick Construction task coming up.

Step 5: Taking Down the Strange Creatures

Just when you think you’re good, three Strange Creatures (level 93) come at you like you stole their lunch money. These are toned-down versions of Custodian Stalkers, but they can still mess you up if you’re not ready. Good news? They’re weak to magic, so bust out those Fire Bolts or Wind Blasts.

Combat Tips:

Gear: Throw on some magic gear Mystic Robes or even Wizard Robes if you’re on a budget. Grab a staff and some runes.
Inventory: Pack 5-6 pieces of food (lobsters are my go-to) and maybe a prayer potion for Protect from Melee.
Strategy: Focus on one critter at a time. They’re not that tough, but getting ganged up on is no fun. I learned that the hard way back in my noob days.

Once you’ve smoked those monsters, you’ll save Antos, one of the missing kids. It’s a rough moment you gotta tell him the others didn’t make it. Escort him back to Auburnvale, and try not to get too emotional.

Step 6: Closing the Case

Back in town, swing by Francis and Aemilia. They’ll thank you for bringing Antos back but won’t let you chat with him he’s still shaken. Fair enough. Your last stop is Captain Ariadna. Fill her in on the monster fight and Antos’s rescue. She’ll give you a nod of approval, and boom quest complete!

You’ve just conquered Shadows of Custodia! It’s a short ride, but it leaves you with that “what just happened?” feeling that makes OSRS quests so good.

Rewards

Here’s what you score for your efforts:

Quest Points: 1
Experience: Nice chunk of XP in Slayer, Fishing, Construction, or Hunter (amounts depend on your levels).
Lore: Some dope insights into the Strangler disease and Varlamore’s creepy, Lovecraftian vibes.
Access: Unlocks the Custodia Pass Slayer Dungeon for future Slayer grinds.

Why It’s Worth It: For a quest that takes less than an hour, the rewards are solid. That Slayer Dungeon access is a game-changer if you’re training Slayer, and the lore’s a treat for story nerds like me.

Tips for Newbies

Combat Practice: If level 93 monsters sound scary, try fighting some easier Slayer mobs first to get the hang of things.
Inventory Space: Keep your inventory light for quest items. I once had to drop my whole stack of monkfish to make room don’t make my mistake.
Explore Varlamore: After you’re done, check out the Tlati Rainforest or the new Slayer Dungeon. Varlamore’s got some cool spots to mess around in.
Teleport Smart: Grab a Quetzal whistle or Varlamore teleport. Walking everywhere is for suckers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I do this without finishing Children of the Sun?
Nope, you gotta wrap up Children of the Sun first. It’s the gateway to Varlamore’s story.

Q: Where do I get the quest items?
Fishing Rod, Maple Logs, Willow Longbows, and Hammer are all in Auburnvale. Check the general store or spawns to save some GP.

Q: Are the Strange Creatures tough?
Not really, if you come prepared. Magic’s your friend, and a few pieces of food should keep you alive. Protect from Melee helps if your combat’s around 70-80.

Q: How long’s the quest?
It’s a quick one 30-45 minutes tops if you’ve got your stuff together.

Q: Is this good for beginners?
Heck yeah! It’s short, not too complicated, and gives you a taste of Varlamore’s vibe plus some nice rewards.

Final Thoughts

Shadows of Custodia is one of those quests that sticks with you. It’s short, spooky, and just the right amount of challenging for newer players. I had a blast running through it, and the creepy vibe had me checking over my shoulder the whole time. Follow this guide, and you’ll breeze through it no problem. Got any epic moments from the quest or tips to share? Drop ‘em in the blog comments, and let’s keep the RuneScape love alive. Now go slay some monsters and enjoy Varlamore!