Spirits of the Elid OSRS: Quest Guide, Tips, and Rewards

Spirits of the Elid OSRS: Quest Guide, Tips, and Rewards


Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is packed with engaging quests, and Spirits of the Elid stands out as a desert-themed adventure that combines lore, puzzles, and combat. Set in the arid town of Nardah, this quest tasks players with uncovering the mystery behind a water shortage and lifting a supposed curse. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a newcomer to Gielinor, this detailed guide will walk you through every step of the Spirits of the Elid quest, offering tips, requirements, and insights into its rewards. Let’s dive into this OSRS classic and explore why it’s worth your time!

Spirits of the Elid is an intermediate-level quest in OSRS that sends players deep into the Kharidian Desert to assist the villagers of Nardah. The town’s water supply has vanished, and the locals believe they’re cursed. Your mission? Investigate the truth, battle foes, and restore water to the parched settlement. Released in 2005, this quest remains a fan favorite for its mix of storytelling and practical rewards.

Why Play Spirits of the Elid?

This quest isn’t just about the experience points—it offers access to unique benefits like the Nardah shrine and a deeper understanding of desert lore. Plus, it’s a requirement for several Desert Achievement Diary tasks, making it a must-do for completionists.

Quest Requirements

Before embarking on Spirits of the Elid, ensure you meet these prerequisites:

  • Skills: 33 Magic, 37 Ranged, 37 Mining, 37 Thieving
  • Quest Points: None required
  • Access: Ability to travel to Nardah (via carpet rides from Pollnivneach or Shantay Pass)
  • Spellbook: Must be on the Standard Spellbook (or have Spellbook Swap available)

Step-by-Step Walkthrough for Spirits of the Elid

OSRS Spirits of the Elid Quest Guide

Ready to start? Here’s a detailed guide to completing Spirits of the Elid in OSRS, broken down into manageable steps.

Step 1: Starting the Quest in Nardah

Begin by traveling to Nardah, a desert town southeast of Pollnivneach. Take a carpet ride from Shantay Pass or Pollnivneach to get there quickly. Once in Nardah, head to the easternmost house and speak to Awusah the Mayor. He’ll explain the town’s dire situation—no water flows from their fountain, and he suspects a curse. Agree to help, and the quest begins.

Step 2: Gathering Clues from Ghaslor the Elder

Next, go north of the mayor’s house to find Ghaslor the Elder. He provides critical backstory about the River Elid and hands you the Ballad of Jareesh, a scroll detailing a journey to the river’s source. Keep this item—it’s essential later!

Step 3: Preparing the Robes of Elidinis

Head west to the shrine near Ghaslor’s house and speak to Shiratti the Custodian. After your chat, search the western cupboards to find a torn robe top and bottom. Use a needle and thread (bring at least two threads) to repair them into the Robes of Elidinis. Then, cast Telekinetic Grab (requires 33 Magic) to snag the Ancestral Key from the enclosed eastern area.

Step 4: Entering the River Elid Cave

Equip the Robes of Elidinis and gather these items:

  • Weapons: One with stab, slash, and crush attack styles (e.g., a spear or multiple weapons)
  • Ranged: Bow and arrows (37 Ranged needed)
  • Mining: A pickaxe (37 Mining)
  • Other: Rope, light source (e.g., candle or lantern)

Travel northwest from Nardah along the River Elid until you reach a waterfall. Use your rope on the root above the waterfall to enter the cave. Wear the robes and use the Ancestral Key to open the stone door inside.

Step 5: Defeating the Golems

Inside the cave, you’ll face three level-75 golems guarding water channels. Each is weak to a specific combat style:

  • White Golem (South): Weak to stab—clear the channel with Thieving (37 required).
  • Grey Golem (East): Weak to slash—clear the channel with a pickaxe (37 Mining).
  • Black Golem (Northeast): Weak to crush—clear the channel by shooting a target with arrows (37 Ranged).

Defeat each golem, then solve the corresponding puzzle to unblock the water channels. Tip: Attack only after the golem’s death animation finishes to avoid respawns.

Step 6: Meeting the Spirits

Once all channels are cleared, the northern door opens. Proceed through it, walk around the lake, and speak to one of the spirits—Nirrie, Tirrie, or Hallak. They reveal that Nardah’s curse stems from discarding the Statue of Elidinis and task you with retrieving it.

Step 7: Dealing with the Genie

Return to Nardah and speak to Awusah again. He mentions the statue was thrown into a crevice west of town. Before leaving, grab the mayor’s shoes from his house and use a knife to cut off the soles. Head west to the crevice, use your rope to descend (with a light source to avoid bug damage), and confront the Genie. He demands the mayor’s “soul,” but cleverly accepts the shoe soles instead. Trade them for the Statuette.

Step 8: Completing the Quest

Back in Nardah, go to the shrine north of the fountain and place the Statuette on the plinth. Congratulations—you’ve lifted the curse, and the quest is complete!

Rewards and Benefits of Spirits of the Elid

Finishing Spirits of the Elid offers tangible rewards that enhance your OSRS experience. Here’s what you’ll gain:

Experience Points

Practical Rewards

  • Access to Nardah Fountain: Free water source in the desert.
  • Elidinis Shrine: Praying here restores Prayer, Hitpoints (with a temporary boost), cures poison/venom, and refills run energy and special attack energy.
  • 2 Treasure Hunter Keys: For promotional use.

Post-Quest Utility

The shrine’s buffs make Nardah a valuable hub for desert activities, especially for training or completing Desert Diary tasks.

Tips and Tricks for Success

Want to breeze through Spirits of the Elid? Here are some pro tips:

Combat Preparation

Bring weapons with multiple attack styles or a versatile option like a spear to save inventory space. The golems hit moderately hard (up to 8 damage), so low-level players should pack food.

Inventory Management

Here’s a suggested inventory setup:

Item Purpose
Rope Enter the cave and crevice
Light Source Avoid damage in the crevice
Needle & Thread Repair the robes
Weapons (Stab/Slash/Crush) Defeat golems
Bow & Arrows Clear the ranged channel
Pickaxe Clear the mining channel
Knife Cut the mayor’s shoes
Food Survive combat

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

  • Don’t Drop the Ballad: You need it to enter the cave with the robes.
  • Check the Door: If the stone door won’t open, ensure you’re wearing the robes and have the key and ballad.
  • Bug Fix: If stuck exiting the cave, use Home Teleport to escape.

Why Spirits of the Elid Matters in OSRS Lore

Beyond mechanics, Spirits of the Elid enriches OSRS’s world-building. The quest ties into the desert’s mythology, spotlighting Elidinis, the goddess of fertility and water. Her spirits and the genie’s quirky dialogue (a nod to Disney’s Aladdin) add humor and depth to the narrative.

Lore Connections

The quest hints at tensions between divine forces and human actions, a recurring theme in RuneScape. Completing it unlocks further desert quests and diaries, weaving your character into Gielinor’s tapestry.

Community Love

Players on Reddit and forums often praise the quest’s puns—like the Genie’s “sole” mix-up—calling it a highlight of OSRS’s Monty Python-esque humor.

In conclusion, Spirits of the Elid is a rewarding OSRS quest that blends challenge with charm. From battling golems to restoring Nardah’s water, it’s a journey worth taking. So grab your gear, head to the desert, and let the spirits guide you to victory!