In the vast and mysterious world of RuneScape 3, few quests offer a mix of nostalgia, adventure, and undersea mystery quite like Beneath Cursed Tides. As a tribute to the game’s earlier years, this quest revisits Tutorial Island, an iconic location that veterans of the franchise will recognize immediately. However, it’s not just a walk down memory lane it’s an engaging, story-rich quest that introduces players to underwater gameplay, introduces curious puzzles, and unveils a haunting mystery beneath the ocean’s surface. The combination of light-hearted humor, eerie moments, and familiar faces makes it a standout experience in RS3’s expansive quest lineup.
Getting Started with Beneath Cursed Tides
Quest Requirements
Before diving in literally players should be aware of the quest’s prerequisites. Beneath Cursed Tides is designed to be accessible to many players, especially those with a few hours into the game. The requirements are minimal:
- Level 30 Magic
- Level 30 Prayer
There are no other quest requirements, making this a great mid-level quest for players looking to explore a rich narrative without having to grind through a massive pre-requisite list.
Starting the Quest
The quest begins by speaking with Wizard Myrtle, who can be found at the Wizards’ Tower south of Draynor Village. She’ll explain the situation that Tutorial Island has mysteriously sunk into the ocean, and something strange is happening beneath the waves. The entire island and its former inhabitants have vanished from sight, leaving behind rumors of curses and dark magic.
Diving into the Depths
Exploration and Underwater Mechanics
One of the most unique features of Beneath Cursed Tides is its underwater setting. After equipping a magical diving apparatus, players descend into a submerged version of Tutorial Island, now eerily silent and overgrown with seaweed. The usual gravity-based movement is altered here; players will experience a slow, floating traversal style that adds to the mysterious atmosphere.
Combat underwater uses magical attacks, making your Magic level more important than ever. The controls and interfaces remain largely unchanged, but the visual effects and ambiance are designed to evoke the feeling of being deep below the sea’s surface.
Familiar Faces in Unfamiliar Places
As you explore the submerged ruins, you’ll encounter ghostly versions of the old Tutorial Island instructors cursed and trapped, unable to move on. These NPCs include recognizable characters like the combat instructor, fishing tutor, and survival expert. Their souls are bound by dark enchantments, and it’s up to you to help free them.
Each instructor provides you with a puzzle or combat encounter that must be completed in order to lift their individual curses. These challenges aren’t just filler they cleverly reference the old tutorials, asking players to revisit mechanics from the game’s early days in creative new ways.
Puzzle Elements and Quest Progression
Interactive Challenges
The core of Beneath Cursed Tides lies in solving light puzzles and engaging in moderate combat. Some of the tasks include:
- Reassembling a broken magical circuit using logic-based placement mechanics.
- Defeating corrupted sea creatures using magical combat strategies.
- Collecting lost artifacts from the ocean floor to restore NPC memories.
Each completed task not only advances the quest but slowly reveals the deeper story behind Tutorial Island’s disappearance. You learn that the island was cursed by a rogue wizard attempting to harness forgotten powers, inadvertently dooming the island and its residents.
Unraveling the Curse
The Truth About Tutorial Island
As you progress through the quest, you gather clues from the spectral NPCs and decipher ancient runes that hint at the origin of the curse. It turns out that the island was used in a magical experiment that went horribly wrong, sinking it beneath the waves and trapping its inhabitants in a suspended state.
Eventually, players confront the source of the curse a powerful water elemental corrupted by chaotic magic. This final battle is challenging but manageable for most mid-level players, especially with the use of magic-based attacks and food for healing.
Rewards and Benefits
Quest Completion Rewards
Upon completing Beneath Cursed Tides, players receive a well-rounded set of rewards that include:
- Two Treasure Hunter keys
- Three XP lamps that can be used on Magic, Prayer, or any combat skill
- An exclusive cosmetic outfit themed after the underwater environment
- The ability to replay certain segments of the quest through the Mini-Quest hub
In addition to tangible rewards, players also gain the satisfaction of having revisited a crucial piece of RuneScape history and helped the lost souls of Tutorial Island find peace. The quest’s story, tone, and mechanics are a unique blend of nostalgia and innovation.
Why It’s Worth Completing
This quest is ideal for players seeking lore-rich content that doesn’t require high-end combat stats or an extensive time commitment. It provides a self-contained story with strong writing, emotional beats, and plenty of clever callbacks to RuneScape’s roots.
Post-Quest Content and Exploration
Access to Underwater Areas
While Beneath Cursed Tides doesn’t unlock a massive new region, it does provide limited ongoing access to the underwater version of Tutorial Island. This can be used for gathering lore items, interacting with residual NPC spirits, or simply enjoying the quiet beauty of the ocean floor. It’s a small but meaningful location for those who enjoy atmospheric storytelling.
Ties to Future Content
The themes explored in this quest loss, memory, and magical disasters are echoed in later quests and updates. While Beneath Cursed Tides stands alone narratively, players who complete it may recognize references or character connections in more advanced quests.
Tips for Completing the Quest Efficiently
- Ensure your Magic level is at least 30, but ideally a bit higher for easier combat.
- Bring magic-boosting gear and runes for spells suited to your level.
- Use food like lobsters or better for healing during underwater battles.
- Pay attention to NPC dialogue it provides hints for puzzles and adds rich context.
- Take your time exploring the underwater zone; it’s packed with detail and visual storytelling.
Beneath Cursed Tides is one of the most imaginative and emotionally resonant quests in RS3’s mid-level content. By combining undersea exploration, nostalgia-driven storytelling, and clever mechanics, it delivers a fresh experience that honors RuneScape’s legacy. Whether you’re a veteran revisiting the ghosts of Tutorial Island or a newer player curious about the game’s lore, this quest is absolutely worth completing. It’s not just about rewards it’s about uncovering a piece of Gielinor’s forgotten past, one bubble at a time.