Forums

Dear Diary,

The day finally came. Today I trained Archaeology.

I have had level 4 in this skill for some time, after rubbing a couple of celebration lamps. However, I had no real option but to train it since one of my three daily challenges was for Archaeology. I had done my other two tasks, but with game reset only five minutes away, there was obviously not enough time left to run through the entire tutorial then discover an artifact before reset hit. I used a skip token, redeemed this last challenge, and claimed the last of the weekly rewards. In total the rewards amounted to four challenge skip tokens, a box of Dungeoneering tokens, one protean powerup, and the final prize: 50 oddments. The XP I gained from auto-completing the challenge raised my Archaeology level from 4 to 6.

Later tonight, I made my way from the Varrock lodestone to the Archaeology Campus. I spoke to Acting Guildmaster Reiniger. She told me I could attain wealth and power through Archaeology. These interested me more than fame or stories - unless the stories can lead me to more wealth or power. After explaining the basics and handing me some tools, including a bronze mattock, I was tasked with digging through a pile of Senntisten soil. I found some metal and wooden materials as well as a damaged Centurion's Dress Sword. I also got 7 Archaeology. Next I screened some soil to gain additional materials and 8 Archaeology.

I stored my materials, then restored the damaged artifact. This got me Archaeology level 9. Reiniger suggested I speak with Velucia, a nearby collector. She traded me a relic called The Mortal Cup plus 1,000 chronotes. This relic pulled me towards the monolith. Reiniger seemed surprised by this, and suggested I try offering the relic to the monolith. I successfully activated the Font Of Life relic power, granting me 500 more lifepoints. This also surprised Reiniger, who had been less than forthcoming about the details of Guildmaster Tony's disappearance.

*turns the page* I've been putting out fire with gasoline!

Kat's Diary

17-Nov-2021 06:16:09

Reiniger asked me to meet her at the main building. She showed me around and explained the services offered by the Archaeology Guild. I picked up a soil box for free at the guild's store. I had no need to purchase a mattock, as I had smithed an iron mattock and a steel mattock some time ago. I stashed these in my bank for when I decided to train Archaeology.

I spoke with Reiniger again. She seems convinced that I possess a special connection with the monolith, and that I have the potential to become a world-class archaeologist one day. Maybe she is right. However, I suspect she says this to every adventurer she believes could be useful to her. Someday, I will press her for more information regarding exactly how Guildmaster Tony vanished, and what connection the god Zaros could have to the monolith. Perhaps I will learn more at Kharid-et. Reiniger gave me an Archaeology Journal and qualified me as an intern. With the tutorial concluded, she arranged to have me sent to Kharid-et immediately.

Upon my arrival at the dig site, I was greeted by the site's manager, a Dr. Nabanik. He called me "old friend", although I do not remember him at all. Granted, I am missing all but my recent memories of Gielinor, so it is possible he speaks truly and I have forgotten our friendship. Still, I sense he is keeping several secrets. Until I discover what those secrets might be, I will play along to discover more about this dig site, as well as the mysterious manager who claims friendship with me.

After giving me the tour, Nabanik urged me to get to work excavating the nearby Venator remains. After digging up a handful of third-age iron and Zarosian insignia, along with some soil, I reached 10 Archaeology. I stopped excavating and went to the bank chest to retrieve my iron mattock. I added this to my tool belt, stored my materials, then returned to excavating with my upgraded mattock. Eventually I filled my pack with Third-Age iron and Zarosian insignia.

*turns the page* I've been putting out fire with gasoline!

Kat's Diary

17-Nov-2021 07:06:29 - Last edited on 19-Nov-2021 10:07:43 by Kat Stryke

In addition to the two materials, I found a damaged Venator Dagger. I also placed 33 portions of ancient gravel inside my soil box. I attained 11 Archaeology.

At this point, I used the journal to teleport back to the Archaeology Campus. I went to the workbench and used most of my stored materials to restore the Venator Dagger to pristine condition. This raised my Archaeology to level 13. I inspected the dagger. Unfortunately, it seems to have no actual use in combat, so I banked it.

I brought my soil box to the screening station. After screening 33 bits of ancient gravel, all I recovered was one piece of Third-Age iron and two Zarosian insignia. I added these to the material storage container.

On my next trip to the Kharid-et dig site, I shall see about finding a way inside the fort itself. Any significant findings will surely be discovered within. Dr. Nabanik will most likely have some information for me on how to enter the fort. Perhaps I will even learn how this individual knows me - if in fact he actually does.

This story is just getting started, Diary. Who knows what mysteries I might uncover?

Love,
Kat I've been putting out fire with gasoline!

Kat's Diary

17-Nov-2021 07:41:36 - Last edited on 19-Nov-2021 10:05:53 by Kat Stryke

Dear Diary,

This morning, I worked on my Daily Challenges.

I caught an entire inventory of crayfish, then redeemed this challenge to get 59 Fishing.

My other two tasks involved burning 10 logs and pickpocketing 6 people.

Love,
Kat I've been putting out fire with gasoline!

Kat's Diary

17-Nov-2021 07:53:49

Dear Diary,

This evening I received my fifth antique chest from the Loot Duels promo.

Inside the chest I found an Imcando Axe.

This is a P2P item.

Previously I have found a Flaming Head, an Imcando Pistol, a Leprechaun Hat. and a Silver Hawk inside antique chests.

Love,
Kat I've been putting out fire with gasoline!

Kat's Diary

19-Nov-2021 00:38:32

Dear Diary,

I made some significant progress in the Archaeology skill this morning.

I returned to the Archaeology Guild and spoke with Acting Guildmaster Reiniger again. I questioned her about the monolith and about Guildmaster Tony's disappearance. Her detailed accounts of the events were so vivid, it was as though I could see in my mind how Zaros raised the monolith, as witnessed by Tony and by Dr. Nabanik. Later, I "saw" Tony get sucked inside the monolith as he attempted to tap its power. This is the same fate Reiniger thought I would suffer as well when I interacted with the monolith.

I went on to ask Reiniger if she had any rewards for me. She gave me a manual on materials, a Hi-spec monocle, a Tarpaulin sheet, and a cup of Archaeologist's tea. I left to deposit these items in the nearby bank chest. Then I went east until I came to a series of three excavation sites just north of the pile of Senntisten soil, where I discovered the damaged Centurion's Dress Sword. I excavated 15 pieces of Third-Age iron at these three material caches. This raised my Archaeology from level 13 to 15.

I stored the iron, then returned to the Guild lodge. I used the dig site map to travel back to Kharid-et. There I worked to clear the debris in front of the entrance to the fort. It took some time, but I managed to reveal the doorway. I found some materials, mostly Third-Age iron and Zarosian insignia but also 5 pieces of Imperial steel, plus 36 bits of ancient gravel. Clearing this debris got me 16 Archaeology. The door was sealed. I spoke with Nabanik to find a way to open the door. He gave me a damaged Centurion's Seal. I stored my materials and proceeded to restore the damaged seal at the workbench. This required only 6 pieces of Third-Age iron and 2 Zarosian insignia. Repairing the Centurion's Seal raised my Archaeology to level 17. I returned to the fort entrance. I pressed the restored seal to the door. The seal disintegrated and the door opened.

*turns the page* I've been putting out fire with gasoline!

Kat's Diary

19-Nov-2021 10:02:54

I was ready to start discovering what secrets lay buried within Kharid-et. I entered the fort. As I stepped inside, I gained 900 XP. This raised my Archaeology level from 17 to 19.

Inside the fort, I moved south and entered a room to the west. This appeared to be some sort of barracks. I began excavating the Legionary remains. At these three hotspots I found plenty of Third-Age iron and Zarosian insignia as well as some Imperial steel and Samite silk. While excavating the northern site inside this room, I attained level 20 Archaeology.

At this point, a message mysteriously appeared in my inventory. I read the note. It was from someone calling himself Movario, inviting me to join him at the Infernal Source dig site northeast of Varrock. He addressed me by name, claiming to have heard about my spectacular discoveries. I don't see how this unknown individual could have known about the Venator Dagger I found and restored, Diary. Aside from you, I told no one about that. It would seem I have been watched. I have had quite enough of shadowy figures claiming knowledge of me and my activities. Therefore, I don't believe I will be taking this Movario up on his offer of employment. I prefer to work alone.

After a little more excavation of the Legionary remains, I found a damaged Primis Elementis Standard. Next I gathered more Zarosian insignia and Imperial steel from material caches in and around the barracks. A short distance south of the entrance to the barracks, there are three Castra debris hotspots. I uncovered them and excavated some materials from these sites. However, by then my soil box was filled with ancient gravel, as was my pack. There is a deposit cart nearby which sends your materials to the storage container.

Eventually my pack became filled. In addition to the ancient gravel, the materials, and the damaged artifact, I found 7 pylon batteries scattered around the excavation spots. No doubt these supply power to the pylon I observed.

*turns the page* I've been putting out fire with gasoline!

Kat's Diary

19-Nov-2021 20:20:50

In addition to the pylon south of the Castra debris, I noticed a large prison door located near the pylon. Part of the door mechanism appears to be missing. What might be on the other side? These objects will require further investigation.

I exited the fort, banked some gravel, and dug up some Samite silk at the two hotspots.

With my pack full and more materials added to the storage container, I used my journal to teleport back to the Archaeology Campus. I went to the workbench and restored the Primis Elementis Standard I had found inside the fort. This required 12 bits of Third-Age iron and 16 pieces of Samite silk. I had plenty of iron on hand, but I had just 19 pieces of silk, so this restoration almost depleted my supply of Samite silk, leaving me with 3.

I had a total of 100 portions of ancient gravel. With 50 in my soil box plus another 25 in my pack, I went to the screening station. When I finished with that load, I transferred the remaining 25 from my bank to my soil box and screened this. From 100 ancient gravel I recovered 10 Third-Age iron and 10 Zarosian insignia. I added these to the material storage container.

I banked the restored Primis Elementis Standard and withdrew my steel mattock. I added it to my tool belt and banked my trusty iron mattock. By using the steel mattock, my future excavations should take a little less time.

Love,
Kat I've been putting out fire with gasoline!

Kat's Diary

19-Nov-2021 21:18:04

Dear Diary,

This evening I completed a Daily Fletching Challenge after making another 100 steel arrows. Redeeming this challenge got me 57 Fletching.

With the next level gained in this skill I will be able to craft emerald bolts.

Love,
Kat I've been putting out fire with gasoline!

Kat's Diary

21-Nov-2021 00:32:21

Dear Diary,

Tonight I excavated three more artifacts from the Kharid-et dig site.

First I entered the fort and excavated the Legionary remains. Here I found 3 more pylon batteries while collecting materials and ancient gravel. I now had a total of 10 batteries. At the southeast hotspot, I dug up a damaged Legionary Gladius.

After depositing my materials, I explored the area around the prison door. Attached to the outer side of the north wall, I noticed a Shadow Anchor. I chose to power it up, using my 10 pylon batteries. A purple light radiated from the anchor. I could feel the shadows become closer in this area. There are bound to be other Shadow Anchors scattered around the fort. I am not certain what purpose these anchors serve, but I shall seek out additional pylon batteries. Unfortunately, they cannot be banked for some strange reason.

I decided to leave the fort to excavate the Venator remains north of the entrance to the fort. At these hotspots, I found more materials and ancient gravel, plus two more Venator Daggers. I banked the artifacts and deposited all materials into the storage container. I then excavated another 22 pieces of Samite silk from the material caches north of the Venator remains. I had gathered more gravel than my soil box could hold. I teleported back to the Archaeology Campus and stored the Samite silk.

I returned with 55 bits of ancient gravel. Screening it all revealed just one piece of Third-Age iron and three Zarosian insignia. After storing these materials, I banked the three damaged artifacts instead of restoring them. I am keeping them on hand for future Daily Archaeology Challenges.

This was the first time I used my steel mattock. It works quite well.

Love,
Kat I've been putting out fire with gasoline!

Kat's Diary

21-Nov-2021 05:21:36