Ruins (east)
The Abandoned Farm or Eastern Ruins, more commonly referred to simply as the Ruins, are the remains of an ancient settlement in the eastern Wilderness. They lie in a multicombat zone, roughly between Wilderness levels 25 to 28.
In the Spirit of Summer and Summer's End quests, players learn about the Bonde family who built the farm and about the Bonde Farm Massacre in which they were killed. The fabric of reality surrounding the farm is naturally weak, and has been further weakened by the Spirit Beast, an entity from a parallel dimension. This has made the farm something of a spacial anomaly, causing constant physical and spiritual overlaps between The Void, the Spirit Realm, and the world of Gielinor itself.
The Ruins contain several item respawns, as well as a furnace. Whilst wandering the ruins, prior to starting Spirit of Summer, the player will receive disturbing messages in their chat box. Until the release of the quest, these messages were the subject of much debate.
History
The Ruins' history is filled with tragedy. As discovered in the Spirit of Summer questline. The ruins were once a farm, owned by the Bonde Family, who were massacred along with their farm hands, presumably in the year 169 of the Fourth Age.
As previously mentioned, a mysterious presence surrounds the Ruins, and visitors may hear a disembodied voice in their chat box whilst in the area. Though its host cannot be found, it suggests that a "beast" once attacked the area, implying the Spirit Beast. A number of animal and human corpses can be found within the Ruins, however are most likely unrelated to the event 400 years ago.
Transportation
The Ruins are in close proximity to the Corporeal Beast's lair, which makes reaching it fairly simple. By using a Games necklace to teleport to it, then walking to the Ruins, it is possible to reach the area very quickly.
Not far to the south, below the Graveyard of Shadows, is a Wilderness Obelisk, which allows players to travel to one of several random Obelisks found at random locations within the Wilderness. This method is unreliable in reaching the Ruins.
Alternatively, players may reach the Ruins by running north from Varrock or Edgeville.
Attractions
The Ruins' only attraction is its furnace, which is still operational even after the massacre. Here, players can smelt ore, making it popular amongst those leaving the Hobgoblin Mine in the far north.
Prior to the graphical updates to the Wilderness, the Ruins had only one entrance; a small gate on the south side. This, coupled with the visible cover provided by the Ruins' inaccessible second level (which was also removed), made it a somewhat safe area for those fleeing from player killers. When the Wilderness graphics were changed, however, the wall that surrounds the ruins gained several new entrances; two additional gaps on the south side, a small hole on the east side, and an opening on the north wall. Although this made the area somewhat more easy to enter, it still provides decent protection. It has also started to gain popularity again due to the mysterious voices that can be heard in it. Players doing the quests can often be seen running to and from it.
Respawn points
Several items will periodically reappear in the Ruins that may be taken freely:
- Gold ore - A gold ore can be found respawning near the furnace.
- Tinderbox - There is a Tinderbox respawn right next to the furnace.
- Bones - Several bone respawns can be found throughout the Ruins.
- Skull - Several skulls can be found in the Ruins. This is one of very few areas where they can be obtained.
- Steel platelegs - A set of steel platelegs can be found in a ruined structure on the Ruins' east side.
Monsters
The Ruins, though safe by Wilderness standards, are nonetheless highly dangerous and play home to several aggressive monsters. Caution should be taken when visiting the area.
- Deadly red spiders, Level 34 - Clearly the Ruins' dominant predator, deadly red spiders can be found in vast numbers throughout the ruins. Capable of attacking in large numbers, they may pose a threat to low-levelled players.
- Rats, Level 1 - Non-aggressive and at level 1, rats are amongst the weakest monsters in Gielinor. They should not pose a threat to anyone visiting the Ruins.
The Voices
Whilst wandering the Ruins, players will periodically receive disturbing messages in their chat box. This was first confirmed to have been discovered on 1 July 2008, on the day of RuneScape's graphical update. Normally, these messages will appear simply as "Woo Woos". However, when wielding an amulet of Ghostspeak, players can understand their meaning. However, the one speaking cannot be found even when wearing a ring of visibility, suggesting that the host may not strictly be a ghost. It was a foreshadow to the Wilderness quest released at the end of July. Some of the things the voices say include:
- Help...beast...killing family.
- Please...can hear...help...slowly killing...all.
- Devouring...soul.
- Someone please...pain....away.
- Out there...need...is devouring...pain...stops.
- Hurry...stuck...agony...death.
- Beast life...me and...need help.
- Anyone...help...please.
- Save...is dying...have much...left.
These voices were connected to Spirit of Summer quest.
Image Gallery
Trivia
- Prior to the updates of 10 December 2007, the Ruins were physically and graphically set up differently. The Ruins were entirely enclosed by stone walls, except for a small opening on its southern side. They also possessed a second floor, but because all of the ladders leading to it were broken, it was entirely inaccessible.
- There is also an underground level that has a large ring with a skull in the middle.