Menaphos

Menaphos, also known as the Golden City, is a city located far south in the Kharidian Desert. It became an accessible in-game area on 5 June 2017. Accessing the city requires completion of Diamond in the Rough, Stolen Hearts and The Jack of Spades quest, which is started in Al Kharid by speaking to Emir Ali Mirza in the Al Kharid palace. Additionally it is recommended that the player has completed Icthlarin's Little Helper, Dealing with Scabaras, Missing My Mummy, Do No Evil, Spirits of the Elid and have level 88 Slayer, 73 Hunter, 72 Fishing, and level 50 Agility, Construction, Crafting, Divination, Dungeoneering, Prayer, Runecrafting, and Thieving. Menaphos is plagued by Amascut controlling the city's leader, The Pharaoh, and is causing destruction while searching for her father, Tumeken. In doing so the Tombs of Menaphos have been revealed. There is a city-wide minigame called Shifting Tombs where the player can explore a tomb to try and complete an objective, for example gathering 20 resources within a time limit. A large amount of experience will be gained for completing the objective, but far less will be awarded if the player does not. The city also includes a quest about Crondis, and the Menaphos Slayer Dungeon. More lore will be revealed through city quests, where Menaphos citizens will ask the player to assist them.

Travel

 * Lodestone network to Menaphos
 * The Pharaoh's Sceptre can teleport players directly inside the Pyramid Plunder activity in neighbouring Sophanem.
 * The Master Camouflage Outfit can teleport players outside of the Pyramid Plunder activity.
 * The magic carpet system can be used to travel near Menaphos from Pollnivneach and vice-versa.
 * Fairy Ring code is some distance away, but still available if necessary.
 * The Camulet can teleport players to Enakhra's Temple, which can be found underground just north of Menaphos.
 * The Lodestone Network can be used to go to the Bandit Camp and then walk south.

Features
Menaphos is a mid-level hub city like Prifddinas, with skilling methods offering higher rewards coming at a greater risk. The city is made up of four main areas, each being roughly the size of Port Sarim, arranged around a pyramid and plaza.

Merchant Disrict
The Merchant District is located in the northeast area of Menaphos, accessed through the main doors to the city. There are the city doors to the north, Workers District to the west, and main plaza and lodestone to the south. Its Faction leader is Grand Vizier Ehsan (Merchant). It features:


 * Grand Vizier Ehsan (Merchant) and Grand Vizier Hassan in the southwestern corner of the district.


 * Assistant Librarian Subotai near the center of the district, who can give the player the Menaphos journal.


 * Urluk the camel near the center of the district, who gives the Palapa Cape for participating in activities around the city.


 * Several Menaphite marketeers for pickpocketing.


 * A Silk stall, Gem trader, Lamp stall, General Store (Menaphos), Fish trader, and Loyalty Programme Shop run by Wafa in the eastern market.


 * An entrance to Shifting Tombs in the centre of the market.


 * The Merchant district musician outside the entrance to Shifting Tombs.


 * Bank stalls and access to the Grand Exchange in the after completion of The Jack of Spades in the southeast.


 * A Bank deposit box unlocked at Tier 2 Merchant reputation and a Bank chest unlocked at Tier 6.


 * Several water sources and various NPCs.

Imperial District
The Imperial District is located in the western area of Menaphos, accessed by stairs on the western side of the main plaza. Its Faction leader is Commander Akhomet (Imperial). It features:
 * Commander Akhomet (Imperial) at the bottom of the stairs to the Golden Palace
 * Twelve Acadia trees, eight in the main courtyard and four within the VIP skilling area to the north.
 * The VIP skilling area, unlockable at Tier 7 Menaphos reputation.
 * It contains four Acadia trees, three concentrated sandstone rocks, three fishing spots (for Desert sole, Catfish, Beltfish), and a Bank chest.


 * Entrance to the Golden Palace throne room with The Pharaoh, Ambassador Jabari, and other NPCs.
 * Entrance to the Grand Library (Menaphos), with Kohnen the librarian and the sundial for the Golden Path Challenge.
 * A Bank deposit box unlocked at Tier 2 Imperial reputation and a Bank chest unlocked at Tier 6.


 * An entrance to Shifting Tombs in the southern side of the district.
 * Residential terraces to the southwest of the Golden Palace, with ranges, the Imperial district musician, and various NPCs.

Workers District
The Workers District is located in the northwest area of Menaphos, accessed by stairs on the western side of the Merchant District. Its Faction leader is Batal (Worker). It features:


 * Batal (Worker) near the centre of the district, next to the bonfire.


 * A quarry with Concentrated sandstone and clay rocks.


 * A furnace, anvil, bonfire, and pottery oven around the centre of the district.


 * The Worker district musician next to the bonfire.


 * A Bank deposit box unlocked at Tier 2 Worker reputation and a Bank chest unlocked at Tier 6.


 * An entrance to Shifting Tombs in the southwest of the district.


 * A water source outside the entrance to Shifting Tombs and various NPCs.


 * Stairs leading down to the beach, lined with tents, boats, and an altar.

A reputation system gives rewards for each of the four sectors of the city. A faction can be selected by clicking the progress icons that appear while in Menaphos.

The Menaphos journal lists some tasks that can be completed for the library.

Skilling in the city will introduce several new skilling resources, including:


 * Acadia tree at level 47 Woodcutting and Firemaking
 * Pickpocketing and thieving from stalls at level 47 Thieving
 * Desert sole at level 52 Fishing and Cooking, catfish at level 60, and beltfish at level 72
 * Concentrated sandstone at level 50 Mining
 * Plover at level 50 Hunter

Players (including ironmen) will receive 5% extra experience for all experience gained in the city for 2 months after its release and there will additionally be new unlocks available as the player progresses in Menaphos. More dynamic skilling will be involved in the Shifting Tombs minigame.

Personalities

 * The Pharaoh - ruler of Menaphos
 * High Priest of Icthlarin - the head of the clergy
 * Coenus - chief gatekeeper of Menaphos, member of the Menaphite Guard
 * Ambassador Jabari - ambassador for the Pharaoh and thrall of Amascut
 * Menaphite Leader - gang leader and follower of Amascu
 * Ali the Operator - an underling of said leader
 * Jack of Spades - will be one of the main characters in the Jack of Spades quest
 * Aristarchus - a librarian in the Grand Library
 * Toralis - a missing explorer
 * Thrall

History
The Second Age saw a rise in power of the Menaphites, a group of humans that had settled in the Kharidian Desert during the dawn of humanity. The Menaphites played large roles in the construction and management of numerous settlements within the desert, including Sophanem, Ullek and Uzer.

The God Wars that scarred Gielinor during the Third Age brought great battle to the Kharidian Desert. Uzer was destroyed by the Elder-Demon Thammaron and Ullek fell shortly afterwards to Balfrug Kreeyath. To worsen matters, exiled followers of the fallen god Zaros were forced into the desert, where they wreaked havoc amongst the local populace. The only surviving cities were Menaphos and Sophanem, which were, at the time, little more than small Menaphite camps. The refugees from the destroyed settlements fled to Menaphos and Sophanem, where they contributed to the cities' prosperity. By the Fourth Age, the twin cities were amongst the largest in the world.

Menaphos held a large deal of political power within the Kharidian Desert, being the only city with any real strength; the only other settlements were small towns and camps such as Nardah and Pollnivneach. Menaphos went to war with Al Kharid for some time, but little is known of this.

After the end of the Menaphos - Al Kharid war, it was believed that Menaphos would open its gates to the rest of Gielinor. This, however, was not the case, due to the many plagues set upon Sophanem by Amascut. To prevent the spread of the plague, Menaphos closed its gates immediately. Many of the citizens of Sophanem were trapped inside, and any attempts by the Sophanites to negotiate with Menaphos were met with violence.

The city's closure was met with a great deal of resistance from the city's slaves, who rioted when they discovered that the slaves in Sophanem were no longer working because of the plagues. The riots were stamped out by the city's guards quickly.

Even today, the city remains sealed. Furthermore, recent reports show that the city is cutting off ocean-based trade in the Southern Sea, suggesting that the city is attempting to become more independent. This may mean that Menaphos means to remain sealed permanently.

Menaphos has made attempts to put one of their own leaders on the throne of Al Kharid under the guise of offering stability to the city while the Emir and Prince Ali are absent, including assassinating the Emir and kidnapping the prince. These attempts have failed however. Amascut has revealed herself to be influential in these events, and it is unknown to what extent the pharaoh of Menaphos is aware of her involvement.

Pre-release
The build up to Menaphos release included:


 * The Menaphos Insiders programme.
 * The release of a website dedicated to Menaphos on 24 April.
 * Addition of the in-game sundial teaser on 24 April and associated Golden Path Challenge.
 * Competitions including naming of the Menaphos pub and creation of a player-written book for the Menaphos library.

Trivia

 * Menaphos is an anagram of Sophanem, being spelt nearly backwards except for the ph being swapped for ease of pronunciation.
 * It is probably based on the ancient Egyptian capital city of Memphis. It could also be based on Alexandria, an Egyptian port which also contained a grand library.
 * Due to an update on 26 September 2012 the full city of Menaphos was filled in on the World Map.
 * After an update on 9 August 2011, one was able to open the northern gate to Menaphos, however one could only move one game square into the city. This has since been patched.

Menaphos Menaphos Menaphos