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The Elder Artefacts, also known as The Elder Twelve[1], are a class of immensely powerful and divine artefacts that were created by the Elder Gods who used them as conduits for their power to carefully craft perfect details in their creations.[2] Most artefacts were created by Jas, the most powerful elder god, aligned to time, using her stone.[3] The Elder Artefacts can be destroyed and have been destroyed in the past by the Elder Gods, who destroyed previous versions of the Artefacts that did not meet with their approval. There may have been around 10 Stones of Jas, before the current and final version was created.[4] It was learnt from the Tribute to Guthix, wherein Guthix's memories could be read, there are twelve artefacts. At least seven of these are on Gielinor at the time of the Sixth Age.[5]

These artefacts are so powerful that merely spending time with one of the Elder Twelve artefacts will make it possible to attain godhood.[6] Each of the artefacts also has a specific function, though that function may or may not be what it's been used for by the gods. Some of the artefacts are called Elder Weapons, or God Slayers; the most well-known of these is the one referenced by Guthix: the Staff of Armadyl.

Jas did not imagine that other entities would get their hands on them - the Elder Gods believed that the dragonkin were the only other race in the world, and they had tied them all to the Stone of Jas - and so their side effects (that of leaking divine energy) may not have been considered.

List of Elder Artefacts[]

Artefact Alias Use Status
The Catalyst Stone of Jas Used to create the other artefacts.
Used to store knowledge and power.
Destroyed by Kerapac, various shards scattered
The Siphon Staff of Armadyl Used to fuse elements cleanly and with precision.
Used to transfer power.
Unknown
The Kiln Elder Kiln Used to create the TokHaar, the workers used in shaping planes. In TzHaar City
The Blade Guthix's Sword Used to separate elements cleanly and with precision.
Used to open portals between planes.
Shattered in Guthix's Cave
The Locator Crown Archival Used to locate other Elder Artefacts. Held by Saradomin
The Horn N/A Used to safely communicate and control other sentient beings without harming them. Was held by Quin until her death; now lost.
The Measure N/A Used to measure the Anima Mundi of a plane. Held by the World Guardian.
The Mirror N/A Used to duplicate items, environments, etc. Held by Kerapac
The Needle N/A Used to pull apart the threads of time to restore Anima to the world. Previously held by Sally; now broken.
The Codex N/A Unknown Unknown
The Template N/A Unknown Unknown
The Hammer N/A Unknown Unknown

Descriptions[]

The Catalyst[]

Main article: Stone of Jas
Stone of Jas detail

The Catalyst, commonly known as the "Stone of Jas," "The Eye of Saradomin," "The Fist of Guthix," or "The Cabbage of a Thousand Truths," was one of the better known artefacts. It was the most powerful, and the very first one created. It expresses the power of its creator; Jas, Elder Goddess of progression. She used it to create most other artefacts, aside from the Elder Kiln, the Measure, and possibly others. While not specifically a weapon, it grants its users part of its immense power.

It had guardians called the Dragonkin; a race enslaved and cursed by Jas to feel agonising pain when the Stone is being misused. When the Stone was misused, the Dragonkin were granted power equal to that was given to the user and were tasked to destroy them, making it one of the most risky artefacts to use. Throughout Gielinor's history, the Dragonkin have not been able to stop "False Users," but their power has since been supplemented, and thus they are nearing godhood themselves.[3]

The Stone has a long history of use and relocation. Notable users of the stone include Guthix, the Kethsians, Zamorak, Saradomin and Lucien. The Stone caused the existence of rune essence, Daeyalt ore and the Fist of Guthix.

Following Sliske's Endgame, the Stone of Jas was destroyed by Kerapac. Some remaining fragments are currently in the possession of the World Guardian.

The Siphon[]

Main article: Staff of Armadyl
Staff of Armadyl (Children of Mah)

The Siphon, commonly known as the "Staff of Armadyl", is the second most used artefact in the history of Gielinor (due to it being the second most powerful elder artefact), behind the Stone of Jas. It amplifies its user's magical capabilities and serves as a conduit for power in general. Used by the Elder Gods to fuse elements cleanly and with precision.

It was found by Guthix on Gielinor during the First Age when he was travelling between dimensions with his sword (see below). Guthix hid it before sleeping in the middle of the perfect world to let mortals enjoy a world without gods. It was found by Armadyl during the Second Age and became known as "The Staff of Armadyl". His followers adopted the symbol from the staff.[7] Notable users of the staff include Zamorak, Lucien, and Sliske. Two of the most important events in which the staff was involved were the banishment of Zaros and the death of Guthix.

Following Sliske's Endgame, the location of the Siphon is unknown.

The Kiln[]

Main articles: Elder Kiln, TokHaar, and Mysterious statue
TokHaar-Hok

The Kiln, commonly known as the Elder Kiln, is both an Elder Artefact and a means of creating artefacts, and the artefacts it creates are considered to be the same artefact as the Kiln[8]. The most well known of these creations are the TokHaar, and the Mysterious statues. The TokHaar consider themselves to be Elder Artefacts, but it is debatable whether the Elder Gods would agree with this.

The Kiln was created by the Elder Goddess Ful on a planet different from Gielinor, where the Elder Gods attempted to create the perfect world. They failed numerous times and Ful would take the kiln and the TokHaar to the next project each time. When their work on Gielinor was done, the TokHaar built a great mountain around the Elder Kiln and returned to live within it "to await further instruction".

According to the TokHaar, younger gods are beings that abused the artefacts of the Elder Gods in order to gain a massive amount of power. To date the TokHaar are also the only known sentient artefacts, instead of just being an object. When a TokHaar dies, they return to the lava. Anything else that falls into the sacred lava is resurrected as TokHaar as well.

The Blade[]

Guthix sword

The Blade is known as "Guthix's Sword". After picking it up when Skargaroth dropped it during the Naragi God Wars, Guthix used it to wound Tuska and kill Skargaroth, making him ascend to godhood. He then used the sword to cut portals between worlds, allowing him to create the World Gate. Used by the Elder Gods to separate elements cleanly and with precision.

The Elder Sword currently lies shattered in Guthix's Cave, too dangerous to be used and still crackling with energy.

The Locator[]

Main article: Crown Archival
Crown Archival

The Locator, known as the "Crown Archival", is an artefact that enables the user to locate all the other artefacts, but also enables the users of these other artefacts to locate the crown in return, making it one of the most useful and risky artefacts to be used. The Elder Gods discarded the crown fairly quickly and never meant to use it again, apparently no longer deeming it necessary to be able to locate their artefacts.[9] The Crown also attracts the attention of the Elder Gods, in case it itself gets lost.

The Crown is in possession of Saradomin, and has been since before the Naragi God Wars up to the present.

The Horn[]

Main article: Horn (Elder Artefact)

Upon his arrival on Gielinor, Guthix started to explore the world and found several Elder Artefacts. One of these discoveries was a horn, which he kept hidden. It came into the possession of Quin,[10] a powerful seasinger and self-proclaimed goddess in The Pincers region of the Wushanko Isles.

There has been speculation that it could be the Frostenhorn but this has been confirmed as false.[11] This may have been the "drinking horn" that turned Marimbo into a goddess.

Used by the Elder Gods to communicate with the TokHaar and control them. The Horn's current location is unknown.

The Measure[]

Main article: The Measure
The Measure detail

The Measure is an elder artefact that measures the level of the Anima Mundi of a plane. This artefact is considered the weakest of the twelve, and is hinted at being created by the previous cycle of Elder Gods[12].

The Measure is now in the hands of the World Guardian, after being taken from Freneskae.

The Mirror[]

Main article: Elder Mirror
The Mirror

The Mirror is a weapon in the hands of the Dragonkin used to duplicate items. It is used by Sakirth to kill V during Hero's Welcome. Kerapac retrieved it from the Vault of the Dragonkin, and it is presumably still in his possession.

The mirror was used by Kerapac to destroy the Stone of Jas during Sliske's Endgame.

The Needle[]

Main article: The Needle
Needle (Elder Artefact)

The Needle is an artefact that features heavily in the spin-off game RuneScape: Idle Adventures. It was one of the artefacts that Jas mentioned in Sliske's Endgame.

Its function is to weave the threads of existence. And it is being used by the main character of the game to heal the Anima Mundi of Gielinor by weaving threads of time into the tapestry of fate by unraveling time.

According to the archived memory of Guthix concerning Cres unlocked in the Hall of Memories, the Needle is currently broken.

The Codex[]

Main article: The Codex

The Codex was one of the three last unknown artefacts until their first mention during Sliske's Endgame. Nothing is known about it.

The Hammer[]

Main article: The Hammer

Like the Codex, the Hammer was first mentioned during Sliske's Endgame. Nothing is known about this artefact.

The Template[]

Main article: The Template

Like the Codex and the Hammer, it was mentioned in Sliske's Endgame. Only its name is known.

Existence of other Elder Artefacts[]

It was long thought that the Stone of Jas was the only item that belonged to the Elder Gods (or only Jas, since there was no confirmation at the time as to whether more existed or not). This has recently changed. In a lore livestream, Mod Osborne confirmed that the other six artefacts are to be revealed soon[1]. One of these was thought to be the World Gate, since it has been hinted to be an Elder Artefact by Mod Jack[13]. However, it is only linked to the Elder Sword[14]. Furthermore, the World Gate was created by Guthix, and hence, cannot be an Elder Artefact.

In addition to this, Mod Osborne stated that the majority of the Elder Artefacts are currently on Gielinor[5]. This was stated before The Measure was taken from Freneskae. Therefore, apart from the seven known artefacts, there has to be at least one more on Gielinor. He has also confirmed that at least one of the Elder Artefacts is located in the Kharidian Desert[15]. In addition, Armadyl ascended to godhood with an unknown Artefact that is likely still on the Aviansie world of Abbinah, although what it is has not been revealed.

During Sliske's Endgame, the remaining artefacts were revealed to be the Codex, the Template and the Hammer. Other than their names, nothing is known about them.

It has been mentioned that certain inferior prototypes of Elder Artefacts exist. This creates the possibility of there being more artefacts than the main twelve. This also means that any of the currently known artefacts could be one of these prototypes, with more of the main twelve still to be revealed.

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Mod Emilee. "Tribute to Guthix - FAQ." 15 March 2013. Recent Game Updates Forums.
  2. ^ Guthix, "Guthixian memories", RuneScape. "But this I knew: there were artefacts, left by elders who came before. These items were conduits for their power, used to refine, to create on smaller scales, to create perfection." (ninth memory)
  3. ^ a b Mod Crow. "Campfire - Answers." 27 June 2013. General Forums.
  4. ^ Jagex. Official lore livestream with Mod Osborne (1:02:18) Official lore livestream, 2 August 2013.
  5. ^ a b Mod Osborne. "Mod Osborne's Lore Answers!." 19 March 2013. General Forums.
  6. ^ Mod Osborne. "Mod Osborne's Lore Answers!." 19 March 2013. General Forums.
  7. ^ Mod Emilee. "The World Wakes - FAQ." 08-03-2013. RuneScape News.
  8. ^ Mod Osborne. "One of a Kind - FAQ." 13 March 2014. Recent Updates Forums.
  9. ^ Jagex. Official lore livestream with Mod Osborne Official lore livestream, 2 August 2013.
  10. ^ Jagex. Official lore livestream with Mod Osborne Official lore livestream, 21 August 2013.
  11. ^ Mod Crow. "Campfire - Answers." 27 June 2013. General Forums.
  12. ^ Mod Raven. "Campfire - Live Q&A." 17 April 2014. RuneScape Lore Discussion Forums. Mod Raven: "Mah isn't quite with it enough to be considered the creator of an Elder Artefact, so we must presume it was the previous cycle of the Elder Gods."
  13. ^ Mod Jack. "Joy of Zaros Podcast Summary." 18 October,. RuneScape Lore Discussion Forums.
  14. ^ Mod Rowley. "Fate of the Gods - FAQ." 25-Mar-2014. Recent Game Updates Forums. Q: How did Guthix create the World Gate? Why didn't he use the Elder Sword to bring the different races to Gielinor? Mod Rowley: I added some post-quest dialogue to the Valluta, before being kindly informed by Mod Moltare that you can't actually get back to talk to her post-The Void Stares Back... The basic idea is that Guthix used the elder sword to create the pathways that the World Gate makes use of for travel between worlds. He later used the sword where the Valluta is now, but cut too deep, piercing the void (and shattering the sword in the process). This was to explain the similarity in look between the World Gate and the 'Void Gate'.
  15. ^ Reddit interview with David Osborne.*
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