The Ethically Acquired Antiques quest is one of the newest additions to OSRS, bringing players to the recently unveiled Varlamore region. This quest offers a mix of intrigue, exploration, and mystery as you track down shady characters and solve the case of the missing Xerna’s Diadem. Whether you're here for the 6,000 Thieving XP or simply to experience a well-written narrative, this guide will help you every step of the way.

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Before You Begin

Skill Requirements:

    • 25 Thieving

Quest Requirements:

    • Children of the Sun

    • Shield of Arrav

Recommended Items:

    • 3,000 coins (for charter ships, optional)

    • Ring of Charos (to reduce charter costs, optional)

    • Explorer’s Ring 2+ (for easy teleports, optional)

    • Varrock Teleport

    • Civitas illa Fortis Teleport

    • 1 free inventory space

Short & Long Walkthroughs

This guide provides a short walkthrough for experienced players and a detailed walkthrough with additional tips for newcomers. Choose the approach that suits you best!

Short Walkthrough

Getting Started:

    • Travel to the Grand Museum in Civitas illa Fortis.

    • Inspect the empty display case in the northeast corner.

    • Speak to Curator Herminius about the missing artifact.

    • Investigate the tools behind the display case.

    • Reinspect the display case to discover tampering.

Following the Trail:

    • Talk to nearby citizens, academics, or tourists to gather clues about a suspicious character.

    • Speak with Regulus Cento near the quetzals southwest of the museum.

    • Follow the lead east to the Fortis Cothon and speak with a Trader Crewmember.

    • Help the Trader Crewmember by repairing their sails via Artima’s shop southeast of the docks.

Port Sarim Investigation:

    • Return the repaired sails to the Trader Crewmember and learn about a suspicious man heading to Port Sarim.

    • Travel to Port Sarim (via charter ship, spirit tree, or other methods).

    • Speak with Trader Stan or his crew at the southern docks.

    • Visit Betty in the magic shop, who will provide a note.

Confronting the Curator:

    • Head to the Varrock Museum and question Curator Haig Halen about the diadem.

    • Pickpocket Haig Halen to obtain the storeroom key.

    • Search the storeroom to find Xerna’s Diadem.

    • Interrogate Haig using dialogue options to fill the “Shame-o-meter.”

    • Return to the Grand Museum and speak with Curator Herminius to complete the quest.

Long Walkthrough

Step 1: Investigating the Museum

Your journey begins at the Grand Museum in Civitas illa Fortis. Inspect the empty display case in the northeast corner. This triggers a conversation with Curator Herminius, who expresses frustration over the lack of progress in recovering the stolen artifact.

Examine the tools left behind near the display case. These suggest a highly skilled thief was involved. Reinspect the display case to identify signs of tampering, confirming this is no amateur job.

Speak with NPCs around the museum—tourists, academics, and locals. Keep asking until someone mentions a suspicious individual seen leaving the museum.

Step 2: Tracking the Thief

Find Regulus Cento near the quetzals south-west of the museum. He recalls a peculiar individual carrying a case and asking questions about the birds. When refused access, the stranger left for the Fortis Cothon.

At the Cothon, approach any Trader Crewmember and inquire about the suspicious person. They’ll ask you to repair their damaged sails before offering any information. Take the sails to Artima’s crafting shop southeast of the docks. Once fixed, return to the Trader, who confirms the suspect charted a ship to Port Sarim.

Step 3: Investigating in Port Sarim

Head to Port Sarim via your preferred method (charter ship, spirit tree, grouping teleport, etc.). Speak with Trader Stan or his crewmembers at the southernmost dock. They’ll point you toward Betty’s Magic Emporium, where the suspect purchased teleport runes.

In Betty’s shop, she describes a monocled man unsure of what runes he needed. She hands you a note, which reveals the suspect sought Varrock Teleport runes. This strongly implicates Curator Haig Halen from the Varrock Museum.

Step 4: Confronting Haig Halen

Travel to the Varrock Museum and confront Curator Haig Halen. His nervous demeanor is a dead giveaway. Pickpocket him to acquire the storeroom key, then search the storeroom beneath the stairs to find Xerna’s Diadem among other dubious items.

Return to Haig and initiate the interrogation. You’ll see a “Shame-o-meter” appear on screen. Use dialogue options to maximize his guilt—calling out his theft and questioning his integrity work well. Once the Shame-o-meter is full, Haig confesses. He admits to intercepting the diadem from the thief and bringing it to Varrock under the guise of “safekeeping.”

Step 5: Wrapping Up

With the diadem recovered, return to Civitas illa Fortis. Inform Curator Herminius of the artifact’s recovery and Haig Halen’s misconduct.

Quest Complete!

Rewards

    • 1 Quest Point

    • 6,000 Thieving XP

    • 5,000 OSRS gold

Final Thoughts

Ethically Acquired Antiques is a brilliant mix of investigation and classic OSRS mechanics, offering an engaging story and useful Thieving experience. For more OSRS guides, tips, and services, check out our blog or let our OSRS Quest Services handle the grind for you!

RSorder Team