OSRS Lore Overview: A Guide to the Major Questlines & Story Arcs

Q: What is the longest questline in OSRS?

The Elf quest series is arguably the longest and most demanding, starting from Plague City and culminating in the Grandmaster quest, Song of the Elves. It has high skill requirements and involves some of the most iconic puzzles in the game.

Q: Who are the Mahjarrat?

The Mahjarrat are a powerful, ancient, and warlike race of shapeshifters who played a pivotal role in the God Wars. Key members include Lucien, Azzanadra, and Sliske (in RS3). The OSRS storyline involving them often revolves around their rivalries and the Ritual of Rejuvenation.

Q: What quest should I do for a good story?

The Myreque questline (starting with 'In Search of the Myreque') is widely praised for its dark, gothic atmosphere and compelling story of a human resistance fighting against vampires in Morytania. A Kingdom Divided is also a fantastic, modern-style story.

Q: Are all OSRS quests connected?

Not all, but many are. The world of Gielinor has several major, overarching narratives. While there are many standalone quests, the major storylines like the Dragonkin/Mahjarrat quests are deeply intertwined, with events from one questline often impacting another.

Dive into the rich lore of Old School RuneScape. This guide provides an overview of the major questlines, including the Elven, Myreque, Dragonkin, and Mahjarrat series.

Published on: July 29, 2025 by Tons of XP Team

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OSRS Lore Overview: A Guide to the Major Questlines

Beyond the grind for levels and gear, Old School RuneScape is home to a rich and deeply woven tapestry of lore, told through its iconic quests. These stories of gods, ancient races, and mortal struggles transform the world of Gielinor from a simple sandbox into a living, breathing world.

This guide provides a high-level overview of the major, interconnected story arcs that every adventurer should experience.

The Myreque Series: A Gothic Resistance

Starting Point: In Search of the Myreque

This questline is a fan favorite, known for its dark, gothic horror atmosphere. It tells the story of the Myreque, a small, beleaguered group of human resistance fighters struggling to survive and reclaim their homeland of Morytania from the tyrannical rule of the vampyres and their mysterious lord, Drakan.

Themes: Hope, sacrifice, guerrilla warfare, and the fight against overwhelming darkness.
Key Quests: In Search of the Myreque, In Aid of the Myreque, A Taste of Hope, Sins of the Father.
Why play it? It features some of the most compelling characters and emotional storytelling in OSRS, making you genuinely care about the fate of the resistance.

The Elf Series: Civil War and a Lost City

Starting Point: Plague City

The longest and arguably most epic questline in the game, the Elf series deals with the isolationist elves of Tirannwn. You are drawn into a complex plot of political intrigue, a supposed plague, a hidden civil war between the elven clans, and the quest to uncover the legendary lost crystal city of Prifddinas.

Themes: Deception, loss, history, and the reconciliation of a fractured society.
Key Quests: Underground Pass, Regicide, Mourning's End Part I & II, and the Grandmaster finale, Song of the Elves.
Why play it? For the challenge and the reward. This series contains some of the game's most infamous puzzles (like the light puzzle) and culminates in unlocking one of the most useful cities in the game.

The Dragonkin & Mahjarrat Series: The Elder God Wars

These two storylines are deeply intertwined and represent the "main story" of the universe, dealing with ancient races, the devastating God Wars, and threats to the entire world.

The Mahjarrat Storyline

Starting Point: The Dig Site, leading into Desert Treasure I.

This arc introduces the Mahjarrat, a powerful and ancient race of shapeshifting sorcerers. The story revolves around their constant betrayals, a desperate need for a "Ritual of Rejuvenation" to survive, and their connection to the Zarosian empire.

Themes: Betrayal, ancient power, and forgotten history.
Key Quests: Desert Treasure I, The Curse of Zaros (miniquest), The Fremennik Exiles, Secrets of the North.

The Dragonkin Storyline

Starting Point: Dragon Slayer I

This storyline deals with the mighty Dragonkin, the creators of dragons, and the consequences of their ancient curse. You'll uncover their history, their rage against the "false users" of their creations, and their role in major historical events.

Themes: Revenge, ancient curses, and the price of power.
Key Quests: Dragon Slayer I, A Tail of Two Cats, and the Grandmaster epic, Dragon Slayer II.

Connection: The Dragonkin and Mahjarrat were both key players in the God Wars, and their stories frequently overlap. Events in Dragon Slayer II have direct consequences and connections to the Mahjarrat, creating a massive, world-spanning narrative.

The Great Kourend Series: Politics and Corruption

Starting Point: Architectural Alliance, leading into A Kingdom Divided.

The most "modern" of the major questlines, this story takes place on the continent of Zeah. It's a tale of political espionage, uncovering corruption within the ruling houses of Great Kourend, and preventing a civil war, all while dealing with the mysterious return of Xeric, the region's former tyrant.

Themes: Political intrigue, history, and civic duty.
Key Quests: The Queen of Thieves, The Depths of Despair, The Forsaken Tower, A Kingdom Divided.
Why play it? It offers a different flavor of storytelling, focused more on investigation and politics than ancient gods, and is essential for anyone who spends time on Zeah.

Conclusion

Engaging with OSRS's major questlines is one of the most rewarding aspects of the game. They provide context to the world, offer powerful rewards, and tell stories that have captivated players for years. The next time you're looking for something more than just a grind, pick a storyline and immerse yourself in the rich lore of Gielinor.

Want to experience these epic stories without getting stuck on the requirements or puzzles? Our OSRS Quest Services can help you progress through any questline you choose, safely and efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions

+What is the longest questline in OSRS?