The Desert Storyline is coming to an end in RuneScape. Really. Though not just yet. The new quest, Beneath Scabaras’ Sands, is live now for members and is the first of three that will bring that storyline to a close.
There’s a new dev diary taking us into this new quest, which continues plots begun in Ode of the Devourer, which took us back into the conflict between Amascut, the Devourer, and Icthlarin, the God of the Underworld (and her brother). You may have thwarted Amascut’s corruption of the Gate of Elidinis, but she’s got other plans now. Specifically, she believes she has found Scabaras, and with him, she can unlock, and take, the power of Tumeken.
She's ambitious, but you have another chance to ruin her plans and stop her. Her devourers are still around in the desert collecting souls, and there are dangers ahead. The Pharaoh of Menaphos asks for help to find the God of Isolation and Wisdom. Head to the throne room to start the quest. The official quest announcement says that you will find some familiar faces there.
For your trouble and efforts, of course there are rewards. Complete the quest and there will be a way to upgrade the Keris and turn it into a powerful weapon that is particularly good at fighting the followers of Amascut, including the Sanctum of Rebirth bosses and some Slayer monsters. This quest unlocks a new one of those too, something like an upgraded profane scabarite that’s tougher and offers more GP per kill, but less XP. These are not the only rewards and new outcomes you'll find after you complete the quest.
This is the first of three quests before you eventually confront the goddess herself, but the team promises this trilogy of quests is going to be an involving one. You'll get your chance to face Amascut later this year.