Withering Heights Quest Guide – RuneScape: Dragonwilds
Withering Heights is the second main story quest in RuneScape: Dragonwilds. It unlocks after completing Dragonslayer and tasks you with entering the Fellhollow region, speaking to Cathan, recovering three Curse Fragments, and ultimately defeating Imaru at Hope’s Fall to complete the quest.
This quest was released with the Fellhollow region update and represents a major jump in difficulty. Before starting, it is strongly recommended that you equip Tier 5 steel armor and steel weapons, bring multiple Lodestones to set respawn and fast travel points, and carry plenty of health potions and wardstones.
These areas are extremely dangerous, and being underprepared will make the quest far more difficult than it needs to be.
How to Start Withering Heights
After completing the Dragonslayer main story quest, travel to Ashien’s Watch and speak with the Wise Old Man. Continue following the path until you reach the Ominous Door.
Choose Option 1 during the dialogue, “Mors, introitum quaero!”, and enter the door to trigger a cutscene.
You will be transported to the Forgotten Temple. Follow the path forward, where a Lodestone is already active, meaning you do not need to place your own.
Head inside the temple and speak with Death, who introduces the threat of Imaru and unlocks his Soul Fragment shop. After this conversation, follow the path to the right and speak with Postie Pete, who will guide you toward Fellhollow.
Entering Fellhollow and Meeting Cathan
To reach Fellhollow, you must cross Wither Water, which causes your soul to fracture. As you cross, you will briefly enter the Soul Rift state, allowing you to pass through a nearby Spectral Door into Bleakfields Valley.
Immediately upon arrival, follow the path and locate a purification fountain, marked by blue beacons.
Destroy the spectral tangles surrounding it and cleanse yourself before enemies overwhelm you.
Once purified, locate Cathan, who is floating on a nearby cliff beside three stone tablets. Reading these tablets provides clues to the locations of the three Curse Fragments required to open Imaru’s lair.
For navigation help, you can use the interactive Ashenfall map:
https://metaforge.app/runescape-dragonwilds/map/ashenfall
The Three Curse Fragments
The three Curse Fragments can be collected in any order. However, it is strongly recommended to have Tier 5 armor, steel weapons, multiple Lodestones, and plenty of healing items before attempting them.
This is the second main story quest, and none of the fragment locations are easy. Overpreparing is the best approach—take your time and do not rush.
Curse Fragment: Despair (Silverthorn Keep)
How to Get the Curse Fragment of Despair
The Curse Fragment of Despair is located at the top of Silverthorn Keep and is guarded by a Green Dragon, making this one of the most dangerous locations in Fellhollow.
Travel east into the Fellhollow region and start at the bottom of Silverthorn Keep. You will immediately notice broken staircases leading upward into the keep—this is the main path you need to follow to reach the top.
Make your way into the keep and begin climbing upward using the Windstep spell, which allows you to jump much larger gaps and reach higher platforms as you ascend.
You will encounter many enemies along the way. It is strongly recommended to run past them initially so you can place a Lodestone near the top.
The route itself is simple — just look for each staircase and Windstep upward to continue climbing.
At the top, place a Lodestone before fighting the Green Dragon. This allows you to return quickly if you die and makes exiting much easier after obtaining the fragment.
This Lodestone location is also useful, as you may have noticed plenty of Corpse Flowers on the way up, making it a good farming spot if needed.
Defeat the Green Dragon by dodging its attacks and attacking from the side.
After its defeated. Interact with the curse seal to obtain the Curse Fragment (Despair).
Well done, once complete, fast travel home, deposit your inventory, and prepare for the next fragment.
Curse Fragment: Rage (Lake of Lost Souls)
How to Get the Curse Fragment of Rage
The second fragment is located at the Lake of Lost Souls. You will need to defeat a Zogre inside a Vault, making this a very challenging section.
Head to the marked location on the map near the large waterfall.
Before entering the Vault beneath the waterfall, place a Lodestone nearby so you can return quickly if you fail.
Jump across and enter the Vault hidden beneath the waterfall.
Inside the Vault, visibility is very low, so use the Fire Spirit spell as a light source.
Head down the stairs and stick to the left until you find a lore book.
Read it, then turn around and stand in the Soulscourge to reveal a spectral pathway.
Use the purification pool at the end, then continue deeper into the Vault until you reach spike and fire traps.
Dodge the traps, loot the nearby chest, and continue forward.
You will see a Spectral Door ahead. Carefully make your way down, defeat the enemies, and then stand in the Soulscourge.
Before entering the Spectral Door, backtrack along the chained platforms and follow the spectral path above. Use Windstep to jump across.
Follow it around to reach a Dragonkin Effigy, unlocking the Fallen Hoplite’s Helm recipe. Loot the chest and lore book, then use the lever to open the door.
Now, enter the Spectral Door. Inside, use Rocksplosion or a Steel Pickaxe on the Soulstone nodes for a large amount of Soulstone, then continue through the next Spectral Door.
Purify yourself and proceed further through the Vault.
Carefully completing the jumping sections and follow it around until you reach a blue glowing light.
Once you are here, climb upward to find another Dragonkin Effigy, which unlocks the Wolfbane Dagger recipe.
Now it’s time to go down. You have two options here. The option we recommend is to make your way down until you can see a large opening and a purification pool.
Alternatively, you can go all the way back down, stand in the Soulscourge, and then follow the spectral pathway.
If you are using our recommended method, look across at the opening and simply use the Windstep spell to jump across.
Now it’s time for the final part of this vault. In order to open the locked gate, you will need to defeat the Zogre inside, which can be very tough.
We recommend first enchanting your sword with fire and sticking close to him so he cannot jump on you as much. The simple method is a few swings with your sword, dodging his hand swings, and repeating until he’s dead.
Once defeated, the gate behind him will open, and you will notice a Curse Seal, a chest, and a Vault Core. Collect the Curse Fragment (Rage), then exit through the Spectral Door.
Now use the lever to open the gate and head forward to exit the vault. Make your way back to the Lodestone we placed down at the start, and it’s time to prepare for the final fragment.
Curse Fragment: Grief (Emberwood Village)
How to Get the Curse Fragment of Grief
The final fragment is located in Emberwood Village, sealed behind a divine barrier. To remove it, you must activate four Shrines, which can be completed in any order.
Head to our marker in the image below to see where the shrines are located.
When you are at the shrines, interact with each one to get a clue on how to complete them.
Shrine of Armadyl
The first one we will do is the Shrine of Armadyl, which is located south of us, at a nearby lake where three spirits await judgement.
Head over to the marker to find three ghosts and the shrine. Interact and talk to all of them a few times to get all available dialogue so you can identify the culprit.
Once ready, interact with the shrine and select the following dialogue options in order:
- Option 3 – Mass murder
- Option 2 – Because I thought it was funny
- Option 3 – Snicking ghost
- Option 3 – Too funny
You will now see the Shrine light up, which means 1 of 4 is completed. Now head back to the shrines.
Shrine of Guthix
Next, we will complete the Shrine of Guthix. Travel west to a druid circle, where you will notice a Green Dragon protecting the shrine.
Enter the ruins and defeat the Green Dragon.
This will allow you to interact with the shrine and activate it, making 2 of 4 completed.
Now head back to the shrines.
Shrine of Saradomin
Once you are back at the shrines, interact with the Shrine of Saradomin.
Head east and you will find a small island surrounded by water, with a large boulder below it.
Go to the boulder and pick up the Saradomin Symbol, then use Windstep to climb to the top.
Once on top, read the lore book and interact with the pedestal to repair the shrine. This will activate the third shrine.
This time, instead of going back, it is more efficient to head directly to the fourth shrine from here.
Shrine of Zamorak
After completing the Shrine of Saradomin, look north to find a temple next to a purification pool.
Head to the building, then use Windstep to enter through the roof. Grab the chest and drop down inside.
Interact with the Shrine of Zamorak, then pull the nearby lever to open the exit gate.
Collecting the Curse Fragment (Grief)
Once all four shrines are activated, the barrier will disappear, allowing you to enter the area.
Exit the temple and stand next to the purification pool. Look west, and you will be able to see the Curse Seal in the distance.
Use Windstep, then jump and run over to it. There should be no enemies to worry about.
Interacting with the seal will give you the Curse Fragment (Grief) and update your quest, sending you to a new location to break the door’s curse and defeat Imaru.
Final Boss: Imaru at Hope’s Fall
With all three Curse Fragments collected, travel to Hope’s Fall, located in the center of Fellhollow.
Before you enter, this is an extremely difficult boss fight, so make sure you place a Lodestone outside the tower. This allows you to return quickly if you die. Most importantly, ensure you are fully stocked with potions and wearing your best possible gear.
I will be using a Steel Sword, Dragonblight Shield, Full Steel Armor, and the Amulet of Strength (recipe purchased from Death), along with plenty of health potions and Wardstones.
Enter the tower and interact with the seal on Imaru’s lair, then choose Option 1 – “Unleash the curse!”. This will dispel the curse and allow you to enter the arena.
Once inside, immediately cast Enchant Weapon: Air to increase your melee attack speed, and activate Tempest Shield.
Phase 1: Basic Combat
Now it’s time to fight Imaru. Wait for the boss to land, then dodge roll to avoid taking damage.
Once Imaru has landed, stand near its chest (heart area) and attack it. This spot deals critical damage, and you will also notice that you take very little to no damage while attacking from this position.
Imaru does not have many mechanics in this phase. It will dive underground, reappear, and begin spitting attacks at you. Dodge roll these, then prepare for the next landing.
When Imaru body slams the ground, dodge roll towards the dragon, then repeat the process by attacking the chest again.
Continue this loop until Imaru enters Spectral Mode.
Phase 2: Spectral Mode (VERY IMPORTANT)
Once Imaru enters Spectral Mode, you must stand in the red liquid on the floor, known as Soulscourge. Stay in it until you are fully transformed.
You must damage Imaru and knock it down during this phase. Failing to do this will cause the fight to fail, so this is extremely important.
Unlike normal Soulscourge, you only have around 40 seconds, not 300, but do not panic.
Once Imaru is knocked down, Rot enemies will spawn, and purification pools will appear nearby. At this point, ignore the boss and head straight to the purification pool.
You should also kill the Rot enemies during this time. If they are not defeated, the next phase becomes much harder. The highest priority target is always the Rotsworn Acolyte.
After purifying yourself and defeating all Rot enemies, return to Imaru.
Phase 3: Mid-Fight Mechanics
After cleansing, the fight continues much like before. Dodge Imaru’s spit attacks and attack the boss again when it lands.
When Imaru reaches around 50% health, it will start using additional abilities. It will fly into the middle of the arena and foot stomp the ground.
When this happens, dodge roll the stomp, then attack the legs while it is grounded.
Eventually, Imaru will return to Spectral Mode again. As before, stand in the Soulscourge, knock the boss down, and kill the Rot enemies.
Always keep an eye on your health, and do not hesitate to use Wardstones.
Phase 4: Final Phase
In the final phase, Imaru will land again and start using foot stomps and fire breath. Stay close to the legs, dodge carefully, and keep attacking.
Imaru will then use its final major ability, creating an outer ring of fire around the arena. Stand safely in the middle during this attack. This is a perfect opportunity to heal, refresh buffs, and prepare for the end.
For the final Spectral Phase, stand in the Soulscourge one last time, knock Imaru down, and finish the fight.
Well done. You will now receive Imaru’s Head. Exit the area and fast travel back to the Forgotten Temple.
Handing in Imaru’s Head to Death
Now that you have Imaru’s Head, speak to Death at the Forgotten Temple to show that you have defeated the dragon.
Talking to Death will complete the quest.
You will be rewarded with the Dragoncurse Shield recipe and a Withering Heights reward pack. Opening the pack grants:
- 1 x Undead Draconic Visage
- 1 x Tomb of the Undying, providing a large amount of Attack, Magic, and Ranged experience
- 1x Dragoncurse Shield
This completes the Withering Heights quest. If you still need help unlocking a mount, you can continue with the Wild Hunt quest next.