Before you start
- Reach Umbral Sands during Icthlarin's Little Helper.
- Carry a shovel, pickaxe, four Vault Shards and survival supplies. Vault Shards are distinct from the quest's Crystal Helix fragments.
1. Meet Vault Guardian Prime
- Speak to an Avisk Crystal in the Dunes of Uzzer to start Contact!, then follow the quest marker into the Kalphite Hive.
- Speak to Vault Guardian Prime at the barrier. You need three Crystal Helix fragments from three guardians.
2. Recover the three fragments
The four Vault Shards for the buried guardian are ordinary vault items; do not confuse them with the three Crystal Helix fragments you are collecting.
| Fragment | Route |
|---|---|
| Damaged guardian | From Prime, follow the red lights through the tunnel to the large cave; inspect the guardian on the left. |
| Dead guardian | Outside the cave near kalphite eggs, inspect the guardian, then follow footprints east to Zanik's oasis tent. Tell her you are working against Avisk to receive the missing fragment. |
| Buried guardian | At the ruined building southwest of the objective area, dig with a shovel. Give this guardian four Vault Shards to receive its fragment. |
3. Restore the helix and clear the chamber
- Return all three fragments to Vault Guardian Prime and take the restored Crystal Helix through the magical barrier.
- Speak to Zanik in the Shortcut Chamber. Break all four Avisk Crystals with a pickaxe and interact with the Veins of Consciousness.
- Speak to Zanik again to finish the quest. The reported reward is the Icthlarian fetish vestige used for the Pharaoh's Sceptre unlock.
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Researched 2026-09-27. This edition is source-checked, not an installed-build playtest. Exact rates, quantities and balance remain unverified where a guide marks them. Sources and coverage.