I woke up this morning to the soothing melodies of Bobby Darin’s ‘Beyond the Sea,’ stepping out into my garden with a shark mug brimming with coffee. The crisp air of my coastal town invigorated my senses, setting the perfect stage for a day of sailing. Although I’ve spent a significant part of my career aboard museum ships, I must admit that my knowledge of nautical knots is rather limited. Fortunately, there’s no need for me to brush up on the English Channel’s conditions or even leave my home, as today marks the launch of Old School Runescape‘s highly anticipated new Sailing skill.
Setting Sail in Gielinor
In the lead-up to this momentous occasion, I had the pleasure of speaking with the Jagex team about the development of OSRS’ first skill since the introduction of Hunter in 2006. While Dungeoneering was technically introduced in 2010, it belongs to Runescape 2 and doesn’t quite fit the ‘Old School’ narrative. Mods Kieran, Elena, and Ed shared insights into their commitment to preserving the nostalgic essence of the game. Despite my limited experience beyond Port Sarim, the excitement is palpable. Although Sea Shanty 3 is absent, the collaboration with EDM sensation Alan Walker more than compensates, delivering a soundtrack that truly resonates with players.
Sailing invites adventurers on an epic journey across Gielinor, traversing from the picturesque coastline of Zeah to the enchanting shores of Mos Le’Harmless. As players strive for that coveted skill cape, they will engage in challenging trials and forge new alliances, including interactions with the Tortugans. This new skill also offers innovative training methods for over ten existing skills, encouraging players to keep multiple wiki tabs open as they enhance their ships’ capabilities.
Among the delightful additions is a charming new turtle pet named Soup, who has already captured the hearts of many players, including mine (though I must keep my affection for my pet fox discreet). Remarkably, one player managed to acquire Soup after just 131 XP—an extraordinary feat with odds that could be in the millions. I genuinely celebrate their luck, feeling no jealousy whatsoever.
The final phase of the Varlamore expansion has successfully cleared the last of the inactive tiles on OSRS’ map, but Sailing breathes new life into the vast oceanic expanses that previously served only as scenic backdrops. With the ability to explore beyond Gielinor’s landmasses, I eagerly anticipate uncovering the myriad adventures that await on the high seas.