Book of the dead

“A book that grants its holder the powers of resurrection.”

The Book of the Dead is the reward from A Kingdom Divided, and it is what unlocks thralls: you must have it equipped or in your inventory to cast the Arceuus resurrection spells. In the shield slot it gives +6 magic attack and +3 prayer. It also works as a Kourend teleport book with up to 250 charges.

Equipment bonuses

The book's bonuses are small: +6 magic attack and +3 prayer, with nothing else. Most players do not wear it for the stats. They carry it so they can summon thralls, which only needs the book in the inventory.

Attack bonuses
0
0
0
+6
0
Defence bonuses
0
0
0
0
0
Other bonuses
+0
+0
+0%
+3
Slot
Shield

No level requirement to wield · shield slot · members · untradeable. You get it by completing A Kingdom Divided.

How to get the Book of the Dead

The book is a quest reward and cannot be traded or bought on the Grand Exchange.

Ways to obtain it
A Kingdom Divided — complete the quest. It needs five earlier Kourend quests (The Depths of Despair, The Queen of Thieves, The Ascent of Arceuus, The Forsaken Tower and Tale of the Righteous), plus 54 Agility, 52 Thieving, 52 Woodcutting, 50 Herblore, 42 Mining, 38 Crafting and 35 Magic.
Commander Fullore — if you lose the book, reclaim it from him on the ground floor of Kourend Castle.
Perdu — sells extra copies for 9,500 coins each.

The book is an improved version of Kharedst's memoirs. It has the same teleports and 150 more charges.

Thralls, teleports and charges

Thralls: the resurrection spells on the Arceuus spellbook summon a thrall that attacks whatever you attack. There are lesser, superior and greater thralls at 38, 57 and 76 Magic, each in a magic, ranged or melee form. They cost runes and prayer points. You can only have one thrall at a time, and thralls cannot attack players. Because the book only needs to be in your inventory, you can keep your best shield equipped, for example an Avernic defender on melee.

Teleports: the book teleports to five places in Kourend, one for each page added from the earlier Kourend quests. It does not work above level 20 Wilderness.

Charges: with all five pages added it holds up to 250 charges. Recharge it at the Old Memorial north of Land's End. Each charge costs one law, one body, one mind and one soul rune, and gives 10 Magic experience.

Should you wear the Book of the Dead?

Thralls attack whatever you attack and skip the accuracy roll, so they add damage on top of your own. That makes the book worth getting on any account that can do A Kingdom Divided.

Wearing it is a different question. Its +6 magic attack and +3 prayer are low for a shield slot item. On a magic setup, compare it with your other off-hand options on the magic gear page. For prayer-focused setups, see prayer gear. In most setups you carry the book in your inventory and wear something stronger.

Book of the dead FAQ

How do you get the Book of the Dead?
Complete the quest A Kingdom Divided. If you lose it, Commander Fullore in Kourend Castle gives you another. Perdu also sells extra copies for 9,500 coins.
Do you need the Book of the Dead equipped to cast thralls?
No. It must be equipped or in your inventory to cast resurrection spells, so you can carry it and wear another shield.
What level do you need for thralls?
The resurrection spells come in three tiers: 38, 57 and 76 Magic. You need the Arceuus spellbook and the Book of the Dead.
How do you recharge the Book of the Dead?
At the Old Memorial north of Land's End. Each charge costs one law, body, mind and soul rune. With all five pages added it holds up to 250 charges.
Where does the Book of the Dead teleport?
To five locations in Kourend, one for each torn page from the original Kourend quests. It cannot teleport from above level 20 Wilderness.
Book of the Dead or Kharedst's memoirs?
The Book of the Dead. It is the upgraded version with the same teleports, 150 more charges, and it is required for thralls.
Is the Book of the Dead tradeable?
No. It is untradeable, so it has no Grand Exchange price.

Update history

12 Aug 2026The item name changed from "Book of the dead" to "Book of the Dead".
10 Jan 2024Maximum charges went up from 60 to 250, and the Read option while equipped was removed.
23 Jun 2021The left-click option became Wield instead of Reminisce.

Source: OSRS Wiki — Book of the dead (Changes).