Lost Sands

THE DESERT REMAINS

Welcome to Lost Sands, a fully immersive TTRPG 5e campaign set within a vast and unforgiving desert where ancient magic stirs beneath the golden dunes.

Long buried civilizations. Forgotten gods. Lost expeditions.

And somewhere beneath it all lies the Sun King's Legacy.

Your adventurers have entered the Sands in search of answers.

What they discover may change the world forever.

A World Buried Beneath the Sands

Beyond the Sundering lies a world that history has forgotten.

Long ago, the mighty Sol'Zar Empire ruled a vast civilisation beneath the desert sun. Its cities flourished, its people commanded extraordinary power, and its final ruler, the Sun King, possessed a legacy unlike anything the world had ever known.

Then came the Sundering.

A colossal storm swallowed the empire, sealing its lands behind an impenetrable wall of sand and wind. Cities vanished, kingdoms fell silent, and the truth of what happened was buried beneath centuries of shifting dunes.

But legends have a way of surviving.

Whispers of the Sun King's Legacy, a mysterious jewel said to hold unimaginable power, have drawn the attention of scholars, treasure hunters, mercenaries and those with far darker ambitions.

Now, the race to uncover it has begun.

Your Expedition Begins

Your journey begins in the bustling city of Maerifa, where an opportunity to venture beyond the Sundering promises discovery, fortune and perhaps something far greater.

What begins as an expedition into the unknown soon becomes a struggle for survival in a land that does not welcome outsiders.

Beyond the storm, the Great Dune Sea stretches endlessly beneath a merciless sun. Ancient ruins lie buried beneath the sands, forgotten settlements cling to existence, and strange creatures roam territories untouched for generations.

Water is precious. Shelter is fleeting. Even the weather itself can become your greatest enemy.

Yet the desert is far from empty.

Rival expeditions seek the same prize. Ancient factions guard secrets they would rather see remain buried. And scattered throughout the wilderness are the remnants of a civilisation whose downfall may not be as simple as history suggests.

A Journey Shaped by Your Decisions

Lost Sands is more than a journey from one destination to another. It is an expedition shaped by the choices of your party.

With a modular exploration system, dozens of discoverable locations and interconnected adventures, Dungeon Masters can shape the expedition around their players.

Explore forgotten temples, negotiate with desert settlements, uncover ancient mysteries, hunt dangerous creatures and make decisions that influence the balance of power across the Great Dune Sea.

Your party must learn to survive the desert's unforgiving conditions, managing supplies, navigating treacherous terrain and adapting to unpredictable weather.

Some discoveries will offer valuable allies. Others will awaken dangers best left undisturbed.

And as rival factions close in on the Sun King's Legacy, one question remains:

When the sands finally surrender their secrets, who will you trust with what lies beneath?

AN ADVENTURE BUILT FOR EXPLORATION

Lost Sands is a 350+ page TTRPG 5e campaign for Levels 3–12, combining open-world exploration, modular storytelling, survival, social encounters and tactical combat.

Rather than following a single road from beginning to end, your players decide where the expedition goes next.

Every location holds something different.

Some offer knowledge.

Some offer treasure.

Some offer only death.

A DESERT THAT REVEALS ITSELF

Lost Sands uses a unique modular grid-based exploration system.

As your players travel, they draw location cards and build the world around them, revealing forgotten ruins, oases, cursed tombs, settlements and trade outposts.

The Game Master doesn't need to reveal the entire desert at once.

The Sands are discovered one step at a time.

THE HUNT FOR THE SUN KING'S LEGACY

At the heart of Lost Sands lies a mystery that has survived for centuries.

The Sun King's Legacy is more than a lost treasure.

Its discovery has drawn scholars, mercenaries, nomads, cults and ancient enemies into the desert, each with their own reasons for wanting to find it.

Your players will have to decide who they can trust, what they're willing to sacrifice, and how far they're prepared to go.

Because everyone wants the Legacy.

Not everyone intends to use it for the same purpose.

A STORY WITH ROOM TO BREATHE

The main campaign begins in the city of Maerifa, where scholars uncover clues pointing towards a vanished civilization.

From there, the adventure unfolds across five acts, with branching paths, optional discoveries and consequences shaped by the choices your players make.

But the main story is only one part of the expedition.

WORLD BURIED BENEATH THE SAND

Lost Sands is built around a world with thousands of years of history.

Explore sunken temples.

Discover forgotten gods.

Walk through settlements built on the remnants of older civilizations.

Encounter factions whose histories stretch back to the age of the Sun King.

Among them are the Emberforged, the Dustborn Nomads, and the Coalition of Dust.

Every faction has its own interests.

And not every story you uncover belongs to your characters.

30 LOCATIONS. COUNTLESS STORIES.

The desert is filled with places worth discovering.

From ancient ruins and cursed tombs to settlements, trade posts and strange places that defy explanation, Lost Sands gives Game Masters a large collection of locations to explore.

Each major location contains its own adventures, encounters, characters and secrets.

The search for the Sun King's Legacy is only one thread.

There are plenty of reasons to get lost.

THE DESERT IS THE ENEMY

The Sands don't simply provide a backdrop for the adventure.

They are part of it.

Water becomes a desperate resource.

Food matters, not just to the players but also the Npc's around you.

Weather can change an expedition.

And sometimes survival means knowing when not to fight.

Lost Sands combines exploration with survival mechanics designed to make travelling through the desert feel like an actual expedition.

MORE THAN MONSTERS

The desert is home to creatures both ancient and unnatural.

Lost Sands includes 40+ unique creatures, each designed to bring its own dangers and stories to the table.

Encounter creatures such as the Blood Sand Golem, Cursed Colossus, and Storm Serpent, alongside creatures tied directly to the history and mythology of the Sands.

Each creature comes with its own stat block, tactics and lore, giving Game Masters more than just something to roll initiative against.

Companions of the Great Dune Sea

Not every creature lurking beneath the sands is an enemy. Some may become your greatest allies.

Throughout their expedition, players may encounter unusual creatures that can become loyal travelling companions, each with their own abilities, personalities and practical uses.

From the resilient Dune Tortoise to the watchful Spire Owl, the creatures of Lost Sands offer more than simple companionship.

Each companion comes with its own dedicated statistics, abilities and distinctive quirks, giving it a unique role within the expedition.

Some may prove invaluable when navigating the unforgiving desert, while others offer assistance during exploration, provide support in dangerous situations or possess abilities that help the party overcome environmental challenges.

But companions are not simply another piece of equipment.

They have their own characteristics and behaviours, encouraging players to form bonds with the creatures that accompany them.

Discover Your Companions

Lost Sands features a collection of unique creatures for players to encounter and potentially bring along on their journey:

Landstrider

Dune Tortoise

Spire Owl

Silt Vulture

Thunder Toad

Veil Moth

Flicker Serpent

Silent Fox

And More...

Each creature offers something different, allowing parties to discover companions that complement their approach to survival and exploration.

Whether they're helping you traverse the dunes, keeping watch over your camp or proving unexpectedly useful in a moment of danger, these creatures can become memorable members of your expedition.

In a land where survival is never guaranteed, even the smallest companion can make all the difference.

TREASURES OF A LOST CIVILISATION

The Sands hold more than secrets.

They hold things that should never have been found.

Lost Sands contains 60+ magic items, ranging from cursed relics and strange artefacts to radiant weapons connected to the Sun King's forgotten empire.

Some treasures may save your characters.

Others may demand a price.

FEAR HAS A PLACE AT THE TABLE

PHOBIA CARDS

In the shifting dunes of Lost Sands, the desert doesn't just test your strength.

It tests your mind.

The Phobia Cards are a 22 card narrative driven expansion designed to bring fear, tension and psychological consequences into your campaign.

Each card introduces a specific fear connected to the landscapes, creatures and supernatural dangers of the Sands.

Cards can include:

• A defined phobia
• Roleplaying prompts
• 5e mechanical effects
• Escalation triggers
• Recovery and redemption methods

A character's fear can become a weakness.

But it doesn't have to stay that way.

Face it. Survive it. Overcome it.

THERE'S ALWAYS ANOTHER STORY

The main campaign is only the beginning.

Lost Sands contains side quests, optional encounters, random events, mini-dungeons and social adventures designed to give Game Masters additional stories to drop into their campaign.

Visit places such as Varro's Trade Post.

Meet strange travelers.

Take on jobs that have nothing to do with the Sun King's Legacy.

Or stumble across something that changes everything.

BUILT FOR THE GAME MASTER

Lost Sands isn't designed to sit on a shelf.

It's designed to be played.

Locations and encounters are structured to give the Game Master the information they need at the table, including:

GM Knowledge
Read-Aloud Text
Encounters
NPCs
Social Mechanics
Combat
Rewards

Pick a location.

Open the book.

Start the adventure.

WHAT'S INSIDE LOST SANDS?

350+ PAGES
of desert adventure

LEVELS 3–12
A complete campaign journey

30 MAJOR LOCATIONS
To explore

5 ACTS
Forming the core campaign

40+ CREATURES
To encounter

60+ MAGIC ITEMS
To discover

22 PHOBIA CARDS
To fear

SIDE QUESTS & OPTIONAL ADVENTURES
To make the desert your own

STRETCH GOALS

TAKE THE EXPEDITION OFF THE PAGE

Lost Sands doesn't have to stop at the book.

Alongside the campaign, we're introducing a collection of physical accessories and collectables designed to bring the world of Lost Sands beyond the pages and directly to your tabletop.

From mysterious artefacts and expedition equipment to practical tools for Dungeon Masters, each addition has been created to make your journey through the Great Dune Sea even more immersive.

DESERT STORM DICE
A custom seven piece resin dice set inspired by the ancient relics and mysteries of the Great Dune Sea.

PHOBIA CARDS
A collection of 22 unique cards introducing fears, psychological challenges and opportunities for character development throughout your adventure.

LOST SANDS MAP CARDS
Discover the desert one location at a time with a collection of map cards designed to support the campaign's modular exploration system.

SOL'ZAR COIN
An ancient-inspired metal coin representing a physical piece of the lost Sol'Zar civilisation.

ELIAS THORN'S FIELD JOURNAL
A recovered expedition journal containing observations, sketches and discoveries from Elias Thorn's journey into the unknown, with space to continue your own expedition.

THE GREAT DUNE SEA — FABRIC EXPEDITION MAP
An A3 fabric map depicting the Great Dune Sea, designed as both an atmospheric tabletop accessory and a collectable piece of expedition cartography.

EXPLORER'S BOOKMARK COLLECTION
A set of four illustrated bookmarks inspired by the people, places and mysteries of Lost Sands.

GM EXPEDITION MARKERS
A practical A5 sticker sheet designed to help Dungeon Masters track important locations, discoveries, encounters and events throughout their campaign.

BOB'S OFFICIAL ANIMAL COMPANION CERTIFICATE
Make it official! A certificate recognizing Bob the Goat as your very own animal companion. Just be careful where you spill your blood...

Whether you're preparing your next session, uncovering the secrets of the Sun King or simply collecting a piece of the world, these extras offer new ways to experience Lost Sands.

Explore the available reward tiers and add-ons to build your own expedition.

WHAT YOUR PLEDGE GETS YOU

YOUR EXPEDITION STARTS HERE

Every pledge helps bring Lost Sands from the page to the table, supporting the writing, artwork, production and physical creation of the game.

Depending on the pledge you choose, you can gain access to the digital campaign, physical editions, exclusive Kickstarter rewards and additional content unlocked throughout the campaign.

MORE THAN JUST A BOOK

Your pledge can become your gateway into the world of Lost Sands.

Explore ancient ruins. Discover forgotten treasures. Face creatures buried beneath the sands. Uncover the history of the Sun King and follow the trail towards the mysterious Sun King's Legacy.

And as the campaign reaches its stretch goals, your rewards can grow alongside it.

CHOOSE YOUR EXPEDITION

We've created several pledge options so you can choose how you want to experience Lost Sands.

Whether you want to explore digitally, hold the physical campaign in your hands, collect additional rewards, or become a permanent part of the world, there is a place for you in the expedition.

Choose your pledge and prepare to enter the sands.

THE ARTISTS BEHIND LOST SANDS

Bringing a Forgotten World to Life

A world as vast and mysterious as Lost Sands deserves artwork that captures both its beauty and its dangers.

We're proud to be working with talented artists Luke Townsend, Julia Tar & Brynt Smith, whose creativity, imagination and attention to detail help transform the world we've written into something players can truly experience.

From the ancient ruins of the Sol'Zar Empire to the terrifying creatures lurking beneath the dunes, the illustrations throughout Lost Sands play an important role in bringing the campaign to life. Each piece helps establish the atmosphere of the world, giving Dungeon Masters and players a glimpse into the forgotten civilisation, strange discoveries and dangers awaiting them beyond the Sundering.

Their work extends across the project, helping shape the visual identity of Lost Sands through its environments, characters, creatures and illustrated game materials.

CREATED BY ARTISTS, NOT ALGORITHMS

At Lore Labs, we believe that great fantasy worlds deserve the imagination and craftsmanship of real artists.

That's why we're committed to ensuring that all artwork featured in the final published edition of Lost Sands is created by human artists, not generative AI.

Every illustration is an opportunity to add personality, atmosphere and storytelling to the world, and we're proud to support the people who make that possible.

WATCH THE CREATIVE PROCESS

We wanted to share a glimpse of the work that goes into creating the illustrations for Lost Sands.

Below is a time-lapse showing the creation of one of our Phobia Card illustrations, from the early stages of the drawing through to the finished artwork.

It's just one example of the artistic process behind the project and the care being put into bringing the world of Lost Sands to life.

Take a look behind the scenes and watch the artwork take shape.

THIS IS WHERE LORE LABS BEGINS

Lost Sands is the debut TTRPG from Lore Labs.

We are a team of seven people with different backgrounds, skills and experiences, brought together by one shared goal:

to create worlds worth getting lost in.

THE LORE LABS PARTY

Every adventuring party needs a few things: someone who knows where they're going, someone who knows what they're doing, someone who definitely shouldn't be trusted with the magic items, and someone who rolled a natural 20 when it came to making the world look good.

Meet the party behind Lore Labs.

CRAIG — KEEPER OF THE LORE

Game Master • Worldbuilder • Campaign Creator

The driving force behind Lost Sands. Craig brings the worlds, stories, characters and adventures together and occasionally remembers where he put his notes.

MALINA — BARD OF THE BRAND

Digital Marketing • Content • Communications

The voice and visual presence of Lore Labs. Malina takes the adventures out of the dungeon and into the wider world, building the brand and spreading the word across the realms of social media.

BEN — ARCANE ARTIFICER

Innovation • Systems • Development

The party's resident artificer. Ben creates the tools, systems and ideas that help turn ambitious concepts into things that can actually be played.

CAL P. — WARLOCK OF WHISPERS

Audio • Video • Podcasts • Promotion

Every adventuring party needs a bard. Cal P. brings the voice of Lore Labs to life through podcasts, promotional videos and audio because sometimes a story is better heard than read.

CAL O. —  LORD OF INITIATIVE

Game Mechanics • Game Master • Character Design

With 18 years of D&D experience, Cal O. brings the numbers together with the narrative shaping mechanics, characters and systems while keeping a watchful eye on the dice.

STEVEN — MASTER OF QUESTS

Encounters • Scenarios • Adventure Design

Steven shapes the adventures themselves, creating encounters, scenarios and situations designed to give players stories they'll still be talking about long after the session ends.

BRYNT — ILLUSIONIST OF THE CANVAS

Illustration • Visual Design • Concept Art

One of the artists behind the visual identity of Lore Labs. Brynt transforms the creatures, characters, locations and ideas of our worlds into imagery that brings them to life.

OUR MISSION

We know you've heard the words new, fresh, and different before.

We're not interested in simply telling you that Lost Sands is different.

We want to show you.

Lost Sands is the beginning of Lore Labs a world built around exploration, mystery, survival and stories that belong to the people sitting around your table.

So step into the Sands.

Follow the clues.

Choose your path.

And remember...

NOTHING IN THE SANDS IS EVER WHAT IT SEEMS.

Our Commitment to Human Creativity

At Lore Labs, we believe the heart of tabletop roleplaying lies in human imagination, creativity and craftsmanship.

All illustrations and written content in the final published edition of Lost Sands will be human created, with no generative AI content included.

During early development, AI tools have been used to explore concepts and produce temporary visual mockups. These are development materials only and do not represent the final artwork or finished products.

All final illustrations will be created by human artists, and all published writing will be developed and finalized by the Lore Labs team.

By backing Lost Sands, you're helping us replace these early concepts with original illustrations created by human artists and bring the finished campaign to life.

Any AI assisted promotional placeholders will be replaced with original artwork before production.

This is the Lore Labs Guarantee: real artists, real writers, and worlds brought to life through human creativity.

Shipping & Fulfilment

Shipping is not included in your Kickstarter pledge.

Rather than charging estimated shipping costs during the campaign, shipping will be calculated and collected after the Kickstarter through our pledge manager.

This allows us to calculate shipping using your final order, including any add-ons, destination and package weight, helping us provide more accurate rates and reducing the risk of overcharging backers or underestimating fulfilment costs.

We intend to ship Lost Sands to backers worldwide, excluding destinations where shipping, legal restrictions or circumstances make reliable fulfilment impractical.

Before any shipping payment is collected, backers will be informed of the final cost through the pledge manager.

Please remember: your pledge does not include shipping. Shipping will be charged separately after the campaign and before fulfilment.