The Shifting Sands

The Shifting Sands are a bandit gang based in the Kharusurahk Desert. They came to prominence in the years after the cult attack. There are rumors that the leader of the Shifting Sands is a hyenafolk warrior.

Background
After the Cult Attack, the town of Eredet was still vulnerable. The Shifting Sands were able to work their way into controlling the territory through violence and intimidation. The king sent a solider named Locke and a fleet of troops to regain control. The Shifting Sands were overthrown and run off, winning Locke the respect of Eredet and the king.

Since their defeat at the hands of Locke, the Shifting Sands continue operate out of numerous small settlements in the desert. Many members travel into Bristol, Letchim, and even Shinrin to earn money in illicit ways. The town of Eredet has not yet recovered from the damage done by the Shifting Sands, leaving the small town with little resources to offer.

Chapter 1: Legend of the Light Gem
The track "Discord Explored" marks the first mention of the bandit gang, although not yet by name. The kobold Larv accuses Ulric of supplying weapons to the Shifting Sands. Then at the end of the track, a troop of Shifting Sands shows up.

In "The Sandstorm Sudden" a fight breaks out between Kat, Astrid, Ulric, and a troop of Shifting Sands. Grub and Larv hide nearby for the most part. The gang eventually drops their weapons and retreats, defeated. Ulric calls them "desert dogs," which is a common way of putting them down.

In "A Confounding Find" Larv accuses the Shifting Sand of causing trouble around Shinrin in the past weeks, including threats to his life. That night Astrid sneaks into a spare room in Larv's house and finds a large stash of what appear to be Shifting Sands weapons.

In "Rematch / Dispatch" Kat, Astrid, and Grub find Ulrich in a confrontation with Shifting Sands. It turns out he is supplying them with weapons, as Larv said. He fought against them merely to keep up appearances. His relationship with them is clearly rocky. The witches and Grub defeat Ulrich and the bandits, and then turn them over to authorities.

Finally, in "Ghael the Grey" two Shifting Sands appear at Ghael's home, having tailed Kat, Astrid, and Grub after the events in Shinrin. Ghael threatens the men, who upon learning who she is promptly apologize and flee.

Chapter 3: Scars
In the track "Aces and the Joker", members of the gang can be seen using a burrowing desert creature called an "armadrake" against Isaac. When agitated, the creature emits a scream that causes paralysis, fainting, seizures, and even death in some cases. The bandits had spells cast on them to protect them from the effects. Isaac threatened the thieves, but ultimately Sloan handled the situation with his power.

Trivia
The name "Shifting Sands" is a reference to Shifting Sand Land, which is the eighth course in Super Mario 64.