This land was once a thriving civilisation. The Moon Garou, followers of the River Mother, called this home. They built great halls and towers across the land, and found peace here. Fuzan put an end to that.
Sandstone buildings eroded from unnatural sandstorms, and oases dot the landscape of this fraught and corrupted place. The Moon Garou cling to survival in the ruins of their former home, holding back the Kot'Haar. These ancient elemental beings were brought to life in an Age long-forgotten. The fire that bore them has been corrupted and the young dragon Fuzan wreaks havoc with an obsidian army in tow. Kalphites stir from their hives, their glossy carapaces protecting them from the heat as they march to serve their brood. Chitinous, chattering creatures swarm both Dragonkin vaults and Garou ruins.
Garou-ins? Is that anything?
It's not looking great. Thankfully, you aren't stepping into the desert alone. Icthlarin, the Jackal-headed Guardian of Souls and Desert God of the Underworld, is looking to bring order back to this land - and you might just be the ones to help him do it. A fragile peace has been brokered between the distrustful Moon Garou and Icthlarin, and he is hoping to use you as a way to carve a path to Fuzan, and end his reign of terror.
He's just there, at the top of the active volcano. No pressure.
Sunlight in Umbral Sands is no joke. Stepping into direct sunlight will afflict you with Scorch, a withering effect of Fuzan's corruption that will worsen the longer you are exposed to it. Once triggered, you will rapidly drain Thirst and Hunger - ignore that, and your health is forefeit next.
So, plan your journey. Move from shade to shade, pace yourself and wear protective clothing. Whack a few hasty shelters together, bring a cooling snack or two, and you'll be there in one piece.
At night the air is cool but Fuzan, the Dragon General, brings the heat. With Red Lesser Dragons going to ground, Fuzan attacks from on high - no time of day is safe here.
Adamantite Ore is scattered across the region, offering you increased survivability and the chance to wreak havoc on Dragons, Kalphites and Kot'Haar. You can use the newly raised level caps for Woodcutting and Mining, both of which are now filled up to level 99, to get even more gear stowed away for your team! That's not all - you'll be able to take Red Dragonhide and craft Red Dragonhide ranged armour, and spin cloth to make the tastefully vibrant Infinity Robes! They're as gorgeous as you remember.
Take that gear, and head into the Fight Cave at the base of Fuzan's Tower... the Fire Cape is waiting.
The Fight Cave is our take on the iconic challenge from RuneScape - waves of enemies, lava on all sides, and the promise of glory at the end if you make it.
You'll fight stronger Kot'Haar, new mechanics and overcome environmental hazards to earn the right to climb the tower, fight Fuzan and claim a Fire Cape of your own. The Fight Cave is a replayable mode with advanced modes, rare crafting rewards and powerful Vestiges for you to bag.
The Fight Cave will shape you, but there is more.
A gateway. A door.
Haunted memories of battles past, powered by Dragonkin conduits across the desert. Enemies reborn - stronger, more unpredictable, more overwhelming. But that is what you must overcome to be greater. The Dragonkin's "Nightmare Crucible" is a test to push you to greatness - because Kuldra will accept nothing less. Your reward for the Nightmare Crucible will be rare materials, allowing you to craft even more "masterful" weapons in the near future.
Magic Carpets are coming to RuneScape: Dragonwilds as a new mount type in this update. Designed to move you over the dunes - and especially quicksand - safely and swiftly, this new unlock will have you scooting across the sands in no time. We've also gone ahead and added a bunch of new colour variants for your mounts, too!
We're delighted to be adding an additional set of building pieces for you to sink your teeth into and develop even more masterpieces with - we're excited to see what you create! Your journey through the Umbral Sands will be accompanied by a range of amazing new music tracks for you, including new musicians adding their talents to the score. Firas Zreik lends their talents of the Qanun, Saied Silbak playing the Oud and Hüseyin Kemanci on violin. Amazing talents coming together to blend familiar RuneScape themes with Arabic music from leading world musicians. Lush, richly textured music will run the gamut from loose improvisational solos in the open dunes by day to wonderfully haunting arrangements from dusk until dawn, courtesy of Peter Michael Davidson and our very own Mod Debris. Headphones recommended.
This is our last Major Update before the Scorned Wilderness Raid, the Kuldra boss fight and our full launch onto Steam, EGS, Playstation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2 on September 15th.
Watch your step though - there's something moving in the sands.
Don't wake her up...