The Lost Sands Adventure in Sea of Thieves is live now through June 9, tasking players with restoring Golden Sands to its former glory–or destroying it forever. In a first for Rare’s swashbuckling adventure, it seems the path you choose will have a permanent effect on the game’s map. The Adventure revolves around choosing a side to begin with and completing a set of tasks to aid your faction. While the event lasts, though, you can complete the other faction’s quest and take on a handful of other tasks to help ensure your side wins.
How to start Sea of Thieves Lost Sands Adventure
You can begin this leg of Merrick’s story by speaking with Larinna at any Outpost. She represents the Bilge Rats and is always standing outside the tavern. Choose the last dialogue option to begin the adventure, and then Larinna presents you with a choice. You can help rebuild Golden Sands (the Hunter’s Path) or you can investigate the strange sightings (Servant’s Path).
While the phrasing suggests the Servant’s Path is just about gathering intel, it isn’t. Choosing the Servant’s Path allies you with those who wish to keep Merrick’s band from rebuilding Golden Sands.
Which side you choose isn’t hugely significant at first. After completing one round of tasks, you can choose the other path and continue helping both sides–or just one–until the event ends on June 9. If more players help Merrick by the event’s end, Golden Sands will be restored, and if more side with the Servant of the Flame, then the outpost will be no more.
The Adventure tab shows who’s in the lead with a little icon–Merrick, if the Hunters are winning, and the Servant if not.
Lost Sands Adventure rewards
You’ll earn three Mementos for clearing both sides and completing all 11 Deeds.
Savior of Golden Sands sail–Complete the Hunter’s PathThe Servant’s lantern–Complete the Servant’s PathVictor of Golden Sands title–Complete all 11 Deeds
Lost Sands Adventure Deeds
Completing the Lost Sands Deeds is easier than you might expect, since the journals are located near where you complete each task.
Speak with MerrickSpeak with a shadowy figureDeliver Tina’s Crate of Rum Bottles in perfect conditionDeliver Sharon’s Crate of Sailcloth in perfect conditionSafely destroy a stolen Soulflame RowboatSmuggle a Relic CacheDestroy your Soulflame Rowboat near Golden SandsRead one of Merrick’s journalsRead all of Merrick’s journalsRead one of The Servant’s journalsRead all of the Servant’s journals
Lost Sands Adventure: Hunter’s Path guide
You’ll be helping Merrick rebuild Golden Shores if you follow the Hunter’s Path.
Unlike Tall Tales, this Adventure has no checkpoints. Once you speak with Merrick and get your tasks from him, you’ll have to complete all the steps in one go without exiting the game.
Hunter’s Path step 1: Find Merrick
If you choose the Hunter’s Path, your first task is finding Merrick. Head to Golden Sands at D10 on your map, and you’ll find Merrick outside the Gold Hoarder’s tent. Speak with him, then speak with him again and choose to “continue Hunter’s Path.” Merrick will mention what he needs from you and write it down on a handy list.
Hunter’s Path step 2: Tina’s crate of rum bottles
Merrick’s first task is finding Tina on Cannon Cove (G10) and bringing back a crate of rum bottles from her, but you’ll have to find the bottles first. Turn around from Tina, and you’ll see a shattered boat with a yellow flag in the rubble. The map is near the yellow flag, and as always with these maps, the X truly does mark the spot where your treasure is. Reaper Phantoms will appear once the rum is out.
Avoid jumping or falling with the crate, as either action will damage it. While Merrick will take supplies and rum in any condition, the rum must be in perfect condition to clear the related Deed.
The task is fairly straightforward, though you’ll need to sail carefully if you want to complete the Deed. Other players helping the Servant may target your ship and sabotage the delivery trip or try and steal the supplies.
Hunter’s Path step 3: Sharon’s sailcloth
This step takes a bit longer, since you’ll have to travel to Smuggler’s Bay, located at F3 on the map, and getting it to Merrick in perfect condition is also a bit trickier. Sharon is near the Survivor’s Camp, helpfully marked by another yellow flag, and tells you that she buried her supplies too. This map is also in a broken boat near yet another yellow flag. Get the map, find the X, and dig up the sailcloth.
The sailcloth won’t count as in perfect condition if it gets wet, so you’ll want to place it near the shore, away from water and with a clear view of your ship. Get back in your ship, and use the harpoon to pull the sailcloth on board. Then stow it somewhere it’s less likely to get wet–on top of the map table, for example, if you have the hatches closed.
Take it back to Merrick to complete this phase. Speak with Merrick again, and choose “Complete Hunter’s Path” to finish this branch of the Adventure and get your sail.
Lost Sands Adventure: Servant’s Path guide
The Servant’s Path allies you with the Reapers for several shady deeds.
If you choose to help the Servant of the Flame, the path starts with a detour to Wanderer’s Refuge at F12 on the map.
Servant’s Path step 1: Locate the shadowy figure
Larinna’s note mentions a “shadowy figure” lurking near the island’s highest bell. Climb up to the island’s highest point. You should see the shadow in the bushes before it darts away, though it’s nearly impossible to notice at night.
You don’t have to actually see the figure to progress the quest, though. Just reach the bell, and then get your compass out. Face southwest, and walk towards the glowing birds until you reach a cannon. The figure will dash away again. Head southeast toward the center of the island, and you’ll find an altar similar to the one in the Reaper’s Hideout with the shadowy figure standing nearby.
Speak with him, then head to the Reaper’s Hideout and speak with him again. Choose the Servant’s Path option again, and he’ll give you your list of tasks, along with a Servant’s Compass.
Servant’s Path step 2: Locate your Soulflame Rowboat
Follow the compass towards the smaller island northwest of the main one, and continue until you reach the northwestern shore. Your Soulflame Rowboat is there, and you have to use it to complete the next tasks.
If you’re using a controller, hold both the triggers down until the controller vibrates, and then release them to move faster.
Servant’s Path step 3: Collect the Relic Cache from a Smuggler
Row northwest towards Twin Grove (H11)–use the Servant’s Compass to make sure you’re on the right track–and head towards the center of the island, where there’s a cluster of barrels and some foliage. The Smuggler should be here, and you can take the cache and be on your way.
If the Smuggler isn’t there, it could be either a glitch or because your regular ship is too near. Make sure your ship is out of viewing range from Twin Grove, or the Smuggler won’t appear. If it’s a glitch, the only thing we’ve found that fixes the problem is exiting the game and restarting the Servant’s Path.
Servant’s Path step 4: Deliver the Relic Cache to a Smuggler
Take your cache and row to Cannon Cove in G10, the same location you’ll find Tina and the rum crates. While there’s no way to compromise the Relic Cache’s condition, you’re more likely to run into Hunter’s Path players on Cannon Cove. It’s an opportunity for you both to sabotage each other, so be careful as you go.
Follow the Servant’s Compass as usual, and you’ll find the Smuggler hiding in a bush again. Hand the Cache over, then get back in your rowboat.
Servant’s Path step 5: Destroy Soulflame Rowboat at Golden Sands
Follow the compass back to Golden Sands, and get out when you reach the right spot. At the back of the boat is a barrel. Interact with the barrel to light the fuse, and your boat will explode a few moments later.
Head back to the Reaper’s Hideout, and speak with the Servant of the Flame to finish the quest and receive your Servant’s Lantern.
How to rebuild Golden Sands or destroy Golden Sands
Once you’ve finished both paths, you can still take part in the event and try to influence the side of your choosing.
If you want to rebuild Golden Sands:
Bring supply crates to Merrick. You can get them from Tina, or just bring any fruit or other supply crate from around the sea. Condition doesn’t matter.Bring Relic Caches to Merrick. This requires starting or completing the Servant’s Path, and instead of delivering the Cache to a Smuggler, you’ll just take it to Merrick.Destroy any Soulflame Rowboats you find (that aren’t near Golden Sands).
If you want to destroy Golden Sands:
Bring Sharon’s Sailcloth and Tina’s Rum to the Servant instead of Merrick. Condition doesn’t matter.Bring any spare Relic Caches to the Servant.Row extra Soulflame Rowboats you find to Golden Sands and destroy them.
Both sides can also hamper the others’ efforts by destroying ships or stealing supplies. While it won’t count as helping your faction, it will at least slow your opponents down.
Lost Sands Adventure journals
You’ll need to find four of Merrick’s journals and four Servant journals to complete the Adventure’s Deeds.
Merrick Journal locations
Stephen’s Spoils, on a wooden platform near the rampGolden Sands, right after the bridge near the watchtower, east of the Tavern. The journal is across from the towerCannon Cove, on the northwestern cove near a cluster of rocksSmuggler’s Bay, eastern side of the island, near an abandoned camp
Servant’s Journal locations
Wanderer’s Refuge, near the campfire in the rocky tunnelReaper’s Hideout, on the scaffolding outside the tent with the altarTwin Groves, on the shore opposite where the Smuggler is hiding, between the ocean and a rockCannon Cove, near the abandoned rowboat on the island
GameSpot – Game News
