The Sand Striders were said to be first created by Lapuum, the Earth Guardian. These semi-corporeal creatures are well suited to life in the desert.

Sand Striders have the ability to pass through sand and similar substances with quick pace. Sand Striders do not need to eat or drink often, do not need to sleep, and can hold their breath for up to two hours. This is because they cannot get much air inside the sand and may not be able to breathe.   Sand Striders are harmed and slowed when wet. Additionally, they cannot swim, they just slither along the bottom of the water. They also cannot burrow in wet sand

Instead of sleeping, the Sand Strider's body falls into a lifeless pile of sand and it's soul gets transported to Lapuum's plane of reality, the Grand Arena. This is the same where Sand Striders' souls spend an eternity when they die.

The Grand Arena is a great desert spanning an infinitely large plane. In the desert, the sun is always shining harshly, scorching the sand. Most Sand Striders enjoy the extreme heat of the sun and vast expanses of sand. Although this is not a trait shared by the entire race, it is very unlike to find a Sand Strider that does not share this opinion.

    In Gestilio society, Sand Strider are seen as uncivilised outsiders. As a race, they are not recognised as citizens of the empire, nor are they recognised as an independent state. Some individuals of the Sand Strider race do gain citizenship of the empire, however it does take a lot longer and a lot more work than most other races, and still they are often treated as second class citizens.     Sand Strider cities are constantly moving. When above ground, they slowly crawl across the sands. When below ground, they move much more quickly, often able to cross whole deserts in a single day. The Cities move underground often, and only emerge 5 times for 28 days at a time. The cites do not emerge during the winter.