Desert of Desolation Desert of Desolation is a compilation adventure module published by TSR in 1987 for the " Dungeons & Dragons " fantasy roleplaying game . It combines the three previously published individual modules " Pharaoh " , " Oasis of the White Palm " , and " Lost Tomb of Martek " , which were produced for use with the 1st edition " Advanced Dungeons & Dragons " rules . " Pharaoh " was created by Tracy and Laura Hickman soon after they were wed in 1977 , and published by TSR in 1982 . " Oasis of the White Palm " was a collaboration between Tracy Hickman and Philip Meyers , while Tracy Hickman wrote " Lost Tomb of Martek " ; both were printed in 1983 . Each module is an Egyptian - styled adventure . The individual modules were well received by critics at the time of their release , and the compilation has garnered accolades in the 2000s . Plot summary . " Pharaoh " . " Pharaoh " is an Egyptian - styled adventure that includes a pyramid map and a trap - filled maze . Cover art was provided by Jim Holloway . In " Pharaoh " , the player characters are driven into the desert for a crime they did not commit . The characters journey to the sunken city of Pazar , and from there they travel to the haunted tomb of an ancient pharaoh . While in the desert , the characters encounter the spirit of Amun - Re , the last pharaoh of Bakar , cursed to wander the desert until his tomb is robbed . Amun - Re begs the PCs to remove his Staff of Ruling and the Star Gem from his tomb to break his curse . The tomb was built to be thief - proof , and has so far lived up to its reputation . While in Amun - Re ' s pyramid , the characters can use an item called the Dome of Flight to control or reverse gravity ; carelessness can cause them to fall upwards , and the palm trees in this room bear exploding fruit . The module contains wilderness maps , and includes a number of smaller adventures which complement the main one . " Oasis of the White Palm " . In " Oasis of the White Palm " , the characters arrive at the Oasis of the White Palm , which is on the brink of turmoil . Shadalah , who is to be the bride of the shiek ' s eldest son , has been kidnapped . The shiek believes her to be held by his enemies somewhere in the oasis . The player characters must solve a mystery before they can progress further . Once the characters make the contacts they need at the oasis , they continue to the Temple of Set and the Crypt of Badr al - Mosak , and the adventure concludes in the City of Phoenix ; there , the PCs must obtain the three Star Gems ( the one from Amun - Re ' s tomb in the previous adventure , and two more introduced here ) and free the djinn i if they plan to move on to the next module . The " Oasis of the White Palm " module contains wilderness maps , and includes a number of smaller adventures which complement the main one . " Lost Tomb of Martek " . The goal of the player characters is the tomb of the millennium - dead wizard Martek . The tomb lies in the vast Desert of Desolation , and the majority of the adventure takes place within Martek ' s tomb . The adventure is organized into seven parts , taking the party from the desert through a number of planes on their way to the Citadel of Martek . They must use the Star Gems to revive the dead wizard . When they have done so , he lets them choose from a variety of magical treasure , and leaves to defeat the efreet .