Sandstorm & Desert Encounters

[ptolemy18]

My 3rd-level players have gotten their characters stranded in the middle of the desert with only a few days' food (although, unfortunately for me the DM but fortunately for them, they have a cleric so they can create water). They're trying to get back to civilization without mounts, lugging pounds and pounds of treasure.

Does anyone have any good ideas for desert wilderness encounters? I've got EGYPTIAN ADVENTURES and AFRICAN ADVENTURES, both of which are sort of relevant.

Frankly, I really wish SANDSTORM was out already, but the PCs will almost certainly be out of the desert by March... anybody have any specifics on what's in that book in the meantime?

Jason

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Conan's desert adventures always seemed to center around oases. A few date palms will look very tempting to them as their rations run out.

Of course, they won't be the only people who know about the oasis, and depending on how few date palms we're talking about, they may be violently opposed to the party staggering up to it and using it for themselves.

I also think you can never go wrong with a genie. I'd go with janni, to shake things up, but they're a great monster type in general.

 

[philreed]

A possible assistant could be the old Anauroch supplement for Forgotten Realms. I don't own a copy -- and haven't seen it in years -- but I seem to remember it having some good ideas.

http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=852&SRC=EnWorld