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Classic Modules Today: I3-5 Desert of Desolation (5e)

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In 1987, TSR published the supermodule named “Desert of Desolation” with the module code “I3-5”. It was a compilation and expansion of the original three modules; Pharaoh, Oasis of the White Palm, and Lost Tomb of Martek. The original material was written by Tracy Hickman, Laura Hickman, and Philip Meyers, and expanded by Peter Rice and William John Wheeler. It was illustrated by Jim Holloway, Keith Parkinson, and Harry Quinn.  It consisted of a 128 page book, poster size wilderness map, and small map booklet.

In 2004, for the 30th anniversary of the Dungeons & Dragons game, Dungeon magazine ranked this module the 6th greatest adventure of all time.

This conversion guide allows DMs to run the original module with 5th Edition rules and provides a reference sheet for encounters.

This update is an entirely new expansion of the original conversion. Substantial content was added including:

  • Less NPC substitutions and more custom NPC stat blocks.
  • Advice on running the different sections of the campaign, including clarification where the original text is unclear.
  • Eratta in the original adventure noted.
  • Updated and custom magical items.
  • Cleaner, easier to read format with larger fonts.
  • Revised desert encounters so you don't have to refer to the original book.
  • Each chapter and section given references to proper book location and map.

The conversion is now 50 pages of content for running this mini campaign adventure with the D&D 5th edition rules. Best of all, no price change for the additonal content!

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Reviews (4)
Discussions (12)
Customer avatar
Jennifer C September 12, 2023 10:31 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Hey, Mark! The stats for Zorath Blackblade was left out of the Special Creatures section. Any advice or a stat block you can share? My group has been really enjoying things so far. Thanks for all your work! - Jen
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Customer avatar
Mark S September 18, 2023 3:24 am UTC
CREATOR
I didn't write up Zorath, instead just using the standard Assassin NPC profile from the Monster Manual. Glad you're enjoying the adventure!
Customer avatar
John L July 03, 2023 11:02 pm UTC
PURCHASER
I hope this isn't a silly question, but which of these documents is the most updated version that is intended for play? I notice multiple copies of the document that are very similar, and I am not sure which to use.
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Customer avatar
Mark S September 18, 2023 3:25 am UTC
CREATOR
The file marked 2021 is the most recent update. I left the original in there as well as my old fan conversion for D&D 3.5.
Customer avatar
Alex H February 01, 2023 11:38 am UTC
PURCHASER
(For some reason, I can't actually leave a review (maybe because I'm a publisher?), I have no idea why, so I'll just make a note or two here.)

I am attempting (that being the operative word) to use the original Deserts of Desolation in an upcoming 3.5/PF1 game. I bought the PDF from DriveTRU many years ago (before WotC stopped selling them in the 3.0 era) but had never looked at it in detail. The verison I had (for which I paid about as much for as for this conversion set) had *dreadful* quality control - map annocationthat was changed from the original modules (I have a hard copy of Pharoah to check against it), missing annotations, never mind the maps were scanned in with zero quality control checking.) I have been muddling through trying to find resources to actually hammer together something that I can use.

I bought this guide primarily for things like the errata notes and explanatory details (as the stats are not terribly useful to me). I was hoping those would be a bit more extensive...See more
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Customer avatar
Mark S February 02, 2023 6:29 am UTC
CREATOR
Hi Alex. Thanks for the review and I understand why the 5e conversion won't be super helpful for what you're looking for.
However....
Many moons ago I did a fan-made 3.5e conversion of I3-5. I dug up the pdf of that conversion and attached it to the files in this conversion. The file name has "conversion_35u" for 3.5 updated. I hope it helps you out.
Best,
Mark
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Customer avatar
Alex H April 22, 2023 4:27 pm UTC
PURCHASER
I'm sorry, I completely missed your reply until today when I logged into today to do something else entirely and saw the notification! Thank you very much, I'll look into that. (I haven't actually gotten started on the write-up yet anyway, I have more ground-work to do before I get to it.) Many thanks!
Customer avatar
Dario L April 29, 2022 8:43 am UTC
Im looking for the maps with correct numbering according to the I3 Supermodule, not the original 3 books' numbering.
Does this pdf contain maps, and can you share a preview of how they look?
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Customer avatar
Mark S May 02, 2022 3:31 am UTC
CREATOR
This product does not come with any maps or diagrams from the original module. You can purchase the original module in digital format on this site. It comes with a separate pdf of the maps.
Customer avatar
Mark S July 19, 2021 6:10 am UTC
CREATOR
New revised version uploaded, now with 50 pages of expanded content.
Customer avatar
Mark S May 20, 2021 5:52 am UTC
CREATOR
New updated version uploaded.
Customer avatar
Joel C April 07, 2021 12:55 am UTC
PURCHASER
In Chapter 14 there are Palan-teens but nothing in the list of monsters as to what to use for them. Do I assume they are all knights like Percivilis?
Customer avatar
Adam M August 17, 2019 4:06 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Is this a raw stats conversion or does it adjust encounter difficulties to 5e assumptions?
Customer avatar
Cary B April 28, 2019 6:42 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Hey, the Special Creatures section is referenced many times but is completely missing from the download.
Reply
Customer avatar
Mark S May 01, 2019 1:33 am UTC
CREATOR
Hi Cary. Special Creatures span pages 17 to 23. I checked the pdf and uploaded it again to be sure the download is correct. Thanks!
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Customer avatar
Cary B May 01, 2019 1:44 am UTC
PURCHASER
Man, my old-man eyes have failed me. Speak and like magic they appear. Thank you!
Customer avatar
Aaron A March 04, 2018 4:56 pm UTC
PURCHASER
I may be wrong, but it seems as though some traps haven't been converted to 5e? Like crushing walls and falling block?
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Customer avatar
Aaron A March 04, 2018 5:17 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Nevermind I see it now
Customer avatar
Daniel P January 11, 2018 5:37 am UTC
PURCHASER
if you want the maps, go here:

http://www.dmsguild.com/product/231017/I35-Desert-of-Desolation-Map-Resource-Kit

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File Last Updated:
February 02, 2023
This title was added to our catalog on December 22, 2016.