Dunerigger takes place in a desert, and the adventure begins in a garrison city at the desert's edge. Because of its position on several trade routes and its cool spring waters, the city is fairly prosperous and work is easy to find, though poorly paid. Faisal al'Farilreem is a successful merchant-adventurer, who fancies himself as a scholar of desert lore and history. He has heard reports of stonework and artefacts being uncovered in sandstorms, only to be buried again during the next. He is looking for an escort to take him and two 'companions' where he can investigate these mysteries at first hand. The journey will result in the discovery of an ancient dunerigger, a "sailing ship" of the desert.