at the beginning of the quest you need to take some items to a guy in bandit camp: Starting out Items needed: 12 Magic logs, 6 Steel bars, 6 Molten glass, 1 heap of Ashes, 1 Bones, 1 Charcoal, 1 Blood rune [all of these may be noted], 650gp, Teleport runes to Lumby, or charged Amulet of glory, or Ring of dueling will shorten the time when you head in and out of the desert. Whenever you head to the desert bring Waterskins. This goes for EVERY time you head in there. he will not accept noted charcoal