The objective of A Tale in the Desert is to build the ideal civilization by perfecting the Seven Disciplines of Man.

Each discipline is unique. To perfect Art, you must create works of genuine beauty for your fellow players to judge. To perfect Leadership, you must wisely govern your fellow players. To advance in Conflict, you must master the duel, a test of wits, not strength. To advance Architecture, you must build monuments that tower over your fellow players. To progress in Worship, teams of players must master beautiful but complex rituals. To progress in The Human Body, you must maximize your strength and endurance. And to achieve perfect Thought, you must master the sphinx's riddles.

Unfortunately, perfecting the seven disciplines will not be easy. An Evil Stranger is at work, trying to corrupt the Egyptians and turn them against themselves.

The outcome of the game depends solely on the players. The players build their own cities, they choose their own leaders, and they must meet the stranger's challenges. If they can organize themselves and negotiate for what they need, Egypt will flourish.