Potions, herbs and mushrooms have been part of D&D random tables since day one. So what’s one more table going to change? I find that many of the tables tend to match herbs with an effect. Sometimes, the effect is narrative, sometimes mechanic. I have used such herbs and fungal tables in my current campaign,Continue reading “Herbal remedies”
Tag Archives: dungeons and dragons
Curses
The other face of ritual and alchemy is of course, curses. The ones presented here are easiest put on NPCs, seeing that DMing some of these may be quite challenging. But deployed in a way that makes narrative sense they may forever alter a PC in a very compelling way. As always, I strive toContinue reading “Curses”
Simple alchemy
Somebody has to make a potion, a ritual, enchant a weapon, produce a device. It is clear, it will need some specific ingredients, and the appropriate instructions (barely legible on a mouldy anciant book) should be followed. Newer D&D editions have mechanisms for DC checks based on what needs to be done. As always, “oldContinue reading “Simple alchemy”
Birds and civilization
Did past me actually say a random table a week? What a naive thing to say. Truth is, I haven’t run out of stupid ideas, but rather, real life came for me and my spare time. But I hope I am back, or at least sufficiently free to post regularly. Where were we? Right, birds.Continue reading “Birds and civilization”
What’s in that cell?
Sometimes, the party ends up in jail and they need to escape. Or tour the prison section of a dungeon. Or peek into a cell for some reason. In those times, roll on this table do determine the result of the ever-burning (ok, maybe not) question: what’s in that cell? Roll 2d8, will ya? DiceContinue reading “What’s in that cell?”
Ambush!
So, you are a DM, running a game in the wilderness (or in a large dungeon), and you rolled a random encounter. But you don’t want to make it boring. As always, the key is tactics, environment and asymmetric combat. This table generates various ambush situations to help avoiding simple frontal engagements where D&D degeneratesContinue reading “Ambush!”
Desert encounters
A random encounter table for desert hex, journey or adventure. The desert envisioned here is of the “saharan” variety, rather than something like the Arizona or central asian deserts. I am sure those types of environments also work – but a lot of stuff here kind of presupposes sand! Also, while making this table, IContinue reading “Desert encounters”
Dwarven clans and traditions
Dwarves are the best. They just are. This was also the realisation of a DM I know, who forced his entire party to be made of dwarves. He now has an awesome long-running campaign. Frankly, it should be the default choice. OK, maybe I am getting carried away… Anyways, this table helps generate the societalContinue reading “Dwarven clans and traditions”
Loot table #1 – humble beginnings (trinkets)
This week – something very traditional. A loot table. Specifically, a loot table designed for low-level characters, to be combined with loot that is more “mechanical” (weapons, potions, scrolls). The objects here have “mechanics”. I personally like items that hold a single charge (or a charge count), rather than those that can be used NContinue reading “Loot table #1 – humble beginnings (trinkets)”
Climbing encounters, mishaps and hazards
The party has to reach the top of a mountain, navigating a difficult route climbing on a glacier. Ice… cold… isolation… madness.. maybe? Or maybe not. Climbing is kind of hard to DM well, honestly. I can’t say I have done a great job of it myself in the past. “We climb the wall”. “OK,Continue reading “Climbing encounters, mishaps and hazards”
Random table of the week 