This table generates sea monsters suited for attacking a party on a ship. I mean, who goes on a ship in D&D expecting good things? Another way to use the table, and a good way to surprise the party, is to have the monster attack a fishing village from the sea, roam around a coastalContinue reading “Sea monsters”
Tag Archives: random
Icons and relics
Every temple in an tabletop RPG needs a made-up relic in it! Especially when there is a tie-in to the history of the town or community the temple serves. Especially if it can serve as a jumping-off point for an adventure or investigation, right? Right? Anybody? Roll 1d10 and read across rows… Dice Description IfContinue reading “Icons and relics”
Lakes
Pssst. You! Yes, I am talking to you! Over here! I got that sweet sweet random table you are craving. The one you did not dare to ask about. Yes, that lake generator thing we talked about while poisoning ourselves kobold moonshine. I have used one of these lakes in combination with one of theContinue reading “Lakes”
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”
Mirror mirror on the wall….
Magical mirrors, abandoned in a dungeon, or in someone’s study. For players to interact with and puzzle over. Roll once per column and happy holidays. Dice Effect Appearance 1 Observe the last person that looked into the mirror. A spherical mirror projecting in all directions. 2 Appear in another person’s dream. A large wooden frameContinue reading “Mirror mirror on the wall….”
City Watch
City guards – what are they doing? Ah, yes. The bumbling city guard. The elite pool of citizens ensuring safety in the big city. <insert city’s name>’s finest. City guards make for a good low-level antagonist or comedic relief moment, as Terry Pratchett knew all too well. This table generates a platoon of city guardsContinue reading “City Watch”
Criminal networks and gangs
Everybody needs a spicy network of criminals, cultists and the like. The important thing is to give them an agenda that is clear to the GM and needs to be discovered by the players, and some features to make it stand out. The network may be populating a dungeon-like area, over or underground, or beContinue reading “Criminal networks and gangs”
Portentous Portals
Most fantasy worlds include portals. Broadly speaking, they come in 3 varieties: portals to travel somewhere else in the world, two-way bridges to other dimensions or planes and one-way portals used to summon creatures, gods and monsters. One of the biggest issues with portals, in my opinion, is that they are usually same-y and neverContinue reading “Portentous Portals”
Legends and folktales
Every area, no matter how small, has its folktales, legends and superstitions. Not only do these quirky and unique beliefs build up a shared cultural heritage for the characters inhabiting a region, they also provide fertile ground for the mythos swirling around the players. They may be used as adventure hooks, as flavour to bringContinue reading “Legends and folktales”
Random table of the week 