D&D 5E 101 Random Encounter Inspirations

[Lord Vangarel]

Sometimes you hit a wall during an adventure and need something quick that will spark the characters into action. This idea is to create a list of simple scenes that characters can encounter. It shouldn't be more than a short sentence and should be vague enough that additional details can be filled in as required. To get started I'll post a couple, for the sake of keeping the word count down the following text is assumed to preface each sentence "The party sees . . .":

1. A lone man kneeling over the body of a fallen companion . . .

2. A recently abandoned campsite, smoke still rises from the embers of the dying fire . . .

 

[MonkeezOnFire]

3. A man desperately running as fast as he can, with pursuers close behind him.

4. An old small cabin with the door unlocked.

 

[iserith]

5. A thunderhead cloud in the shape of a man's face (who they will encounter later).

6. A mass grave.

 

[Lord Vangarel]

7. A black robed wizard steps onto the path before you and says "Who dares enter the realm of my master?"

8. A ramshackle cottage with smoke climbing lazily into the sky.

9. A recently disturbed grave site with stones scattered around it and a decomposing body visible within.

 

[Lord Vangarel]

10. A loud explosion heard to the west followed a few minutes later by a strong breeze blowing from the same direction.

11. A woman steps from her shop pointing at a fleeing figure shouting "Stop, Thief!"

 

[wedgeski]

12. A wounded owlbear crashes out of the undergrowth in terror.

13. A sinkhole has bisected the road ahead; a broken wagon teeters on the brink.

 

[Inconnunom]

14. A well-dressed man slowly staggering forward clutching his arm, his face is of pure terror. Shortly followed by a shadowy female figure.

15. A very large well-worn boot, with a peculiar smell.

 

[ExploderWizard]

16. A number of corpses lying about. They look like they were killed recently. The corpses are dressed in light armor and appear hacked and mangled. A variety of weapons, some broken lie scattered about the area.

In the center of all this stands a mountain goat. It looks up at you with an intense gaze as it lazily chews on some grass.

 

[SubDude]

17. A galleon leaning against a cliff face, with the sea many leagues away.

 

[not-so-newguy]

18. A goliath carries a petrified head while his companion, a one-arm gnome , carries a dripping, bloody sack. Remnants of an adventuring expedition gone awry?