[EN5ider #46] Motivated Encounters

New for EN5ider patrons! Add spice and variety to your random encounters! This article helps you to randomly determine the aims and actions of encountered creatures with a table which covers 40 encounter motivations including merrymaking, suffering, wounded, escaped, and many more. Running into orcs is one thing; running into orcs busy constructing a shrine is another! By Connors; illustrated by Cat Lu.

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[Jeff Carlsen]

Straightforward, useful, and interesting. This is a fantastic article.

 

[Marandahir]

Yeah. Totally worth the patreon subscriptions. You guys consistently turn out quality articles. Good stuff.

 

[Connorsrpg]

Thanks guys. So glad I got this out in the public eye. Way back when, I used to write a small one of these at the bottom of each area. Some time ago, I put together 1 large chart and have used it for several years. I hope GMs enjoy.

BTW. Initially, I had written a short example for each entry by rolling random monsters from the charts on the DMG or flipping to a random page of the MM. If people are interested in seeing these, then I am sure I could post here. (Or somewhere better if you have ideas).

In any case, I would LOVE to hear about some other GMs' examples. Hearing how these are used in actual game play is the most rewarding part. (And indicates where improvements could be made ).

 

[arjomanes]

Great article! This will be very useful for my Out of the Abyss game!

 

[Connorsrpg]

Should I post the egs here?

 

[Connorsrpg]

So, anyone used this in their game yet? I would LOVE to hear what came up and how it went.

 

[Connorsrpg]

C'mon, someone must have used it for an interesting encounter by now. I would love to see a list of eg encounters in this thread, That would be cool to share with others.

 

[Connorsrpg]

Examples for entries 1-10

So at the time of writing this article, I generated several random encounters and then applied the entries from this table. So each entry had an example or 2. They were cut from the final article, but I thought I would share them here. I am still VERY interested to hear about other GM's/player's examples generated from this article.

Entries 1-10

Accompanied by Other Creatures Example: After adventurers destroyed their past master, wights protecting a ruined castle in the swamp have accepted an adult black dragon as their new master. Just what force has driven them to leave their ruins?
Alternative Movement Example: Goblins climbing trees to rob magpie nests of food.
Alternative Movement Example 2: Perhaps in hilly terrain the PCs hear crashing sounds to see a clumsy aurochs slide down the hillside and land on the path in front of them. Dinner is delivered.
Ambush Example: A giant scorpion bursts upwards from the desert sands when it feels movement above.
Bickering/Fighting Example: Two hellhounds fight for pack leadership whilst the rest watch on.
Building/Constructing Example: Lizardfolk plastering mud over their woven shelter.
Camping Example: The orc patrol has set up their hide tents and lean-tos for the night and are busy feasting on tortoises (being easy prey) roasting on the fire.
Captured Example: Bullywugs hang captured goblins in woven basket-like cages over a trail through the swamp in the hope of capturing more prey.
Collecting Food/Drink Example: A green dragon is encountered on the forest floor, as it is feasting on prey too large to carry back to its lair.
Common Annoyance Example: In an encounter with an ettin, one head is covered in swollen, angry red lumps and is doing a lot of complaining, whilst the other head looks on and laughs. An argument as to who is to blame for upsetting a hornet’s nest is the likely result.
Conducting Business/Diplomacy Example: Hobgoblins are making an offering (small coin, a chain and a large haunch of giant boar) to a hill giant to gain its favor to join them for some task requiring strength.

 

[Connorsrpg]

Entries 11-20

Counting Wealth/Divvying Loot Example: After dispatching a chimera, three blue slaad sit unsure of what to do with the blue gem they just removed from their fallen comrade’s head.
Crafting/Creating Example: Snakefolk are extracting silk for garments for their masters. Silk worm pupae are being boiled in a pot from which large strands are being extracted and wound around spindles.
Dead Example: A dead horse is found quicksand. It’s saddle and gear is still all on, (as the rider used the horse to leap to safety). The mud is starting to dry and the party may be able to search the saddle bags (a good place to put a map or document relevant to their current adventure). This example also used Struggling Against the Elements below.
Devious/Stealthy Example: Tribal warriors try to steal the PCs mounts or even one of the PCs during the night. These warriors value the ability to take wealth and captives from others without confrontation.
Eating/Cooking/Drinking Example: A large cloaked figure sits hunched ready to eat its meal, when a baby crying can be heard. Few PCs could resist stopping this oni from devouring its meal.
Escaped/Fleeing Example: Whilst celebrating a great victory with dance and wine, some efreet have allowed their slaves to escape.
Evidence of Encounter Example: PCs discover a couple of small quarrels embedded in a tree. If inspected they have remains of a poison on them. (A drow hunting party has been nearby).
Gambling/Contest Example: Some stone giants are involved in a rock-throwing competition.
Grooming/Dressing Example: The PCs come across a green hag dressing in a nice dress (before changing its appearance and heading to town to wreak havoc).
Guarding Example: Some shriekers have purposefully been placed near the larder by some driders.