D&D 5E Looking for an “on the road” adventure, any recommendations?

[Charlaquin]

I find myself having to run an impromptu adventure for half of my group since the other half can’t make it to session 1 and I don’t want to cancel a second time in a row. Since my planned adventure start had the PCs meeting at a caravanserai they were all independently invited to, I figured I could pad out the start for the half of the group that can make it by having them encounter trouble on the road to the place they’re supposed to meet. I figure I can get at least a few good hours of play out of a bandit attack and pursuit type scenario. But if anyone knows of any one-session on-the-road type adventures I could mine for quick inspiration, I would love to hear recommendations, otherwise this is going to be a 100% improvised session. Playing tomorrow evening (December 30th), so any help anyone can offer would be much appreciated.

 

[Swarmkeeper]

How about modifying the goblin ambush scene from the start of Lost Mines of Phandelver?

 

[Charlaquin]

How about modifying the goblin ambush scene from the start of Lost Mines of Phandelver?

You read my mind! This is probably what I’ll fall back on if I’m unable to come up with another idea.

 

[Eltab]

Hoard of the Dragon Queen, the whole chapter about caravan-ning from Balders Gate to Waterdeep. You might use the NPC characters more than the plot / sideplots. (Although the Peryton attack would make a good one-shot.)

 

[Weiley31]

Technically Descent into Avernus becomes that once you reach the mad max portion of it.

 

[Zaukrie]

IIRC, there is a series here:

Encounter of the Week: The Road to Baldur’s Gate

The road from Waterdeep to Baldur’s Gate is long and winding. Follow as we travel down the Sword Coast over the next few months in preparation for...

www.dndbeyond.com

 

[Charlaquin]

IIRC, there is a series here:

Encounter of the Week: The Road to Baldur’s Gate

The road from Waterdeep to Baldur’s Gate is long and winding. Follow as we travel down the Sword Coast over the next few months in preparation for...

www.dndbeyond.com

This is a great resource, and not a moment too soon. Thank you very much!

 

[Zaukrie]

This is a great resource, and not a moment too soon. Thank you very much!

YW. There should be a whole series on the road....and there are so many free one shots there! Miss those posts.

 

[Charlaquin]

Well, turns out two of the other three players had to cancel tonight (they had a very good reason though!), so I didn’t end up needing this after all. Still, good to have some travel encounters in the back pocket anyway.