" A pedlar with a mule (or boat) has many charms and trinkets. They also have exactly what one of the characters needs, at a steep cost.
Simple encounter tables for rivers in any fantasy setting. Tables for River Encounter Prompts, River Hazards & Distractions and River Quick NPCs.
Fantasy Hinterlands - all | trinkets | farmland encs | hill encs | plains encs | river encs | road encs | tavern encs
[Photo by Sander Dechering]
Fantasy Rivers Encounters
Wide arteries of continents, narrow streams, rushing rapids and lifeblood of forests. Home to many types of fish, water faeries and fishers, associated with themes of life, travel, water and civilisation.
It's a place of fords, herons, salmon, water spirits, boats and beasts of all kinds.
There is a fantasy encounters generator at ChaosGen. There is also a pdf of these and more tables at the DriveThruRPG as River Encounters.
10 River Encounter Prompts
| 1d10 | 10 River Encounter Prompts |
|---|---|
| 1 | A determined messenger is letting their tired horse drink before carrying on. They share news of an invasion (or scandal). |
| 2 | A lonely goatherd is curious about everyone. Will sell a goat for cheap. |
| 3 | A pair of opportunistic halflings (or siblings) sell delicious pies from a rowing boat. They are also rumourmongers up and down the river. |
| 4 | A priest of life searches for a healing pool, following each tributary. |
| 5 | Several colourful ogres have a large chain across the river. They loudly demand tribute from passing boats to lower it |
| 6 | Two haggard adventurers look for their stolen boat. Carry heavy sacks |
| 7 | A pedlar with a mule (or boat) has many charms and trinkets. They also have exactly what one of the characters needs, at a steep cost. |
| 8 | A kingfisher follows group, giving luck to the first to offer kindness. |
| 9 | A motley convoy of boats with bored guards. The boats carry a variety of dangerous and exotic animals to a nearby estate (or city). |
| 10 | A pair of river merfolk claim to be from a city under a nearby lake |
River Hazards and Distractions
| 1d10 | There is (or are)... |
|---|---|
| 1 | an advertisement for a tavern (or a merchant); or a hailstorm |
| 2 | something under the water, a(n)... d10 (1-2. ominous shape 3. chest 4. sparkling ring 5. entangling plant 6. light 7. weighted body 8. illusory city 9. thick rope 10. sunken boat) |
| 3 | a strong current or clouds of harmless insects |
| 4 | something in the water, a(n)... d10 (1-2. baby in a basket 3. crate 4. boat in trouble 5. pair of barrels 6. barrel 7. bloated cow 8. mapcase 9. coffin 10. whirlpool) |
| 5 | a shimmering rainbow or a race about to start |
| 6 | a boat on fire or a procession down to the water |
| 7 | the strong smell of ... d10 (1-2. tar 3. fish 4. something rotten 5. citrus fruit 6. cooking meat 7. burning 8. rain 9. manure 10. something dead) |
| 8 | waters infested with leeches or strong winds and sleet |
| 9 | sounds of ... d10 (1-2. splashing 3. an argument 4. many birds 5. shouts for help 6. chopping wood 7. bells 8. a shanty 9. a celebration 10. thunder) |
| 10 | a thick (or swirling) mist; or a creature stuck in mud |
Quick River NPCs
| 1d10 | Descriptor | Profession | who... |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | restless or beast-kin | trader | has a fishing rod (or pet otter) |
| 2 | lizardfolk or fit | boathand | is full of rumours (or bad advice) |
| 3 | helpful or dwarf | outlaw | has a few mercenaries (or dogs) |
| 4 | nonhuman or feral | fisher | harvesting reeds (or flat stones) |
| 5 | talkative or frog-kin | adventurer | has a message (or map) for group |
| 6 | goblinoid or cursing | scoundrel | is in (or repairing) a canoe (or boat) |
| 7 | pretty or half-human | boatmaker | wears a unique hat (or uniform) |
| 8 | aquatic or rugged | smuggler | is swimming (or stood) in the water |
| 9 | tattooed or turtle-kin | captain | is in a damaged (or stolen) boat |
| 10 | elf or superstitious | labourer | wants to sell a boat (or monkey) |
More Encounters
There is a fantasy encounters generator at ChaosGen. There is also a pdf of these and more tables at the DriveThruRPG as River Encounters.
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