Fantasy Encounters, Hazards and NPCs for Deserts

A talking vulture tries to gain the aid of the characters. It claims to serve a nearby sorcerer who is cursed with family problems.

Simple encounter tables for ports and docks in any fantasy setting. Tables for Desert Encounter Prompts, Desert Hazards & Distractions and Desert Quick NPCs.

[photo by Tijs van Leur on Unsplash]

Fantasy Desert Encounters

Desert encounters might be a nomadic warriors wanting to avenge a feud, a bandit chief dying of a curse or a merchant selling camels. There might be an approaching sandstorm or the mirage of a golden tower.

A place of sand, camels, spirits and quicksand. Of dust devils, decay, heat, ruins, vultures and survival. Home to merciless warriors, scarred herders and undead.

There is a fantasy desert encounter generator at ChaosGen. There is also a pdf of these and more tables at the DriveThruRPG as Desert Encounters.

10 Desert Encounter Prompts

1d10	10 Desert Encounter Prompts
1	A merchant with a pair of guards and a camel (or pony) herd tries to sell a few to the characters. They are keen to get rid of a specific one.
2	A delirious adventurer is staked to the ground, left to die by bandits.
3	A fiery dwarf made of brass is forging an arm (or helmet) of metal. They ask the characters if any of them had strange dreams recently.
4	A group of mounted riders surrounds the group and demand a song.
5	A talking vulture tries to gain the aid of the characters. It claims to serve a nearby sorcerer who is cursed with family problems.
6	Nomadic warriors are planning an attack on a camp. Part of a feud.
7	A wagon pulled by skeletal horses (or camels) carries mounds of sand (or soil). There is no driver but runes flare up if anyone approaches.
8	Under the corpse of a giant lizard is a pair of glowing orange eggs.
9	A long train of mules protected by mounted warriors and a giant is heading to a city (or market). They welcome fellow travellers.
10	Several dessicated bodies surround an ornate coffin (or sarcophagus)

Desert Hazards and Distractions

1d10	There is (or are)...
1	a large dust devil or a sudden rain storm
2	something out of place here, a(n)... d10 (1-2. metal cage 3. block of ice 4. wooden hut 5. notice board 6. tree of fruit 7. theatre 8. dead fish 9. green wagon 10. lake)
3	large sinkhole or an approaching dust storm
4	howling winds or chasm disguised by an illusion
5	there is the strong smell of ... d10 (1-2. something dead 3. clay 4. smoke 5. cactus blossom 6. something foul 7. sulphur 8. rain 9. herd animals 10. decay )
6	shrine cursed by local spirits or abandoned cart of diseased bodies
7	area of quicksand marked by skeletons or area devoid of magic
8	a mirage (or an illusion) of a(n)... d10 (1-2. settlement 3. orchard 4. attractive person 5. golden tower 6. fresh water 7. group of tents 8. mountain 9. temple 10. ruin)
9	stampede of camels (or other herd animals); or extreme heat
10	approaching sandstorm (or tornado); or simple covered pit

Quick Desert NPCs

1d10	Descriptor	Profession	who...
1	weathered or genie-kin	pilgrim	has a pet snake (or vulture)
2	snake-kin or inquisitive	warrior	speaks a dead (or magic) tongue
3	possessed or lizardfolk	herder	has glowing eyes (or hair)
4	goblinoid or unhappy	elementalist	is dying of a curse (or disease)
5	scarred or insect-folk	scout	wears a bronze mask (or chaain)
6	undead or athletic	gladiator	searches for an artifact (or ruin)
7	nomadic or birdfolk	bandit chief	is feuding with a local faction
8	half-human or restless	death priest	is on a camel (or chariot)
9	honourable or dwarf	witch	worships a death (or sun) god
10	lycanthrope or vigilant	hunter	plays a magical (or sacred) drum

More Encounters