Settlements and Wanderers. D&D 5e 2024 Noncombat Underdark Encounters

A bold kobold knight seeks aid in slaying a beholder in a foolhardy quest.

Noncombat Encounters for Underdark adventures for Dungeons and Dragons 5e. Tables for Noncombat Encounters for Populated Areas and Wanderers & Merchants.

[art by Bruno Balixa]

Cliffs, Chasms and Underground Lakes

In trade outposts, Underdark cities and cave hamlets, creatures cross paths, strangers gather and cultures mix.

A few travelers and traders face the dangers below on their own. Or at least with a companion or way to escape danger.

From Underdark Noncombat Encounters on DM's Guild.

Populated Areas - Underdark Noncombat

1d20	Noncombat Encounters - Populated Areas
1	A few kobolds warriors serve a dragon, giving away sacks of 500 copper coins. Each has a unique steel coin inside, to follow with locate object.
2	A trio of gnome guards offer a lichen tasting experience in nearby cave.
3	A fun-filled goblin warrior runs a simple throwing game, offering trinket prizes for knocking empty bottles off of a rock; or roll on Wanderers
4	A fungi with whiplike vines steals the hats of any who pass nearby.
5	A quaggoth thonot missionary tries to convert new followers. Worship a fungal unknown ooze god, but offer tasty fungi with strong side effects.
6	A hobgoblin entertainer draws two gargoyles who make comedic shapes.
7	An enterprising drow tough boss makes friends with everyone, buying and selling information and favours. Has heard of a mage from surface.
8	A few branded giant toads feed on a big fish. Owned by local creatures.
9	A pair of minotaurs of baphomet run a simple tavern serving mead and beer from barrels. So far its popular with a mixture of Underdark folk.
10	A bold kobold knight seeks aid in slaying a beholder in a foolhardy quest.
11	A pair of persistent githzerai monks from another plane (or a faraway city), seek the beneficiary of a strange will. They think they are close.
12	A mind flayer seeks volunteers for an unpaid, dangerous experiment.
13	A mute, smiling grimlock has a slate which reads "I have seen the eyes, come join me in eternal happiness". Will point east if asked a question.
14	An eclectic marilith makes and collects gloves, including magical ones.
15	A wererat is an emissary for a collective of rats, who welcome any who wish to join. Normal rats, giant rats, awakened rats, and imps in ranks.
16	A kenku merchant, barters bird-themed jewelry for masks and trinkets.
17	An enterprising scout has a convincing business plan for breeding rust monsters. Got their confidence and now looking for suitable investors.
18	An anarchist duergar performer offers hugs and messages of hope to all.
19	A stately aboleth loves dragonchess (or three dragon ante). Any who can beat them, they offer another match, with magic items for stakes.
20	Fungal spores cause visions. Nearby are paints and walls of garish art.

Wanderers and Merchants - Underdark Noncombat

1d20	Noncombat Encounters - Wanderers and Merchants
1	An excitable cloaker sells a variety of cloaks. Becomes fascinated by one character, who they think would match a particular ugly color.
2	A heavily-scarred goblin gladiator rides a subterranean giant lizard and offers to assist group. On a religious quest to find a golden cup.
3	A pacifist berserker worships an area of magic darkness as a deity.
4	An inquisitive deva has been cursed to wander mortal lands after an unknown crime. Has heard of a way to lift their curse in a nearby cave.
5	A lizardfolk sells their new Worm Diet. Healthy, nutritious and all natural. For a few gold you get a tube with several worms inside to start you off.
6	An awakened ape (Int 10, speaks Goblin, spellcasting as a druid) is on a tour underground, with a list of places they simply must see.
7	A dazed satyr is hungover and lost, seeking the tree they fell asleep in.
8	A scavenging githyanki warrior sifts through a pile of documents, clothes and junk from the surface. Tries to offer as valuable relics or fuel.
9	A thoughtful troglodyte has an assortment of unusual weapons. They want to become a monk, but lack discipline, training or skills.
10	A pushy doppelganger is an expert on fungi. From a long coat they sell various fungi with poisonous, intoxicating and flammable properties.
11	A silent grimlock trades intricately carved fish bones for food and favors.
12	A telepathic ogre (Wisdom 12, Healing +3) wants to be a healer and is working on empathy. Outcast by other ogres and searching for a home.
13	A fickle archmage is a planar traveller, focused on selling amazing pies to all they meet. Gave up responsibility for the world long ago.
14	An armored kenku (Chainmail, AC 16) has abandoned reverence of the sky. Has a new mission to be buried in the earth, blessed by stone gods.
15	A goblin boss sells mutant insects and lizards. Can fulfil custom orders.
16	A kuo-toa trader (kuo-toa whip, Persuasion +2) has dice, cards and more items of chance. Among goods are a bag of beans and a rod of wonder.
17	An abrasive lizardfolk shaman is on a vision quest, searching for an arcane serpent that can save their people from a many-eyed horror.
18	A nothic trader sells all kinds of mislabeled liquids, fungi and body parts.
19	A rogue modron quadrone creates and sells cubes and polyhedrons in stone and metal. They claim they are dice, used in mind-altering games.
20	A gaunt drow mage is a scholar of fungal caverns. Try to convince all they meet to switch to eating only fungi, including a slimy juice.

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