Tunnels and Near the Surface. D&D 5e 2024 Noncombat Underdark Encounters

Four cultists are eating sickly purple mushrooms. Each believes they are the embodiment of an element, with powerful magic only they can see.

Noncombat Encounters for Underdark adventures for Dungeons and Dragons 5e. Tables for Noncombat Encounters for Subterranean Tunnels and Fringes near Surface.

[art by Bruno Balixa]

Underdark Tunnels and Near the Surface

Long tunnels, treacherous and twisting, forking and shifting. All kinds of creatures lurk in the arteries of the Underdark

Near to the surface are creatures who live between the two worlds, or those journeying from one to the other.

From Underdark Noncombat Encounters on DM's Guild.

Subterranean Tunnels - Underdark Noncombat

1d20	Noncombat Encounters - Subterranean Tunnels
1	A polite stone giant, of the Guild of Guides, offers their skilled services.
2	A grell and a kuo-toa are on a romantic trip to visit a nearby cave oracle.
3	A lonely priest makes a fire, trying to rekindle faith; or roll on Wanderers
4	Four cultists are eating sickly purple mushrooms. Each believes they are the embodiment of an element, with powerful magic only they can see.
5	A few spiders and bats flee past group, becoming a torrent of creatures.
6	A wounded hook horror bangs on parts of the floor, growing agitated.
7	Several gnome miners (scouts) carry a coffin filled with gems (or rocks).
8	A grim tough is connected to a warlock by a rary's telepathic bond, and searches for them in the tunnels. Has description of a distinctive cave.
9	A herd of rothe (giant goats) are fascinated by the smell of a character.
10	A lost monkey has a collar with name of a distant NPC, known to group.
11	A rebel azer sentinel tows a mining cart. Seeks place to work as a smith.
12	Several commoners (or bandits) have escaped servitude to an aberration. They seek a way to the surface and carry gems to trade for assistance.
13	A githzerai monk is blindfolded, seeking wisdom via smell and hearing.
14	A flumph tries to put a ghost to rest, but doesn't understand situation.
15	A project image from an archmage begs for rescue, trapped in a cave.
16	A giant lizard with a collar acts like a big dog, and can perform many tricks. Has a rock it wants throwing; keeps dropping it by a character.
17	A kenku is in a happy daze, talking of wild parties in druidic fungal caves.
18	There is drumming near, then a horn and more drums; or roll on Caves
19	An enchanted purple worm has a hamster's mind. Wants treats and love.
20	A flying swarm of insects form into an arrow if disturbed, pointing down a tunnel. After a minute, they fly off in the opposite direction.

Fringes Near to Surface - Underdark Noncombat

1d20	Noncombat Encounters - Fringes near Surface
1	A group of adventurers plan to liberate surface folk from tyranny of the sun. A nothic, lizardfolk geomancer, gnome scout, drow spy and ettercap.
2	Several toughs are roped together, sent by rich patron to rescue a pet.
3	A surface merchant (spy) wants to establish Underdark contacts. Has samples of elven wine, books and fine woods; or roll on Wanderers
4	A sign reads "Beware of the Geese", in Undercommon and Elven.
5	A skilled oracle (druid without spellcasting) who speaks dangerous truths is an outcast. They use spider webs for their divinations.
6	An insistent giant badger tries to lead group to a blessed cave shrine.
7	Several kuo-toa try to keep hooded. Want to infiltrate a surface city to see truth of their temples. One reads a terrible city guide in Dwarvish.
8	A magic mouth wishes all passing by happy birthday in five languages.
9	Deep gnome scouts with a pack giant lizard bear gifts from their city. Hope to forge an alliance with the surface. Ask about surface politics.
10	Swamp flowers grow here, from the corpse of a glowing behir (or ape).
11	A drow mage (Perform +3) and a duergar warrior veteran (Perform +4) are a musical duo, seeking success on the surface. Called Deep Sounds.
12	A cosmopolitan thri-kreen with a pack axe beak is looking for a ruin.
13	An otyugh tends a clean, beautiful area of fungi. Interested in farming techniques of the surface and trading for any seeds or fungi they have.
14	Two abandoned mules carry rations, torches, weapons and delving tools.
15	A few commoners are refugees from above, sold dream of a better life by a drow. Now uncertain as they look for the promised utopia.
16	An owlbear wearing a mask investigates discarded clothes near a hole.
17	A cave brown bear is trained to let people past, once they feed the bear something. Growls and looks expectantly at a silver bowl if not fed.
18	A tabby cat is familiar of a nearby wizard, who visited surface long ago.
19	A quaggoth thonot sells deeds to area with a half-completed themed park . Last owner died hunting beholders; or roll on Populated Areas
20	A friendly fomorian is overly helpful, under geas to welcome all visitors.

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