Wandering Merchant. Ildren has an honest face and is constantly wheezing. They have all kinds of useful items and are guarded by a large ferocious-looking dog
Random tables for quick villages and itinerant merchants.
Tangled tables - monsters | villages | foraging & signs | city | items | potions
[Image by Patrick E. Pullen]
Quick Villages and Wandering Merchants
System neutral ideas for villages in a hurry, with a name and something that makes the village distinct.
Plus pedlars and other travelling traders who might connect hamlets and villages with the wider world.
Originally from tables requested by patreons and on instragram, now compiled in a PDF, A Tangle of Tables on DM's Guild.
Quick Village
| d10 | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Rosbury has a tunnel network below it, used in an annual festival with a treasure hunt. Recently there are signs of fey (or ratfolk) in the tunnels. |
| 2 | Trentheim Square is proud to be built near a historic (or magical)... d10 (1. battlefield 2. landmark 3. ruin 4. bridge 5. inn 6. monument 7. fort 8. haunted building 9. shrine 10. hill ) |
| 3 | Harfast is on an island and known for its fish. Coracles are used to get everywhere and they have a shrine (or oracle) to a many-tentacled being. |
| 4 | Folk of Malam's Grove claim to descend from... d10 (1. a witch 2. a dragon 3. a god 4. an outlaw 5. a monster 6. an adventurer 7. a warrior 8. a priest 9. a dragon 10. a hero) |
| 5 | Mustry is full of thatched (or circular) houses with tidy gardens. There are nearby caves that outsiders are not allowed to approach. |
| 6 | The village of Mud End is famous for... d10 (1. a retired adventurer 2. cats 3. strong cider 4. magical mud 5. a talking animal 6. a pet monster 7. a historic event 8. good ale; 9. a ghost 10. pies ) |
| 7 | Grim's Green does not welcome travelers and looks after a chalk giant. It is home to the remains of a cult (or other outcasts) |
| 8 | It is claimed that Daggershot is protected by... d10 (1. a giant 2. a mad priest 3. a colony of insects 4. a druid 5. a golem 6. a ghost 7. adventurers 8. an ancient treaty 9. a benevolent dragon 10. fey) |
| 9 | Midona Foundry looks after a haunted (or enchanted) orchard that grows unusual fruit. Many who eat the fruit settle in the village. |
| 10 | The village of Ridlant Haven grew up around a... d10 (1. haunted tower 2. temple 3. mine 4. respected brewery 5. ferry 6. crossroads 7. sacred island 8. planar portal 9. statue 10. ford) |
Itinerant Merchants
| d10 | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Itinerant Trader. Thola is a cheerful human who sells trinkets, tools and utensils. Always talking, they also deal in gossip and rumors. A mute ogre carries their wares and acts as a guard. |
| 2 | Charms Seller. Guzmai is an old goblin mystic with several rings. They sell charms of warding and luck from their cart and horses. Protected by a sinister reputation, they also interpret dreams, tell fortunes and deal in curses. |
| 3 | Sly Entrepreneur. Urth is an alert human in heavy armor who swears loudly and often. They have two guards and sell maps, creature parts and illegal goods. Rumor has it a contract killer hunts down anyone who does harm to Urth |
| 4 | Roving Herbalist. Sutha is a retired adventurer who forages for herbs as they roam the land. They have flamboyant clothes and loud laugh. They sell herbal teas and poultices. |
| 5 | Knives Specialist. Enialis is a muscular elf known for short blades. Does repairs, sharpening, inscriptions and new handles. Uses a handcart with a false bottom hiding silvered and unique blades. A stern gaze deals with most trouble. |
| 6 | Inspired Tinkerer. Murnig is an gnome with a bright cloak and a loyal apprentice. They create, adapt and sell weird arcane contraptions. A survivor, Murnig has started over several times after losing everything to fate or thieves. |
| 7 | Canny Tycoon. Dae is tall and attractive with a good reputation. They are a shrewd bargainer selling quality adventuring gear. A magic cloak helps them escape if needed. |
| 8 | Heart Witch. Jarana is a hairless dwarf with many disguises. They sell love remedies and fertility charms. At each place they set up at dawn, do a brisk trade and leave by dusk. |
| 9 | Wandering Merchant. Ildren has an honest face and is constantly wheezing. They have all kinds of useful items and are guarded by a large ferocious-looking dog |
| 10 | Potion Dealer. Marta is scarred alchemist with an old mule. They trade in potions and buy rare ingredients used to make them. Knows much lore of local area and knows a little magic. |
More Random Tables
Originally from tables requested by patreons and on instragram, now compiled in a PDF, A Tangle of Tables on DM's Guild.
