Forge of Fury: Random Encounter Tables

In Tales from the Yawning Portal, we have a collection of some of the best (well, most popular) dungeons from D&D’s history, updated for Fifth Edition. Adventurers who delve into these dark holes in the ground can uncover lost secrets and discover untold wealth… or die trying.

But players themselves can be a bit risk averse and spend too much time having their characters rest to replenish resources. One of the traditional ways to fix that is using random encounters. These encounters, when planned, should do a few things:

• Remind the players that the dungeon is a living, dynamic system
• Provide opportunities for story progression
• Drain adventurer resources (this is the most boring reason but it matters)

This doesn’t mean all encounters need to feature combat. The motivations of the creatures encountered can vary, and so can the adventurers’ goals. Encounters can even include some environmental effect or other mysterious happening.

BTW: If you’re playing in my campaign, you probably don’t want to read further. It might ruin some fun surprises…

Encounter Tables for Forge of Fury

I decided I wanted to add random encounters to the Forge of Fury in TYP. In my case, I’ve decided to roll once an hour; there will be a 1 chance in 4 of a random encounter. If the party sits around trying to make a decision or does something to attract attention, I might just automatically roll on the random encounter lists then, too – without checking for the 1 in 4 chance.

Since FoF has five levels, each with different creatures and (to some extent) thematic elements, I prepared five lists, one for each level. These lists all consist of monster types that either already exist on that level or otherwise felt appropriate for that area.

Once an hour, roll a 1d4. On a 1, or whenever dramatically appropriate, roll a 1d6 on the list for the appropriate dungeon level. Adjust quantities and activities as needed for the party.

Mountain Door

1. 4 orcs patrolling for intruders
2. 1 orc and 1 orc Eye of Gruumsh arguing about internal politics
3. 2d4 swarms of rats plus 2 giant rats looking for a meal
4. 2d6 kobolds plus 1d6-1 winged kobolds stealthily trying to reach the lower levels
5. 1 grell hovering near the ceiling, waiting in ambush
6. 1d6 swarms of rot grubs squirming out from under the floor plates

Glitterhame

1. 2d4 troglodytes returning from a raid
2. 3d4 stirges seeking to feed
3. 2 gricks surrounded by the empty packs of previous adventurers
4. 1 cave fisher trying to pick off a straggler
5. 2d6 kobolds plus 1d6-1 winged kobolds stealthily trying to reach the lower levels
6. 1d4 gray oozes among cracks in the stone walls and floors

Sinkhole

None; this level should feel abandoned, creepy, and empty other than the keyed encounters.

Foundry

1. 2 duergar patrolling for intruders
2. 1 duergar spy returning from the Underdark
3. 2 specters of dwarven guards
4. 2d4 swarms of rats plus 2 giant rats looking for a meal
5. 2 ochre jellies sliding out from under a door crack
6. 1d4 death dogs feeding on dead duergar

Black Lake

1. 2d6 kobolds plus 1d6-1 winged kobolds camping
2. 1 cave fisher trying to pick off a straggler
3. 1d10 swarms of bats returning from outside
4. 3d4 stirges seeking to feed
5. 2 swarms of poisonous snakes feeding on a dead kobold
6. 1d4 swarms of spiders spinning webs

I hope these help you, whether you use them as-is or tear them apart and replace with your own. Don’t let those adventurers think Khundrukar is a cake walk!