of Dice and Dragons

When I first started of Dice and Dragons one of the things I did was start a series of posts with Encounter Ideas that you could use in your campaign and I thought it was high time that we revisit that idea with a new encounter - The Shopkeeper.

Most folks will know the shopkeeper as that kindly individual behind the counter of whatever store or inn the party happens to stop at so why not mix it up a bit by taking the shopkeeper out of the shop?

Some suggestions:

- The party meets the shopkeeper on the street as he’s running errands and gets very upset with the party for blocking his way, after all, “I’m very important here in town, you better watch your step!”
- At their favorite watering hole they over here the shopkeeper drowning himself in drink, wondering out loud what he’s going to do as he’s lost everything in a recent fire.
- The shopkeeper is still in his prime and is only running the shop as he married into the family and really wants to get back to an adventuring life - will the party let him tag along.
- The shopkeeper is not the owner of the establishment, she’s working off the debt of her family. When the party arrives with their latest treasure hoard asks if there’s anyway they can assist her.

Have you used a shopkeeper outside of their shop? If you have, how did the encounter go?

Be sure to check out these additional encounter ideas

May your dice roll well.

Comments(0)

In honor of Valentine’s Day I present Encounter Idea #27 - The Wedding Party.

For most groups just a basic wedding will cause no end to role-playing encounters. If you have been to wedding I’m sure you can remember all the small talk and the endless stream of folks you meet (even if you’re not in the wedding party). Of course you can play up the stereo-types should you choose:

• The bride - very nervous, worrying about everything and is constantly telling her mother to “stop it!”
• The groom - a bit nervous and whose temper flares quickly as he’s a bit stressed
• The father of the bride - complains non-stop about how much this is all costing him
• The mother of the bride - is either crying about losing her baby or fussing over something
• The parents of the groom - happy and enjoying themselves, most likely because they’re running up the bar tab which is being covered by the father of the bride

Of course that’s just the start of it as most families invite nearly everyone in the family tree whether they’ve seen them recently or not. So feel free to play up those interactions as well which could include sibling rivalries and of course the unwanted relative.

Be sure to also take a look at ways take this up another notch. Things like jealous ex-boyfriends or girl-friends, the disapproving relative or even an inter-racial marriage (elf and human for instance?).

Got an idea about how a wedding party could be used? Why not post it and share.

Be sure to check out these additional encounter ideas

May your dice roll well.

Comments(0)

Mention the term crusader and visions of knights in shining armor and the battles over Jerusalem come to mind. In fact the movie Kingdom of Heaven showed that very stereo-type.

Of course if that’s what you’re going for then by all means use it but as I’ve often stated in this series - you don’t have to do what’s expected.

A crusader is simply someone that’s on a crusade which can be defined as “A vigorous concerted movement for a cause or against an abuse.” as stated at Answers.com - so who’s to say that it has to be a knight, or even a warrior for that matter?

Also keep in mind that with the above definition it’s pretty easy to come up with some interesting twists which could make for some good role-playing sessions.

Remember as well that causes typically have multiple proponents (as well as opponents).

Here are a few ideas that you can use:

- An anti-magic group who are opposed to all magic as it is “evil.” The players could be targeted as “evil-doers” or get recruited by those opposed to the laws this group is trying to pass.
- A wizard on a crusade to better the lives of all by casting spells, free of charge. The players could be benefactors of this or be called upon to “teach this upstart a lesson!” Then again maybe they come to the aid of one side or the other during an altercation.
- The party is pulled into a growing war between wizards and clerics who each believe that their magic is the only true magic and the other should be wiped out.

If you’re running a more modern campaign just take a look at the new headlines for all sorts of ideas.

- Those opposed/for a conflict in another country
- Those opposed/for capital punishment
- Those opposed/for the rights of any particular group (race, social class, etc.)

As always I’d like to hear from you and get your thoughts on using The Crusader in your gaming sessions.

Be sure to check out these additional encounter ideas

Comments(0)

I think just about anyone who can remember their own childhood or have kids of their own know a few tales concerning wolves (The Three Little Pigs and Little Red Riding Hood). Of course most of us are also familiar with the stories of werewolves whether it’s been from a book or a movie they are used frequently and as both the bad guy and good guy not too mention the occasional tortured soul.

The nice thing is that you can use a wolf as an encounter in just about any role-playing setting and can be used for both good or evil so take advantage of this when laying out the encounter. Most players make assumptions as to what they are going up against and if you’ve been playing with your group for a while you’ll know their tendencies, of course if you create a lot of paranoia at the table it helps too. (See Paranoia Is a Good Thing for a suggestion on how to do that.)

Here’s a few ideas to use when your group encounters a wolf:

1. Have it just watch the group. Unless you have a nature lover in your group (such as a druid) this will no doubt end up leading to combat as the party will start to think they’re the next meal.
2. Have the wolf arrive after a major combat session and take to caring for and protecting one of the characters.
3. The wolf is a familiar or pet for some individual who lives in the area. Killing this wolf would most like bring the master out to punish those responsible.

Ok, what if it isn’t a wolf?

1. It’s an individual who willing changed their shape. Maybe they’re hiding and don’t want to be found? Maybe they’ve traveling as a wolf quicker/easier?
2. It’s a werewolf. This will usually end in combat but it could be interesting for the werewolf to be shifting back and forth between its forms and the charcters have to determine if a killing stroke is the only recourse. “Maybe we can cure this poor soul?”

Have some ideas to share? Please post away.

May your dice roll well.

Be sure to check out these additional encounter ideas

Comments(1)

Nobility has its rank and privledges even in a role-playing game. In many campaigns (especially fantasy based ones) encountering a member of nobility more often than not seems to be a “run of the mill” type event but it should really be much more.

First off make it hard for the characters to meet with the noble. Nobles are busy people and they have personal assistants who schedule every available moment, they are the gatekeepers. Have the characters work through the system of pay-offs, bribes and waiting, these minor functionaries can be a wealth of information to them in the future. Be sure to have names for them and minor character traits to make them memorable.

Any member of nobility would have bodyguards to keep the “mere peasants” at bay, use them. Have the party stopped and searched, “no weapons allowed,” should be a standard policy. Think of the role-playing opportunities presented when the characters have to surrender their favorite items.

When a noble takes to the street the bodyguards take to clearing the way. Have the party be moved back for “the Baron to make his way through.” Maybe in your world everyone bows to a member of nobility, be sure the characters follow suit or pay the consequences.

Also be sure to take avantage of the noble’s power as well. A summons that leaves no doubt that the characters’ presence is required always makes for a good role-playing session.

I’m always interested in what you think, feel free to share your ideas for using a noble.

May your dice roll well.

Be sure to check out these additional encounter ideas

Comments(0)