When I'm done, the whole thing will be released as one big free PDF. In the meantime, you get some sneak previews.
Each hex is 6 hours across. Relative sizes vary. The map is a map of proximity in terms of travel, not in terms of actual 3D space. Some hexes might be folded over each other.
The thick black lines are impassible terrain. Fissures, chasms, folds, solid waves of stone. You can still cross them, but it requires a difficult climb, a spell, a secret guide, a hidden path, etc. If the PCs really want to find a way they'll find one, but casual travelers or cave-addled lunatics can't easily cross.
The blue lines are major, navigable rivers. The Veins are full of water, but these lakes and rivers are landmarks.
Most hexes are controlled by a specific faction. Hexes marked with a dash instead of a name are neutral, contested, or deserted spaces. Each hex will have a brief terrain description, a major encounter or location, and a hidden encounter or location.
Don't worry too much about mapping or navigation or rules at this stage. This article is just a sneak preview (and a handy way to generate and classify Veins encounters).
 |
| Shahab Alizadeh |
Layers of the Veins
Littoral: the light grey layer. The shoreline. Encounters here follow recognizable surface-world logic. Things here have seen the sun or know what it is.
Profundal: the mid grey layer. The transition zone. The sun is a legend. Surface logic will actively get you killed.
Abyssal: the dark grey layer. The depths. Beyond light, beyond hope. Encounters here follow their own deadly logic.
In hexes controlled by a faction, roll on the Faction Random Encounter Table. In neutral hexes, roll on the appropriate Depth Encounter Table.
Each encounter has an Omen. If the PCs are moving slowly and cautiously, they will get the Omen before they run into the Encounter. They might have time to douse their lights, hide, observe, or plan an ambush. As they learn to recognize Omens, they will be able to plan and manipulate encounters. Not all encounters are hostile; the usual Reaction rolls still apply.
Side Note: the der0 Encounter Table and the Ruins Encounter Table aren't done yet. The Ruins are a high-level, high-challenge area full of explorers, looters, tomb-guardians, and traps. The der0 are... special.
Side Note: the tables aren't finalized yet. Some might need tweaking or improvement. Page references will also link to a section in the hexcrawl PDF with extra information, tables, stats, etc.
Depth Encounter Tables
| Littoral | |
| Omen | Encounter |
| Fizzing, crackling,salt and bleach. Faint metal-on-glass scratching. | 1 Alkalion, in a salt-cave-warren. 1d6 lion spores, drifting in the air. |
| Blind men tap-tap-tapping. Old books, straw, bones. Creak of pulleys. | 1 Arachnopolis Rex, twitch-stalking, moving carefully. A curiosity, then a danger. |
| Silence, and the faintest click of claw on stone. | 1 Blackfoot Gigaferret. Will stalk party until they sleep or wander into a dangerous area. |
| Oil, guano. Cacophonous maddening noise across the entire spectrum. | 1d6x1d100 Lamenters, nesting, shitting, squawking. 1 Ghost per 50 Lamenters. |
| Skittering, dripping. Faint fresh meat and dusty ice. | 1 Mantis Shrimp. 5-in-6 chance there is a deep sump nearby. 1-in-6 chance of body parts. |
| Soft ridiculous plops. Hedge-trimmer clatter. Faint copper blood. | 3d20 Scissorfish sprinting straight towards the party. A shallow stream in the cave. |
| Distant mining explosions, a rave, a rock concert in an oil refinery. | 5d8 Sonic Pigs! A shuffling herd, faces against the rocks, paranoid and twitchy and noisy. |
| Dishes being stacked. Shifting glimmer of pearl shells. | 4d4 Toraptoise, slowly licking the walls. They ignore strong prey. |
| Smells of sick children. A muffled cry, a swish of silk. | 1 Trogloraptor, 2d4 children on its back. Just sedated one; PCs might hear it cry, might glimpse. |
| Stink like compost, with a faint wet slapping sound like wet leather boots. | 1 Carrion Crawler, complacent, massive, eating a corpse. Roll again to see what it's eating. |
| Faint hiss, like an hourglass. Slight reflection of light Long white feelers. | 2d6 Cave Centipedes, loose and hungry, branded with Olm-marks. Reward for return. |
| Chittering, faint echolocating clicks. Sharp guano stink. Fast footsteps. | 5x2d10 Goblins, hunting. Blind and toothy. Bone knives and rocks. Swarming, chasing, cornering. |
| Silver threads in the air. Silence. Shifting shadows. | 1 Cave Spider, in the cave's highest point, patiently waiting for weak prey. Can speak; doesn't want to. |
| Flutter of wings, copper smell. Whoosh like a lobbed baseball. | 2d6 Stirges, hanging and dropping like thrown knitting needles. Cave-mud nest, 1d6 fat larva. |
| Splash of water, streak of white flesh. Stone that moves. | 1d6 Cave Eels in a stream. Waiting for feet. Trip, then go for the throat. They look like white marble. |
| Faint conversation. Light. Click of metal on stone. | 1d6 Volume-Folk. Generate type/activity if not already known. |
| Hop-scratch, skitter, twitch. Small flicks of white among the stones. | 1d6 rations worth of Cave Crickets. Tiny, mostly harmless, but tricky to catch. 0.5 hrs per ration. |
| Air pulling you forwards. Warmer, living air, faint scent of sulphur and spice. | Chasm. Cannot see other side (40x1d10m across). Might be a way down/around. Delay 1d6 hrs. |
| Splash of water. Humidity rises. Faint drip and burble. | Sump. Caves sink into the water. Can be navigated without swimming, but slowly. Delay 1d6 hrs. |
| Deja-vu. Unease and irritability, slowly rising into panic. | Winding Passages. Way forward is blocked; way back is uncertain. Delay 2d6 hrs. |
| Profundal | |
| Omen | Encounter |
| Squeak and pop. Crackle and wheeze. Smells like sickness. | 1 Calcinated Cancer Bear, sniffing its way towards fire and meat (in that order). |
| Food fight splats, monosylables, gawping, plopping. Aniseptic reek. | 4d6 Cambrimen, blundering around, looking for something forgotten, inspecting everything. |
| Soil and wet clay. Slow landslide, methodical stomping. | 1 Cromagnogolem, sniffing without lungs, cold vapour curls. Attacks relentlessly. |
| Chalky, ashen. Brittle creaking. Mad pool cue squeaks. Vein of black. | 1d4, exploding on a 4, Fossil Vampires. Half wedged in the rock, so so so easy to disturb. |
| Screaming, growing closer. A pit. A scrap of metal or a tangle of rope. | 1 Panic Attack Jack barreling out of the dark, ropes slithering like snakes, inflicting the Rapture. |
| Wet dog, chlorine bleach. Scrabbling, panting, faint ultrasonic buzz. | 4d6 Spotlight Dogs, hunting you in a long gallery. Blind, terrorize, harrass, and mark. |
| Distant scream from above. Two stalagmites appear. | 1 Still-Tor-Man, fishing for delicious flesh. If you know what it is, run. If not, stare upwards. |
| Glass necklaces poured into a bowl. Ozone and fizz. | 1d50 Stormsheep, searching for lightning, following gold-flecked quartz. 2-in-6 chance they are starving. |
| Soft leather shoe slap. Ammonia, urine, blood. Moisture. | 1 Tetracharcarodron slithering along the roof of the cave. Bizzare, impossible. Then, the charge. |
| Coconut shell clatter, deep drums, claw clacks. Ozone and magic. | 1d4 Titanskull Hermit Crabs waiting for good skulls. Might want yours. Might trade (in skulls). |
| Faint fluttering, slight musty odour. Purple-pain light, flickers of emotion. | 5d50 Ultraviolet Butterflies, 300-5d50 caterpillars in skulls. 1d6-2 Volume-Folk, deranged. |
| Did that column just move? Creak and click of stone, wet slap of flesh. | 1d6 Ropers, lurking. Roll on Littoral table for scavengers waiting nearby. |
| Bludgeoning crash of stone. Thump of heavy footfalls. Heavy breaths. | 1 Umber Hulk, battering its way through stone and water. Scarred, dented, belligerent. |
| Rattle and squelch like a subway train made of sausage meat. | 1 Purple Worm, migrating, filling entire cave segments. Easy to avoid if you want to run blindly. |
| Flick of fin, splash, rise in humidity. Polished bones in the water. | 2d6 Floating Eyes in a stream. Hypnotize then drown. Phosphorescent cuttlefish pulses. |
| Shuffling. Faint, hoarded light. Click of metal on stone. | 1d6 Volume-Folk. Generate type/activity if not already known. |
| Deja-vu. Unease and irritability, slowly rising into panic. | Winding Passages. Way forward is blocked; way back is uncertain. Delay 2d6 hrs. |
| Air pulling you forwards. Hot, angry air. Whorls of steam. | Chasm. Cannot see other side (40x1d10m across). Might be a way down/around. Delay 1d6 hrs.. |
| Splash of water. Humidity rises. Faint drip and burble. | Sump. Caves sink into the water. Can be navigated without swimming, but slowly. Delay 1d6 hrs. |
| - | Transient. Roll on either the Littoral or the Abyssal tables (50% chance). |
| Abyssal | |
| Omen | Encounter |
| Two voices, bickering. Soft patter of crocodile feet. Vaguely fishy smell. | 1 Fungal Ambassodile on a critical diplomatic mission. 50% chance it's dead, implicating PCs. |
| Gravel clatter, lime. Scrape and stomp. Muttering. | 1 Gilgamash, roving on its quest. Shambling. Roll for goals, etc, before the PCs see it. |
| Chemicals, wings, fire, roar and clatter. Industrial accident at speed. | 1 Igneous Wrath coming in like a dive bomber. Hungry, mad, and fast. Will hit and run. |
| Sulphur, faint crystallized magic, gentle bells, sizzling. | 1d20 Ignimbrite Mites, living symbols, flickering like a constellation, trying to hit tongues. |
| Smells like nostalgia. Faint voices, soft and high and comforting. | 4d4 Meanderthals, only real to humans. Murderously real. Otherwise, faint hateful ghosts. |
| Liquid moonlight glow, flickering shadows, nightmare hiss. | 1 Mondmilch pool. Shimmering impossible nightmare forms and art. 1d6 gibbering artists. |
| Bleach. Falling glass, faintly musical. Twinkling light. | 1 Radiolarian, drifting. PCs can observe it from a distance to gain insight into adjacent hex contents. |
| Burning stone, hot air. Thump of lead. Bullet whip-crack. Dents in walls. | 1d50 Splinterlads, playfully swooping. Break things. Tear ropes, swords, teeth. Find chalk and quartz. |
| Clawed footprints, click of steps. Faint smell of salt. A shouted challenge. | 1 Trilobite-Knight, roving, searching, testing its skills, telling tales. |
| Creak and scrape of bone and chalk. Dust in the air. Salt. | 2d4 Zombie Coral, stumbling, reaching, grasping. Blood releases more. |
| Buzz of magic. Rage-screams. Explosions. Gnashing teeth. Blood. | 1 Beholder, flying along, blasting or tormenting things. A lunatic with power. Frothing. |
| Rustling, unfolding, skin on skin. A huge eye bulging in the dark. | 1 slimy, boneless Giant. Worm-like, fast, crawling through gaps. Crushing fingers, wet suction mouth. |
| Faint drip of water and hiss of snakes. Petrified bats, spiders, cave crickets. | 1 Medusa and statue-cave. Polite. Prefers conversation, but will petrify beautiful people. |
| Rumbling. Cracking stone, sliding tomb lids, click of claws. Dust. | 1d4, exploding on a 4, Fossil Dinosaurs. Could be harmless. Could be deadly. Watch the walls. |
| Splashing water, deep pools. Swish of something dark and snake-like. | 2d6 Lampreys from the Nightmare Sea in a deep pool. Want to drain blood, youth, and madness. |
| Whispers. A clank in the dark. Sudden nausea, emotions, pain, ozone. | der0 Encounter. Roll on the der0 Encounter Table. |
| Terrible groans and shrieks and scrape of claws. You can hear the teeth. | False Omen. Nothing. It passed by. Might induce paranoia. |
| Basalt walls, glass-smooth caves, nightmare sea incursions. | Impossible Terrain. No way through; must go around. Delay 6 hours. |
| Shimmer of air, temperature drops slightly. Scraps of rope. | Difficult Climb. Delay 1d6 hours. If Rapture attack delayed, it hits now. |
| Sweat becomes painful. Headache. Difficulty focusing on hands. | Heat Exhaustion. Saps energy, awareness. Delay 1d6 hours. Lose 1d6 HP (to 0 at worst). |
 |
| JiHun Lee |
Faction Encounter Tables
| Olm | |
| Omen | Encounter |
| Faint pattering of feet, splash of water. Yeep of surprise. | 1 lost Olm child. Terrified. Wants to get home. May have escaped from Trogloraptor or Drow. |
| Ragged breathing, blood spots, scraps of skin. | 1 wounded Olm. Armed, dying. Will ask PCs to return body to sump in exchange for future favour. |
| Faintest glimpse of a white sine-wave tail. | 1 Olm scout. Will observe PCs, follow them into adjacent hex. Might help, might not. Opportunistic. |
| Spear flies out of the darkness. Unless PCs are running, 4-in-6 chance to hit. | 3+1d6 Olm in a raiding party. Spears, nets. Smart. Will make 1 kill and retreat. Might help PCs. |
| Muttering, glimmer of magic. Slow, exaggerated gestures in a clear cave. | 2 Olm mages in a ritual duel. Will turn on PCs if hostile, help or ask to judge if polite. |
| Cold water, deeper and deeper. White corpses. | 3d10 sleeping Olm in a small Olm-sump. 1 is awake and watching PCs. |
| Flick of rope from above. Click-hiss of information. Clinks and scrapes. | 3d100 Olm on epic migration-rappel. May ask PCs to assist, watch for air-threats. |
| Rising and falling hiss of legs, Olm singing, dancing. | 1d6 Olm herding 2d10 Cave Centipedes to a new pasture. Drunk as lords, cheerful. |
| - | Roll on Depth Encounter Table. |
| - | Roll again on this table, and also on the Depth Encounter Table, combining results. |
| Drow | |
| Omen | Encounter |
| Waltz-march of padded feet. Coloured silk, pale flesh. | 1 Drow with 2d6 Immaculate Slaves, carrying bales of silk to a buyer. Polite but very strange. |
| Eye-shine in the dark. A faint, perfect smile. | 1 Drow sitting naked on a pillar or limestone shelf, watching PCs. Distant, disinterested. |
| Burst of magic, then violence. Joints lock, sleep-fog rolls. | 2d4 Drow Slave-Takers, raiding, targeting the PCs. Sudden spells and pain. |
| Wailing, groaning. Red lanterns fly overhead. | 1d4 Drow Slave-Masters, 2d6 Immaculate Slaves, 2d6 freshly captured Volume-Folk slaves. |
| Soft red glow, careful steps. | 1 Drow Memory-Seller. Will buy memories for silver, sell you others. Fear, love, power. |
| Blood trail, slightly disturbed silt. A fragment of silk in the air. | 2 dead Drow. Murder, suicide, murder-suicide? 2 silver daggers, other treasure? |
| Brief shower of rose petals. | Rose petals in drifts. Like a brief snowstorm. Beautiful, inexplicable. |
| Black stone gate, briar-pointed walkways. Cold stone halls. | Abandoned fortress, or is it? 1 Drow somewhere inside, watching PCs. Safe, but do not sleep here. |
| - | Roll on Depth Encounter Table. |
| - | Roll again on this table, and also on the Depth Encounter Table, combining results. |
| Antling | ||
| Omen | Encounter | |
| Chip chip chip of a pickaxe, then a crack, a clatter. | 1d6 Antling Workers, mining. They just mined through the wall. Confused, alarmed. | |
| Lanten light, cleared sightlines, spear-holes, a door. | 2d6 Antling Soldiers, 1d4 Antling Workers in a forward base. Worried, jumpy, hostile. | |
| Conversation, lantern light, militant lockstep marching. | 1 Antling Diplomat with 6 Antling Soldiers and 1 Spider Ant. On a vital mission. Suicidal. | |
| Hiss of falling rope, arguing, click of hammers against pitons. | 1d6 Antling Soldiers and 1 Spider Ant on a training mission. Want to learn from PCs if possible. | |
| Running feet, hasty conversation, dim light. | 1 Antling Worker on the run with her Volume-Folk "husband". Might be wiling, might not be. Romantic. | |
| Militant marching, lantern light. Pauses and starts. Scratching. | 3d6 Antling Soldiers, 1d6 Antling Wizards, and 1d6 Antling Workers on mass patrol. Jumpy. | |
| Scraps of chitin, drips of blood. A leg twitches in the darkness. | Massacre. 1d6 dead Antlings. Half are still edible. Whatever did this can't be far away. | |
| Shuffling, clicking. Moaning. Lots of pauses. Drips of blood. | 1d6 wounded Antling Soldiers trying to make their way home. Will warn of contents of next hex. | |
| - | Roll on Depth Encounter Table. | |
| - | Roll again on this table, and also on the Depth Encounter Table, combining results. |
| Archaean | ||
| Omen | Encounter | |
| Faint blue-green glow and a steady hiss. Glass glitters, folds. | 1 Archaean strolling, touching the rock. Trying to get a good sightline on a quasar. | VotE p.26 |
| Steady buzzing, slow and low. Faint smell of sugar and ozone. | 2d6 Atomic Bees, wandering. Track them to a buried atomic (1d4x100 bees) beehive, fresh atomic honey. | VotE p.29 |
| Creak and scrape of iron on iron. Slow fat stomping. | 1d4 Rust Monsters. Surly. Focused on iron; don't really want to eat you. 1d6 eggs. | |
| Streaks of ash, bubbled rock, faint glow, nausea. | 1d6 very confused irradiated Shadows, burnt onto the wall long ago by Archaeans. | |
| A busy kitchen next to a scrapyard. Clouds of toxic vapour. | 2 Archaeans in heated debate or passion or something. Mercury droplets everywhere. | |
| Ceramic snakes in and out of walls. Faint sizzle. Steam. | 1 half-buried Snail Reactor in a stream. Warm, valuable, deadly. | |
| Nausea, roaring, burning, crashing. Apocalyptic. Blood pours from ears. | 1 enraged Cursed Metal Golem. Now would be a good time to run. | |
| Glimmer of gold. Cracked stone. Toxic rust-red water streams by, scars skin. | Pile of metal. Gold, silver, iron, other stranger ores, neatly stacked. | |
| - | Roll on Depth Encounter Table. | |
| - | Roll again on this table, and also on the Depth Encounter Table, combining results. |
| Fungid Valley | ||
| Omen | Encounter | |
| Squelch-patter of feet, bobbing mushroom cap head, wheezeing. | 1 Myconid, pre-sporulation, roving. Manic, looking for food, willing to kill. | VotE p.59 |
| Muttering, shuffling. Swaying heads close together. | 3d6 Myconids guarding a fungal growth. Mild debate. Might attack, might not. | VotE p.59 |
| Shuffling, moaning. Faint yeasty smell. Blorping. | 2d4 floating Psychomycosis Megaspores, 3d6 zombies. Burbling, drifting. Shuffling, clawing. | VotE p.100 |
| Rumble, stilt-step of spiked legs. The wall appears to be moving. | 1 Gill Beetle, roving, churning filter-mouthparts. Not hostile but does block tunnels. | AD&D MM p. 9 |
| Fat plops and squelches, spreading shadow. | 1 Black Pudding searching for food. Surprisingly quick. Alpha predator. | AD&D MM p. 10 |
| Weird silhouettes, strange tumbling shapes, faint bitter smell. | 1d6 Gas Spores, drifting. Roll on Littoral table for shape. Drift as if attacking. | AD&D MM p. 42 |
| 1 patch of Violet Fungus. Tendrils reach out, seeking prey. | AD&D MM p. 42 | |
| Sizzle, slight bare patch above and below slime. | 1 patch of Green Slime. Drips slowly. More of a terrain hazard. | AD&D MM p. 49 |
| Faint caramel smell, drifts of brown spores. | 1 patch of Brown Mold, blocking a portion of the cave. | AD&D MM p. 71 |
| Faint flour smell, drifts of brown spores. | 1 patch of Yellow Mold, blocking a portion of the cave. 10% chance of being sentient. | AD&D MM p. 71 |
| Squishing, rolling. Difficult to notice. | 2d6 minuscule Ochre Jellies, crawling around, trying to get into packs to eat rations. | AD&D MM p. 75 |
| Faint whistling, waving tendrils. Unusually vibrant growth. | 1d6 Shriekers, hidden in other growth. Roll again if activated. | AD&D MM p. 87 |
| Mouse-like skittering, fleeing the light or sniffing for food. | 3d6 Mushmice. 1 ration each, 1-in-6 chance of being poisonous. | |
| Luminous green-blue glow. Small clouds of flies. | 2 Glowing Fungi branches. Can be used as torches. Last 3 hours. | |
| Buzzing, growing louder. A flicker of wings. Tiny mushmice fleeing. | 1 Burrowgrub Swarm. Envelops, looking to bite and lay eggs. Most dangerous if infected. | |
| Noisy flapping, like pancakes being thrown at a cat. Flickering shadows. | 2d6 Sporebats, flapping moistly. Will try to nest on PCs. Looking for coal and wood. | |
| Deranged chanting, a humanoid head-shape bobbing, glint of steel. | 1d6 Adapted Humanoids, gathering. Mad, fungus-addled, half-buried in walls. Hungry. | |
| - | Roll on the Rare Fungus table. | |
| - | Roll again twice on this table. | - |
| - | Roll again on this table, and also on the Depth Encounter Table, combining results. | - |
| Cholerid | ||
| Omen | Encounter | |
| Moaning, stink of flesh on stone. | VotE p.38 | |
| Slap of feet and clap of hands. | 1d10 Cholerids, dancing as if acting out a festival. | VotE p.38 |
| Patter of running feet, mad whispering. | 2d10 Cholerids, seeking death. | VotE p.38 |
| Roar-whisper, awful stench. | 1d100 Cholerids in an idle crowd. | VotE p.38 |
| Stampede, moans, rage, rot. | 1d100 Cholerids in a raging swarm. | VotE p.38 |
| Slow stomp, then pause, then stomp. | 1 lost Myconid, trying to find a way out. | VotE p.59 |
| Elegant steps, shuffling trail, clink of gold tomb-goods. | 1 Cholerid noble in tomb-gold, 1d10 fawning courtiers. | VotE p.38 |
| Screams, slash of weapons, moans. | 1d6 Volume-Folk besieged by 2d10 Cholerids. | |
| - | Roll on Depth Encounter Table. | |
| - | Roll again on this table, and also on the Depth Encounter Table, combining results. |
| Dvergr | ||
| Omen | Encounter | |
| Faint fungal rot, glimmer of gemstone, signs of struggle. | 1 Dvergr, dead for ages. Crystal core intact, tools looted. | |
| Solid pillars, clear field of vision, huge doors, crossbow slits. | Dvergr fortress. 5+2d10 Dvergr inside, armed, guarding minehead. | |
| Steam, smell of rotting fungi. Stone walls, copper drains. | Dvergr farm-distillery. 5 Dvergr guarding. 3d10 Myconid slaves ready for slaughter. | VotE p.59 |
| Shuffling in the dark, quiet debate. Flash of blue-white lantern light. | 5 Dvergr on an exploratory mission. Want to go to a random hex. Will pay in, gems, gold. | |
| Shuffling in the dark, quiet debate. Flash of blue-white lantern light. | 5 Dvergr on a trading mission. Trade less work for more work. Want to examine everything PCs have. | |
| Walls become smooth, square, faceted. | Dvergr mine-road, abandoned, engraved, semi-fortified. Safe to rest here. | |
| Rumble, scrape of iron on stone, a whirring drill bursting through a wall. | 1 Dvergr Mining Engine moving through stone. Might be able to follow it to another hex. | |
| Warm air, sudden right-angle drop in the cave floor ahead. | 1 Dvergr mineshaft, very deep, square, steep stairs. 5 Dvergr working at the bottom. | |
| - | Roll on Depth Encounter Table. | - |
| - | Roll again on this table, and also on the Depth Encounter Table, combining results. | - |
| Ghoul | ||
| Omen | Encounter | |
| Silence, dust. A ruined village. Lots of rooms to check. | 1d6 Paralytic Ghouls, buried, claws out. Like feral landmines. | |
| Hiss of breath. A shadow clambering over rubble. Disturbed dust. | 1d6 Feral Ghouls, stalking and waiting. Hunger makes them impatient. | |
| Groans, rattle of chains, barked orders, moans in response. | 1 Rational Ghoul herding 2d6 chained Feral Ghouls. Polite, but wants PCs to move on quickly. | |
| Creaking wheels, scrape of dragging wood. Barked orders. | Corpse-caravan. 6 Rational Ghoul guards, 2d6 Feral Ghoul shock troops, 3+3d10 corpses. Alert. | |
| Polite conversation, bursts of laughter. Screams and groans in response. | 1 Noble Ghoul, holding an official visit. 2d6 Rational Ghoul courtiers, 2d6 Feral Ghoul subjects. | |
| Faint out-of-tune music, shuffle of feet. A roofless, lightless ruin. Laughter. | A party. 3d6 Noble Ghouls, 3d10 Rational Ghoul guards. Food, drink. Darkness. Dancing. | |
| Quite conversation, creak of wheels, whispered commands. | 1 Noble Ghoul corpse-trader, 1d6 Rational Ghoul assistants, 2d6 corpses. Will make deals. | |
| Imposing walls, cracked. Ragged banners. | Small fortress. 2 Noble Ghouls, 3d6 Feral Ghouls in dungeon, 3d10 Volume-Folk slaves in farm. | |
| - | Roll on Depth Encounter Table. | - |
| - | Roll again on this table, and also on the Depth Encounter Table, combining results. | - |
| Illithid | ||
| Omen | Encounter | |
| Cries for help, struggles. Faint odour of blood. | 1 Doppelganger. Resembles lost Volume-folk merchant. Offers reward to be taken to city. | |
| Faint footsteps. Conversation in all-too-familiar voices. | Enough Doppelgangers to match the PCs. Not a great resemblance but close enough. | |
| Sudden headaches, nosebleeds. Faint hopping, padding sound. | 1 Intellect Devourer, hopping along, seeking minds. Eternally hungry. | |
| Flicker of a tentacle. Burble of a stream. Faint photoreactive shimmer. | 1 Cave Octopus, slithering in a shallow stream. Smart, opportunistic, camouflaged. | AD&D MM pg. 75 |
| Moist howling, stomp, buzz, roil. Ozone, blood. A mental thunderstorm. | Near-feral exiled Illithid with 2d6 Squidlings and 1 Myrmidon. Desperate for brains. | AD&D MM pg. 70 |
| Buzz and pulse of unseen technology, groans. | 2d6 Squidlings, fanatically loyal, on patrol. Will try to capture PCs if possible. | |
| Wet leather slither, buzz and pulse of unseen technology, groans, begging. | 2d6 Squidlings with 1 Bagbeast containing 2d6 Volume-Folk. Also 1d4 Manaclebugs. | |
| Glimmer of eye-shine and glass. | 1 Watchman stuck high up. Monitoring, watching. Will alert 1d6 Squidlings with 1d4 Manaclebugs. | |
| - | Roll on Depth Encounter Table. | - |
| - | Roll again on this table, and also on the Depth Encounter Table, combining results. | - |
| Dracospawn | ||
| Omen | Encounter | |
| Squeaking. Disturbed dust. The hints of a trap. Slithering rope. | 1d6 Kobolds waiting to ambush. Might start the ambush, then back off apologetically. | AD&D MM pg. 57 |
| Bickering, rude noises, stomping feet. Indignant puffing. | 1d6 Kobolds vs an equal number belonging to a different dragon. Feuding noisily. Ask PCs to judge. | AD&D MM pg. 57 |
| Shouting, clatter of weapons, marching feet, waving banners. | 40x1d10 Kobolds in a war party, lead by 2d6 Dragonborn. Disorganized, easy to distract. | AD&D MM pg. 57 |
| Lantern light. Quiet discussion. Glint of light off scales. | 2 Dragonborn, guarding a junction in the caves. Polite but quick to anger. | AD&D MM pg. 62 |
| Quiet squeaking. Hesitant footsteps. Bitter smell. | 1 Kobold explorer, completely lost. Wants to go to a random hex. | AD&D MM pg. 57 |
| Incense, bells. Statues and cleared pathways. Lantern light. | Dragon shrine. Temple to nearest Dragon. Guarded by 2d6 Dragonborn. Safe for pilgrims. | |
| Chanting, cautions movement. Rustle of silk. | 2d6 Sycophants, carrying offerings to the nearest Dragon. | |
| Quiet footsteps, grunts, slithering rope. | 1d6 Volume-Folk traders, laden with goods, well-fed. Shadowed by 1d6 Sycophants. | |
| - | Roll on Depth Encounter Table. | - |
| - | Roll again on this table, and also on the Depth Encounter Table, combining results. | - |
Not Appearing In This Hexcrawl
For a Different Campaign:Anglerlich, Antiphoenix, Civilopede
I Don't Know How To Run This Encounter (to my satisfaction):
The Egengraü, Gegenscheim, Phantom Hand of Gargas, Silichominds, Tachyon Troll
I Don't "Get" This:
Knotsmen, Spectre of the Bröcken
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete