Desert terrain
Arid dunes and sun-baked flats stretch out here, heat shimmering off the sand. The scent of dry dust and the occasional glint of bone or ruin mark the ground the party is traversing.
The location’s inhabitants
Creatures hardened by the harsh climate — and things long-buried that shouldn’t move — can be found here. Entering their territory uninvited may provoke them to attack, otherwise they’ll flee or investigate players that seem non-threatening.
- Common: Gnolls, Ogres, Wights, Mummies
- Uncommon: Sphinx of Wonder, Air Elemental, Giant Scorpion, Blue Dragon Wyrmling
- Dangerous: Fire Elemental, Efreeti, Tlincalli, Hobgoblin Warlord
The Location’s possible encounters
Desert terrain is often traversable, though shifting sands and the punishing heat can slow the party down.
Roll a 1d4 to determine which encounter that follows:
- 1 - E1
- 2 - E2
- 3 - E3
- 4 - E4
E1. Difficult Terrain
Difficult terrain hinders the party, one may traverse it by overcoming a skill check. Simply going around is also an option by spending more time.
| Obstacle | Skill check |
|---|---|
| Shifting dunes | DC 12 Strength Check |
| Scorching heat | DC 10 Constitution Check |
| Buried debris | DC 10 Dexterity Check |
E2. Common Encounter
Creatures that have adapted to — or been raised from — the desert wastes are found here.
Roll a 1d4 to determine the creature encountered and a 1d4 to determine what the creatures are currently doing:
- 1 - on alert
- 2 - wandering
- 3 - working
- 4 - resting
| Common Creature | Number of creatures |
|---|---|
| 1. Gnolls | 2d4 (2–8) |
| 2. Ogres | 1d3 (1–3) |
| 3. Wights | 1d4+1 (2–5) |
| 4. Mummies | 1d2 (1–2) |
E3. Uncommon Encounter
Stranger, more ancient forces stir the sands. They pose a bigger challenge.
Roll a 1d4 to determine the creature encountered and a 1d4 to determine what the creatures are currently doing:
- 1 - on alert
- 2 - wandering
- 3 - working
- 4 - resting
| Uncommon creature | Number of creatures |
|---|---|
| 1. Sphinx of Wonder | 1 |
| 2. Air Elemental | 1 |
| 3. Giant Scorpion | 1 |
| 4. Blue Dragon Wyrmling | 1 |
E4. Dangerous Encounter
These creatures burn with the desert’s own fury, actively avoided by all who know better.
Roll a 1d4 to determine the creature encountered and a 1d4 to determine what the creatures are currently doing:
- 1 - on alert
- 2 - wandering
- 3 - working
- 4 - resting
| Dangerous creature | Number of Creatures |
|---|---|
| 1. Fire Elemental | 1 |
| 2. Efreeti | 1 |
| 3. Tlincalli | 1 |
| 4. Hobgoblin Warlord | 1 |
Aftermath
The party may loot the creature’s belongings if they have any. Parts of the creatures may be claimed as a trophy or collected as material for artisans.
After overcoming the encounter the party may continue on deciding their next move.