Rocky terrain
Jagged highland stone and mountain scree surround the party here, the ground uneven and the air thinning with elevation. The party is traversing this rugged terrain.
The location’s inhabitants
Beasts, tribes, and things that dwell in the crags and caverns of the high country 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: Brown Bear, Dire Wolf, Hippogriff, Ogres, Gnolls, Duergar
- Uncommon: Green Hag, Basilisk, Manticore, Chuul
- Dangerous: Air Elemental, Earth Elemental, Wereboar, Werebear, Troll, Hill Giant, Bulette, Ettin
The Location’s possible encounters
Rocky terrain is often traversable, though loose scree and steep climbs 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 |
|---|---|
| Loose scree | DC 12 Dexterity Check |
| Steep rock face | DC 12 Strength Check |
| Thin mountain air | DC 10 Constitution Check |
E2. Common Encounter
Beasts and tribes that have carved out territory among the rocks and crags inhabit this stretch of highland.
Roll a 1d6 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. Brown Bear | 1d4+1 (2–5) |
| 2. Dire Wolf | 1d4+1 (2–5) |
| 3. Hippogriff | 1d3 (1–3) |
| 4. Ogres | 1d3 (1–3) |
| 5. Gnolls | 2d4 (2–8) |
| 6. Duergar | 2d4 (2–8) |
E3. Uncommon Encounter
Stranger dwellers of the high country are harder to find, and more dangerous to disturb. They pose a bigger challenge.
Roll a 1d2 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. Green Hag | 1 (solo) or 3 (coven) |
| 2. Basilisk | 1d2 (1–2) |
| 3. Manticore | 1d2 (1-2) |
| 4. Chuul | 1 |
E4. Dangerous Encounter
These creatures rule the high crags and stone, avoided by all but the boldest or most desperate.
Roll a 1d8 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. Air Elemental | 1 |
| 2. Earth Elemental | 1 |
| 3. Wereboar | 1 |
| 4. Werebear | 1 |
| 5. Troll | 1 |
| 6. Hill Giant | 1 |
| 7. Bulette | 1 |
| 8. Ettin | 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.