non-combat

random encounters
For any terrain
spice up your journey!

by Joran Heimering

Travels can be long and arduous, but should by no means ever be boring for you or your players. The core rules present a variety of options to
make travel more interesting through combat or non-combat encounters. In this document you’ll find some quick tables to tickle your imag-
ination. Some of the things you roll up might turn into small side-quests, or even form the basis of a dungeon, while others are designed to be
quick distractions that promote role-playing and immersion in a world designed to feel as a living, breathing thing. They are designed with
the On the Shoulders of Heroes campaign setting in mind – but many of these encounters will fit into any traditional fantasy setting with iron
age technology.

How to use these tables

There is no correct way to use these tables, as there are as many ways to run the game as there are GMs. Presented below are
just two suggestions (one does not exclude the other):
- Print out this document (or download it on your portable device) and keep it ready when you feel the need to shake
up the game. Roll a quick d100 while your players are out and about and introduce whatever you find on the associated table
into the story. Using the tables in this way trains your ability to improvise and gives your players the freedom to wander around
the world freely.
- In the preparational phases of the game these tables can inspire your side-quests and stud your party’s planned travel
trail with interesting encounters that will make the world come alive. They cut down on your preparation time but leave room
for you to fill in the details and make the encounters unique. When using the tables in this way, the die-roll is a suggestion, not
a necessity: feel free to use any element that you think will appeal to your players, or mix-and-match.

Content Overview
2. Temperate forest, hills and bogs
3. Warm forest and jungle
4. Cold forests, hills and mountains
5. Warm deserts and plains
6. Dungeon and underground

Credits
Written by Joran Heimering (@Vikingesque)
Special thanks to Paul Kaandorp & Marieke Wagensveld
Banner artwork by Błażej Szymański
Copyright 2017-2018 Windmill Slam Games
random encounters
in temperate forests, moors and bogs
You might encounter these obstacles anywhere from the center to the western side of the continent – although temperatures drop further
to the north and rise in the south. Suggested countries: Kesma and Merma.

Roll 1d100 36. Bugbear is meditating near a stream 72. Strange animal totem carved from a tree
1. Entrance of strange flooded crypt 37. Old covered bridge 73. Bronze door leads into collapsed tunnel
2. Elf wizard with human apprentice 38. A marionette lies by the roadside 74. Cave paintings on a sheltered wall
3. Tipped over halfling cart in ditch 39. Bard with harp looking for group 75. A 12-foot-tall idol untouched by nature
4. A suspicious scarecrow by road side 40. A traveler was bitten by snake 76. A perfectly round hole in a stone wall
5. Carpenter shop owned by old elf 41. A dusty mill on a hillock 77. Shrine dedicated to the Allfather
6. A wounded unicorn 42. Gnoll gypsy camp with lively music 78. Earth has split into a ravine
7. Man-sized statue of local ruler 43. Roots of tree have human faces 79. Brambles have overgrown the path
8. Half-elf bard with harp looking for group 44. Wind chime suspended on a tree branch 80. Toppled tree blocks the road
9. A titanic skull that functions as a tunnel 45. A pouch with metal divination rods 81. A field of glowing flowers
10. Muddy boots next to a fast flowing river 46. Wooden rack with drying fish 82. Scree on road makes travel dangerous
11. Suspended stone slabs form a bridge 47. A young goat bound with a rope 83. Human bones among scree on the road
12. Lonely farmer invites party into his house 48. Traveling dwarf priest whistles prayers 84. A half-dwarf cobbler on a journey
13. Music coming from a hollow tree 49. A cluster of wicker dolls on a dead tree 85. Boulders moved to block the road
14. Dragon ruler carved in a rock wall 50. Arcane symbols appear in the mud 86. The rotten corpse of a giant horse
15. Dwarf smithy next to a small stream 51. Man in top-hat sells items from oxcart 87. A group of dwarf miners
16. A herd of wild cattle tramples by 52. Small lumber camp run by fat dwarf 88. An old man with long white beard
17. Young boy lost in the woods 53. Deep stone well with no echo 89. Skeletal remains of large flying creature
18. Dirty cloak draped on a tree stump 54. An empty but hastily dug grave 90. A rugged half-giant warrior on a horse
19. A collapsed tower blocks the path 55. A tree is growing upside down 91. Willows whisper prayers to Gaea
20. A collapsed farmhouse by roadside 56. Gnome patrol riding large badgers 92. Group of three hunting halflings
21. Monolith of basalt on horizon 57. A bridge of spidersilk 93. A lost milk cow belongs to farmer
22. A circle of pebbles around a giant skull 58. Metal rod floats vertically over the road 94. Young trapper stuck his in own snare
23. Bustling dwarf mine 59. Burned-down farmstead 95. Unconscious human merchant
24. A pool filled with blood-like substance 60. Beach with washed-up river trow 96. Warrior has dropped his axe in a ravine
25. Wooden barn with one horse left 61. A thick fog rises from a valley 97. A snake-oil salesman is chased by mob
26. Hunting camp abandoned overnight 62. Huge stone steps lead up a hill 98. Cart with broken spokes by road side
27. Smooth pillar of milky glass 63. A twenty-foot-high marble cylinder 99. A copper statue of a snake
28. Decorative bridge marker 64. Overgrown watchtower 00. Immense spine laying across the road
29. Lean-to of elven craftsmanship 65. Fortress of ancient dragons lies in rubble
30. A half buried 12-feet-tall stone idol 66. Farmstead with welcoming maid
31. A gust of pages chased by a gnoll wizard 67. Pillaged longhouse with weird markings
32. Dwarf stuck on wreckage of bridge 68. Abandoned farm with glowing fireplace
33. Witch’s hut with fence of bones 69. Mysterious old item salesman
34. A locket with a strange symbol 70. A crone and archer carved in a rock wall
35. Half-giant nomad camp 71. Stone bridge covered in ancient runes
random encounters
in Warm forests & Jungles
You might encounter these obstacles anywhere on the eastern side of the continent, especially in the middle and lower parts: Bakkesat
and Sukkō.

Roll 1d100 37. Huge piece of shed snakeskin 74. Shin-high clay huts
1. Young hobgoblin was raised by apes 38. Downpour catches party off guard 75. Dried-up well with object on bottom
2. Dagger made from sharpened bone 39. Weathered sign post to overgrown path 76. Cloud of gnats bugs party
3. Gnoll woman is gathering herbs 40. Carcass of giant herbivore 77. Bag full of shattered coins
4. Wooden bridge has been washed away 41. Nest with 3 strange eggs 78. Dwarf hunter on quest for white bulette
5. Basalt blocks form monolithic ruins 42. Abandoned clay huts 79. Hobgoblin slaves working rice fields
6. Small dwarven farmers market 43. Overgrown temple to hippo god 80. Huge wooden fence with immense gate
7. Shrine dedicated to snake god 44. Jungle was cleared for strange circle 81. Rainbow colored parrots in trees
8. Collapsed remains of large stable 45. Tar pools bubbles by the roadside 82. Fossil of huge fish in cliff-side
9. Barrel half emerged in quicksand 46. Pink fish in a large pond 83. A field of aromatic pink flowers
10. Two men carry fruit to their village 47. Huge line of ants crosses the road 84. Treetops are heavy with coconuts
11. Rune-covered skull with burning eyes 48. Animal bone wind-chimes 85. Group of abandoned wooden huts
12. A dwarf is busy chopping down a tree 49. A long rope bridge between cliffs 86. Capuchin monkey tries to snatch purse
13. Man in turban is selling cobra wine 50. Old soldier disillusioned about his king 87. A half-elf is guiding a musk-ox
14. Series of tall overgrown ape statues 51. Drums sound deep in the forest 88. Family of apes in giant nest
15. Web of giant spider 52. Mud is bright blue color 89. Cube-shaped fruits dangle from tree
16. Abandoned leopard cub 53. Shrunken heads dangle on tree branch 90. Miles of scorched earth
17. Scruffy hobgoblin hermit carving totem 54. Weathered helmet of ancient design 91. Little girl sells fresh coconuts
18. Cold flow of air comes out of nowhere 55. Man on way to market with chickens 92. Bridge collapses and rebuilds magically
19. Path slithers into a network of gullies 56. Half-buried treasure chest 93. Friendly old mask salesman
20. A large white toucan speaks common 57. Abandoned tree house 94. Amber obelisk emits constant humming
21. Skeleton of huge reptilian beast 58. Red-plumed arrow sticks out of tree 95. A wall of sticky vines blocks the road
22. Muddy pool full of leeches 59. Human bones in a shallow grave 96. Fireflies swarm through the treetops
23. Offerings left in tiny baskets 60. Large stone snail sits in clearing 97. Small white monkeys follow party
24. A kitten has fallen into a well 61. Black clouds gather in the distance 98. Several large anthills
25. Corpse suspended from vine 62. Footprints of giant crocodile 99. A thick fog creeps in
26. Girallon skeleton pinned under boulder 63. Huge boulders carved to resemble faces 00. Elf druid praying at the feet of giant tree
27. One half of rope bridge levitates 64. Incense burns on small altar
28. Old tree is covered in strange markings 65. Farming implements stand by roadside
29. Elderly lady collecting firewood 66. Four capibara’s wallow in mud pool
30. Half-orc poachers show off their haul 67. Flowers rub off blue dye
31. Feather-decorated longbow 68. Geysers spout steam at regular intervals
32. A bone flute plays by itself 69. Young wizard stuck in quicksand
33. Treetops rattle in windstorm 70. Wounded tiger caught in pit trap
34. Vines form a network between treetops 71. Image of strange beast drawn in sand
35. Bushes are full of very spicy berries 72. Parrot repeats unknown word
36. Giant butterfly caught in fly-trap 73. A lake opens into a cliff-side cave
random encounters
in In cold forests, hills & mountains
You might encounter these obstacles anywhere on the northern part of the continent, as well as in the cooler western reaches: Gamleland,
Kesma and Merma.

Roll 1d100 36. A wounded half-orc covered in snow 73. Thick wall of nettles blocks the road
1. Old horse freezing by roadside 37. Coal in scree on the roadside 74. Sleet storm
2. Curious giant hare spies on the party 38. Snow red with blood 75. Gnome lumberjack all by himself
3. Frozen man still carries a letter 39. Abandoned unlit pyre 76. One single glove lies forgotten on a rock
4. Woman fishes through hole in ice 40. Sun does not set for one night 77. Bridge over river seems unstable
5. One star sheds purple light: an omen? 41. Party sinks away in a thick coat of snow 78. Initials A.K. in tree-bark - who is A.K.?
6. Laughter emanates from tree-stump 42. Blizzard makes travel very dangerous 79. Elves collecting firewood
7. Bald human paladin on a quest 43. Family of snow foxes follows party 80. Clouds warp into face of party member
8. Caravan singing merrily 44. Shed full of drying mystery meat 81. Abandoned watch tower
9. Grove of tall pines 45. Hunters traveling south after the herd 82. Hermit experiencing religious visions
10. Melting water forms river 46. Skin of mulled wine 83. Bugbear in need of winter-clothes
11. Shaggy dog in leather harness 47. Moose grazing lazily 84. A layer of ice covers strange gate
12. A young deer trapped in net 48. Half-giants gathering herbs 85. Decorated entrance to collapsed cave
13. Large wooden effigy 49. Sudden heatwave 86. Rainbow - a sign of good fortune
14. Abandoned crate by roadside 50. Traveling noble dwarf family 87. Wind carries strange cries
15. Bear trap by side of the road 51. Kids are building a snowman 88. A hot-spring could offer some warmth
16. Decorated pine tree 52. Patch of land is strangely devoid of snow 89. Rope bridge with one rope cut
17. Elf ranger escorting halfling family 53. Apparition off road calls out to party 90. Avalanche rumbles in the distance
18. Abandoned bear totem 54. Black snow falls from the sky 91. Snow-covered natural pit
19. Inverted rainbow 55. Sign for forgotten hamlet 92. A dinner table is set by roadside
20. Trail of footprints ends suddenly 56. Falling snow reveals shapes of soldiers 93. Reflection of cold woman in ice
21. Chess set in decorated wooden box 57. Pack animal frozen to death 94. Rare herbs grow by roadside
22. Shed full of scarecrows 58. Necklace of bones dangles on branch 95. Three traders taking shelter in cave
23. Spear stuck in tree trunk 59. Sudden unnatural silence fills the air 96. A sudden downpour surprises the party
24. Ruins of torched watch post 60. Old longboat is stuck in ice 97. Road turned into ice slide
25. Circle of fairies sings softly 61. Rune-covered rod sticks from snow 98. Small pine tree acts like a dog
26. Small pool of purple liquid 62. Strange shadow under the ice 99. Trapper in pelts whistles old song
27. Pitons were left in rock-wall 63. Young half-giant on first adventure 00. Rain or snow falls upwards
28. Snow-covered hunting camp 64. Abandoned toy horse
29. Frozen waterfall 65. A giant mushroom coated in ice
30. One tree towers over others 66. Bear tracks in snow
31. Flock of puffins fly over road 67. Bark of pine-tree marked with a blade
32. Aurora fills the night sky 68. A cat is hiding in a hollow tree
33. Bramble bushes are heavy with berries 69. Iron deposit colors snow orange
34. Wagon was pillaged by looters 70. The smell of cooking meat on the air
35. Lumber camp seems abandoned 72. Light under ice follows party
random encounters
in warm deserts & plains
You might encounter these obstacles in the barren strip that runs through Sukkō, but also in Gamleland and northern Vuorilas during
summer or spring time.

Roll 1d100 36. A wooden or bone grave marker 72. Two women in collars huddled together
1. Brass dragon skeleton partly buried in hill 37. Ox stuck in pool of quicksand 73. The tracks of beasts along the riverbed
2. Fields covered in poppy flowers 38. Group of nomad traders on horses 74. Caravan with carts drawn by lizards
3. Statues turn out to be petrified travelers 39. Party of gnoll fortune tellers 75. Sharp rocks cover the hillside
4. Green oasis inhabited by friendly gnomes 40. Mirage of spindly woman follows party 76. An abandoned well with straw roof
5. 50 feet long stone hand rests on a dune 41. Footsteps in the sand form from nothing 77. Thick red clouds on the horizon
6. Stone walkway along a cliff face 42. Duo of primitive trackers in animal hides 78. A rickety wooden bridge across a river
7. Skeleton marred by battle wounds 43. Friendly hamster begs for treat 79. Mirage reveals hints of past civilization
8. Elephant graveyard across a valley 44. Wooden box is an old board game 80. The skull of buffalo rattles as if laughing
9. Herd of horses around watering hole 45. Flute carved from animal bone 81. Large bird carries a strand of beads
10. Young elf female mounted on an elk 46. Cliff carvings depict ancient animal folk 82. An ornate sword hilt without a blade
11. Screaming faces appear in the sand 47. Dust cloud shrouds the land in darkness 83. Forty stone soldiers guard a deep well
12. Green lightning fills the sky 48. Pit full of dead scorpions 84. Shifting sand dunes along the road
13. Metal slate covered in hieroglyphs 49. Sudden storm unveils ruins under camp 85. Dried remains of old ship
14. Collapsed temple dedicated to the sun 50. Entrance to a large limestone cavern 86. A shimmering bridge covers a chasm
15. A dried-up riverbed covered in bones 51. Half a pillar floats above the plains 87. Stone carved to resemble a giant head
16. Small stone cottages in a circle 52. Worn giant stairs lead to ancient altar 88. Almost naked man meditating on a rock
17. A steep, narrow ravine 53. Old leather tome with empty pages 89. Mile-wide area covered in pools
18. Hill turns out to be a huge stone nose 54. Set of stone carving tools in leather case 90. Echos of chants carried on night wind
19. Green devil face in cliff side 55. A large scarab sitting on a stone 91. A holy symbol of Ilmarinen
20. A stone ziggurat covered in plants 56. Stone arches covered in images of death 92. Sandstorm shows shapes of phantoms
21. Dead trees are full of woven baskets 57. Worn pyramid is almost 200 feet tall 93. Obsidian lamassu guards a valley
22. A strong wind smells of cinnamon 58. Huge spine converted into a walkway 94. Three lizardfolk hunting giant spiders
23. Tall spires of rock dot the horizon 59. A swarm of red butterflies 95. Leather boots that still have feet in them
24. Glowing cat statue guards a pass 60. Scroll scribbled in unknown language 96. Large cranes nest around a giant lake
25. Waist-high walls of straw and mud 61. The sound of rain in the distance 97. Map depicting path to hidden city
26. An ancient spinning top covered in runes 62. Wide trail indicates passing of caravan 98. Pool shows past of who drinks from it
27. 30-feet-tall statue of androsphinx 63. Gnomish tombs carved in cliff face 99. Pillar covered in runes glows on touch
28. A dust devil howls across the plain 64. Tree is home to a murder of crows 00. Sand separates to reveal magic circle
29. Slowly flowing waist-deep river 65. A dead antelope snacked on by vultures
30. A field full of dried up gourdes 66. Thirsty merchant in robes is very lost
31. Wall constructed from bleached skulls 67. Stone rods mark area of strange cold
32. Beaten up brass lamp 68. Party sees themselves on road ahead
33. Party member stubs toe on buried chest 69. Pillar with female bust cries blood
34. An ancient pack of papyrus cards 70. 20 dwarves building strange monument
35. Egg-like stone covered in carvings 71. Robed barbarian with a pet falcon
random encounters
in caves and tunnels
One might encounter these obstacles anywhere on the eastern side of the continent, especially in the middle and lower parts: Bakkesat
and Sukkō.

Roll 1d100 36. Thick carpet of green fungi coats walls 73. Two tall statues loom over a bridge: one
1. Surface water seeps through ceiling cracks 37. Large pillars hold up vaulted ceiling an angel, one a devil
giving the illusion of rain 38. Fist-sized slug drops on party member 74. Rusted metal chains dangle from the
2. A silver cup lies at the bottom of a pool 39. Dead bear plunges from chute in ceiling ceiling of a smooth domed chamber
3. Mauled humanoid skeleton 40. Skeleton is found bound to a stalagmite 75. Candle stumps decorate an owl statue
4. Lava pool at the bottom of a chute 41. The cavern does not seem to echo at all 76. Crack in the wall reveals forest clearing
5. A huge animal skull blocks a passage 42. Dwarf brewer collecting pure cave water 77. Gigantic underground salt water lake
6. Ancient sacrificial altar covered in blood 43. Small cavern decorated like living room 78. Tunnel turns out to be an old salt mine
7. Rats make ragged skeleton seem alive 44. Spear trap with corpse spiked to it 79. Large cave mushrooms seem edible
8. Citinous remains of stirges litter the hall 45. Cave paintings of a huge cave beast 80. The smell of sulfur hangs thick in the air
9. Troll corpse in a pile of furs in a corner 46. A tunnel is an abandoned owlbear den 81. Pool of colored liquid is a syrupy fungus
10. Map shows location of hidden shrine 47. Roots coat walls and ceiling of a cavern 82. Ledge over lake is tilted and slippery
11. A rusty metal grate bars the way 48. Forest of giant mushrooms 83. Underground geyser vomits steam
12. Skeletal hands poke through the ceiling 49. Brittle stone pillars the size of arms 84. Stalk mushrooms shed soft light
13. Crate of bottles stacked next to dock 50. Yellow mushrooms smell sickly sweet 85. Dwarf legend is carved in a wall
14. Dead thief hangs upside-down on rope 51. Looted carriage was dragged into tunnel 86. Alcove full of salves and holy symbols
15. Mummies stand in alcoves 52. An old elf sage is looking for rare fungi 87. Tunnel is the corpse of a giant wurm!
16. Huge metal doors have been torn apart 53. Skulls of beasts in a line across a tunnel 88. Mute mushroom-creature is lost
17. A flamboyant elf claims to be lost 54. Friendly fluffy orb-shaped beast 89. Collapse has formed a dam in lake
18. Orc skulls are stacked in a neat pile 55. Chipped giant bones mark violent death 90. Cavern floor littered with animal bones
19. Turkey tail shrooms are path along wall 56. A small clear pool with blind cave fish 91. Yellow light emanates from eye of statue
20. A shimmer indicates mithral deposits 57. Luminescent fungi shed purple light 92. Gray dwarf tends to an old shrine
21. Red water flows into a cavernous pool 58. Pillar of white crystals at center of a hall 93. Kobold claims to have escaped slavers
22. Tube stuck between stones in rapid river 59. Boulder-sized mold orbs smell sour 94. Bones arranged in a map-like pattern
23. A body has been mummified by dry air 60. Two small skeletons stuck in roots 95. Mushrooms give off inky substance
24. Mark of god of law chiseled in floor 61. A horned skull sits atop a pile of stones 96. Family of poor halflings
25. Empty crates are stacked against a wall 62. Cloak with the sigil of thieves guild 97. A mysterious mirror
26. Weird melody resonates through tunnel 63. Weathered sleeve full of scalpels 98. Frail goblin hermit in a pile of refuse
27. Blackened walls lead to a primitive forge 64. Several orbs floats ahead of the party 99. Cave wall scarred with claw marks
28. Animated roots twitch towards light 65. An underground stable 00. A trail of white chalk arrows
29. Scared gnome boy got lost in the tunnels 66. Slab marks resting place of exiled dwarf
30. An abandoned dwarf guard post 67. An abandoned mushroom farm
31. Wooden pews line a dusty cavern 68. Leather tome floats above a pedestale
32. Shrine to nature god at bottom of chute 69. Very clean alchemist’s laboratory
33. Dagger with symbol of a mockingbird 70. Skulls line the upper walls of the cavern
34. Painted figures on wall dance in light 71. Stone bridge covered in ancient runes
35. Two stocky dwarves are scouting for ore 72. Strange howl blows through the cavern