BRPG Encounter Table: Trials of Judges 3

The BRPG Encounter Table offers adventurers a guide through the trials of Judges 3, featuring encounters from perilous to beneficial.

Encounters in the Land of Judges

This encounter table is designed for adventurers navigating the region described in Judges 3. It features a range of encounters from perilous to immensely beneficial, as the players seek to follow through on their main quest of delivering Israel from the oppression of Eglon, King of Moab.

Table

Extremely Hurtful Encounters (1-5)

As the party traverses a narrow pass, they are ambushed by a band of Moabite mercenaries (5 members, AC 13, each with 8 HP, 1d6 spear attacks). The attackers seize valuables and inflict 1d8 damage on anyone who resists.
The party encounters a false prophet who claims, “The Moabite king is gathering strength, and the Lord has forsaken you.” This discouragement inflicts -1 to Wisdom checks for the next 24 hours.
A sudden storm arises, causing the river to swell. The party must make a DC 13 Strength check to avoid being swept away; failure results in losing 1d6 HP and requiring an additional hour to continue their journey.
The party finds a hidden pitfall covered by foliage. A character that steps into it takes 1d4 bludgeoning damage and is immobilized for one turn, requiring help to extract them.
The party stumbles upon a Moabite sentry posting. If detected, they must flee or face a patrol of 4 warriors (AC 14, each with 10 HP, wielding shields and swords, dealing 1d6+1 damage). Failure to escape results in capture and imprisonment in a nearby town.

Mild Nuisance Encounters (6-10)

The players overhear suspicious whispers about a local merchant’s dealings in deceitful trade. They can choose to investigate, gaining +1 to the next Persuasion check if they confront him.
The group meets an elder of Israel who shares bitter tales of oppression under Eglon. The player receives a temporary +1 to Morale for the next encounter, bolstering their spirits.
A scavenger attempts to sell the party a “map” to buried treasure, claiming it’s only 5 shekels. It’s a fake, but it distracts them for an hour, losing valuable travel time.
The party discovers an abandoned temple dedicated to the deity Baal. Investigating it can yield information about the Moabites, granting +1 to their next Intelligence-related roll.
An animal (a hungry wolf) crosses their path and steals a piece of food from their supplies. This loss means they’ll need to consume rations more carefully for the next three days.

Somewhat Helpful Encounters (11-15)

The adventurers meet a shepherd who shares valuable information about Eglon’s movements and routes through the land. This grants a +1 to stealth checks when approaching enemy territories.
A merchant offers a healthy discount on supplies, including a bundle of rations (5 days worth) for 8 shekels, enhancing the party’s capacity to travel further.
The party finds an old bronze horn in the dirt that, if blown, provides a one-time +2 to their next Charisma check in addressing the townsfolk.
The allied tribesman shares a forgotten prayer of strength, granting each character a +1 bonus to attack rolls for one battle against the Moabites.
A local craftsman approaches and offers to repair any broken weapons or armor for free, restoring them to full functionality.

Very Helpful Encounters (16-20)

The party stumbles upon an ancient scroll detailing the tactics used by Othniel, the first judge. Reading it grants the party insight, providing a strategic advantage for their upcoming encounter, giving +1 to all tactical rolls.
A celebratory gathering of the people welcomes the adventurers, bestowing +2 to their Charisma for any speech or negotiation attempted in the next town.
The characters discover a hidden cache of supplies, including a sling (damage 1d4), a wooden shield (+1 AC), and a rusted sword (+2 attack). They can equip these items before facing Eglon’s forces.
As they rest, a prophet appears, giving a vision of victory if they remain faithful. Each character receives a one-time +3 to their next saving throw.
The party meets a skilled healer who offers to mend their wounds, healing 1d8 HP to each party member, ensuring they feel rejuvenated for future challenges.

Extremely Helpful Encounters (21-25)

A bountiful harvest is being celebrated in the town, providing the adventurers with a feast that grants each character a +2 bonus to all performance-related rolls for the day.
The party encounters a former soldier of Eglon who wishes to defect. He offers invaluable knowledge about the Moabite encampments, granting a +2 to rolls made regarding troop movement.
They find a golden artifact linked to the worship of Yahweh, which can be offered to the Tabernacle, providing a future blessing that grants +1 to any checks made in the region.
Upon entering the town, a local dignitary offers to sponsor the party in their quest against Eglon, providing a writ of authority that gives +1 to all Diplomacy rolls made in surrounding regions.
The party is blessed by a priest who lays hands upon them, granting +1 to their attack rolls and +1 to all saving throws until the next confrontation with a Moabite.

Bible Trivia Encounter Mechanic

The party may also encounter a local who challenges them with questions about Judges 3 to prove their worthiness to receive a blessing for their mission.

What was the name of the King of Moab who oppressed Israel? (Eglon)
Who was the judge raised up by the Lord to deliver Israel from the Moabites? (Othniel)
What city did Othniel capture to gain his wife? (Debir)
For how many years did the children of Israel serve Eglon? (18 years)
What did the people of Israel do when they cried out to the Lord? (He raised up a deliverer)

To resolve the trivia encounter, roll 1d20.

Add the number of correct answers.

Final result = 1–25.