BRPG Encounter Table: Divine Trials on the Path

Discover the BRPG Encounter Table, a tool for navigating divine trials inspired by Judges 13.

Nuanced Encounter Table: Judges 13

This encounter table is designed for a tabletop RPG session based on the rich narrative of Judges 13, focusing on the birth of Samson. The players will navigate through the territories of the Danites, where they will encounter local residents, divine messengers, and ancient artifacts that reflect the culture of the time.

Table

Extremely Hurtful Encounters (1-5)

The party encounters a band of Philistine raiders (3d6 health each, 5 attack strength, AC 12). They demand tribute of grain and livestock, causing the party to lose 50% of their stored provisions if they do not fight.
A local spirit-possessed child approaches, screaming loudly and attracting unwanted attention. All characters must make a Wisdom saving throw DC 12 or become frightened for 1d4 rounds, losing 1d4 morale for the next encounter.
The party is misled by a false prophet who claims to have divine knowledge of their quest. He offers a sacrificial goat in exchange for their weapons, leading to a loss of their armaments until they complete a further quest to retrieve them.
The players come across a ruined shrine dedicated to Baal, where they inadvertently disturb a cult ceremony. The cultists (4d4 health, 4 attack strength) attack, believing the party to be intruders in their sacred space.
The ground is infested with venomous snakes due to a nearby cursed site. Each character must make a Dexterity saving throw DC 13 or take 1d8 damage from bites and become poisoned for the next 2 hours.

Moderate Nuisance Encounters (6-10)

A merchant attempts to sell false relics supposedly linked to the angel who foretold Samson’s birth. For 10 shekels, he offers a “blessed” amulet that has no powers but will curse the buyer with a bad reputation.
The party finds an empty well where they hear strange sounds. Investigating results in one member losing 1d6 health due to falling debris, while revealing a hidden stash of fresh water sufficient for three days.
While exploring a nearby cave, the party is ambushed by a wild animal (a lion, 4d12 health, 7 attack strength). Upon defeating it, they discover a small stash of honey, restoring 1d6 health to the party.
A town elder mistakenly believes the party is sent by God and offers them unnecessary advice and blessings, giving them a +1 charisma bonus for the next interaction but wasting 2 hours of their valuable time.
The party meets a traveler with a tragic tale of his lost family to the Philistines. He gives them a crude map of enemy camps, which could mislead them into an ambush if not interpreted correctly.

Somewhat Helpful Encounters (11-15)

The spirit of a prophet reveals a hidden passage to a sacred grove where they can gain insight into their quest, giving them +1 wisdom for their next challenge.
The party discovers a forgotten grave marked with a stone of Samson’s father’s family, revealing a scroll with ancient prayers that grant them +1 to their next divine favor roll.
They stumble upon a farmer harvesting grain who offers them food in exchange for protection from Philistine raiders, granting +5 temporary health after they fulfill his request.
A local girl claims to have seen a vision of a mighty warrior. She will guide the party to a shrine of Yahweh if they promise to keep her safe from harm, granting them +1 loyalty from locals.
The party finds a well-crafted jawbone weapon (1d6 damage) buried in the dirt, a reference to Samson’s legendary exploits. It grants them +1 attack strength until they can replace it with a better weapon.

Very Helpful Encounters (16-20)

The players meet an elderly woman who personally witnessed the angelic visitation to Manoah and shares vital details about the signs that will accompany Samson’s future, granting them +2 to any insight roll on his destiny.
A sacred tree offers fruit that restores 1d10 health. Consuming it provides clarity about the divine plan, adding +1 to their next strategic decision.
The party encounters a hidden altar with offerings of oil and wine; by partaking in a prayer, they gain +1 to their next divine intervention roll.
The local guards, upon noticing the party’s kindness, will offer them support. They gain 2d6 less damage from their next encounter due to the guards’ influence.
The party finds a set of engraved tablets that provide wisdom on Samson’s life and mission. They gain knowledge that allows them to reroll any one failed check during their next critical moment.

Extremely Helpful Encounters (21-25)

The angel of the Lord appears to the party, granting them divine favor. Each character gains a temporary +2 to their strength for the next major encounter.
The party discovers a hidden cache of a large quantity of wheat and barley, enough to sustain them for months, valued at 100 shekels. They can either keep the resources or trade them for goods in a nearby town.
They come upon a band of Israelites who have heard of their quest. Impressed by their courage, they provide the party with weapons and armor, adding +2 defense to all members until they leave the region.
A local healer offers to bless each party member with anointing oil, granting them +1 to all saving throws for the next three encounters.
The party finds an ancient scroll that details the prophecy concerning Samson, revealing clues that allow them to navigate the Philistine lands undetected for a limited time, providing a +2 to stealth checks.