BRPG Encounter Table: Trials of Fate in the Anointing Path

The BRPG Encounter Table offers a nuanced exploration of 1 Samuel 10, immersing players in the historical and cultural backdrop of ancient Israel.

Nuanced Encounter Table for 1 Samuel 10

This encounter table is designed for players navigating the events surrounding the anointing of Saul as king of Israel, taking place in the ancient Israelite territories. The encounters reflect significant cultural and historical elements from the time period and the political landscape of Israel.

Table

Very Hurtful Encounters (1-5)

1. A group of rival Benjaminites, armed with slings and clubs, tries to ambush the party, dealing 2d6 damage. The party must succeed in a DC 15 stealth check to evade them, or face a loss of 5 morale points.
2. While traveling, the party stumbles upon a false prophet claiming to speak for God, misleading them into a nearby valley of despair, causing them to lose 10 gold coins in tribute for false prophecies.
3. The party encounters a local warlord demanding tribute for safe passage. If not paid (5 silver coins), the warlord takes a random item from each party member.
4. A swarm of locusts, foreseen as a bad omen, descends upon the party causing 1d8 damage and reducing their food supply by half.
5. A local merchant attempts to sell cursed items, claiming they possess great power. One item is actually cursed, causing a -1 penalty to any checks until the next town is reached.

Mild Nuisance Encounters (6-10)

1. The party encounters a flock of sheep blocking the road. They must spend time herding them away, costing 1 hour of travel time and losing 2 Morale points.
2. A local fisherman offers to sell them fish, but his prices are inflated. If not negotiated down (DC 12 persuasion check), they pay 2 silver pieces each.
3. They find a broken cart on the side of the road, and while rummaging through it, they only find an old, rusted tool that has no true value.
4. An elderly woman recounts tales of the past, only to repeat old stories while the party loses 30 minutes of travel time.
5. The party comes across a marketplace where rumors of Saul’s anointing circulate. While they gain knowledge, they also attract unwanted attention and suspicion, resulting in a -1 charisma until they leave the area.

Somewhat Helpful Encounters (11-15)

1. A wise man shares with the party a prophecy regarding Saul, offering insight that provides advantage on their next roll related to leadership.
2. The party finds an old scroll detailing the ancient rites of anointing, providing them +2 on their next religious or history knowledge check.
3. They encounter a traveling bard who performs a song about their journey, inspiring them to each gain +1 to their next charisma-based check.
4. A kind farmer provides the party with a sack of barley in exchange for assistance with his flocks, gaining 2 rations.
5. The party meets a merchant willing to trade a high-quality slingshot (+1 attack) for information regarding the political situation in Israel.

Very Helpful Encounters (16-20)

1. They encounter Samuel himself, who shares divine guidance and blesses the party, granting them a +1 to their next wisdom check.
2. A hidden stash of medicinal herbs is discovered, allowing the party to restore 1d4 health to each member in need.
3. The party meets a skilled blacksmith who can forge a strong shield (+1 defense) from local materials, provided they gather the materials first.
4. A skilled warrior offers to train the party for a day, providing +1 to their combat skills for their next encounter.
5. A friendly local nobleman gifts the party with a set of fine garments, providing +2 charisma when interacting with the upper class.

Extremely Helpful Encounters (21-25)

1. The night sky reveals a falling star—seen as a divine omen—granting the party a bonus in their charisma rolls for the next week.
2. A group of local scouts joins the party, providing +2 to their stealth rolls and allowing advantage on their next ambush.
3. They discover a cache of precious stones hidden beneath a rock, worth 50 gold coins—a significant boon for their journey.
4. The party witnesses a small miracle performed by Samuel, who provides a blessing that accelerates their travel speed by one day for the next leg of their journey.
5. A sage offers invaluable counsel about the politics of the region, granting the party an advantage in future negotiations and interactions with local leaders.

Bible Trivia Encounter

Test your knowledge of 1 Samuel 10 with the following questions:

1. What sign did Samuel tell Saul he would see when he arrived in the land of Benjamin? (Hardest)
2. How many men did Samuel say would meet Saul as he traveled? (Hard)
3. What was the name of the city where Saul was to be anointed? (Medium)
4. What did Samuel say would happen to Saul when he turned away from him? (Easy)
5. Who poured oil on Saul’s head? (Very Easy)

Roll 1d20. Add the number of correct answers. Final result = 1–25.

Correct Answers

1. Three men with three goats, three loaves of bread, and a skin of wine.
2. Two men.
3. Gibeah.
4. The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you, and you will prophesy.
5. Samuel.

Related Articles

• BRPG Encounter Table: Journeying Through Trials in Deuteronomy's Shadow
• BRPG Encounter Table: Divine Trials and Prophecies in the Wilderness
• Anointing in 1 Samuel 10 – Topic Study
• 1 Samuel 10 – Elementary Curriculum
• Inheritance Laws in Ancient Israel – Topic Study
• Inheritance in Ancient Israel – Topic Study

More Information

• 1 Samuel
• ancient Israel