BRPG Encounter Table: Secrets and Shadows

Discover the BRPG Encounter Table designed to enhance your gameplay in the streets of Gibeah, focusing on the events of 1 Samuel 20.

Nuanced Encounter Table for 1 Samuel 20

This encounter table is designed to enhance the gameplay experience while exploring the events of 1 Samuel 20, where David and Jonathan conspire against King Saul’s intentions. You will navigate through the town of Gibeah, engaging with the local populace and uncovering vital information related to your quest of determining David’s safety.

Table

Extremely Hurtful Encounters (1-5)

The party is cornered by a band of angry townsfolk (5 HP each, Attack Strength 3, AC 12) who believe David has betrayed the king. They demand a confession, inflicting 2d6 psychic damage to the character deemed the spokesperson.
A ruffian mistakenly believes the party knows of David’s whereabouts. He attempts to extort 10 shekels, threatening to inform Saul if they do not comply, inflicting 1d4 psychic damage when they refuse.
The party is ambushed by a group of Saul’s scouts (3 scouts, 6 HP each, Attack Strength 2, AC 11), who interrogate them. Each character must pass a DC 13 Persuasion check or lose 1d4 charisma temporarily.
The party discovers a spy working for King Saul among them who unleashes a verbal tirade that causes 1d6 emotional distress, resulting in -2 on the next charisma check.
The air is thick with treachery as a secret meeting of Saul’s advisors overhears the party discussing David. The advisors spread disinformation, causing each party member to make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be confused, suffering disadvantage on their next three skills checks.

Mild Nuisance Encounters (6-10)

A disheveled messenger stumbles by, spreading rumors that David has been caught. If questioned, he demands a payment of 2 shekels for “the latest news” before revealing that it’s a false rumor.
The party encounters an old woman who claims to have seen David in a vision. She insists the party must perform a fruitless task for her before she provides any useful information, causing a delay of 1d4 hours.
The local merchant attempts to sell overly priced items, offering a sturdy leather satchel for 5 shekels and claiming it once belonged to a soldier of Saul, causing party funds to dwindle if purchased.
As the party navigates through the marketplace, they overhear two citizens discussing the “ghost of Gibeah,” which could either reveal a clue or lead them astray depending on their next information source.
The party stumbles upon a lost child in tears who claims to have seen David. Helping him leads to a minor boost in town reputation (+1 to future charisma rolls) but does not yield actionable intel.

Somewhat Helpful Encounters (11-15)

The party meets a soldier who has recently defected from Saul’s army. He gives them the location of David’s last known hiding place and provides a warning about Saul’s increasing paranoia, granting advantage on the next stealth check.
A local bard sings a ballad recounting Jonathan’s loyalty to David. The bard shares a critical clue about the importance of the covenant between the two, allowing the party to leverage this in future interactions for +1 persuasion.
The party finds an overturned cart containing medicinal herbs. Healing balm (1d4 HP recovery) and a scroll containing an ancient proverb about trust are discovered, aiding in future charisma checks.
A wise elder offers to teach the party about the traditions of covenant-making, providing insights that grant a +2 bonus on the next negotiation with the local authorities.
The party is approached by a former ally of Jonathan who provides a hidden letter from Jonathan to David, detailing Saul’s plans and giving them advantage on their next diplomacy roll.

Very Helpful Encounters (16-20)

An emissary from Jonathan arrives with a coded message that reveals Saul is planning to seek David out through treachery, granting the party detailed information on the king’s plans and +2 to their intelligence for the next knowledge check.
The party discovers a hidden stash containing fortified wine and bread (restores 1d6 HP). Consuming this provides +1 charisma for the next town encounter.
A local female artisan offers the party handmade tokens symbolizing protection before revealing her knowledge of secret passageways around Gibeah, which grants advantage on escape attempts.
A chance meeting with a former scribe of Saul allows the party to learn of hidden passages within the palace, as well as various political dynamics, granting insight into Saul’s weakened hold on power (+2 on future intrigue checks).
The party is blessed by a priestess who shares ancient wisdom regarding loyalty and friendship, granting each character a temporary +1 bonus to all charisma-related rolls for 1d4 hours.

Extremely Helpful Encounters (21-25)

The party effectively forms an alliance with a band of rebels opposed to Saul. This group provides safe passage out of Gibeah and the assurance of supplies, enhancing party resources significantly (+2d6 provisions for the journey).
The party manages to convince a key noble sympathetic to David’s cause to provide them with a shield engraved with the symbol of Jonathan, enhancing defense (+2 AC) in future encounters with Saul’s forces.
A wealthy merchant offers the party a rare scroll that contains a prophecy regarding David’s rise and potential conflict with Saul, granting +4 to history knowledge checks about the royal family for the next session.
The party rescues a covert informant who provides crucial intelligence on Saul’s next maneuver, including a map of secret routes within Gibeah, allowing for clever tactical advantages (+2 to strategizing rolls).
A divine messenger appears, offering a vision of David’s eventual rise. Each party member gains insight leading to a +3 morale bonus on all checks for the next 24 hours.

Bible Trivia Encounters

What vow does Jonathan make to David regarding his father’s intentions? (Hardest)
How does David prepare to evade Saul’s wrath during the New Moon festival? (Hard)
What is the sign agreed upon between Jonathan and David to communicate the danger? (Medium)
What meal do David and Jonathan share during their farewell? (Easy)
Who is sought after as the one who may deliver news concerning Saul’s intentions? (Very Easy)

Roll 1d20.

Add the number of correct answers.

Final result = 1–25.