BRPG Encounter Table: Unforeseen Intrigues

The BRPG Encounter Table offers unforeseen intrigues in Mahanaim's shadows, providing players with unique challenges and storylines.

Encounters in the Town of Mahanaim

This nuanced encounter table provides a variety of encounters that players might experience in the town of Mahanaim following the events of 2 Samuel 4, where the aftermath of Ishbosheth’s death brings uncertainty and intrigue. Players can engage with NPCs, uncover clues, and face challenges that could influence the political landscape and their own journey.

Table

Extremely Hurtful Encounters (1-5)

A group of mercenaries, loyal to Ishbosheth’s family, ambushes the party, dealing 1d6+3 damage with spears (AC 13). If defeated, they flee to report back, increasing the danger level in the town.
The party encounters a deceitful informer claiming to have information about King David’s plans but is actually leading them into a trap. If they follow, they walk into a rival faction’s stronghold, losing 1d4 morale.
A city official mistakes the party for supporters of the slain Ishbosheth and orders them arrested. They must make a DC 15 charisma saving throw to persuade the guards of their innocence; failure leads to imprisonment, resulting in 1d6 damage from harsh treatment.
The players find a mysterious messenger, but their message is cursed, causing confusion and leading to a misunderstanding at the next town. They will suffer -2 on their next persuasion roll.
The party stumbles upon a secret execution chamber, with blood still on the ground. They must roll DC 18 wisdom save to avoid gaining the frightened condition for 1d4 hours.

Mild Nuisance Encounters (6-10)

A haughty merchant attempts to sell the party “authentic” relics from the fallen king’s court, tricking them into paying too much. They lose 1d6 coins unless they succeed on a DC 15 insight check.
The party overhears a gossip about a betrayal among the townspeople. While it’s not directly related to them, it causes a decrease in their reputation, imposing a -1 penalty to charisma rolls until they clear their name.
The players find a pamphlet detailing a local festival in honor of Ishbosheth. While they can attend, they face ridicule from locals, imposing a -1 penalty on all charisma checks for 1d6 days.
The party meets a philosopher who speaks in riddles, leaving them confused. They must succeed on a DC 15 intelligence check to discern the useful information hidden in his words.
A minor local thief attempts to pickpocket a character. They must succeed on a DC 14 perception check to thwart the thief or lose 1d4 coins.

Somewhat Helpful Encounters (11-15)

The party meets an old soldier who fought for Saul’s army. He offers knowledge about the political factions, granting +1 to knowledge checks about the kingdom’s politics for the next encounter.
An oracle reveals valuable information about future events in the kingdom. The party gains +2 on their next initiative roll for being forewarned of ambushes.
The local tavern keeper provides shelter for the night and shares stories from the past. The party gains +1 morale for their next encounter.
The players discover a hidden cache of supplies near a well, including 5 dried fish, 10 loaves of bread, and a small pouch of coins (1d6). They can use these to aid themselves or trade.
The party encounters a wise woman who gives them herbs for healing, providing +1d4 healing to a single character when used in the next battle.

Very Helpful Encounters (16-20)

The party saves a group of children from a collapsing structure, earning the gratitude of the townsfolk. They receive a faction bonus of +5 to reputation in Mahanaim.
An allied innkeeper offers a free night’s lodging and shares news of an upcoming meeting of nobles that may present an opportunity for political maneuvering. They gain insight into the noble’s ambitions (+2 insight on their next negotiation).
The players discover a forgotten shrine dedicated to the God of Israel. If they perform rites of dedication, they gain a divine blessing that gives +1 to all saving throws for 1d4 days.
A traveling scribe provides the party with insights about Ishbosheth’s recent actions, granting them a clearer understanding of the political landscape. They gain +2 on their next strategy roll.
The party meets a former advisor of Ishbosheth who wishes to defect. He offers information about secret routes to evade enemies, giving the players advantage on stealth checks for the next encounter.

Extremely Helpful Encounters (21-25)

The players recover an ancient scroll containing wisdom from the prophets, allowing them to reroll one failed roll during the next encounter.
A merchant with close ties to King David gives the party vital information about a peace summit. They receive +3 to charisma checks with nobles until the summit.
After returning a lost item to a local villager, they discover the item is an heirloom that grants the party a one-time +5 to diplomacy interactions with the local factions.
The party saves a wounded messenger from a rival faction. In gratitude, he shares intelligence regarding enemy positions, granting +2 to attack rolls during their next combat.
A mystic gifts the party with a protective charm, giving them resistance against physical damage for the next encounter (halving damage from physical attacks).

Trivia Questions

What were the circumstances surrounding Ishbosheth’s death?
Who were the men responsible for Ishbosheth’s murder?
What city was the primary location for Ishbosheth’s reign?
What was the relationship between Ishbosheth and King David?
What did the men expect to gain by killing Ishbosheth?

Roll 1d20.

Add the number of correct answers.

Final result = 1–25.

Correct Answers

Ishbosheth was assassinated by two men from his own army while he rested in his house.
The men were Baanah and Rechab, who were commanders of raiding bands.
Mahanaim was the city where Ishbosheth reigned as king over Israel.
Ishbosheth was the son of Saul, David’s predecessor, creating a rival claim to the throne.
They thought they would be rewarded by David for killing Ishbosheth.