BRPG Encounter Table: Betrayal and Intrigue

Discover the BRPG Encounter Table set in Jerusalem during King David's reign, exploring themes of betrayal and intrigue.

Nuanced Encounter Table for 2 Samuel 11

This encounter table is designed for a RPG set in the time of King David, specifically during the events of 2 Samuel 11, where the narrative explores themes of sin, betrayal, and the complexities of leadership. The setting will take place in and around the city of Jerusalem, with elements related to the nearby culture and politics of the time. Players may navigate personal tribulations while engaging in the larger political and military challenges facing Israel.

Table

Extremely Hurtful Encounters (1-5)

A group of mercenaries, hired by the Ammonites, ambushes the party. They consist of 6 fighters (AC 14, each with 10 HP, 1d6+2 damage). The party suffers a total of 3d6 damage from this attack and has a chance of losing vital supplies in the fray.
The party encounters a deceitful prophet who falsely claims to reveal King David’s plans for expansion. The misinformation leads to a failed negotiation with neighboring tribes, resulting in a –2 penalty to future charisma checks due to the loss of credibility.
A distraught woman approaches, pleading for help to find her husband who is missing from King David’s army. The party learns he was taken captive, leading to a quest for information that distracts them from their main goal. This results in a -1 to wisdom checks due to emotional turmoil.
A messenger arrives bearing news that Uriah, the husband of Bathsheba, has been killed in battle, impacting the party’s morale. All members suffer a –1 penalty to charisma checks for the next week in-game due to regret over the failure to intervene.
The party unknowingly enters a tavern known for harboring spies. They overhear plans to assassinate key leaders, but a spy recognizes them. They must roll a perception check (d20, DC 15) to escape without being implicated, or suffer a –1 penalty to stealth checks until cleared of suspicion.

Mild Nuisance Encounters (6-10)

The party discovers a squabble between two local merchants over a shipment of grain. They can either take sides or lose an hour of time. If they choose a side, they gain a +1 to persuasion checks with that merchant but gain a –1 to checks with the other.
A local tells the party of a hidden stash of valuable oil located in the hills near the city. However, when they arrive, they find it guarded by wild animals. The party must face 2 wild dogs (AC 12, 10 HP, 1d4 damage) to claim the oil.
The party encounters a disheveled former soldier of King David, who offers prophetic riddles in exchange for help with finding a new home. Solving his riddle grants the party +1 wisdom for the next town interaction; failing it results in a –1 to all charisma checks for the day.
A group of children play in the road, and one accidentally knocks over a merchant’s cart, causing a mess. The party can help clean up for a small reward (2 shekels) or ignore it, causing a –1 reputation in the area.
The party comes across a scribe struggling with a manuscript. Helping him results in a +1 to their knowledge of current events (advantage on a future intelligence check), whereas ignoring him results in accidental misinformation reaching them later, imposing a -1 to their next persuasion check.

Somewhat Helpful Encounters (11-15)

The party meets a wise elder who recounts the story of David’s rise to power. They gain insights into political maneuvering, granting a +1 to tactics rolls and a temporary advantage in similar future situations.
A merchant offers the party a rare artifact (a clay tablet with military strategies). It provides a +1 to tactical rolls but costs 5 shekels. If they haggle and succeed (DC 12), they can acquire it for 3 shekels.
The party finds a wounded soldier from David’s army who gives them vital intelligence about troop movements before falling unconscious. The knowledge gives a +2 bonus to any future military engagements or tactics.
The party discovers a collection of scrolls in an abandoned room that includes ancient prayers. By reading them aloud, they gain a +1 to their wisdom checks for the next 24 hours.
A loyal servant of King David offers the party directions to Bathsheba’s home, but he requests a favor in return—assistance in retrieving munitions from an area claimed by Philistine raiders. Completing this task gives the party a +1 in reputation with David’s court.

Very Helpful Encounters (16-20)

A successful negotiation with Bathsheba’s father, who recognizes the party’s worth. He grants them a blessing, providing a temporary +2 to their charisma for dealings in Jerusalem.
The party stumbles upon a hidden wellspring that locals claim is blessed. Drinking from it provides a +2 to their endurance checks for the next 48 hours.
When the party visits a local shrine, they receive guidance from a priestess who offers sage advice on avoiding future pitfalls, granting a +2 to insight checks for the next session.
The party assists in an act of charity and is rewarded with a favor from a local noble, giving them a one-time use of a diplomatic letter that can grant them a +5 to an important negotiation.
The party finds a forgotten stash of royal weapons, including a finely crafted bronze spear (+2 attack) and 3 javelins (+1 attack). These can be used in future battles.

Extremely Helpful Encounters (21-25)

The party is approached by Nathan, the prophet, who bestows upon them wisdom that reveals a hidden conspiracy against King David, giving them knowledge that helps in future plots, resulting in a +4 to all intrigue rolls.
They meet a renowned blacksmith who offers to forge custom armor, providing a +2 AC and a symbol of their loyalty to David’s cause.
The party is gifted a sacred scroll containing prophecies about future conflicts. Using it grants an automatic success in one upcoming challenge related to the kingdom’s political landscape.
An influential merchant offers the party potent weapons (two fine daggers +2 attack and a shield of courage +1 AC) in exchange for loyalty. Accepting gives a +2 to charisma in future interactions with the merchant’s network.
The party discovers a long-lost prayer of David that, when recited, immediately raises their morale and grants them a +1 to all future attacks and defenses for the next 24 hours.

Bible Trivia Encounter

As the players engage in their quest, they may encounter circumstances that lead to trivia questions based on 2 Samuel 11. Answering these questions correctly can lead to helpful insights or guidance.

Questions

What was the name of Uriah’s wife, whom David saw from his palace?
How did David attempt to cover up Uriah’s death after his affair with Bathsheba?
What command did David give regarding Uriah’s placement in battle?
What was Uriah’s response when David asked him why he had not gone home to his wife?
Who sent a messenger to inform David about the death of Uriah?

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

Correct Answers

Bathsheba
He tried to make it appear that Uriah was the father of Bathsheba’s child.
To place Uriah in the front lines where the fighting was fiercest.
Uriah stated that it was not right for him to go home while his comrades were in battle.
Joab