BRPG Encounter Table: Gibeonite Struggles

The BRPG Encounter Table immerses players in the narrative of 2 Samuel 21, highlighting Gibeonite struggles and divine interventions.

Nuanced Encounter Table for 2 Samuel 21

This encounter table immerses players in the narrative of 2 Samuel 21, where King David navigates the consequences of Saul’s actions, particularly relating to the famine and the Gibeonites. The setting is the land of Israel, particularly the region surrounding Jerusalem, during David’s reign. Players may face challenges and allies as they seek to make amends with the Gibeonites.

Table

Extremely Hurtful Encounters (Rolls 1-5)

A Gibeonite ambush: Unbeknownst to the party, they are attacked by three Gibeonite warriors (AC 14, HP 20 each, attack +4, deals 1d8 damage). The party must defeat them or flee, taking 1d4 damage if caught. This encounter risks worsening relations with the Gibeonites.
False counsel from a town elder: An elderly man claims to have insight into the Gibeonites. He falsely encourages the party to offer gold, stating, “They will be appeased by riches,” leading them to waste valuable resources and anger the Gibeonites further. Players lose 10 coins.
Curse of the land: The party feels a sudden drop in morale, suffering a -1 penalty to all rolls, as a local seer announces, “The land remembers the blood spilled by Saul.” This cursed feeling lasts until they make reparations with the Gibeonites.
Rival claimants: A rival group of Israelites demands tribute to not attack the party. They threaten violence unless paid 15 shekels, or they will raid the party’s supplies, dealing 2d6 damage to their resources.
Plague of locusts: A swarm appears suddenly, decimating the crops in a nearby field. Players must roll a DC 15 Strength check to avoid losing a day of travel, nullifying their next progress toward negotiating with the Gibeonites.

Mild Nuisance Encounters (Rolls 6-10)

A merchant offers a map: An opportunistic merchant sells an inaccurate map to the Gibeonite territory for 5 shekels, claiming it contains sacred routes. However, it leads to a dead end, wasting time.
A wandering minstrel sings about past glories of Saul, which causes the local people to murmur and gawk, causing a -1 penalty to Charisma checks until the players can redirect the conversation.
Rumors of the Gibeonites: Players overhear vague gossip about the Gibeonites’ grievances, giving them a general sense of their demands. They gain advantage on the next Charisma check with any Gibeonite NPC.
Request for assistance: A local farmer needs help driving off wild animals threatening his flock. Players can gain favor from the community (+1 to future checks) and experience (2 XP) by helping.
Lost sheep: The party encounters a lone sheep in distress. If they help it find its way back to its owner, they gain a favor in the local community, allowing them to ask a critical favor later.

Somewhat Helpful Encounters (Rolls 11-15)

Message from the Gibeonites: A Gibeonite messenger approaches, offering a chance to negotiate terms if the party visits their camp—showing they are willing to communicate but still holding onto their grievances.
A forgotten tool: The players discover an old plowshare with inscriptions for making amends with Gibeonite families. Using it grants them +1 to their attempts at diplomacy with the Gibeonites.
A healer offers assistance: A local healer, upon hearing of the party’s quest, provides a herbal remedy. Players gain +1 to their next Constitution check, boosting their endurance in upcoming challenges.
Historical scroll: An ancient scroll detailing the covenant between Israel and the Gibeonites is found. This knowledge grants +2 to any Persuasion rolls related to negotiations with them.
A supportive villager: A villager named Eli offers to guide the party to the Gibeonite camp, which saves them a day’s travel time, preventing exhaustion penalties on their next roll.

Very Helpful Encounters (Rolls 16-20)

Gibeonite ally: A sympathetic Gibeonite, named Rahab, offers to help the party understand the Gibeonites’ perspective, blessing them with a temporary +1 bonus to all Charisma checks against her people.
Divine intervention: While praying for guidance, one party member receives visions that reveal the Gibeonite’s true desires, granting advantage on the next negotiation roll.
Holy relic: A shard from an ancient altar is discovered, believed to bring peace among conflicting parties. Possessing it grants +3 to any diplomatic efforts with the Gibeonites.
Revelation of truth: The party learns from an old scripture that speaks of honoring treaties. This provides insights that lead to a successful negotiation, providing +10 reputation among local tribes.
Knowledge of Saul’s acts: The party finds a hidden tome detailing the injustices committed against the Gibeonites by Saul, allowing them to present this knowledge to win favor, granting them an extra +2 to their influence attempts.

Extremely Helpful Encounters (Rolls 21-25)

Direct audience with Gibeonite leaders: The party is granted direct access to the Gibeonite leaders due to their reputation, paving the way for high-stakes negotiations; any agreement made receives +5 influence.
Favorable winds: The divine presence offers them favor, allowing them to travel faster for the next two days, effectively gaining two days of narrative time towards their main quest.
Gift of the harvest: An unexpected bounty from a thankful local farmer provides the party with 10 days of food, allowing them to focus on negotiations without worrying about sustenance.
Communal blessings: The local elders bless the party, boosting their reputation further. They gain access to rare resources when they return, marked by a +5 reputation and potential for future allies.
A prophecy realized: A wandering prophet foretells the party’s success in their quest. This grants all members +1 to all rolls until the quest is completed, reinforcing their resolve and strength in negotiations.

Bible Trivia Encounter

During your journey, you may face a trivia challenge that tests your knowledge of 2 Samuel 21.

Question 1: Who did King David seek to appease due to the famine in Israel? (Answer: Gibeonites)
Question 2: What was the reason behind the famine during David’s reign? (Answer: Saul’s bloodguilt against the Gibeonites)
Question 3: What was the request of the Gibeonites to David in order to make amends? (Answer: Seven descendants of Saul to be handed over)
Question 4: How many men did the Gibeonites specifically ask for? (Answer: Seven)
Question 5: Who among Saul’s descendants was spared and not handed over? (Answer: Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son)

Roll 1d20. Add the number of correct answers.

Final result = 1-25.