BRPG Encounter Table: Divine Encounters Along the Path of Elijah

Nuanced Encounter Table for 1 Kings 17

This encounter table is designed for players engaging with the narrative found in 1 Kings 17, where the prophet Elijah is directed by God to the Brook Cherith and then to Zarephath during a time of drought. Each encounter reflects historical, cultural, and regional aspects of the ancient Israelite context, offering challenges, assistance, and opportunities related to the quest for sustenance and the divine purpose.

Table

Hurtful Encounters (1-5)

You encounter a group of harsh soldiers from Israel who have become mercenaries. They demand tribute for safe passage and will inflict 1d6 damage if you refuse. Your party must succeed on a DC 12 Charisma saving throw to avoid combat.
A local false prophet claims to speak for Baal. He tells you that sacrificing livestock at his altar will end the drought. If you follow his advice, you lose resources and credibility in the community.
You find evidence of a famine-stricken family. If you assist them, you will lose 1d4 of your food supplies, but you gain knowledge of hidden paths to avoid danger in the future.
The town holds a festival in honor of Baal, where you are briefly detained. During this time, roll a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw; on failure, you receive a -1 penalty to your next strength-based checks due to drunkenness.
A wild animal, driven by hunger, attacks you. It is a hungry bear (HP 30, AC 12, attack +7, dealing 1d8 damage). If you defeat it, you can harvest its meat for rations.

Mild Nuisance Encounters (6-10)

You overhear gossip about a rival prophet that distracts your party during the journey, imposing a -2 penalty to your next skill check.
While traveling, you stumble upon an empty well. A search reveals broken pottery that has historical significance, granting you +10 knowledge about the region if you succeed on a DC 12 Intelligence check.
A friendly villager offers to share a meal but, in doing so, consumes your last food rations. Gain a +1 to Charisma for future interactions.
You find a small shrine to Asherah along your path that causes a brief sense of unease in your party. Roll a DC 10 Wisdom saving throw; on failure, lose 1d2 sanity points for the day.
As you pass through a village, a merchant attempts to sell you overpriced clay jars, claiming they are blessed. You can haggle for a better price, but you must succeed on a DC 14 Charisma check to avoid being ripped off.

Somewhat Helpful Encounters (11-15)

An elderly widow speaks highly of Elijah and offers you insights into his character: you can ask her one question about the prophet’s past for a bonus action in future checks related to Elijah.
You find a scattered group of dried figs. If you take the time to collect them (requiring a DC 12 Dexterity check), you will gain provisions that heal 1d4 health points.
A traveling minstrel shares tales of bravery in exchange for food. If you share food with him, he blesses you with a song that grants +1 morale to your party.
During a stop at a stream, you discover stones that can be used as weapons (+1 attack to stone projectiles). Collecting them requires a successful DC 10 Intelligence check.
A group of shepherds provides refuge from the sun in exchange for assistance in locating a lost sheep. Successful recovery gives you a boon that restores 1d4 health points to any one member of your party.

Very Helpful Encounters (16-20)

You discover a hidden cache of supplies, including a sturdy leather satchel (+2 to carrying capacity) and a flask of oil that can be used for cooking or starting fires (lasts 3 uses).
A caravan of traders approaches, offering 3 portions of food in exchange for information about Elijah—an opportunity to gain favor and insight into the ongoing drought.
An angelic figure appears briefly, providing guidance on your next steps. Gain +1 Wisdom for your next decision roll involving supernatural help.
You meet a kind-hearted farmer who offers you a map to hidden sources of water and food. The map grants advantage on survival checks related to resource gathering for the next two sessions.
A new acquaintance shares tablets inscribed with historical accounts of Elijah’s miracles. Reading them grants +2 on any knowledge-related checks for historical context.

Extremely Helpful Encounters (21-25)

A messenger arrives from King Ahab, seeking Elijah’s guidance. Following this path allows you to gain favor with the king, granting you access to royal resources (+2 to future negotiation checks).
You find an abandoned hut that contains a hidden altar dedicated to Yahweh. Praying there grants your party a temporary +2 Blessing on all rolls for the next encounter.
A local well-wisher offers a fine cloak of animal hide that provides +1 AC to whomever wears it, in addition to enhancing stealth in wooded areas.
Elijah himself appears and blesses your party, restoring all health and providing a divine boon that allows one character to automatically succeed on a skill check of their choice.
Discover a scroll containing prophecies of rain to come, which grants you +10 in any negotiation during future drought discussions with townsfolk, as they will trust your insights.