D&D Random Encounters for 5E - Desert

Encounters might be a meeting with a patrol of guards at an old shrine or a familiar looking for aid. It might be an ambush in the wilderness, a stand-off in the city or a monster in the Underdark.
The desert conjures images of sun-blasted wastes, stark canyons and sandy ridges. Encounters may take place at a well-guarded oasis, a lonely mesa, among half buried ruins or in the bed of a dried up river.

tools for - dnd5e encounters desert

level: party size: terrain: sources: type:

combat

1 Swarm of Insects

At a field of debris (there is a sand sculpture)
They are sheltering from a dust storm
In a fight they attack at random
Possibly... they have a Candle of Invocation
Difficulty... 100 Easy

combat

3 Pseudodragons

At an area of tangled desert flowers (there is bright sunshine)
They are playing in sand
In a fight they attempt to attack from hiding
Difficulty... 300 Hard

combat

1 Lion

At a few insect covered cypress saplings surrounded by debris (nearby is a tomb)
They are digging a pit
In a fight they attack whoever is nearest
Difficulty... 200 Medium

combat

1 Swarm of Insects

At an area of hardy sedge (there are a few tall spiked cacti)
They are dehydrated
In a fight they attack whoever is causing them the most pain
Difficulty... 100 Easy

combatgnoll

A group of gnolls

1 Gnoll
1 Giant Hyena

At a sandstone rock surrounded by cracked earth (nearby is a cave entrance blocked by a boulder)
They are bearing symbols of a sun diety
In a fight they used ranged attacks and maintain their distance if possible
Possibly... they have a Potion of Fire Resistance
Difficulty... 450.0 Deadly