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: terrain: sources: type:

combat

2 Giant Hyenas

At a tall mesa. There is a thermal spring with a patch of quicksand (there is a pile of misshapen rocks)
They are playing in sand
In a fight they swarm foes attempting to hide
Possibly... during the fight a wall, tree or building starts to collapse or fall
Difficulty... 600.0 Deadly

combat

2 Death Dogs

At a fenced obelisk and a ruined stone wall (there is a collapsed tent)
They are digging tunnels
In a fight they attack whoever is causing them the most pain
Possibly... they have an Eversmoking Bottle
Difficulty... 600.0 Deadly

combatogre

2 Half-Ogres (Monster Manual p.238) led by one named Ma

At a mud pool and a deep pool (there is a muddy stream)
They are looking for gold
In a fight they surrender if things go badly
Possibly... they have 1d4 Potions of Healing
Difficulty... 600.0 Deadly

combattemple

A group of the same faith

1 Priest named Ehput-Ki Calabra (human)
1 Acolyte

At a wide trench by a pile of rocks (there is a charred wagon)
They are are hunting something
In a fight they retreat carefully if it goes badly
Possibly... during the fight a shapeshifter is attracted to the fight and looks for opportunities
Difficulty... 750.0 Deadly

combat

1 Half-Ogre (Monster Manual p.238) named Faceripper

At an ancient monastery (there are lycanthrope tracks that look fresh)
They are sheltering from a dust storm
In a fight they try to capture any obvious spellcaster
Difficulty... 200 Medium