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:

combatgnoll

A group of gnolls

1 Gnoll
1 Giant Hyena
1 Hyena

At a deep quarry (the sun is shining)
They are digging up someone
In a fight they retreat when half their number have fallen
Difficulty... 465.0 Deadly

combat

2 Pseudodragons

At a beast pen holding mules by a narrow stream (close by is an overgrown cave entrance)
They are stealing domesticated beasts
In a fight they attempt hit and run tactics
Possibly... they have a Spell Scroll of wall of fog
Difficulty... 150.0 Easy

combatbandit

6 Bandits

At a covered depression (nearby is a part-buried statue)
They are making sand sculptures
In a fight they use ranged attacks on the nearest foe
Possibly... they have a Medallion of Thoughts
Difficulty... 300 Hard

combat

1 Githyanki Warrior (Monster Manual p.160) named Ghostspire

At a patch of pretty cacti by a lonely small monument (there is the scent of animals in the air)
They are looking for gold
In a fight they start by targeting foes attempting to hide
Possibly... during the fight a swarm of ants attacks someone
Difficulty... 700 Deadly

combat

2 Death Dogs

At a group of exposed shrubs surrounded by debris (by an eerie gorge)
They are digging a pit
In a fight they attack whoever looks most dangerous
Possibly... during the fight a non-combatant stumbles into the area
Difficulty... 600.0 Deadly