Sooner or later, your players will ignore your narrative breadcrumbs in favor of aiding a random NPC. This is good and right. But it helps to be prepared when it happens!
One Roll Wonders are a way to throw together RPG locations and points of interest in the time it takes for a bathroom break!
To make something on the fly, grab one of each of the polyhedral dice: d4, d6, d8, d1, d12, and d20. Roll them all at once and consult the tables.
The results provide a ready-made bit of adventure. You might need to massage the outcome to create something coherent, or you might find a result that appeals to you more than what you rolled. Whatever gets the game moving is the right call!
Want more help keeping things running? The Prepared! Expanded Collection is an group of pre-generated one-shot adventures that helps you look like an improv master.
The Merchant Caravan
| d4 | How trained are the (other) caravan guards? |
| 1 | Poor |
| 2 | Adequate |
| 3 | Well-trained |
| 4 | Highly competent |
| d6 | How does the caravan move its goods? |
| 1 | Pack animals |
| 2 | Wagons |
| 3 | Barges |
| 4 | Sleds |
| 5 | Sandships |
| 6 | Clockwork vehicle |
| d8 | What is the caravan’s destination? |
| 1 | A walled settlement at the edge of the frontier |
| 2 | A strategic military outpost in unfriendly lands |
| 3 | A nomadic trading village on the plains |
| 4 | A mining village in the high mountains |
| 5 | A gaping maw into the underworld |
| 6 | A remote temple |
| 7 | A port city along an azure sea |
| 8 | A shining metropolis at the center of the world |
| d10 | Who does the caravan encounter along the way? |
| 1 | A wild-eyed prophet |
| 2 | a newly established village led by a charismatic figure |
| 3 | Caravanners coming form the opposite direction |
| 4 | a Humanoid tribe with a monstrous problem |
| 5 | Bandits collecting “protection” money |
| 6 | Herd of wild animals |
| 7 | Humanoids suffering from a plague or curse |
| 8 | Survivors of a failed caravan |
| 9 | Ghosts haunting the region |
| 10 | A hungry, but discreet drake |
| d12 | Who else is traveling with the caravan? |
| 1 | Paupers in search of a fresh start |
| 2 | Troupe of musicians |
| 3 | Mysterious figure from a faraway land |
| 4 | Researcher |
| 5 | Soldiers |
| 6 | Bounty hunter |
| 7 | Pilgrims ill equipped for the journey |
| 8 | Artisan following guild assignment |
| 9 | Local legend fleeing a consequence |
| 10 | A salesperson hawking miracle cures |
| 11 | A criminal who will stand trial at the destination |
| 12 | The heir apparent |
| d20 | What trade goods are the caravan carrying? |
| 1 | Root vegetables |
| 2 | Dried fruit and beans |
| 3 | Grains and rice |
| 4 | Clothing |
| 5 | Animal hides, furs, leather, raw wool |
| 6 | Cookware (Earthenware, dishes, cups, cooking pots, cauldrons) |
| 7 | Cooking oil or tallow |
| 8 | Alcohol (beer, wine, mead, liquor) |
| 9 | Unrefined metals (gold, copper, iron) |
| 10 | Quarried stone |
| 11 | Clockwork parts and tools |
| 12 | Aromatic herbs and incense |
| 13 | Rugs or tapestries |
| 14 | Traditional medicines and healing potions |
| 15 | Small livestock (chickens, ducks, geese, swans) |
| 16 | Silk |
| 17 | Spell components |
| 18 | Salt and common spices (pepper, dried garlic) |
| 19 | Exotic spices and fruits (citron, pomegranate, dragonfruit) |
| 20 | Art objects (paintings, sculpture, art tools) |
Brilliant. I love tables like this. So handy!
Stunningly wonderful in every way. One of my favorite types of tables is this particular one. It is certainly convenient!