Wandering Monsters

Created föstudagur 04 september 2020

https://www.creightonbroadhurst.com/what-is-the-wandering-monster-actually-doing-2/

These wanderers belong to the group controlling the dungeon (or this part of the dungeon). When encountered, the dungeon denizens are:

1. Patrolling their lair
2. Shirking their duties (drinking, gambling, sleeping etc.)
3. Carrying water
4. Disposing of rubbish
5. Escorting a prisoner
6. Watching for intruders
7. Chasing an escaped slave or prisoner
8. Repairing something such as a door, piece of furniture etc.
9. Moving foodstuffs or other heavy items about the lair
10. Loitering
11. Decorating something with graffiti
12. Arguing
13. Baiting a prisoner or small animal
14. Eating
15. Paling to watch for intruders (they could be asleep, drunk etc.)
16. Preparing to go on a scouting mission
17. Brawling with each other
18. Plotting against their chieftain or leader
19. Nefariously sneaking about
20. Making a lot of noise—perhaps shouting or singing

As well as the dungeon’s denizens, the party might instead encounter their slaves or an escaped prisoner. Such encounters will likely result in role-playing rather than combat and could even serve as a useful source of intelligence.

The PCs encounter another adventuring group or members of a group working against the dungeon’s denizens. The other party could be friendly (or not). When encountered, the explorers or interlopers are:

1. Sneaking towards their enemies
2. Returning from a raid with a prisoner
3. Resting
4. Setting up camp
5. Breaking camp
6. Setting a trap
7. Waiting to spring an ambush
8. Wandering about lost
9. Spying on their enemies
10. Searching for something hidden (a secret door, trap or treasure niche)

Some monsters are nothing more than mindless or near-mindless scavengers, driven by their base, atavistic influences. Rats, giant spiders and gelatinous cubes all fall into this category. The other dungeon denizens may tolerate, fear or hunt these scavengers. Scavengers rarely deliberately carry treasure with them. When encountered, the scavengers are:

1. Sleeping
2. Resting
3. Eating
4. Hiding
5. Waiting to pounce
6. Creating a new nest or lair
7. Dragging or carrying something (probably prey) back to their lair
8. Chasing prey

https://www.roleplayingtips.com/campaigns/wandering-monsters-three-step-recipe/

Step One: Build Your Local Wandering Monsters Inventory

Step Two: Expand Your Wandering Monsters Inventory

Step Three: Add Wandering Monster Activities For example, d6 possible interesting activities:

1. Fighting another wandering monster
2. Scouting or spying
3. Stealing something or has just stolen something
4. Stalking another wandering monster
5. Playing with or teaching others
6. Delivering a message or package

Many monsters will always attack when they encounter characters. However, sometimes the Labyrinth Lord will decide that a monster reacts differently, or may roll to determine how a monster (or monsters) reacts to encountering the characters. Monster Reaction Table Roll Result 2 Friendly, helpful 3-5 Indifferent, uninterested 6-8 Neutral, uncertain 9-11 Unfriendly, may attack 12 Hostile, attacks