Out of the Box D&D Encounters, Series 2, #2: Black Circle
To expand on an opinion expressed by others more famous than myself (an easy achievement to accomplish), much of what we assume in D&D comes from a generic fantasy world. We tend to also assume the appearance and behavior of certain cultures and races. What I’d like to do in this encounter is bring an event which may have already occurred in this generic setting and describe it in a more primitive setting.
Out of the Box D&D Encounters, Series 2, #1: Stick in the Mud
Magic items as encounters has become an accepted option within this series. However, there’s one particular dynamic that has yet to be really explored fully – sentient items. Sentient items allow for a completely new approach to magic items as it not only allows the introduction of some cool magical effects, but essentially allows for the introduction of an unusual NPC into the group. Moreover, this NPC will enter into a special relationship with its owner/wielder. This relationship is somewhat symbiotic, as the sentient item will have its own motivations, personality, and “mental attributes.” When its motivations are subverted, a contest of personalities may occur whereby both the item and the possessor vie for control of the wielder. The winner of this contest then decides how the wielder acts for a time. This sort of relationship can open up a whole series of role-playing opportunities. However, if a potential player may take offense at such loss of control over their character concept, I would advise avoiding this sort of encounter.
Out of the Box D&D Encounters turns a year old
Free Out of the Box D&D Encounters adventure "Out of The Box" is now over a year old. It's hard to believe that it's been that long. From ship-to-ship Cockatrice invasions, to Mimic and Otyugh BFFs, Flying Goblins, Bullywug cavalry, Medusa bounty hunters, and young Dragons...
“All That Glitters” – Out of the Box D&D Encounters #50
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I’ve already explored the concept of monsters or treasure as encounters, but not usually as monsters covered in treasure. It’s one thing to face a foe and rifle their pockets and pouches after defeating them … it’s another thing entirely when the monster you face is plated in treasure that you risk damaging should you defeat this monster through conventional means.
For this encounter we will use the infamous Stone Golem, but not in the usual format. Stone Golems are essentially magically animated stone statues, which means that any statue should suffice. Additionally, by plating this Stone Golem in gold, we both disguise its true nature and turn a monster into a lure to guarantee the encounter. By changing the form of the statue from a humanoid shape into something less obvious (yet totally believable as a statue) like a horse, we have complimentary elements to disguise the encounter. This enhances the lure.
“One Crow, Two Crow, Three Crow, Scarecrow” – Out of the Box D&D Encounters #49
A continuing challenge, especially for starting DMs, is how to take the mundane and make it special. Fortunately, there are a wide array of D&D monsters that fit the bill. Each has their specialty. Mimics can stand in as mundane items. Piercers look like stalagtites, as do Darkmantles. Grey Oozes can resemble wet stone or pools of water. After a time, though, players will come to expect this. Then it’s time to bring out classic themes from horror and surprise player characters when they least expect it. In a dungeon setting, they might well be ready for something. When travelling from “this town or village” to “that town or village” in patrolled or protected lands, the player characters will let their guard down. Farmlands are perfect for this setting, as they are cultivated lands typically already under the auspice of a local sheriff, regent, baron or other leader. They should be safe.
That’s when you can spring the surprise.
“Smells Fishy” – Out of the Box D&D Encounters #48
I once found a free adventure online that delved into a concept that D&D has often covered, but essentially in reverse. We have seen Underdark versions of several surface races. Duergar, Derro, Drow, Svirfneblin, etc., have all been a part of D&D for decades, and the public has accepted them as part of the D&D canon. It’s often the case whereby we will take any number of surface races and apply this non-specific “Underdark template” to these races. However, this online adventure did one thing that, at least to my experience, has never been done before – it turned that concept around in 180 degrees. It had surface, swamp dwelling Kuo-Toa. Perhaps this is due to a particular and very popular MMORPG that shall remain unnamed in this article.
“Shadow of Your Former Self” – Out of The Box D&D Encounters #47
Ask any Dungeon Master what the most dangerous thing in a Dungeons & Dragons game is, and I’ll bet the majority will come back to you with “the players.” Players can range in power and abilities more than any monster and will always find the cracks in any system and crawl through. Players will think outside the box more often than not and will work around problems you might think they need to face head on. I can remember playing “Zelda: The Ocarina of Time” forever ago, and the most frustrating encounter was fighting a shadow mirror image of yourself.
“Pay to Play” – Out of the Box D&D Encounters #46
Sometimes you just need to lighten up and have fun. A series of high-tension encounters filled with danger and worry can certainly establish the right tone, but sometimes you just need to laugh or have fun. It is my hope the following encounter will combine...
“Gang of One” – Out of the Box D&D Encounters #45
How many times have you, as Dungeon Master, heard this phrase: “Wait, a (insert monster)? In (insert environment)? Don’t they normally occur in (insert different environment)?” How many times has THAT been a headache? Well, this Out of The Box addresses that sort of dilemma. True, many random encounter generators, whether digital or printed, separate the reasonably possible creatures into the environs they should be expected in. However, the DM may wish to use a creature because they may never have tried a new one, or find the list of possible encounters uninspiring.
The simple solution is to re-skin a creature in such a way as to MAKE it plausible.
“Old Yeller” – Out of the Box D&D Encounters #44
Monster synergy. It’s something you do not hear all that much. Surely we all know that different goblinoids will work together, or that some creatures like Ettins and Ogres will work for others for the right bribe. However, when it comes to some, they are generally overlooked except in the most obvious cases. We have seen lesser animated undead like Skeletons or Zombies work with each other or the creature that animated them – but not with something equally mindless.
“The Beast of Bellard” – Out of the Box D&D Encounters #43
This game is filled with a lot of preconceptions. Monsters are viewed, many times, in a singular way. Orcs are savages. Goblins are cowards. Trolls are unintelligent brutes, and the only way to beat them is with fire or acid.
This is a product of the long history of D&D. This game has a lot of back story based in player and DM experience, and has influenced movies, novels, games, and pop culture since its inception. That is both good and bad. It’s good to know your fave hobby has had such an impact, but it’s bad when the preconceptions become not only the norm, but expected. That removes the magic of discovery we experienced players envy in the most nostalgic way when we see a new player discover something we’ve seen a thousand times. We look at that new player with a sense of wonder and miss that feeling.
“Fibble’s Fantastic Familiars” – Out of the Box D&D Encounters #42
An Apothecary Smoking in an Interior by Adriaen van Ostade, oil on panel, 1646. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Okay, DMs, how many times have your D&D players asked you about familiars and other companions? A DM who has at least one Wizard or Warlock (Pact of the Chain) in the group will likely display how fun this relationship can be, and that may lead to a desire for others to have their own “little friend.” Some will want one for color or roleplaying. Some will want one for the power it gives for scouting and “Help” actions. Some will want one out of sheer envy. Players are all different.
“Backstabber” – Out of the Box D&D Encounters #41
Many starting Dungeon Masters struggle with how to make a new monster not already in an existing reference manual. The general advice is almost always “just re-skin it.” That can be tricky when that new monster doesn’t really fit into one category or another. So, in an effort to assist starting DMs, here’s an example of an encounter which blends aspects of two different “monsters” to create a new encounter to keep new and experienced players off guard.
“Three Eyes Are Better” – Out of the Box D&D Encounters #40
In conjunction with previous encounters, this will also expand on the concept of making D&D monster encounters less “vanilla.” As seen in “Phoeba’s Bet,” this will be another foray into granting class levels to a normally predictable monster.
The monster in question this time is the (lowly) Cyclops. The Cyclops has classically been seen as a dim-witted, superstitious, and ill-tempered brute who might fall victim to any assortment of late-night infomercials. Whereas that preconception should bear some merit, and some elements may be contained in this encounter, leaving it as-is defeats the purpose of delivering an encounter that challenges preconceptions. Drawing from inspiration from such sources as Bugs Bunny (“The Abominable Snowman”) and Star Trek TNG “Samaritan Snare,” this encounter was designed to take on the concept of a danger interjected with moments of humor.
“Enemy at the Gates” – Out of the Box D&D Encounters #39
A great villain who sees very little action is the Oni (otherwise called the Ogre Magi or Japanese Ogre). Oni are special in the ranks of the giant-kind in that they are talented spell casters and shape-shifters. They walk the line between brute and Hag,...
