Encounter!

Due to naive unconcern, our party is about to get their first Learning Experience when it comes to standing watch during nighttime hours. Something lurks nearby…

The Random Wilderness Encounter table for Uninhabited/Wilderness areas in a Temperate/Sub-Tropical environment is on page 184-185 of the DMG. A simple d100 roll, cross-referenced to Rough terrain (R 30) reveals that Humanoids of some type have been lurking in the shadows of the rock formations about the camp. A d100 roll on the Humanoid sub-table at the bottom of pg. 185 (R 52) results in Kobolds. 

 

Starting on pg. 196 of the DMG, there is a basic, stats-only listing of monsters from the Monster Manual. It does not provide a “number appearing” range for any monster, just single-creature stat lines. Of course, we could (and will, eventually) refer to the entries in the Monster Manual for full details of creatures encountered, but the DM has an idea.

A single Kobold can make some interesting sense, because there is a single small dwelling somewhere in this hex (see the previous blog entry).

Therefore, I decide that the party unknowingly bedded down for the night on the other side of the rocks from this lonely kobold's hovel-cave. Cast out from his tribe for (reasons), he has been scratching out a living here by the hairpin turn in the road, carefully sneaking into poorly guarded campsites to pilfer what he can to supplement his meager diet of lizards and insects. Driven by curiosity, hunger and maybe loneliness, he has been watching them from above. Once they appear fully sleep, he makes his move…

A thorough review of the PHB and DMG reveals that there are no rules concerning surprise of a completely sleeping party (or sleeping monster, for that matter). Normal Surprise rules call for a d6 vs. d6 roll-off with various modifiers, but it is clear from the examples given, tables, etc. that Surprise rules are only meant for conscious groups that can possibly detect each other. Since there are no rules for anyone EXCEPT a Thief to move quietly, we can assume one of two things. Nobody but a Thief can ever be sneaky without magic aid, and even a Thief will suck at it most of the time.

So, lacking rules for this type of encounter, the DM decides that there is a 1 in 12 chance someone in the party wakes up while the Kobold is doing his work.

(R 7) Snoring continues unabated as the Kobold quietly picks his way among the gear scattered by the fire. His primary quarry was food, and the Iron Rations represent a King's feast to him after untold months/years in the badlands. A week's worth of rations vanish, along with the not-as-full-as-before wineskin, and our bandit tip-toes his way back to his lair.

We started the adventure with a week of rations for each person, or 28 man-days total. The loss of a complete week's worth or rations plus the day the party has consumed reduces the total to 17 man-days left. Instead of 6 days worth of food, the party is down to 4.25 days. A potential disaster, to be sure. 

This might not be the end of the the troubles because Day Two will start with an encounter roll (ER 2). 

Thankfully our adventurers will have some undisturbed time to discover they've been raided during the night. Waking up slowly to a clear, warm day (the DMG has no Random Weather charts, so we'll fall back on DonJon's random generators again, giving us a clear day with light winds and moderate temperatures (81'F for the high)). 

One of the bearers looks up from repacking the gear.  "Hey, boss - unless someone got some kinda hole in their stomach, I think we've been hit. I can't find a whole week of rations."

Everyone stops and begins looking around the campsite. Minston soon realizes the wineskin is gone as well. Footman finds signs nearby that seem to indicate that whatever it was, it sat the package of rations down and dragged it for a bit before picking it up and walking. Small clawed footprints and dribbles of spilled wine on the dusty ground lead around the smooth rock outcrop where they spent the night. 

"Right!" declares Minston, straightening his armor and smoothing his hair. "Bearers, you stay and finish packing Mule and make sure our visitor doesn't return for round two. Footman, with me!"

As the two men finishing gearing up, Minston advises the bearers "If it looks like the scoundrel made it too far, we'll come back for you and resume as a group. If we're not back by nightfall... then we aren't coming back. Be strong, fair friends!"

The bearers look at each other conspiratorially, then back and Minston, nodding. "Right, boss."

Within moments, Minston and Footman are off on the trail of the dastardly fiend who pilfered their goods!