Just Passing Through

This is a particularly interesting addition to our ongoing Wandering Monster table series only because we feel this solo backpacker could fit into either the Dungeon Delve or Wilderness Trek environments. Let’s take a closer look!

We like to alternate entries into each table, and it’s Wilderness’ turn today, but this charming chap will actually fit into each table as our resident Passerby. Plus, it’s nice to have our miniatures pull a little double-duty once in a while.

This brilliant sculpt is by Crippled God Foundry, and it’s from their fab Dungeon of Despair Kickstarter. Officially dubbed “The Wandering Merchant,” he was an unlocked stretch goal and one of the first prints we did on download day.

There’s a lot to love here: his sheer size (makes folks think twice about jumping him), all the bits and bobs on his person, the long walking stick, the bearded facial expression, and on and on and on. Three cheers to resident painter Kimmy Utah on an excellent coloring job!

Our Wandering Monster tables will alternate between hostile and non-combat situations and contain 20 rows, but no d20 roll is triggered unless the DM first rolls a six on 6d6. DM Ben likes to keep things simple and roll those six dice just once during an attempted long rest or for any one-hour of inactivity. Since our tables will include non-battle stuff, we think this is a reasonable way to handle the potential of an unexpected encounter.

Alternatively, if you want the players to join in on the randomized fun, you can have each player roll a d6. The more sixes rolled, the more likely a wandering encounter will take place or the bigger the number of baddies there are to fight. Special thanks to “Jabberwocky” on the Milestone Heroes discord for the great idea. Just remember — mixing up your approach to the rules is okay.

Let’s flush out our unexpected Passerby and give him all the details for a fun, interactive encounter…

• Name: Fenton Hindergrass
• Sells: See below.
• Physical traits: 6’6″, 240 lbs, built like an ox.
• Personna: A loner. Scavenger. Mild-mannered.
• Other: Extremely stealthy when he wants to be.

When Fenton approaches the party, he’s very deliberate and cautious. He identifies himself and comes from the shadows with his arms raised in a come-in-peace stance. He intentionally lets a couple of his wares jingle and jangle so that the group isn’t too startled as he comes into view. If you like picking accents for your NPCs, an Italian New Yorker vibe or maybe a burley Russian voice would work here.

His introduction might go something like this: “Hello, hello. No need to be alarmed. Fenton Hindergrass, esquire, at your humble service. I mean no harm and am merely passing through. Might I interest you in any emergency wares?”

So, what exactly might he sell here? DM Ben has some ideas:

• Healing Potion (50 gp)
• Restoration Scrolls (400 gp)
• Ranged Ammo (a few bolts, arrows, etc)
• Additional 50 ft of rope
• Antitoxen Vial (advantage on poison saves)
• Lock Picks/Thieves Tools (25 gp)
• Lock and Key (10 gp)
• Manacles (2 gp)
• Candles or Torches (2 cp)
• Empty Vials & Bottles (2 gp each)
• Signal Whistle (1 gp)
• Flask of Oil (1 sp) | Holy Water (25 gp)
• Flare Arrow (15 gp)
• Firecracker (2 gp) | Wind-up Toy (6 gp)
• Unique, mysterious Items*

While researching this article, we came across this fantastic Reddit thread/d100 table and included several of those great suggestions in the bullets above. Be sure to check out the complete table and all its comments for all sorts of inspiration.

Fenton is clearly a wandering hunter and gatherer who lurks in the shadows of recent battles so he can swoop at the end of forage accordingly. He’ll also roam popular forest trails in the hopes a group has recently fallen victim to some unexpected wandering monsters. So, naturally, he’s going to have a few oddball items for sale.

The first peculiar item is some minty-tasting Concentrated Chewing Bark that gives you advantage on your next concentration roll. It only lasts for one hour, though.

The second oddball item is a jar of Night Vision Grease. When applied under the eyes, it grants Dark Vision for 30 minutes. It has up to six uses. Pretty reasonable price-wise at just 60 gp.

Lastly, ol’ Fenton will even sell you the cloak off his back for a mere 50 gp. Alas, this is no ordinary cape! Nicknamed “El’ Poncho See-Ya,” it helps you blend in (+1 to Stealth checks) to one of three common environments: forest (green and brown), dungeon (grey and black), or desert (brown and tan). Roll a d4-1 to determine which one he has at the time of the encounter. Or, he might have all three with a couple rolled up in his knapsack.

And once again, we used Felraider’s marvelous Adobe PDF Magic Item card generator tool to make our physical handout cards.

DM Ben suggests really selling the fact that these are second-hand items and painting a picture of Hindergrass’ salvaging skills. Stuff like dried blood on the handle, scuffs and slight tears on the obviously pre-worn clothing, and even some hastily buffed-out initials on a few items.

To finish things off, let’s be sure to revise our ongoing table…

Now how much for that ball of twine again? 😉