RPG a Day 2025, Day 3,4,5

Time for a creativity dump!

Look at me rolling on those tables!

Day 3: Tavern.

“What? “Envious” “Adventure”

Imagine a Tavern on the crossroads of unexplored lands. Its name is not important, but this is a place where groups of budding and seasoned adventurers meet up to discuss the next plan for gold and glory. You are a young Tavern sweep, a local boy who is paid a copper a day to clean the cracked wood floor. While you quietly pile up the dirt, you listen to each table, every day.

What rumor finally inspires you to drop your broom and carry a torch for these people?

Roll a D6

1. “There’s a monastery about two leagues from here in the mountains. They say the Monks built it on top of an old cave system, and while exploring, they found a temple to a forgotten god. No one has heard from them since.”

-We had a haggard monk pass through here, rambling about a cursed book his brothers found. I’d better warn them about that. Maybe they need some help…

2. “Here, boy, toss this out. One of that last gang of vagabonds left their scroll case here, and I’ll be damned if I’m keeping their garbage around here.”

- I remember the man in the cloak who had this on his belt; he gave me a whole silver piece as a tip. I’d better give this back to him. Maybe he’d teach me how to read these scrolls…

3. “Passed by a farmer on my way here. He was talking about how his sheep were going missing. I bet he’d give us some supplies if we hunted down the wolves that were killing his livestock.”

-Old Farmer Benideict was complaining about that last week. He said that where his sheep were, there was the scent of cinnamon on the grass. That’s not wolves, these adventures are in danger if I don’t go with them…

4. “I’d stay away from the Elf in the corner with the eyepatch. They were asking for anyone who would join their court to help 'reclaim their birthright' or some nonsense. I don’t bother with any pointed-eared shenanigans.”

- I brought that Elf a glass of wine, and I couldn’t stop staring at them. They are so beautiful. I bet if I offered to carry their pack, I could get close to them…

5. “I’m telling you, this cairn has to be somewhere around here. This old map shows the river running down the hill and that ruined watchtower. We have to be in the right place. We’re so close I can smell that gold.”

- I know that place! My Grandpa told me to always stay away from that mound of rocks when I was a kid. Well, I’m not a kid now, and if there’s gold in that grave, then these adventures can spare some if I lead them there…

6. “No, it’s safe in my wagon. The dragon egg is covered, keeping it just warm enough. Once we give it to the Duke, we’re sure to get a reward.”

- I want a pet Dragon.

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Day 4: Message

“What?” “Nostalgic” “Art”

This reminded me of something that hooked me on TTRPGs when I was a teenager.

I had been playing for a few years, and I wanted to try my hand at being a DM. This was for D&D 2nd edition. My first time out, I had made so many mistakes, like creating a boring linear, video game-like adventure, and using ONLY dinosaurs as monsters, that I almost gave up.

The next time, I decided to make it more tactile. What makes TTRPGs better than video games? Lots of things, but one of them is physical interaction at the table. You are all there holding books, sheets, and dice.

So for their classic “you meet in a tavern” hook, I drew up a very sparse map with some “here be dragons” doodles on it, and the back was a message to where the treasure was. My dad even helped me age it with tea, and we burnt the edges.

Props like a handwritten note for players go back as far as Castle Ravenloft, but I’d never seen one before.

When I handed that to my players, they were so surprised that they got to actually hold something in their hands related to the game.

That small session was a success and inspired me to keep going.

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Day 5: Ancient “Why?” “Proud” “Rule”

This one writes itself. Why do the proud follow the ancient rules?

This is a common trope. It’s used in folk horror a lot (looking at you, Wicker Man.. no, not the Nic Cage one). Or almost every religion.

It could be elders who have simply passed on the rules for generations, or something written on a stone in the town square that people take for granted now.

When your PC’s go into a situation like this, to make it less cliché, let’s give your believers a good reason to follow rules like this.

These NPCs are not evil. They have never had a reason or motivation to question the rules. That’s where the PC’s come in. They start the conflict of “Questioning the Ancient Rules.”

Why do the peasants still follow the ancient rules?

1. Ignorance. They’ve done it for so long that no one remembers why they do it; they just do it because it’s what they’ve always done.

2. Fear. They are superstitious and are terrified of what would happen if they ever broke the rule.

3. Tradition. Our founders did it, and so shall we. It hasn’t led us astray yet.

4. Binding. A magical force compels them to follow these rules.

Other factors to consider

-Are the NPCs being manipulated to follow these rules, and if so, can you rally them against the real cause of the conflict?

-Is the force behind the rule so powerful, and for the good of the land, that this village must fall? Can the PCs accept a “no-win” scenario?

-A lot of these are investigative or heavy social conflicts. The PC’s can convince some, and use that success to build momentum. NPC reaction can vary depending on the nature of the rule. Ignorance and tradition have less dangerous stakes than fear, and a magically bound NPC is either a blank slate just carrying out commands or a fierce defender that will stop at nothing to see its puppet master's wishes fulfilled.