Forest Non-Combat Encounters, NPCs and Hazards for 5e

"A young green dragon is visiting their grandparent who is asleep somewhere nearby. Is being careful not to cause any trouble."

Tables for Non-Combat Encounters, Quick NPCs and Hazards & Obstacles for Forest. Result is from Forest Non-Combat Encounters.

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Forest Non-Combat, NPCs & Hazards

Forests are full of beasts, fey folk and sylvan dangers. A giant badger might adopt you or druids invite you to share mushrooms with you. Meet NPCs from an elf scout with a dazzling smile to a whispering werewolf herbalist. Deal with forest fires, whispering winds and relentless rain.

There is a 5e Forest random encounter generator at ChaosGen. There is also a pdf of these and more tables at the DM's Guild as Forest Encounters.

Forest Encounter Tables - creatures | locations | non-combat | enhancements

Forest Non-Combat Encounters

1d8+1d12	Forest Non-Combat Encounters
2	A quaggoth thonot makes experimental potions they need trying out
3	A unicorn is acting oddly as it is under a feeblemind spell.
4	A yeti (speaks Common and Sylvan) is obsessed with finding sylvan creatures and joining in their music with its howls.
5	Several satyrs and centaurs are crushing berries and fruits for a forest wine. Accept any offered help in preparing or consuming drink.
6	Three elven scouts are using a dead body in an archery contest.
7	A forlorn and unhappy cat is adorned with silver bells on a collar with its name. There is no sign of its owner.
8	A young green dragon is visiting their grandparent who is asleep somewhere nearby. Is being careful not to cause any trouble.
9	A noble has recently awoken wearing minimal clothes and with a tiny arrow. The last they remember is a small winged shape.
10	A few druids invite group to help consume enchanted mushrooms.
11	An old dire wolf is trapped in a deep pit. It looks hungry.
12	A treant warns of forest fires. Follows group for a while and sends sprites to check on them.
13	A group of guards are lost on an expedition in the woods. Their knight leader insists they know where they are but clearly does not.
14	An awakened brown bear is rude about druids and sylvan creatures.
15	Several commoners carrying mining equipment are searching for an enchanted mine. They have a map given to them by a helpful fey.
16	A giant badger adopts the party for their duration in the forest.
17	A few tribal warriors are decorating trees for an upcoming festival.
18	Several dryads, pixies and other forest creatures are playing a game, pretending to be mortals going about life in a city.
19	priest and acolytes are performing a ritual of renewal that lifts curses and heals those that take part. A few afflicted commoners with them
20	A stone giant covered in leaves and flowers listens to the trees sing.

Forest Quick NPCs

1d4+1d6	Forest Quick NPCs
2	Theriatis is a well-groomed werebear (Perform +4) with a booming voice. They are an aspiring bard and hope to win a local competition.
3	Splick is an unhappy kenku making sketches and carrying bundles of old ones. Have plans for structures in the trees that never get built.
4	Mai is an animated goblin boss with gemstone earrings. They ride a spider and are keen to share their knowledge of local notables.
5	Nalaed is a youthful tribal warrior with green dragon tattoos. They are ambitious and hunting something well beyond their capabilities.
6	Mantus tormented druid poet with bloodied fingers. They see omens everywhere and describe unfortunate things in the party's future.
7	Lael is an athletic elf scout with a big smile. They like to dance as they move and are share the good news they are currently celebrating.
8	Euron is a woodcutter berserker with a collection of axes. Has a playful pet owl they will do anything for and likes to trade jokes.
9	Ren is a limping werewolf herbalist who talks in a whisper. They are respected by forest creatures and have a message for a character.
10	Tana is a unkempt mage dressed in leaves and rags. They are part of a forest coven search for an owlbear to train as a companion.

Forest Hazards and Obstacles

1d8+1d12	Forest Hazards and Obstacles
2	A cliff edge (or cave mouths) disguised by a hallucinatory terrain
3	Flooded terrain
4	An area of mud and quicksand (DMG pg 110)
5	A warm breeze that whispers phrases in Elven (or another language)
6	Sounds of a hunt nearby
7	A heavy (or enchanted) mist descends around party
8	The animals and birds have all gone quiet
9	Relentless rain (Heavy Precipitation - DMG pg 110)
10	A falling net trap (DMG pg 122) or poison darts trap* (DMG pg 123)*
11	An area (or maze) of razorvine (DMG pg 110) (or thick webs - DMG pg 105)
12	Harmless but noisy beasts alarmed by party. Attract attention of other creatures if nothing done
13	A recently dug pit with a trapped animal
14	A stampede of wild (or domesticated) herd beasts
15	Large amounts of harmless insects. Disturbing causes light or heavy obscurement.
16	Forest fire and smoke
17	An druidic totem (or ancient shrine) that can cause a curse (or geas)
18	A tree with a large hollow (or ring of bright mushrooms) that act as a crossing to the Feywild
19	Several beasts (or corpses) infected with disease ((DMG pg 257)
20	A sunny glade with a portal to the Upper Planes (or Astral Plane)

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