Foraging, Signs of Trouble and Warning Signs from a Tangle of Tables

Guard Creature. A large sign depicts a dangerous creature guarding the vicinity. A check shows that the sign has been recently moved.

Random tables for foraging, signs of trouble and quick warning signs.

[Image by Patrick E. Pullen]

Foraging, Signs of Trouble and Quick Warning Signs

System neutral ideas for foraging for food and sustenance. With another detail of an extra find, clue or complication.

Plus signs of something happened or warning signs in the wilderness.

Originally from tables requested by patreons and on instragram, now compiled in a PDF, A Tangle of Tables on DM's Guild.

Foraging

This assumes some kind of successful check for foraging.

d10	You find...
1	sustenance for 1d4 days in nuts and berries. You also attract the attention of a noisy bird
2	sustenance for 1d4 days. It is mostly roots and herbs. You also find some suntongue, a prickly plant with large flowers sometimes chewed for its distinctive flavor
3	sustenance for 1d6 days in eggs and fruit. You also find a large patch of brown bulb, a sickly-looking fruit used for making a crude glue
4	sustenance for 1d6 days, mostly insects. And a sign warning trespassers will be dealt with accordingly.
5	sustenance for 1d8 days in fish caught from a stream. You also find some brightly colored fungi which can be brewed into an intoxicating tea.
6	sustenance for 2d4 days in roots, berries and vegetables which would make a good soup. You also find an overgrown cave entrance with faded writing in an ancient tongue
7	sustenance for 2d6 days from a mix of sources. Something tastes awful and gives indigestion. You also find some spiderstem, a plant with long-stemmed black flowers, prized by alchemists
8	sustenance for 2d8 days in fruits, nuts and honey. There is a chance some bees stung you. You also find a few doses of a foul-tasting herb used to give vivid dreams
9	sustenance for 3d6 days, mostly roots, herbs and vegetables. You also find a small garden with many herbs with healing properties.
10	You find a torn bag with 1 days worth of rations. It also has a pouch of coins and a map marking several ruins in the local area.

Signs of Trouble

d10
1	Keep Out. A wooden sign with depictions of violence done to a crudely drawn figure. Crossed spears painted red deter visitors.
2	A Disturbance. Scraps of cloth, torn up ground and heavy bootprints point to a recent scuffle. Searching reveals tracks of two creatures captured and a mapcase (or bag) hastily hidden in bushes.
3	Statue's Secret. Statue of a local leader (or deity) has been defaced. Hidden among the graffiti is the location of a secret meeting place.
4	Celebrity Outlaw. A wanted poster of a deadly outlaw. Written on text describes the outlaw is "gorgeous", "witty" and "available for portraits". There are tracks of someone checking here daily.
5	Guard Creature. A large sign depicts a dangerous creature guarding the vicinity. A check shows that the sign has been recently moved.
6	Festive Colours. A pungent wreath of bright flowers indicates the approach of a unusual festival. A lore check reveals it happens every few years and sometimes strangers go missing during the event.
7	Hostile Territory, A blood-stained human skull has feathers hanging from it. There is a rune-inscribed stone warning visitors away. Displays get larger and bloodier nearer to the danger.
8	Bestial Message. A bird is carrying a note for anyone who comes nearby (or is searching for a PC). They have sent by a local priest, warning weird omens and a series of magical disasters.
9	Figurine of Sharpness. A small wooden statue (or straw doll) has spikes and blades pushed through it. It has a likeness of a local ruler.
10	Sign Maker. Several well made signs warn of various dangers ahead in multiple languages. The curious find a sign-maker in a simple hut.

Quick Warning Signs

Roll for both the sign and the danger.

d10	Sign	Danger
1	An engraved wooden board	A guard beast
2	A wreath of flowers	Playful fey
3	A prominently displayed body	Shapechangers (or disease)
4	A printed poster	A scary looking but friendly monster
5	Secret signs of rangers (or other group)	An outlaw band
6	A series of crudely made signs	Freak weather
7	Decorated animal skulls	Magical wards (or loud noises)
8	Graffiti on a ruined building	Active traps and snares
9	Magical runes	An unsafe path
10	An effigy or scarecrow	Drunk locals or cursed ruins

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