Adventure d6 Preparation Tables

World building can be very fun, but it is easy for Game Masters to fall into the trap of over preparing. I propose a new method of developing a world for your campaign through creating a series of d6 tables to help build out settlements, adventure sites, and wilderness. A d6 table is the perfect amount to get ideas flowing while not over preparing. These lists are not all encompassing nor need they be. I propose a series of prompts for each of these less that might help you in determining what you will need. Of course, you may write any prompts you wish for these lists or create new list as you desire. These are just a good starting point. This allows a game master to still have fun while preparing, while not over preparing. The beauty is that these entries can simply be crossed off when used or rolled on again if an adventuring party travels into this region once more. This sort of design would be perfect for Sandbox style play or West Marches campaigns. Below, I go through the prompts and on my Resources Page, you will find a formatted PDF and worksheet for your entry.

Settlements

Settlement Quirks (d6)

1. A strange local practice

2. A unique architecture

3. A central tourist site

4. Unique peoples or dialects

5. A holiday, ritual or calendar item

6. A unique resource for trade

Settlement Locals (d6)

1. Someone kind and gentle

2. A strange information giver

3. A tough store owner

4. One who wishes to fight

5. Energetic children

6. Those in charge

Settlement Places to See (d6)

1. The local gathering place

2. A place of authority

3. A stronghold

4. The homes of the locals

5. Artisanal stores

6. A place known only to a few

Settlement Rumours (d6)

1. Information on subterfuge and anarchy

2. A secret adventure site in settlement

3. Exaggerated tales for surrounding areas

4. A false story

5. Someone wishes to compete with the PCs

6. There is reward hidden in plain site

Settlement Pieces of History (d6)

1

A story of war time

2

Old religious practices

3

A recent costly mistake

4

Places now built over

5

The peoples and practices of old

6

An ancient hero

Reasons to Visit Settlement (d6)

1. Unique food or beverage

2. A historical landmark

3. Unique terrain

4. Tourism features

5. Specific trade or resource

6. The legendary gathering space

Adventure Sites

Site Denizens (d6)

1. The original owners or descendants

2. A new invading faction

3. A pest enemy or food source

4. Wandering travellers or monsters

5. A constructed guardian

6. A big scary boss

Site Rooms (d6)

1. Living quarters planned or otherwise

2. Core use room

3. Different pathways or levels

4. Armament or forge

5. Food source

6. Secret hiding space

Site Secrets (d6)

1. A hidden entrance

2. A masked path or door

3. Concealed treasure

4. Lost information

5. A link to the factions

6. Information from surrounding areas

Site Sense Descriptions (d6)

1. Temperature and humidity

2. The smell

3. The sounds

4. The light level

5. Feeling of the walls and floor

6. Water sources or dried out area

Site Pieces of History (d6)

1. Its original use

2. When it was taken over or opened

3. Relics long lost

4. Remains of adventurers or occupiers

5. Who owned it and their impact

6. When and why, it was sealed

Plot Hooks for Site (d6)

1. Hidden treasure

2. Stop a rising faction or foe

3. Rescue a prisoner

4. Explore and document

5. A hidden resource is inside

6. Seal the dungeon

Wilderness

Fauna in Wilderness (d6)

1. Native predators

2. Native prey

3. An introduced species

4. Hidden, magical or unique creatures

5. Unique terrain wildlife (fly, swim, burrow)

6. A territorial large foe

Flora in Wilderness (d6)

1. Something edible

2. Poisonous plants

3. Concealing vegetation

4. The ground cover

5. Useful herbs

6. An introduced or unique flora

Wilderness Adventure Sites (d6)

1. A hidden dungeon

2. A natural monument or landmark

3. An unnatural/built landmark/monument

4. Terrain based adventure site

5. A lair of a local monster

6. A small community

Wilderness Travellers (d6)

1. Road bandits or wardens

2. Rival adventuring party

3. A wandering merchant

4. A group of invaders

5. The natural folks who live here

6. Explorer looking for discovery or hunter

Wilderness Secrets (d6)

1. The unexplored adventure sites

2. Monuments that contain secrets

3. There is treasure or resources

4. Unique peoples or culture are here

5. Rumours of a monster to hunt

6. A unique being with information lurks here

Reasons to Travel through Wilderness (d6)

1. Natural dip or elevation

2. Default terrain

3. Unique terrain adjacent

4. Hidden area, lair or caves

5. Covered areas like forests

6. Oasis or resource rich areas