Arkham Friday: The Tavern

Expanding a bit from the terror-inducing vistas of The Abyss and The Shadowfell, I wanted to take some inspiration from Arkham Horror and apply it to a D&D locale so common that it has become cliche: The Tavern.

The tavern random events are much more tame and forgiving compared to the other Arkham Horror tables. It's a place of rest after a hard day's work plundering forgotten tombs, a safe haven; and so I've skewed the table to have less dire consequences, and more positive outcomes as a whole.

Still, I think this is a fun way to throw some quirky, non-combat fun at your adventurers. My suggestion would be to throw in a single random event every time the PCs bed down for the night at a common tavern or inn. Like all of the Arkham Horror tables, the events described here can sometimes be a little sparse in the details. That's where the individual Dungeon Master must step in and make it their own, providing the details that are specific to your imagined world.


THE LOCAL TAVERN – Random Encounter Table (d20)

1              The owner of the tavern is overwhelmed with orders! You give a helping hand and bus tables for the night, serving food and drinks to the local patrons. Make an Acrobatics check, Moderate DC by level. On a success, you prove to be very good at your new vocation and you gain gold coins equal to 10 times your level squared in tips. On a failure, you spill a bowl of sloppy chili onto a high ranking member of society, offending them greatly.

2              The mood in the tavern is jovial tonight, and you join in singing a chorus of rousing songs. Begin the next combat encounter with Temporary Hit Points equal to your Healing Surge value.

3              Some of the locals are cooking up some hearty fish stew in the fireplace, and you are invited to join them. Gain a +5 power bonus to Endurance checks until you take your next Extended Rest. 

4              You find a muscular, bored-looking man who challenges you to a friendly arm wrestling match. If you accept, make a Strength check, Moderate DC by level. On a failure, the man laughs, but appreciates your attempt. On a success, gain a Barroom Brawler NPC Ally.

Barroom Brawler                                                           NPC Ally (Level __)

HP 1; a missed attack never damages a Barroom Brawler.

Armor Class 13 + Level; Fortitude 13 + Level, Reflex 12 + Level, Will 10 + Level

Guarded By Heroes + At‐Will                                                                                        

Trigger: The barroom brawler is hit by an attack and you are adjacent to him.

Effect (Immediate Interrupt): You are hit by the attack instead.

Hustle It! + At‐Will                                                                                                               

Minor Action
Effect: You command the barroom brawler to take a move action (Speed 6).

m Fist + At‐Will                                                                                                                     
Standard Action or Opportunity Action

Attack (one creature): Melee 1; + 5 + Level vs. AC
Hit: 3 + Level damage

5              The owner of the tavern tells you that the best room on the house is available for the night. If you want, you can pay extra gold equal to your level squared to stare there tonight and begin the next combat encounter with Temporary Hit Points equal to your Healing Surge value.

6              A drunkard with a bottle of moonshine in hand stumbles into you. Make a Diplomacy check, Moderate DC by level. On a success, he's in a good mood and shares his whiskey with you. On a failure, he's in an ugly mood and takes a swing at you: + Level + 5 vs. AC; Normal Low damage by level.

7              A mugger emerges from out back, and sees you just as you see him. "Keep it quiet and we'll split the proceeds," he says, holding out a coin purse. If you accept the offer, gain gold coins equal to 10 times your level squared.

8              A fire has broken out in the kitchen! Make an Endurance check to push through the smoke-filled room and extinguish the fire before any damage is done. On a failure, you suffer bad burns and lose 1 Healing Surge.

9              A tavern patron challenges you to a game of billiards. If you accept, make a Dexterity check, Moderate DC by level. On a success, gain gold coins equal to 10 times your level squared. On a failure, lose that amount of gold coins.

10           The tavern owner asks you to sample a new Halfling barley soup recipe. If you  refuse, the tavern owner becomes offended by your rude behavior. If you taste the soup, make a Saving Throw. On a failure, the soup causes you to vomit throughout the night. Lose 1 Healing Surge. 

11           An old man sitting alone starts choking on his meatloaf. Make a Heal check, Moderate DC by level, to assist him. On a success, he tearfully thanks you and, as a reward, tells you a secret to locating lost treasure. Gain one free use of the Hand of Fate ritual before you take your next Extended Rest. On a failure, you look in horror as the old man dies in your arms. 

12           Someone from a rival tavern in town offers you money to plant a dead beetle in your soup bowl and shut down this tavern for good. If you do so, gain gold coins equal to 10 times your level squared, but this tavern's reputation is ruined and it shuts down from a complete lack of visitors.

13           A strange-looking man comes into the tavern with a crazed look on his face. Make a Saving Throw. On a success, the man pulls a poisoned blade out of his cloak and stabs a tavern patron of your choice, killing them instantly. On a failure, the man stabs you: + Level + 5 vs. AC; Normal Low damage and Normal Low poison damage by level.

14           The quality of liquor isn't what it used to be. You get a bad batch and wind up vomiting in the alley. Lose 1 Healing Surge and make an Endurance check. On a failure, you begin the next combat encounter blinded (save ends).

15           A brawl breaks out between a couple of the regulars, and the frustrated tavern owner moves in to break it up. Make a Diplomacy check, Moderate DC by level. On a failure, the tavern owner kicks you out of the place with the rest of them, and you spend a night out in the cold, losing 1 Healing Surge.

16           Something in the food you ate just wasn’t right. Make an Endurance check, Moderate DC by level. On a failure, you begin the next combat encounter dazed (save ends).

17           A brawl breaks out and you get swept up into the fray. Make a Basic Attack against a defense of 15 + Level. On a failure, you take a beating, losing 2 Healing Surges.

18           While eating your pork chops, a pale stranger comes out from the kitchen and whispers in your ear what disgusting thing you are actually eating. The stranger disappears into the night and you lose 1 Healing Surge.

19           You find a banquet laid out in an empty dining room and feel compelled to sit down and eat. Make a Stealth check, Moderate DC by leevl. On a failure, the tavern owner hears you and comes in and is furious with you for having ruined their banquet. You are banned from this tavern.

20           Not only have you not been provided with a key to your door, but the deadbolt has been removed. Make a Stealth check, Moderate DC by level. On a success, you find an empty, but more secure room to stay in. On a failure, your sleep is continually interrupted by people accidentally barging into your room and you lose 1 Healing Surge.