1st Level Adventure Generator
This guide helps you build a quick 1st level adventure suitable for a low-prep single-session game. In this scenario, a patron has asked the characters to find one or more items in a nearby dungeon. The adventure begins in the first room of the dungeon.
Group Patron
| Patron |
|---|
| Devout cleric |
| Aged wizard |
| Benevolent lord |
| Displaced king |
| Tavern owner |
| Fey spirit |
| Indebted devil |
| Fellow veteran |
| Will of a relative |
| Spirit of a parent |
| Shady spymaster |
| Powerful guildmaster |
| Noble house Agent |
| Talking tree |
| Prophetic dream |
| Haunted ghost |
| Metallig dragon |
| Celestial guardian |
| Ancient statue |
| Intelligent child |
| ^patron |
Quest Items
Use the following list to determine which item or items the characters must retrieve. Each item is protected by a boss monster.
| Item |
|---|
| Intelligent sword |
| Prophetic orb |
| Ancient tablet |
| Powerful spellbook |
| Holy figurine |
| Temple’s reliquary |
| King’s scepter |
| Lost doll |
| Magic mirror |
| Possessed crystal |
| Elemental bowl |
| Dwarven hammer |
| Elven bow |
| Wizard’s staff |
| Glowing chalice |
| Celestial candle |
| Unholy bell |
| Primeval disc |
| Mysterious key |
| Shadowy mask |
| ^item |
Dungeon Origin
Use the following table to choose an origin of the dungeon. Describe clues of the dungeon’s origin as the characters explore it.
| Origin |
|---|
| Primeval barrow |
| Unholy temple |
| Ancient crypt |
| Goblinoid lair |
| Elven ruin |
| Dwarven mines |
| Abandoned dungeon |
| Lost vaults |
| Monstrous warren |
| Forgotten tomb |
| ^origin |
Dungeon Chambers
Use this list to fill out chambers as the characters explore the dungeon. Mix in interesting lore, traps, hazards, friendly NPCs, and monsters when the pacing calls for it.
| Chambers |
|---|
| Ancient megalith |
| Fey gateway |
| Unholy altar |
| Cracked rift |
| Floating stones |
| Primeval statue |
| Deep well |
| Impaled bodies |
| Arcane circle |
| Floating orb |
| Spinning orrery |
| Mysterious mirror |
| Charnel pit |
| Obsidian slab |
| Skull-filled ussuary |
| Faceted prism |
| Carved pillars |
| Draconic skull |
| Glyphed monolith |
| Planar rift |
| ^chamber |
Monsters
Fill in your dungeon with monsters from the following list. Choose monsters that best fit the theme or location or roll randomly. Select the number of monsters or roll dice: 1d4 + 1. Monsters need not be hostile.
| Monsters |
|---|
| Bnadits |
| Cultists |
| Giant Rats |
| Kobolds |
| Stirges |
| Tribal warriors |
| Dretches |
| Drow |
| Flying swords |
| Giant bats |
| Giant centipedes |
| Giant frogs |
| Giant wolf spider |
| Goblins |
| Skeletons |
| Swarm of rats |
| Zombies |
| Cockatrices |
| Gnoll |
| Gray ooze |
| ^monster |
Boss Monster
Choose boss monsters from the following list or select one based on your theme. This boss guards the quest item in the final chamber of the adventure.
| Boss |
|---|
| Hobgoblin |
| Orc |
| Thug |
| Bugbear |
| Death dog |
| Dire wolf |
| Duergar |
| Giant spider |
| Giant toad |
| Harpy |
| Imp |
| Specter |
| Spy |
| Bandit captain |
| Black dragon wyrmling |
| Cult fanatic |
| Gibbering Mouther |
| Green dragon wyrmling |
| Ogre |
| White dragon wyrmling |
| ^boss |
Traps and hazards
When it feels right, add a trap or hazard. Traps and hazards have a DC of 12, +4 to hit, and inflict dice: 1d8 damage when appropriate.
| Trap |
|---|
| Pit trap |
| Poisoned darts |
| Swinging blades |
| Bear traps |
| Acidic spray |
| Magical instability |
| Dense fog |
| Psychic feedback |
| Greasy floor |
| Thick webs |
| ^traps |
Treasure
Award treasure after battles. Select from the following list or roll randomly. Add a 1st or 2nd level spell usable once per day to magic items.
| dice: 1d20 | Treasure |
|---|---|
| 1-5 | dice: 3d6 x 10 gp |
| 6-8 | dice: 2d6 gemstones worth 10 gp each |
| 9-11 | dice: 1d4 art objects worth 25 gp |
| 12-13 | Ancient artifact worth 100 gp |
| 14-16 | dice: 2d4 healing potions |
| 17 | +1 magic weapon |
| 18 | +1 wand or rod |
| 19 | +1 magic armor |
| 20 | Wondrous magic item |
| ^treasure |
Boons
Add beneficial discoveries after the characters have had a rough time in the dungeon.
| Boon |
|---|
| Helpful NPC |
| Healing fountain |
| Blessing statue |
| Friendly spirit |
| Secluded campsite |
| Treasure cache |
| Dungeon map |
| Escape tunnel |
| Well-stocked armory |
| Restoring pool |
| ^boon |