roadside shrine
Nothing else right now… But later maybe they encounter someone there
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Road Shrine Adventure Site
4 – 5 minutes
This non-combat encounter can be placed along any road in your game world. It is suitable for a party of 1st to 7th level, though lower-level characters will receive the biggest boon. Also, if placed shortly after a combat encounter the players will benefit from the possible healing.
Background (for the DM)
Several years ago (since the first dirt paths were trod by humanoids) a small stone shrine appeared next to the road. No one is certain who carved it or created the stone though several wandering clerics have spent time next to it offering aid to weary travelers. The stone is imbued with powerful magic and will gift the PC’s with a blessing if they leave a donation, or will bestow a powerful curse on them if they dare to rob the shrine of any of its treasure.
Description (read aloud to players)
A foot or two from the road sits a large gray stone worn and weathered. The stone is roughly five feet tall, seven feet in diameter. The stone is covered in dozens of messages left by other travelers written in white chalk or black charcoal. A rough shelf has been cut out of the center of the stone (about three feet from the ground) that is three feet deep. The stone alcove is covered in numerous piles of small treasure left like offerings on an altar. Coins, gems, flowers, and incense litter the small stone shelf. Among the treasure sits a small brass bowl filled with pieces of white chalk and black charcoal.
A DC 10 Search check reveals that there is 568 gold pieces in assorted coins and gems.
A DC 10 Knowledge Religion check reveals this to be a roadside shrine to a nature or travel god (or any deity fitting for your setting).
A DC 15 Knowledge Religion check reveals that this shrine is imbued with divine energy and has several spells keyed to it. (It is impossible to determine the exact spells stored in the altar)
Beneficial Effects
Should a PC place an offering on the altar they will receive a blessing whose strength will be determined by the market value of the offering.
1 copper – 10 gold
Roll d6 (assume a level caster of 1)
Cure Minor Wounds (ignore if PC is uninjured)
Guidance
Light (ignore if PC has lit source of light
Resistance
Guidance
Guidance
11 – 25 gold
Roll d8 (Assume a caster level of 1)
Bless
Cure Light Wounds (9hp, reroll if PC is uninjured)
Divine Favor
Magic Stone (3 appear)
Magic Weapon (reroll if PC has a magic weapon)
Protection from Evil
Sanctuary
Shield of Faith
25 – 50 gold
Roll d8 (Assume a caster level of 3)
Aid
Aid
Align Weapon
Bear’s Endurance
Bull’s Strength
Cure Moderate Wounds (19hp, reroll if PC is uninjured)
Delay Poison (reroll if PC is not poisoned)
Eagle’s Splendor
Owl’s Wisdom
Lesser Restoration (ignore if PC has not sustained ability damage)
51- 100 gold
Roll d8 (assume a caster level of 5)
Create Food and Water
Cure Serious Wounds (ignore if PC is uninjured)
Magic Circle Against Evil
Magic Vestments
Prayer
Remove Blindness/Deafness (ignore if PC is not afflicted)
Remove Curse (reroll if PC is not cursed)
Remove Disease (reroll if PC is not Diseased)
Detrimental Effects
If a player should choose to steal from the shrine, roll on the table below. A kind DM may wish to add a warning, perhaps a DC 10 Spot or Search check reveals a skeleton laying in the tall grass near the shrine gripping a small gemstone in its hand. Summoned creatures attack the thief and fight until death.
Roll a d12 (Assume a caster level of 7.)
Bane
Inflict Light Wounds
Doom
Inflict Moderate Wounds
Summon Monster II
Bestow Curse
Blindness
Contagion
Inflict Serious Wounds
Summon Monster III
Poison
Summon Monster IV
Shrine PDF