Urban Encounter

## Animals on the Loose

The characters see one or more unexpected animals loose in the street. This challenge could be anything from a pack of baboons to an escaped circus bear, tiger, or elephant.

## Announcement

A herald, town crier, mad person, or other individual makes an announcement on a street corner for all to hear. The announcement might foreshadow some upcoming event (such as a public execution), communicate important information to the general masses (such as a new royal decree), or convey a dire omen or warning.

## Brawl

A brawl erupts near the adventurers. It could be a tavern brawl; a battle between rival factions, families, or gangs in the city; or a struggle between city guards and criminals. The characters could be witnesses, hit by stray arrow fire, or mistaken for members of one group and attacked by the other.

## Bullies

The characters witness 1d4 + 2 bullies harassing an out-of-towner (use the commoner statistics in the Monster Manual for all of them). A bully flees as soon as he or she takes any amount of damage.

## Companion

One or more characters are approached by a local who takes a friendly interest in the party's activities. As a twist, the would-be companion might be a spy sent to gather information on the adventurers.

## Contest

The adventurers are drawn into an impromptu contest--anything from an intellectual test to a drinking competition--or witness a duel.

## Draft

The characters are drafted by a member of the city or town watch, who needs their help to deal with an immediate problem. As a twist, the member of the watch might be a disguised criminal trying to lure the party into an ambush (use the thug statistics in the Monster Manual for the criminal and his or her cohorts).

## Drunk

A tipsy drunk staggers toward a random party member, mistaking him or her for someone else.

## Fire

A fire breaks out, and the characters have a chance to help put out the flames before it spreads.

## Found Trinket

The characters find a random trinket. You can determine the trinket by rolling on the Trinkets table in the Player's Handbook.

## Guard Harassment

The adventurers are cornered by 1d4 + 1 guards eager to throw their weight around. If threatened, the guards call out for help and might attract the attention of other guards or citizens nearby.

## Pickpocket

A thief (use the spy statistics in the Monster Manual) tries to steal from a random character. Characters whose passive Wisdom (Perception) scores are equal to or greater than the thief's Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check total catch the theft in progress.

## Procession

The adventurers encounter a group of citizens either parading in celebration or forming a funeral procession.

## Protest

The adventurers see a group of citizens peacefully protesting a new law or decree. A handful of guards maintain order.

## Runaway Cart

A team of horses pulling a wagon races through the city streets. The adventurers must avoid the horses. If they stop the wagon, the owner (who is running behind the cart) is grateful.

## Shady Transaction

The characters witness a shady transaction between two cloaked figures.

## Spectacle

The characters witness a form of public entertainment, such as a talented bard's impersonation of a royal personage, a street circus, a puppet show, a flashy magic act, a royal visit, or a public execution.

## Urchin

A street urchin gloms onto the adventurers and follows them around until frightened off