06/19/2023

Time for another random encounter created by Chat GPT. Let’s see what it creates and we’ll see if we can duplicate it using models on the gaming tabletop.

Description: Deep within an ancient forest, the party encounters a wise and ancient treant named Oakenheart. The treant seeks their aid in defending the forest against a group of loggers who threaten its existence.

Unique Creatures: Oakenheart, Ancient Treant

Treasure: Upon successfully protecting Oakenheart and driving away the loggers, the party is granted a magical acorn that can grow into a sentient and loyal tree companion. Additionally, they receive the treant’s gratitude and knowledge of a hidden grove where a powerful nature-based artifact lies dormant.

OK, we have something to start with. We will need a forest location, loggers, a Treant (or something to take its place), and our PCs.

For a low-level game, I would have the logger be normal people that are logging the forest to build homes and firewood. This could be settled with a social encounter where the PCs explain the situation. Oakenheart could agree to allow some trees to be cut down that he chooses (the sick, the dying, etc). If there is combat, the loggers should be easily routed but the PCs might pick up a bad reputation when in civilization, especially if the loggers are killed. For the treasure, the artifact should be something useful, but not that powerful. A Cloak or Boots of Elvenkind would be suitable.

For a higher-level game, I would step it up a notch. First, there is a sinister reason behind the logging. These loggers are part of a cult that worships an evil god that requires a sacrifice. That sacrifice is Oakenheart. They are trying to draw him out so he can be captured and taken into the cult’s lair.

I start the setup with my grassland UDT and some trees. I get some logs from the first scatter bin and place them in the center of the UDT with the trees forming a ring around them.

I get out my Cultist storage bin and find some cultists with axes along with one to be the leader of the cult. I would make it #PCx3 to make the PCs feel overwhelmed by the odds. I place them around the trees and place the PCs along with Oakenheart (A shambler that I have on hand) on the edge of the UDT, if the PCs brought him to the location.

The cultists would try to hide their true intentions unless Oakenheart is present. Otherwise, they would focus their attention on the treant. The group will try to subdue Oakenheart and take him away. If the heroes get involved, the cultist lackeys will swarm the PCs while the leader focuses on Oakenheart. For the reward, I would make it something a little more powerful like a Staff of the Woodlands.

In either case, I would make sure the PCs got the seed that grows into a tree companion. This small tree creature could be like a baby Groot! It could always be getting into trouble and might not be able to talk but understand Common. It would have ‘alien’ concepts and could be a source of entertainment.

So, how did I do? Please feel free to leave a comment below.

Keep on gaming!