Quest Writing Tables

If you’re ever feeling stuck, or just want to shake things up, use these tables to roll up a new quest idea! Feel free to re-roll, alter, or ignore pieces of information; they’re just here as a starting point for creating a quest that fits into your game.

Table 1

Inciting Incident

  1. A big storm rolls in.

  2. A building is on fire

  3. A party member starts hearing things at night that no one else can.

  4. A tree is split by lightning right in front of the party.

  5. An item is missing.

  6. The party has attracted an admirer that insists on following them.

  7. The party is accused of stealing something.

  8. A job opportunity for the party.

  9. An invitation to an event is delivered to the party.

  10. A baby animal stumbles into the party's camp.

  11. There is a contest with big prize.

  12. There is a bounty poster for one of the party members in a local tavern.

  13. A magic item is hastily handed over to the party for safekeeping.

  14. A prisoner pleads with the party to stand for them in a "trial by combat".

  15. The party encounters a group of young scholars waiting for their chaperone to return.

  16. A new statue is being unveiled in the square.

  17. All of the trees surrounding the party's campsite have been chopped down when the party wakes up.

  18. A General Store is selling goods they claim are endorsed by the party.

  19. A rogue elemental messes up the path the party is planning to take for their journey.

  20. Someone is offering free passage to the city, no strings attactched.

Table 2

Character / Creature

  1. A Werewolf

  2. A local wizard

  3. A horse

  4. A Local Official

  5. A Blacksmith

  6. A Fortune Teller

  7. A Traveling Merchant

  8. A magical familiar

  9. A mythical creature

  10. A Bard

  11. A pair of identical twins

  12. A wanted criminal

  13. Someone riding an exotic animal

  14. A tailor

  15. An diplomat from another plane

  16. An outsider

  17. A polymorphed person

  18. An alchemist

  19. A ship captain

  20. A common pet

Table 3

Desire / Goal

  1. Gold / Wealth

  2. A political position

  3. A Title

  4. A new home

  5. To remove a curse or counteract a magical effect

  6. To exact revenge

  7. To have a "grand adventure"

  8. To uncover secrets about those in power

  9. To find a missing person

  10. To make peace where they live

  11. To craft the strongest weapon in the realm

  12. To escape to another town/region

  13. To bring someone back from the dead

  14. To document a rare geological occurrence

  15. To destroy a portal to another plane

  16. To open a portal to another plane

  17. To open a business

  18. To create a new political order in the realm

  19. To perform a memorial or ritual at sea

  20. To become an adventurer

Table 4

Reward / Outcome

  1. Access to an enchanter

  2. A sack of small rubies

  3. Access to rideable creature with a fly speed

  4. A companion animal

  5. A seat on the local council

  6. A custom brewed potion

  7. A custom magic item

  8. A song written about you

  9. An invitation to an event

  10. Having a debt cleared or a criminal accusation dropped

  11. A permanent place to stay in the area

  12. Free basic supplies whenever you visit a certain town

  13. Access to ostentatious carriage

  14. A pair of sending stones

  15. Access to a fighting arena

  16. Access to a private fishing / hunting / resting spot

  17. An arranged marriage proposal

  18. A book of the region's secret history

  19. Access to an excellent tailor

  20. The gratitude and cooperation of a local guild

Table 5

Tone / Mood

  1. Hopeless

  2. Somber

  3. Grim

  4. Light-hearted

  5. Hopeful

  6. Triumphant

  7. Reflective

  8. Surreal

  9. Dreamy

  10. Unsettling

  11. Inspiring

  12. Mysterious

  13. Cosmic

  14. Intense

  15. Wholesome

  16. Existential

  17. Ephemeral

  18. Frivolous

  19. Extravagant

  20. Urgent