I’ve created a list of 100 interesting random mountain encounters to spice up your tabletop RPG campaign. Feel free to use these. They’re suitable for D&D 5e, 3e, Pathfinder, and even MERPs. I’ve been gaming a long time, and I’m happy to share this free random mountain encounter table for all types of fantasy tabletop RPG systems. Enjoy!

100 Random Mountain Encounters

1. Icy weather. A storm has passed and the snow has covered everything in white. The cold is bitter and hikers need to wear thick clothes and have something to keep them warm (like a fire). It is possible that the weather will get colder and the players need to find a place to stay for the night. If the players keep moving, the temperature will get colder and colder.
2. A pack of wolves. If the players kill them all, then more wolves will come. If the players do not kill them, then they will try to attack them. The wolves are just hungry and will not attack unless provoked.
3. A pack of wolves. If the players kill them all, then more wolves will come. If the players do not kill them, then they will try to attack them. The wolves are just hungry and will not attack unless provoked.
4. A group of men have been stranded in the mountains for weeks. They have been lost and have no food anymore. If players help them, they will reward them with money and a free room at the inn in town.
5. A man is carrying a chest of gold coins from a dragon’s horde. He has been traveling for days and wants to rest at the top of the mountain. If players help him, he will reward them with gold coins that he has been carrying around for too long.
6. A mage has been stranded in the mountains for months. He has been studying magic that is not common in his village anymore. When he was studying, he was forgotten by his village and he was left alone for months. His mind has been going crazy because of loneliness and he wants someone to talk to him. He wants someone to talk to him even if they hate him or they want to kill him.
7. A group of drunk hunters have been attacked by a wild animal and one of their friends has died from the attack. They are carrying the dead body of their friend down from the mountain and they are in a bad mood because they were attacked by an animal that should not have attacked them at all. They will yell at people and hit them if people do not help them carry their friend’s dead body down from the mountain.
8. A group of hunters have been looking for food and water for days now. They are tired and worn out already from looking for food for themselves and for their animals for too long already. If players help them, they will reward them with food and water if they still have any left.
9. A group of soldiers are lost in the mountains after their ship sank in a storm while they were sailing to a nearby island to attack an army there. They have no food or water anymore and they need help getting back to a civilized area again. They know that they can get back home again if they can just get back to their ship again somehow…
10. A group of soldiers are lost in the mountains after their ship sank in a storm while they were sailing to a nearby island to attack an army there. They have no food or water anymore and they need help getting back to a civilized area again. They know that they can get back home again if they can just get back to their ship again somehow…
11. Yawning chasm in the trail. It is 10 feet wide and has a bottom that can’t be seen. Nothing happens if a player jumps across it. If they try to jump across it and fail their check, they’ll fall into the chasm and take 20d6 damage.
12. A group of 2d6 goblins are arguing over food. If players approach, they will attack.
13. A group of 2d6 goblins are preparing for a ritual. If players approach, they will attack.
14. A group of 2d6 goblins are gambling. If players approach, they will attack.
15. A group of 1d4+2 gnolls are hunting. They will attack on sight.
16. A group of 2d4+2 gnolls are on patrol. They will attack on sight.
17. A group of 2d4+2 goblins are on patrol. They will attack on sight.

18. A group of 2d4+2 goblins are standing around, doing nothing. They will attack on sight.
19. A group of 2d4+2 orcs are standing around, doing nothing. They will attack on sight.
20. A group of 2d4 orcs are arguing over food. If players approach, they will attack.
21. Tired-looking dwarves traveling with a wagon filled with tools and supplies, heading down the mountain trail. ‘Hey, you seen the Zoot-Suiters around here? They’re trouble. Real trouble.’
22. A group of clerics of an unknown god passing by, heading up the trail. ‘By the gods! We don’t want to be here.’
23. A group of hunters with a pack of trained wolves and hunting dogs, looking for game. They are headed down the trail and will ask if you have seen any game in the area. If you lie, they’ll ask you again.
24. Three bards travelling with a stringed instrument, looking for a place to play their music. They’re looking for a place to play their music, and they’ll ask if you know of a suitable place.
25. A group of young adults out on a camping trip. They are looking for a place to camp for the night and will ask if you know of a suitable place to camp for the night.
26. A group of young adults out on an adventure. They’re looking for adventure and will ask you if you know of any adventure nearby.
27. A group of hunters with a pack of trained wolves and hunting dogs, looking for game. They are headed down the trail and will ask if you have seen any game in the area. If you lie, they’ll ask you again.
28. A group of tired-looking dwarves traveling with a wagon filled with tools and supplies, heading down the mountain trail. ‘Hey, you seen the Zoot-Suiters around here? They’re trouble. Real trouble.’
29. A group of clerics of an unknown god passing by, heading up the trail. ‘By the gods! We don’t want to be here.’
30. Three bards travelling with a stringed instrument, looking for a place to play their music. They’re looking for a place to play their music, and they’ll ask if you know of a suitable place.
31. Vicious wolves attack party.
32. A wandering merchant offers to sell the party a magical potion. The merchant is actually a thief, and he will steal anything that isn’t nailed down.
33. A group of mountain dwarves come down from the mountain, looking for food and supplies. They are fleeing from an army of orcs.
34. An old man is walking up the mountain. He says he is looking for a dragon’s lair. He is actually an insane wizard. He will attack if provoked.
35. A group of merchants are traveling down the mountain, carrying a chest full of gold coins. They will give the party a share of the gold if they help them carry it down the mountain.
36. A group of monsters is hiding in the bushes. They are waiting to ambush passing adventurers.
37. A group of goblins is running away from a group of orcs. The orcs will chase and kill the goblins if they catch them.
38. A group of orcs is running away from a group of humans. The humans will kill any orcs they find, even if they aren’t doing anything wrong.
39. Two old men are walking up the mountain, arguing about whether or not there really is a dragon living up there.
40. A group of hunters are tracking a wolf that has been killing their livestock.
41. Lava flows in the area have caused the bones of a huge animal to be exposed, making them a hazard for the party.
42. A huge block of ice has fallen from the top of the mountain and is resting in the center of the path. If characters try to move it, they will need to make a Strength check at DC 15. If they fail, they will have to climb over it. If they succeed, they will be able to push it out of the way. There is a 1 in 20 chance each round that the ice will break and fall on the party.
43. A group of 2d6 goblins are sitting around a campfire. They will attack if they feel threatened.
44. A group of 2d4+2 gnolls are hunting in the area. They are looking for food. If they see the party, they will attack.
45. A huge flock of birds is flying overhead. The birds are carrying small rocks in their beaks and dropping them on the party as they pass overhead. The birds keep flying overhead and coming back for more rocks unless the party can think of a way to scare them away.
46. A group of 4d4+4 kobolds are digging through an old abandoned mine shaft. They are looking for treasure. They will attack if they feel threatened.
47. A group of 2d6+2 orcs are sitting around a campfire, talking about their plans to raid a nearby village.
48. A group of 2d4+2 ogres are sitting around a campfire, talking about their plans to raid a nearby village.
49. A group of 2d4+2 ogres are sitting around a campfire, talking about their plans to raid a nearby village. They will ask the party if they want to join in on the fun and they’ll follow them to the village if they say yes!
50. A group of 2d4+2 goblins are sitting around a campfire, talking about their plans to raid a nearby village. They will ask the party if they want to join in on the fun and they’ll follow them to the village if they say yes!
51. Nasty things are attacking a camp. The players find a group of people fighting off a group of 4d12 creatures. The creatures are giant spiders with a poison that causes the target to hallucinate for 1d4 hours.
52. The players find a group of men and women fighting a group of giant eagles. The eagles are trying to steal the people’s sheep. The people want the players to help them.
53. Players find a group of men and women fighting a group of giant eagles. The eagles are trying to steal the people’s sheep. The people want the players to help them. The eagles are actually eagles from a nearby nest. The nest is nearby, but it is hidden by magic.

54. Players find a group of men and women fighting a group of giant eagles. The eagles are trying to steal the people’s sheep. The people want the players to help them. The eagles are actually eagles from a nearby nest. The nest is nearby, but it is hidden by magic. If the players kill the eagles, the eagles will come back as revenants after 1d6 hours.
55. Players find a group of people fighting a group of 4d4 kobolds. The kobolds are trying to steal the people’s chickens and goats.
56. Players find a group of people fighting a group of 4d4 kobolds. The kobolds are trying to steal the people’s chickens and goats. The kobolds are actually kobolds from a nearby nest. The nest is nearby, but it is hidden by magic.
57. Players find a group of people fighting a group of 4d4 kobolds. The kobolds are trying to steal the people’s chickens and goats. The kobolds are actually kobolds from a nearby nest. The nest is nearby, but it is hidden by magic. If the players kill the kobolds, the kobolds will come back as revenants after 1d6 hours.
58. Players find a group of men fighting a group of 4d4 kobolds. The kobolds are trying to steal the men’s chickens and goats.
59. Players find a group of men fighting a group of 4d4 kobolds. The kobolds are trying to steal the men’s chickens and goats. The kobolds are actually kobolds from a nearby nest. The nest is nearby, but it is hidden by magic.
60. Players find a group of men and women fighting a group of giant eagles. The eagles are trying to steal the people’s sheep. The people want the players to help them.
61. Bunch of goblins playing with a ball and chain. They will attack if the players approach.
62. A group of five hunters are tracking a deer. They will attack the players if they get too close.
63. A dwarf named Herman is looking for his lost axe. He will offer the players 100 gp if they find it for him. The axe is stuck in a tree.
64. A group of 6 merchants are traveling to a nearby city to sell their goods. They will offer to sell the players items at a good price if they can get to the city safely.
65. A group of 4 mercenaries are looking for work. They will attack the players if they get too close.
66. A group of 2 young adults are running from their village because they got married without their parents’ permission. They will not talk to the players because they are too embarrassed.
67. A group of 3 farmers are trying to catch a pig that is running through the forest. They will ask the players to help them catch the pig. The pig is actually a Beholder in disguise.
68. A group of 2 hunters are tracking a boar. They will attack the players if they get too close.
69. A group of 3 hunters are tracking a deer. They will attack the players if they get too close.
70. A group of 2 young adults are running from their village because they stole some food from a local merchant and they are being chased by a group of angry villagers.
71. Lava flow has covered a large area of the mountain pass. The lava is moving slowly and is only about a foot deep. A group of 3d4+4 humans are trying to cross the lava to get to the other side. They are not sure if there is another pass. The party will have to convince them that there is another pass and that it is safe to cross the lava.
72. A group of 2d6 dwarves are trying to remove a boulder that is blocking the path. They will not let the party help them remove the boulder.
73. A group of 2d4 goblins are attempting to capture and kill a group of 2d6+2 humans. They will try to capture and kill the party if they get in the way.
74. A group of 2d6 humans are trying to capture and cage a group of 2d4 goblins.
75. An ogre has been spotted in this area. He is sitting in a cave near the top of the mountain. He is angry and has been throwing rocks at the party. He will attack if the party gets too close.
76. A group of 2d4 humans are trying to capture and cage a group of 2d4 goblins. The goblins are putting up a fight and there is a chance that one or more goblins might escape.
77. A group of 2d4 orcs are celebrating in a cave near the top of the mountain. They are drinking and singing songs about their recent victory over a nearby village. They will attack if anyone gets too close.
78. A group of 2d6 humans are trying to capture and cage a group of 2d4 orcs. The orcs are putting up a fight and there is a chance that one or more orcs might escape.
79. A group of 3d4 elves are trying to capture and cage a group of 3d4 orcs. The orcs are putting up a fight and there is a chance that one or more orcs might escape.
80. A group of 3d4 humans and 3d4 orcs are fighting each other with clubs and axes.
81. Fierce storms have hit the land and damaged the path. The players will have to find a new way to continue their journey across the mountains. The way has been damaged by landslides. Players will have to climb around the slides and look for a new path that was not blocked by the slides.
82. The players see a group of cultists that were out looking for a place to build a shrine to their god. They were out looking for a good place to build it, but they were surprised by a fierce storm and they are trapped on the mountainside without shelter. They will ask the players to help them find a new place to build their shrine.
83. A group of mercenaries are on their way to a nearby city to sell their services as guards. They will offer to hire the players as guards to the city they are travelling to. The mercenaries are not very good at their job and they will ask the players to help them learn how to be better guards.
84. A group of adventurers are travelling through the mountains and they come across a large cave that has been blocked by a rockslide. They will ask the players to help them clear away the rocks so they can enter the cave and continue their journey through the mountains.
85. A group of rangers are travelling through the mountains and they come across a large cave that has been blocked by a rockslide. They will ask the players to help them clear away the rocks so they can enter the cave and continue their journey through the mountains.
86. A group of rangers are travelling through the mountains and they come across a large cave that has been blocked by a rockslide. They will ask the players to help them clear away the rocks so they can enter the cave and continue their journey through the mountains.
87. An elderly couple is travelling through the mountains and they come across a large cave that has been blocked by a rockslide. They will ask the players to help them clear away the rocks so they can enter the cave and continue their journey through the mountains.
88. A group of adventurers are travelling through the mountains and they come across a large cave that has been blocked by a rockslide. They will ask the players to help them clear away the rocks so they can enter the cave and continue their journey through the mountains.
89. A group of adventurers are travelling through the mountains and they come across a large cave that has been blocked by a rockslide. They will ask the players to help them clear away the rocks so they can enter the cave and continue their journey through the mountains.
90. The players come across a group of cultists who were out looking for a place to build a shrine to their god. They were out looking for a good place to build it, but they were surprised by a fierce storm and they are trapped on the mountainside without shelter. They will ask the players to help them find a new place to build their shrine.
91. Zor, the White Wyrm, is on the hunt. The players come across the wyrm’s tracks in the snow. The players can follow the tracks until they reach a cave where the dragon is resting. The dragon is awake, and if players get too close, it will attack.
92. A group of 6d6 dwarves are searching for a dragon’s egg.  
93. A group of 6d6 adventurers are on the hunt for a dragon’s lair.  
94. A group of 6d6 elves are on the hunt for a wyvern’s lair.  
95. A group of 4d4+4 elves are on the hunt for an elven ruin.  
96. A group of 5d5+5 dwarves are on the hunt for a dragon’s lair.  
97. A group of 4d4+4 dwarves are on the hunt for a halfling ruin.
98. A group of 4d4+4 elves are on the hunt for an elven ruin.
99. A group of 4d4+4 dwarves are on the hunt for an ogre’s egg.
100. A group of 4d4+4 elves are on the hunt for a dragon’s egg.

More Random Mountain Encounters

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