"Oi! Who Left the Bugbear Unattended?"
by Reverend Dungeon MasterLocation: A dusty forest clearing littered with broken arrows, suspicious smells, and half a sandwich.
Recommended Level: 3–4
Mood: Panic, confusion, regret
Set-up:
The party stumbles upon what appears to be an abandoned campsite. There’s a small fire still smouldering, a dented kettle over the coals, and a suspicious log that is either a really ugly ottoman or a slouching bugbear in mid-nap. The smell? Somewhere between burnt jerky and old gym socks.
If the party makes any noise louder than a sneeze, the log snorts, shifts, and rises with a grumpy grunt.
Enter: the Bugbear. His name is probably Gorf, but he’s not in the mood for introductions.
Dialogue (if anyone tries to talk):
Gorf:
“Wot’s all this then? You lot again? I only just fixed me hammock!”
sniffs the air
“Is that cheese? Did one of you bring cheese? Hand it over and I might only knock out two of you.”
Optional Complication:
Halfway through the fight, Gorf’s cousin Murgle arrives, less hairy, more angry, and holding a very confused badger he claims is his “emotional support pet.”
Treasure (If You Survive):
1 poorly-folded map to “somewhere probably important”
A sock full of copper coins (36 cp, smells faintly of ham)
One magical ring that turns the wearer’s voice into a dramatic stage whisper (cursed, obviously)
Gorf’s hammock (treat as a net if someone is feeling bold and very stupid)
DM Notes:
This encounter is perfect for livening up a dull travel segment. Encourage the players to try dumb things like bribing Gorf with cheese or attempting to impress him with interpretive dance. Reward creativity, punish boring plans, and let the rogue try to sneak attack while everyone else is arguing over whether bugbears have belly buttons.
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