Gabriel's Hexcrawl Map & Content Generator

Hexcrawl Generation Tables

Use these tables to generate your hexcrawl map and content on the fly. Remember to adapt the entries to your specific campaign's setting and themes.

I. Map Generation Tables (Per Hex)

When players move into a new, unrevealed hex, you'd roll on these first.

1. Terrain Type Table (d20)

This table determines the primary terrain feature of the hex. It's often influenced by adjacent hexes to create more natural-looking maps.

Roll (d20)	Terrain Type	Notes
1-4	Forest	Can specify Light, Dense, Ancient, etc.
5-8	Hills	Can specify Rolling, Rocky, Steep, etc.
9-12	Plains	Can specify Grassland, Savannah, Steppe, etc.
13-14	Mountains	Can specify Foothills, Peaks, Volcanic, etc.
15-16	Swamp/Marsh	Can specify Bog, Fen, Mangrove, etc.
17	River/Lake	Consider if a significant body of water dominates.
18	Desert	Can specify Sandy, Rocky, Arid, etc.
19	Badlands	Strange, desolate, or difficult terrain.
20	Unique/Special

2. Major Feature/Landmark Table (d20)

Once the terrain is established, this table determines if there's a significant, static feature in the hex.

Roll (d20)	Major Feature	Notes
1-5	None	The hex is mostly natural terrain.
6-8	Ruin
9-11	Settlement
12-14	Lair
15-16	Natural Wonder	Unique geological or botanical feature (e.g., Giant Waterfall, Petrified Forest, Crystal Caves).
17	Magical Nexus	A place with strong magical energy (e.g., Ancient Standing Stones, Fey Crossing, Wild Magic Zone).
18	Dungeon Entrance	An entrance to an underground complex.
19	Resource Node	A significant natural resource (e.g., Mine, Quarry, Rich Hunting Grounds, Rare Herb Patch).
20	Unique/Quest Hook	Something highly unusual or directly tied to a potential quest (e.g., Crashed Airship, Giant Skeleton, Mysterious Glowing Crater).

II. Content Generation Tables (Per Hex / Per Travel Watch)

These tables are used when players are actively exploring a hex or when checking for encounters during travel.

1. Encounter Check (d6, d8, d12, or d20, depending on desired encounter rate)

This roll determines if anything happens during a given travel segment (e.g., a "watch" or a half-day of travel).

Roll (e.g., 1d6)	Result	Notes
1	Encounter
2	Sign/Discovery
3-6	Nothing	Uneventful travel.

2. Encounter Type Table (d20)

If an encounter occurs, this table determines its nature. You'll likely want different versions of this table per terrain type (e.g., "Forest Encounters," "Mountain Encounters").

Roll (d20)	Encounter Type	Notes
1-8	Creature Encounter
9-12	NPC Encounter
13-15	Environmental Hazard
16-17	Object/Treasure Found
18-19	Event/Complication
20	Lair/Fixed Location

3. Creature Type Tables (d20, per Terrain)

Roll on the appropriate table below based on the hex's terrain type.

3a. Forest Creature Table (d20)

Roll (d20)	Creature	Notes
1-2	Satyr	Playful but mischievous, may lead astray.
3-4	Dryad	Protector of a specific tree, can be benevolent or vengeful.
5-6	Centaur	Nomadic, territorial, often wary of outsiders.
7-8	Goblin	Small, malicious humanoids, often in raiding parties.
9-10	Werewolf	Humanoid capable of transforming into a wolf or wolf-human hybrid.
11-12	Troll	Regenerating, dim-witted monster, often under bridges or in caves.
13-14	Malicious Faerie	Trickster, uses illusions, may demand tribute.
15	Giant Spider	Ambushes prey in webs.
16	Wild Boar	Aggressive, territorial.
17	Bandit Ambush	Lurking in woods, preying on travelers.
18	Ogre	Large, brutish humanoid, often solitary.
19	Basilisk	Can turn creatures to stone with its gaze, often found in rocky/forested lairs.
20	Ancient Treant	Powerful, ancient tree guardian, rarely encountered.

3b. Hills Creature Table (d20)

Roll (d20)	Creature	Notes
1-2	Hill Giant	Large, brutish, often solitary or in small groups.
3-4	Goblin Patrol	Scouting from a nearby lair.
5-6	Bandit Camp	Hidden outpost for raiding.
7-8	Wyvern	Lesser dragon, winged, two-legged, venomous sting.
9-10	Sphinx	Posed with a riddle, guardian of ancient sites.
11-12	Harpy	Winged humanoids with bird-like features, lure travelers with song.
13-14	Pack of Wolves	Large, coordinated pack.
15	Wild Boar	Aggressive, territorial.
16	Gryphon	Noble beast, head and wings of an eagle, body of a lion.
17	Stone Elemental	Animated rock, guardian or natural phenomenon.
18	Ogre	Large, brutish humanoid, often solitary.
19	Troll	Regenerating monster, often in caves.
20	Minotaur	Strong, labyrinth-dwelling humanoid with a bull's head, sometimes wanders.

3c. Plains Creature Table (d20)

Roll (d20)	Creature	Notes
1-2	Wild Horse Herd	Untamed horses.
3-4	Centaur Herd	Nomadic, territorial.
5-6	Bandit Raiders	Mounted bandits, preying on travelers.
7-8	Manticore	Lion-bodied, bat-winged, human-faced with barbed tail, adapted from Persian but common in European fantasy.
9-10	Giant Wolves	Larger, more dangerous wolves.
11-12	Nomadic Tribe	Humanoid group, potentially friendly or wary.
13-14	Wandering Giant	Solitary, unpredictable.
15	Gryphon	Hunting over plains from a distant nest.
16	Unicorn	Rare, benevolent, magical horse-like creature.
17	Harpy	Flying over, looking for prey.
18	Gorgon	Bull-like creature, can turn creatures to stone, distinct from Medusa.
19	Herd of Aurochs	Giant, wild cattle.
20	Ancient Spirit	Bound to the land, could be benevolent or malevolent.

3d. Mountains Creature Table (d20)

Roll (d20)	Creature	Notes
1-2	Dragon	Great scaled beast, often guarding hoards, various colors/types.
3-4	Giant (Stone/Cloud)	Massive humanoids, often solitary or in small clans.
5-6	Gryphon	Nesting in high peaks.
7-8	Wyvern	Lesser dragon, nesting in cliffs.
9-10	Harpy	Nesting in mountain crags.
11-12	Roc	Enormous mythical bird of prey.
13-14	Mountain Troll	Larger, tougher trolls adapted to cold/rocky terrain.
15	Goblin Patrol	From mountain strongholds.
16	Dwarf Miners	Could be friendly, neutral, or guarding their mines.
17	Minotaur	Roaming from ancient mountain labyrinths.
18	Cyclops	One-eyed giant, often isolated.
19	Giant Eagle	Intelligent, sometimes benevolent, sometimes aggressive.
20	Golem (Stone)	Guardian of ancient mountain fortresses or treasures.

3e. Swamp/Marsh Creature Table (d20)

Roll (d20)	Creature	Notes
1-2	Hydra	Multi-headed serpentine monster, regenerating.
3-4	Giant Frogs	Large, potentially poisonous or carnivorous.
5-6	Giant Crocodiles	Large, aggressive reptiles.
7-8	Hag (Witch)	Solitary, malevolent magic-user, often in a hovel.
9-10	Will-o'-Wisp	Luminescent, malevolent light, lures travelers to their doom.
11-12	Swamp Troll	Troll variant adapted to marshy environment.
13-14	Giant Mosquito Swarm	Annoying and potentially disease-carrying.
15-16	Lizardfolk Patrol	Amphibious humanoids, territorial.
17	Ghoul	Undead, often found near ancient graves or battlefields.
18	Ooze/Slime	Amorphous, acidic creature.
19	Giant Serpent	Large, constricting or venomous snake.
20	Bog Spirit	Restless spirit, guardian of a cursed bog.

3f. River/Lake Creature Table (d20)

Roll (d20)	Creature	Notes
1-2	Giant Fish/Eel	Large aquatic predator.
3-4	Nixie	Water fae, can be benevolent or tricksters.
5-6	Kelpie	Shapeshifting water horse, lures victims to drown.
7-8	River Troll	Troll variant, often near bridges or fords.
9-10	Giant Water Snake	Large aquatic serpent.
11-12	Merrow	Malevolent merfolk, often cannibalistic.
13-14	River Pirates	Operating from hidden coves, preying on river traffic.
15	Lost Cargo/Wreckage	Could contain treasure or a clue.
16	Siren	Lures sailors/travelers with enchanting song, isolated lake.
17	Giant Leech Swarm	Drain blood, can be deadly.
18	Water Elemental	Animated water, guardian or natural occurrence.
19	Undine	Water spirit, often associated with specific springs or lakes.
20	Ancient River Spirit	Powerful guardian or source of magic/danger.

3g. Desert Creature Table (d20)

Roll (d20)	Creature	Notes
1-2	Giant Scorpion	Large, venomous arachnid.
3-4	Sand Worm	Large burrowing creature, often snake-like.
5-6	Nomad Tribe	Humanoid group, possibly hostile or friendly.
7-8	Sphinx	Guardian of ancient desert ruins, poses riddles.
9-10	Manticore	Roams desert skies, adapted.
11-12	Giant Vulture	Scavenger, can carry off small prey.
13-14	Undead	Skeletons, zombies, mummies from buried ruins.
15	Basilisk	Can turn creatures to stone, adapted to arid regions.
16	Djinn (Bound/Free)	Elemental spirit of air/fire, can grant wishes or be malevolent.
17	Lamia	Half-human, half-serpent, often in desert ruins.
18	Desert Cultists	Performing dark rituals in isolated areas.
19	Lost Caravans	Provide loot or a rescue mission.
20	Roc	Nesting in remote desert mountains, hunts over plains.

3h. Badlands Creature Table (d20)

Roll (d20)	Creature	Notes
1-2	Ghoul	Feeds on corpses, often found near desolate battlefields.
3-4	Specter	Incorporeal undead, drains life force.
5-6	Banshee	Female spirit, wails can cause death, often found near ruined homes.
7-8	Twisted Treant	Corrupted tree guardian, malevolent.
9-10	Earth Elemental	Animated earth, often guarding a resource.
11-12	Broken Golem	Partially functional or reanimated construct.
13-14	Chimera	Hybrid monster with lion, goat, and dragon parts.
15	Cockatrice	Reptilian bird that can turn creatures to stone with its touch.
16	Harpy	Nest in strange rock formations.
17	Bandit Outlaws	Operating from a remote hideout.
18	Wild Magic Zone	Unpredictable magical effects occur.
19	Petrified Creatures	Victims of a Gorgon or Basilisk, clues to a threat.
20	Corrupting Influence	A source of blight or madness affecting the land and its creatures.

3i. Unique/Special Creature Table (d20)

Roll (d20)	Creature	Notes
1-2	Phoenix	Mythical bird of fire and rebirth.
3-4	Dragon	A unique or very powerful one.
5-6	Lich	Powerful undead wizard, guarding a phylactery.
7-8	Ancient Vampire	Powerful, ancient undead, often bound to a specific location.
9-10	Greater Basilisk	More powerful version, stronger petrifying gaze.
11-12	Genie (Noble/Evil)	Powerful elemental being, grants wishes or causes chaos.
13-14	Celestial Envoy (Fallen/Corrupted)	Angel or similar being, either seeking redemption or spreading corruption.
15-16	Elemental Lord (Bound/Free)	Powerful elemental entity.
17	Titan Fragment	A remnant of an ancient god-like being, imbued with power.
18	Living Statue	An animated statue, guardian or rogue construct.
19	Abyssal Spawn	Creature from an evil plane, escaped or summoned.
20	Time Anomaly	Area where time behaves strangely, leading to unusual encounters.

4. NPC Encounter Table (d20, per Region/Theme)

Roll (d20)	NPC Encounter	Details/Motivation
1-2	Traveling Merchant	Buying/selling, seeking protection, carrying rumors.
3-4	Rival Adventuring Party	Friendly, neutral, or hostile; pursuing a similar goal.
5-6	Hermit/Reclusive NPC	Offers wisdom, sells rare items, warns of dangers.
7-8	Scout/Patrol	From a nearby settlement or faction.
9-10	Fugitive/Outlaw	Seeking refuge, desperate, may be dangerous.
11-12	Lost Traveler	Needs help, can offer information or a small reward.
13-14	Monster Hunter	Tracking something in the area, may offer a bounty.
15-16	Cultists/Secret Society	Performing a ritual, gathering something, secretive.
17	Natural Resource Gatherer	Herbalist, miner, lumberjack; might know local secrets.
18	Scholar/Researcher	Investigating ruins, flora/fauna; seeks information or protection.
19	Messenger/Emissary	Carrying urgent news, diplomatic mission; may need escort.
20	Unique NPC	A named character with a specific mini-quest or major secret.

5. Hazard Type Table (d12, per Terrain)

This is an example table. You would populate this with hazards appropriate for your specific biomes.

Roll (d12)	Forest Hazards (Example)	Mountain Hazards (Example)	Swamp Hazards (Example)
1	Thick Undergrowth	Steep Cliff	Quicksand
2	Poisonous Plants	Rockslide	Disease-carrying Insects
3	Sudden Sinkhole	Strong Winds	Dense Fog/Mist
4	Entangling Vines	Narrow Pass	Hidden Pit
5	Rogue Fey Ambush	Avalanche Zone	Carnivorous Plants
6	Wild Magic Surge	Magical Storm	Ghastly Mire
7	Flash Flood	Ice Crevasse	Acid Pool
8	Dangerous Fauna	Falling Rocks	Toxic Gas Vent
9	Treacherous Terrain	Blizzard	Diseased Water
10	Spider Web Colony	Precarious Ledge	Sinkhole
11	Haunted Ground	Geomantic Instability	Corrupting Influence
12	Planar Rift	Ancient Curse	Fey Trap

6. Object/Treasure Found Table (d20)

Roll (d20)	Object/Treasure Found	Notes
1-2	Mundane Supplies	Lost rations, rope, broken tool.
3-4	Small amount of coin	1d6gp, 2d10sp.
5-6	Useful mundane item	Healing potion, flint & steel, scroll case (empty).
7-8	Clue/Map Fragment	A torn map pointing to a ruin, a cryptic note, a symbol.
9-10	Object of Artistic Low Value	Small statuette, simple jewelry, antique book.
11-12	Crafting/Alchemy Components	Rare herbs, minerals, exotic animal hides.
13-14	Minor Gem/Precious Stone	1d4x10gp value.
15-16	Minor Magic Item	Potion, scroll, single-use wondrous item.
17	Quality Weapon/Armor	Non-magical, but well-crafted and valuable.
18	Ancient Coin Hoard	Small cache of old, potentially valuable coins (e.g., 2d6x10gp, mixed types).
19	Remains with a Story	Skeleton with a journal, a forgotten camp.
20	Strange Device/Artifact	Non-magical but unusual, its purpose unknown.

7. Sign/Discovery Table (d20)

When a "Sign/Discovery" result occurs on the Encounter Check table, roll here.

Roll (d20)	Sign/Discovery	Notes
1-3	Animal Tracks/Scat	Indicates presence of a specific creature or type.
4-6	Strange Sounds	Unusual noises (e.g., distant howls, faint music, clanking).
7-9	Distant Smoke/Fire Glow	Could be a camp, settlement, or uncontrolled fire.
10-12	Unusual/Rare Vegetation	A patch of glowing mushrooms, a unique fruit tree, strange flowers.
13-14	Unusual Weather Phenomenon	Localized fog bank, strange cloud formation, unusually strong winds.
15-16	Faint/Overgrown Trail	Suggests a path to a hidden location or a forgotten route.
17-18	Warning Sign/Trap Markings	Crude carvings, a skull on a stick, subtle ground disturbance.
19	Natural Curiosity	A striking rock formation, a perfectly clear spring, an echo chamber.
20	Omen/Foreshadowing	A flock of carrion birds circling, a sudden silence, a fleeting vision.

III. Sub-Tables for Features/Locations

When a Major Feature or Lair is generated, you'd roll on one of these.

1. Ruin Type Table (d12)

Roll (d12)	Ruin Type	Potential Inhabitants/Secrets
1-2	Ancient Watchtower	Old defenses, small garrison.
3-4	Crumbling Temple/Shrine	Forgotten deity, cult activity.
5-6	Abandoned Village	Ghosts, reclusive animals, hidden cellar.
7-8	Ruined Fort/Castle	Bandits, monsters, hidden treasure.
9-10	Collapsed Mine Entrance	Monstrous inhabitants, mineral veins.
11	Overgrown Tomb/Crypt	Undead, ancient artifacts.
12	Strange, Alien Structure	Mysterious technology, otherworldly influence.

2. Lair Type Table (d10)

Roll (d10)	Lair Type	Common Occupants (example)
1-2	Cave System	Goblins, Orcs, Bears.
3-4	Den/Burrow	Wolves, Giant Spiders, Owlbears.
5-6	Nest/Perch	Giant Birds, Wyverns, Harpies.
7-8	Hidden Glen/Grove	Fey creatures, Druids, monstrous plants.
9	Subterranean Lair	Drow, Undead, Oozes.
10	Unique Lair	Dragon's hoard, Lich's tower, Demon's gate.

3. Event/Complication Table (d20)

When an "Event/Complication" result occurs on the Encounter Type table, roll here.

Roll (d20)	Event/Complication	Notes
1-4	Sudden Weather Change	Dense fog, torrential rainstorm, heat/cold wave.
5-8	Unexpected Difficult Terrain	Landslide, hidden bog, swollen river.
9-11	Trail/Sign of Something Larger	Tracks of a huge beast, unusual magical phenomenon, arcane symbol.
12-14	Lost Supplies/Equipment	Something falls, breaks, or is stolen by small animals/creatures.
15-16	Deception/Illusion	Disorienting fey magic, a mirage, an illusory trap.
17	Disorientation	The group gets lost or is significantly delayed.
18	Celestial/Anomalous Phenomenon	Strange lights in the sky, minor meteor shower, temporal distortion.
19	Sign of a Hidden Faction	Markings of a secret society, abandoned camp of unknown scouts.
20	Call to Adventure	A message in a bottle, a wounded animal needing help that reveals something important, a map carried by the wind.

4. Fixed Location/Point of Interest Table (d12)

When a "Lair/Fixed Location" result occurs on the Encounter Type table, roll here for a minor point of interest within the hex.

Roll (d12)	Fixed Location/Point of Interest	Notes
1-2	Hidden Cave/Burrow	Small, obscured, might contain minor creatures or a short-term hideout.
3-4	Abandoned Shrine/Altar	Overgrown, forgotten, perhaps still holds a faint magical residue or a small offering.
5-6	Hunter/Trapper Camp	Abandoned or temporarily unoccupied; signs of recent activity, basic supplies, or traps.
7-8	Natural Overlook/Vantage Point	A high point (hill, large tree) offering a view of surrounding hexes; might be a monster's perch.
9	Vital Watering Hole/Game Trail	A reliable water source or a heavily used animal path; attracts wildlife and potentially hunters/predators.
10	Small Cache/Stash	A concealed hiding spot (under a rock, in a hollow log) with minor valuables or survival gear.
11	Unusual Geological Formation	A striking rock pillar, a strange crystal cluster, a natural arch; no immediate purpose but visually distinctive.
12	Entrance to a Planar Microcosm	A subtle gateway to a small pocket dimension, a fey crossing, or a minor elemental rift.