Yesterday on twitter, The Gelatinous Rube (@TempestLOB) discussed adding random items to a dungeon without a predetermined purpose by the DM. The rationale was, the players would *bite* on the random object and create a reason why it is there. Their speculation will create information which will allow the DM to create additional plot hooks/devices for the party.
Just Dave (@crazy_newt) referred to this as, “chumming the dungeon.” This is a (1) a great term and (2) a solid idea. Definitely something I don’t currently do enough of. Whether they end up as ideas for future adventures or just red herrings, I’m going to ensure items which draw the interest of players and make them stop and wonder, “how’d that get here?”, pop up throughout my campaigns moving forward.
These are d6 ideas for chumming the dungeon.
1. A sizeable wooden bucket. Inside is a salmon swimming in place in crystal clear water. The bucket has a name stenciled on the side: McGill & Son Fishery.
2. A dozen pamphlets with red & black lettering on the front. Written in multiple languages, they highlight an anti-dwarf pogrom being instituted by duergar. The back-page contains a hit list of specific dwarves, as well as, death camp locations.
3. A small burlap sack filled with animal jerky. It doesn’t look or smell like any meat that exists in this world. Someone has taken the time to cut it into geometric shapes.
4. A wine cask. The wine has been long drained. It’s contents are priest vestments and mitres. There’s a censer hanging from the rim.
5. A wooden crate, filled with an array of thumbs and ears. They appear to be from a wide variety of creatures some of which aren’t identifiable. Scribbled on the lid is the word, “spare parts.”
6. A glass menagerie, like the one Tennessee Williams wrote about. Except the animals are completely foreign. The glass is colored: greens, yellows, oranges, and reds. Each color smells like a different fruit type. Green, melon. Yellow, berries. Orange, citrus. Red, stone fruit.
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