Fanonomicon: Volume #2

A Nightmare (encounter idea)

Here's one for you DM's that want an encounter that interrupts a long rest.

The players have just fallen asleep for the night & have either forgot to put someone on watch or the person they put on watch has rolled really low. Pick one of your players (who isn't on watch & is also asleep) & tell them to describe what their dream is like. After they describe it, have them roll a perception check. If they pass tell them they see a nightmare. (If they fail they get attacked by the nightmare which will wake them up)

Once they asked what the nightmare is (assuming that they think it's a nightmare as in a bad dream) tell them that it's a large flaming horse that is inside their tent. If they figure out that it's a nightmare & it's their in real life an encounter begins. If they don't figure out that it's real life then comedy ensues.