101 Things Found on a Battlefield

[Silent Hunter UK]

This should so be a PDF.

[StainlessSteelCynic]

1. Not a weird encounter but something a little unusual.
When the PCs investigate, the find a small collection of "drip" rifles (AKA "pop-off" rifles or more aptly, the "ghost" or "phantom" rifle) in various defensive positions.
The rifles can be any sort from combat to civilian rifles and may be set to fire single or auto (the small number of ejected shells from self loading rifles indicates that the bursts where small, 3-5 rounds only).

The "drip" rifle is a device that allows the rifle to self-fire. First used by Australian forces during the evacuation from Gallipoli, it consists of the rifle and a pair of tins (or any suitable collection device like canteen mugs etc. etc.) arranged one above the other. The rifle is typically held in place by sandbags or a wooden frame.
The lower tin has a line connected to the trigger and the upper tin has sand or water that has been allowed to drip into the lower tin.
When the lower tin gained enough weight, it would pull the trigger and thus give the impression that someone was still in the trench taking shots at the enemy.

Personally, I like the feel that would be created by calling these devices "ghost" or "phantom" rifles
For some more information on the drip-rifle, the following links give some history and some images to better illustrate the concept: -
https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/ency...oli/drip_rifle
https://flicense.blogspot.com.au/201...rifle-ww1.html
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-2...ention/7046570
https://subtletv.com/baakaDk/Drip_Rifle_Weird_Weapons


2. And another that is slightly weird, that I recall from somewhere (a movie I think)...

A small stand of trees survives unscathed by the battle. When the PCs approach the trees the only notable thing is a breeze blowing through the area... and the noise.
There's a weird, sort of moaning, sound coming from the direction of the trees. It sounds like something you would encounter in a horror movie. There's no melody or rhythym to the noise other than the "moaning" quality.

When (or if) the PCs investigate they find that someone has placed several lengths and sizes of PVC pipe in the trees. They have cut them and arranged them like a giant set of pan pipes and placed them into position so that they will catch the wind and emit the strange sound the PCs heard.


3. Last one, inspired by Isla de las Munecas (the Island of the Dolls) in Mexico.
http://www.isladelasmunecas.com/

Someone has spent a great deal of time collecting and hanging dogtags from a tree on the battlefield. There are so many dogtags that it's doubtful they are from soldiers killed on this particular battlefield. There are so many of them that when the wind blows, the dogtags act like a windchime.

For some variety and to increase the weirdness factor, instead of dogtags (which are somewhat understandable, perhaps the person was creating a memorial for example), someone has tied chess pieces to the branches of the tree. There are hundreds of them made from plastic, wood and even metal or stone but they are all pieces used in chess.
Of course you could just go into "creepy" territory and have the tree festoned with dolls or stick figures (like in the first Blair Witch movie).

[Draq]

An alternative is to throw all you're ruined/non standard ammo on a fire with alot of leaves/green branches. Creates a thick smoke and a timed 'simulation' of gunfire. Used for distractions/diversions.

[unkated]

1. An old leather shoulder bag - an officer's case from a previous generation - no one makes these things of leather for field use any more. It's heavy if you pick it up.

It contains a 1 kg. bar of gold, stamped with an eagle over a swastika, and a (random) 8-digit number.


2. A set of 8-12 test tubes on stands on the ground. Some have dried out stuff in different colors in them.

Uncle Ted

[StainlessSteelCynic]

Originally Posted by unkated

1. An old leather shoulder bag - an officer's case from a previous generation - no one makes these things of leather for field use any more. It's heavy if you pick it up.

It contains a 1 kg. bar of gold, stamped with an eagle over a swastika, and a (random) 8-digit number.


2. A set of 8-12 test tubes on stands on the ground. Some have dried out stuff in different colors in them.

Uncle Ted

Nice!
I really like these because of that "What the... ?" factor, particularly the test tubes. There's nothing quite like something completely random but hinting of danger, to make the players paranoid!

[ArmySGT.]

Originally Posted by Silent Hunter UK

This should so be a PDF.

100 random items version 1 2018-03-28.pdf

[Apache6]

A baby and/or small child
A kitten or puppy
A bag of silver coins
A women who has been held as a slave
A box of fine china (looted from a house)
Unexploded 500 lb bomb
RPG round that was fired with the nose fuse cover on
A historic weapon of some time (matchlock musket for example)

[Apache6]

A baby and/or small child
A kitten or puppy
A bag of silver coins
A women who has been held as a slave
A box of fine china (looted from a house)
Unexploded 500 lb bomb
RPG round that was fired with the nose fuse cover on
A historic weapon of some time (matchlock musket for example)
The code book for the Soviet radio networks

[pmulcahy11b]

Catholes, urine patches (or the smell left over, if catholes are not used, or doo-doo left over if catholes are not used), and slit trenches, whether covered over or not. If you know what to look for, you can track an enemiy's movement with them.

[StainlessSteelCynic]

Another weird one.


The PCs find a doorframe, complete with door. It's been erected in a small stand of trees and doesn't appear to have been part of any sort of building. It's as if someone just set up the door for no reason other than to mess with people's heads.


(Inspired by the claims of people finding staircases in the middle of woods in the USA. The staircases allegedly cause people to lose sense of time or sense of hearing.)

[WallShadow]

Originally Posted by StainlessSteelCynic

Another weird one.


The PCs find a doorframe, complete with door. It's been erected in a small stand of trees and doesn't appear to have been part of any sort of building. It's as if someone just set up the door for no reason other than to mess with people's heads.

Also a good way of sizing up a group as they mull over the anomaly. And if one knows the range to the door, and it's pre-registered, it makes it easier to dispose of potential problems at a distance.

[StainlessSteelCynic]

Originally Posted by WallShadow

And if one knows the range to the door, and it's pre-registered, it makes it easier to dispose of potential problems at a distance.

Any obstacle should be covered by observation and fire...