by Philip Friston-Reilly aka Gazpacho Soup.

The 5E compatible supplement can be found through my Affiliate Link.

Every once in a while, a TTRPG resource crosses your path that just feels like a friend—welcoming, quirky, full of ideas, and eager to help you tell better stories at your table. Gazpacho’s Adventure Hooks is exactly that kind of resource. Created by Philip Friston-Reilly, this hefty, 60+ page tome offers hundreds of clever, system-neutral ideas that are as inspirational as they are delightfully weird. Gazpacho reached out to me personally, so I gave this one extra care. I’m so glad I did. (Sorry it took so long to get the review up.)

From the moment you crack it open, you’re met with charm. There’s wit in the design choices, kindness in the writing voice, and a sense of joy in the sheer breadth of content. Philip clearly loves this hobby. Gazpacho’s Adventure Hooks isn’t just a book of roll tables—it’s a labor of love, one meant to support GMs when inspiration runs dry, when the players veer wildly off-course, or when the dungeon you prepped isn’t quite ready yet. Sound familiar?

I have reviewed a lot of games for this blog, and this supplement really stands out to me as the kind of work I want to be doing for my own projects. The price was even recently dropped to make it more affordable for GMs in this economic downturn we’re facing in the USA. I don’t think a GM could ask for much more.

What’s Inside?

There’s an incredible amount of content packed into these pages:

  • 407 Adventure Hooks across 20+ biomes and themes.
  • Detailed extras like the Job Pole, magical trees, and quirky job postings.
  • Magic items, monsters, cursed tomes, sentient gear, and more.
  • Creative mechanics like Aggregate DCs and ghost roleplaying advice.
  • Gentle guidance for GMs of all experience levels.
  • Epitaphs, plot twists, and sheer storytelling fuel throughout.

Why It Stands Out.

What struck me most is how Gazpacho’s Adventure Hooks balances being both whimsical and wise. Some hooks made me laugh out loud (see: the crowned frogs and Groundhog Day loops), while others struck me with genuine narrative potential (like “Others,” a cemetery entry about cursed souls returning to town unaware they’ve died).

The tone is refreshingly earnest. Gazpacho doesn’t pretend to have all the answers, but he gives you more than enough sparks to light your own fires. Whether you’re prepping sessions or improvising mid-game, this book becomes your co-GM, gently whispering ideas when you need them most.

If you’re a new GM, Gazpacho’s Adventure Hooks is a godsend. You can use it in-session without slowing things down. If you’re a veteran GM, it’s a fountain of fresh ideas and evocative vignettes to remix and reshape. Even if you don’t run 5e, nearly all of it is easily portable to other fantasy systems like Dragonbane, Shadowdark, or OSE.

A Personal Thank You.

To Gazpacho—thank you. This book is more than useful; it’s heartwarming. You’ve created something that makes our games better and our lives easier. That’s no small thing. I’ll be keeping this PDF open during prep for many sessions to come, and I sincerely hope you make more.

Gazpacho’s Adventure Hooks is like a pocket full of wild seeds. Throw a few into your world, and you’ll find new stories growing where you least expected them.

Thank you for being here with me today. I appreciate you. Keep it real, but please strive for positivity, too. Please embrace the things that bring you the most joy in your life.