There are two possible types of encounters that characters can have. They are as follows:
Planned Encounters
The first is a Planned Encounter. This may something like meeting a stranger at a crossroad who provides the character with information that aids in his adventure. Another example is the climactic battle with the main bad guy of the adventure.
Basically, a planned encounter is any encounter that the GM has planned in advance.
Random Encounters
The GM should roll to check for encounters periodically. If the characters are traveling then the GM should make an Encounter Check once for every 4 hours, or portion thereof, that the party has traveled. This means that if the party is traveling for 5 hours, that the GM should make 2 Encounter Checks.
If the party is camped, the GM should make an Encounter Check for every 8 hours, or portion thereof, that the party is camped. Thus, if the party camps for 12 hours, the GM should make 2 Encounter checks.
To actually make an Encounter Check, the GM rolls 2d10 and adds in a number of modifiers based on the situation. If the result of the Encounter Check is 20 or higher, then the party has been spotted by something. This “something” may then decide to leave them alone, follow them, set a trap for them, or even attack them, depending upon its nature.
If the result is 25 or higher, then the party will meet the “encounter” directly. Some examples of this might be the party entering a clearing just as a Goblin patrol enters from a different direction, or stumbling upon a monster as it is eating something that it has caught.
Encounter Check Modifiers
There are a number of different modifiers that can be applied to an Encounter Check. The actual modifier applied will vary depending upon the situation. Please note that not every modifier will apply in every situation. For example, Terrain modifiers are unlikely to apply in an urban environment.
Party Size:
The number of characters in the party will provide a modifier. If there are fewer than 4 members in the party, there is a -2 modifier for each one less than four. If there is more than four, then apply a +1 for each member over four that there is. Mounts and pack animals count as 2 members each. Vehicles such as carts and wagons give a +5 modifier per vehicle if they are less than 6’ in length, and a +10 modifier if they are larger than 6’ in length. For this, the draft animal(s) pulling the vehicle are not counted when determining the modifier.
Weather:
The weather can also have an impact on whether or not the party has an encounter, the more inclement the weather, the less likely that an encounter will occur. If there is light rain or snow, apply a -2 modifier. Moderate rain or snow gives a -5 modifier, and heavy rain or snow gives a -10 modifier.
Terrain:
The terrain can have a huge impact on the Encounter Check. Open, flat ground with little or no vegetation will give a +5 modifier to the Encounter Check. Rough ground, on the other hand, gives a -5 modifier. In a light forest, the Encounter Check receives an additional -3 modifier and heavy forest gives a -5 modifier. All terrain modifiers are cumulative.
Travel Speed:
Characters who are sneaking or moving carefully, slower than the standard movement rate for the terrain that they are in (see the
Movement By Terrain Type table on p. 90), will receive a -10 modifier to the Encounter Check, while those moving faster than normal will receive a +5 modifier.
Hostile Area:
If the party is in an area that controlled by forces or creatures that are actively hostile to the party, then their chances for having an encounter are increased based upon the circumstances. If the hostile forces have patrols out, then the Encounter Check will receive a +2 modifier if the party is in a wilderness area, a +5 modifier if the party is in a rural area, or a +10 modifier if the party is in an urban area controlled by the hostile forces. If the hostile forces have already spotted the party once and are actively pursuing them (i.e. a hue and cry pursuit, not simply tracking them at a distance), then the Encounter Check will receive a +5 modifier for wilderness areas and a +10 modifier for rural and urban areas.
Population Density:
The Encounter Check should be modified by +10 when near urban areas and +5 when near rural areas. However, in such areas, the encounters will be with residents, travelers and/or other locals, not with monsters normally. Such encounters could include pilgrims, patrols, messengers, scouts, bandits, traders, etc. It depends on the actual location and several other factors such as how close to a city or village the party is among other things.
Anwyn
