There are a lot of tables describing the activity of a random encounter out there, some of them really good, but I went ahead and put one of my own together anyway.
I like to have a balance between a reasonable number of different results, some room for me to improvise around the results and also a curve that averages towards more “reasonable” results. A bit boring, but I like how it creates a believable dungeon and it also means the players’ can intuit something about the dungeon and make smart choices based on this.
This one is also weighted to provide a separate result for mindless undead, which is really handy when running the Barrowmaze.
Roll | Encounter activity |
2 | Running from other creature Roll for hunter, on higher Lvl chart if necessary |
3 | Returning to lair after fight Random number of creatures @ D8x10% HP. |
4 | Just passing by Less inclined to fight, on different errand. |
5 | Setting up camp or lair Noisy, most likely guards posted |
7 | Fighting another creature Roll on same table. Noisy, easily detected. |
8 | Defending territory Looking for invaders, hostile or -4 Reaction |
9-11 | Hunting or exploring Wary. Party might be dinner and/or marks. |
12 | Chasing other creature Roll for prey, or use Giant Vermin (D6) |
Roll 2D6, OR D6+6 for mindless Undead UNDEAD: Also roll D30 on “What’s up with these Undead?” |