Grand Unified Random Encounter System

GRAND UNIFIED RANDOM ENCOUNTER SYSTEM

When to draw:

• Each outdoor square the party passes through
• Each day a group spends scouting an outdoor square
• Each night spent encamped outdoors
• Each 4 hours spent roaming around in a town or village during the day
• Each turn spent up to no good in a settlement at night

Card Result:

Joker:  DM’s Choice/Special:  if PC spends inspiration, then PC’s choice

Spades: no encounter

Ace/Face Card: A hostile creature is perceived, but not encountered. Perhaps the PCs see spoor or the remains of a victim or hear a noise in the distance.

Number Card: A weather change event

Hearts:  potential helpful encounter

            Ace:  helpful healing hermit, cleric, druid

            King:  spirit or fey creature with helpful advice

            Queen:  convenient shelter or unknown dungeon

            Jack: helpful peddler with things to sell

            Number Card:  deer or wild boar to hunt, if desired, good pick pocketing target

Diamonds: encounter with humans or demi-human locals

            Ace:  Noble, Knights or Leaders with soldiers

            Face Card:   Patrol (Knights, Archers and/or Guards or the like as appropriate)

            Odd numbered Card:   thieves, bandits, cultists, perhaps disguised as commoners

            Even numbered card:   commoners doing their business

Clubs:   potentially hostile encounter

            Wilderness:

            Ace/Face Card:  serious monster (probably owlbears), coming right for you

            Odd Number Card: Orc or goblinoid raiders

            Even Number Card:  other wilderness monster (use Xanathar’s Guide)

            Urban:

            Ace/Face Card:  Potentially hostile NPC with entourage

            Odd Number Card:  The Town Watch

            Even Number Card:  roll city encounter from Xanathar’s Guide