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<blockquote data-quote="Reynard" data-source="post: 9121262" data-attributes="member: 467">I had a thought and couldn't find an appropriate existing thread.Does the use of random tables in play reduce player agency in gameplay? I am specifically talking about generative tables used to provide inspiration or even outright game elements to the GM when the PCs explore an otherwise undefined area.Allow me to use an example: the PCs are heading from Southron to Northlund and can choose to take either the long but safe road or the faster but more dangerous road. Importantly, they don't know the mechanics behind those two road choices.The rules (GM developed or otherwise) say that the chances of a negative encounter are double on the fast road -- but literally nothing else is defined before rolling.If the PCs only have the barest information about potential difficulties -- thd fast road is &quot;more dangerous&quot; whatever that means-- are they being robbed of agency specifically as compared to a more carefully crafted route and potential dangers?Let's assume that the description given to the PCs is equivalent,&nbsp; but yhe potential table roll results are much more varied from a challenge perspective than the designed routes.What do you think?</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Reynard, post: 9121262, member: 467"] I had a thought and couldn't find an appropriate existing thread. Does the use of random tables in play reduce player agency in gameplay? I am specifically talking about generative tables used to provide inspiration or even outright game elements to the GM when the PCs explore an otherwise undefined area. Allow me to use an example: the PCs are heading from Southron to Northlund and can choose to take either the long but safe road or the faster but more dangerous road. Importantly, they don't know the mechanics behind those two road choices. The rules (GM developed or otherwise) say that the chances of a negative encounter are double on the fast road -- but literally nothing else is defined before rolling. If the PCs only have the barest information about potential difficulties -- thd fast road is "more dangerous" whatever that means-- are they being robbed of agency specifically as compared to a more carefully crafted route and potential dangers? Let's assume that the description given to the PCs is equivalent, but yhe potential table roll results are much more varied from a challenge perspective than the designed routes. What do you think? [/QUOTE]

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