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<blockquote data-quote="Bacon Bits" data-source="post: 9122345" data-attributes="member: 6777737">The point I'm suggesting is that the only way I see player agency being affected in any way is if the players are otherwise being railroaded in some way.If it's:PCs: &quot;Let's go investigate that shipwreck the guy in the tavern mentioned. He said it was north up the coast. We go north!&quot; DM: &quot;As you leave town, the guard at the gate warns you against taking the coastal road. The few people he's seen come that way have said it was very dangerous, and a few of them look injured, even. He recommends you take the mountain pass if you're headed north.&quot; PCs: &quot;Oh, we thank him for the news. How long will it take us to get to the shipwreck?&quot; DM: &quot;Well, if you take the coastal road, it'll be a couple days. The mountain pass, though, would force you to take the long way around. It'll be a tenday.&quot;So from here, the PCs could:<ol>
<li data-xf-list-type="ol">Take the risk of the coastal road.</li>
<li data-xf-list-type="ol">Take the mountain pass and avoid the risk.</li>
<li data-xf-list-type="ol">Try to find someone who took the coastal road and made it to town to learn more about the dangers on the road.</li>
<li data-xf-list-type="ol">Attempt to scout the road or intercept a traveler on their way up the coastal road.</li>
<li data-xf-list-type="ol">Try to find a ship to take them up the coast, bypassing both routes.</li>
<li data-xf-list-type="ol">Return to town, gear up or hire some bodyguards, and take the coastal road better prepared for danger.</li>
<li data-xf-list-type="ol">Find a caravan to travel the coastal road with, hoping for security in numbers.</li>
<li data-xf-list-type="ol">Press the guard for more information.</li>
<li data-xf-list-type="ol">Give up on investigating the shipwreck.</li>
</ol>I just don't see what a random encounter table has to do with it. Uncertainty and ignorance themselves are a risk and danger of adventuring. The DM isn't going to hand the PCs a list of encounters at the shipwreck itself, let alone a list of the treasure they will find as a reward, either.Risk, as it turns out, is risky!</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Bacon Bits, post: 9122345, member: 6777737"] The point I'm suggesting is that the only way I see player agency being affected in any way is if the players are otherwise being railroaded in some way. If it's: PCs: "Let's go investigate that shipwreck the guy in the tavern mentioned. He said it was north up the coast. We go north!" DM: "As you leave town, the guard at the gate warns you against taking the coastal road. The few people he's seen come that way have said it was very dangerous, and a few of them look injured, even. He recommends you take the mountain pass if you're headed north." PCs: "Oh, we thank him for the news. How long will it take us to get to the shipwreck?" DM: "Well, if you take the coastal road, it'll be a couple days. The mountain pass, though, would force you to take the long way around. It'll be a tenday." So from here, the PCs could: [LIST=1] [*]Take the risk of the coastal road. [*]Take the mountain pass and avoid the risk. [*]Try to find someone who took the coastal road and made it to town to learn more about the dangers on the road. [*]Attempt to scout the road or intercept a traveler on their way up the coastal road. [*]Try to find a ship to take them up the coast, bypassing both routes. [*]Return to town, gear up or hire some bodyguards, and take the coastal road better prepared for danger. [*]Find a caravan to travel the coastal road with, hoping for security in numbers. [*]Press the guard for more information. [*]Give up on investigating the shipwreck. [/LIST] I just don't see what a random encounter table has to do with it. Uncertainty and ignorance themselves are a risk and danger of adventuring. The DM isn't going to hand the PCs a list of encounters at the shipwreck itself, let alone a list of the treasure they will find as a reward, either. Risk, as it turns out, is risky! [/QUOTE]

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