I've put up a
first version of a 5E Random Encounter Generator using O.G.R.E., with filters for Low (1-4), Mid (5-10) and High (11+) Level.
The encounters are trying to provide more detail than just the number of creatures.
Eventually I want to add all terrain types (and maybe planar encounters) but the moment I'm looking for
- General feedback
- Ideas for why an encounter might be where it is (on patrol, on a journey, looking for food)
- Ideas for current activity / state of the encounter (drunk, resting, playing a game)
- Ideas for making the encounter distinctive such as pets, unusual items being carried or something memorable about of of the creatures.
- Other details you would find useful to see for an encounter.
Thanks!
Reaction Tables? I forget where I found this particular take on reaction tables, but I know my friends and I built on the idea when we were playing an Underdark sandbox-ish game.
[SECTION]
2d6 Reaction (the DM can add up to +/-4 based on the type of monster or circumstances)
2-5 Hostile
6-8 Cautious/Indifferent
9-12 Friendly/Willing to Trade
Natural Doubles
1's – The monster takes hostile or violent action because of an outside influence. Perhaps the monster is charmed, rabid, insane, acting under compulsion from another creature that is holding its young hostage, etc. [Carl's suggestion for additional seed info: If the monster is intelligent, it may have specific information on the PCs or their motives, or may have been tracking the party with intent to mislead, deceive or ambush them. Possibly has set a trap for the PCs, and/or has magical item or psionic abilities that it plans to use against the party.]
2’s – Something happened recently to make the monster angry and hostile to the world in general. Negotiation is unlikely to succeed unless it resolves the cause of this underlying anger.
3’s – The monster would prefer to be aggressive toward the party, but something holds it in check. Perhaps it is acting under orders, has taken a vow, or is favorably disposed to one aspect of the PCs’ appearance despite hating the rest.
4’s – The monster would be favorably inclined to the party except for one nagging detail. Perhaps it is prejudiced against one particular party member, or upset about a past action of the PCs.
5’s – Something happened recently to make the monster happy and well-disposed to everyone it meets. Negotiation is likely to succeed unless the PCs seem inclined to take away the thing that is making the monster happy (a pile of treasure, a tasty human baby).
6’s – The monster receives the party enthusiastically due to mistaken identity or a belief that they fulfill a prophesy. All will go well as long as the PCs continue to conform to the monster’s expectations.[/SECTION]
I've never used OGRE before, but I imagine this *could* be a self-contained script that other OGRE scripts used.
For example....
[SECTION]
1 Harpies.
They are
Friendly/Willing to Trade.
They are
waiting for someone or something. Currently they are
playing a game.
Possible extra:
One of them is studying a gold lockets with painted portraits inside (25 GP each).[/SECTION]
Another example...
[SECTION]
1 Cyclops.
They are
Hostile, but... The monster would be favorably inclined to the party except for one nagging detail. Perhaps it is prejudiced against one particular party member, or upset about a past action of the PCs.
They are
looking for someone. Currently they are
engaged in some sort of art.
Possible extra:
One of them is exhausted.[/SECTION]
):
