How do you spice up your "random" encounters?

[Oryan77]

If I use a random encounter, I try to plan it out ahead so it appears random but I'm actually prepared for it. But one thing I would like to improve on are ways to introduce the random encounters.

Mainly I'm talking about when PCs are traveling across the lands or through a cave and are attacked by wandering monsters or humanoids. Humanoids are a little easier to introduce into an encounter because I can use roleplaying methods to begin an encounter. But what about monsters?

All I can ever seem to do with monsters is say, "In the distance you spot a creature. It looks like it is coming towards you." Or if there are obstacles they can hide behind, then I give them a potential surprise round as they attack from their hiding place. But this always feels empty to me. I feel like it's obvious I'm just throwing it there to have an encounter.

What are some flavorful ways to introduce monsters in a random encounter that doesn't seem so forced? Have any tips for making the start of a monster encounter more interesting when the PCs are in different areas, like forests, the desert, caves, or the sewers?

 

[Gilladian]

Random encounters should be "going about their business". If it is a monster, maybe it is hunting prey, or drinking at a watering hole, or it might be wounded and seeking shelter.

Somebody just did a table that reflected a bunch of different "variations" on random encounters. Anybody got a link?

All random encounters should tie into the environment somehow. How about having creatures come out of a body of water (I mean, even forests have streams) to ambush the PCs. Or lure the PCs to its lair. Or divert the (bigger, meaner) creature following it. Perhaps two creatures are fighting each other. Or mating. Or are at a standoff.

I remember one memorable encounter where we met a group of owlbears and mountain cats who were facing each other down. When we arrived on the scene, the cats attacked and the owlbears backed off, but waited to see if we were badly hurt in the ensuing fight. IF they'd dived back in, it would have been a mess!

 

[The Shaman]

The party encounter a broken-down wagon with a cage in back; the door to the cage hangs open on a busted hinge. Two gnawed bodies lie on the ground nearby. Claw marks scuff the ground, and tracks lead off in the same direction the party is travelling.

Now fill in the monster.

 

[Oryan77]

Somebody just did a table that reflected a bunch of different "variations" on random encounters. Anybody got a link?

A table, that is exactly what I need. I recently made a post about tables/charts and was told about the Ultimate Toolbox. I got it and it is great. It didn't have anything like this in it if I remember correctly. I would love a link to the thread if anyone has it.

The party encounter a broken-down wagon with a cage in back; the door to the cage hangs open on a busted hinge. Two gnawed bodies lie on the ground nearby. Claw marks scuff the ground, and tracks lead off in the same direction the party is travelling.

Now fill in the monster.

That's exactly what I'm looking for. I'll be adding this to my list of ideas. Allowing the PCs to track down the random monster....why have I never thought of that?

 

[Rechan]

I too "plan" out my "random" encounters.

But in general I try to avoid doing random encounters that have nothing to do with anything. There will be a foreshadowing of a plot ahead of time, it will be a plot hook in and of itself, or is related to something going on in the area - it might be scavenger monsters feasting on a mound of corpses, the dump site for a nearby cult (and thus the bodies show signs of ritualistic murder). I've had PCs come across enemies setting up an ambush for a third party - and the ambushers unable to talk their way out of it.

I guess that doesn't make them all that random, eh? Anyways, here's some tips:

1) Everything Gilladian said.

2) The random encounter lets the PCs intervene or bypass. The above example of the "you come across an ambush being set up" but use an ambushy monster (Trap door spider digging a hole for instance). The PCs come across a monster chasing someone/someone has ran up a tree while the monster prowls beneath. Scavengers waiting for someone/thing to die before eating it. A wounded monster (ala Lion with the thorn in its paw). A beast that is not threatening is blocking the path, but by disturbing it it might become threatening.

3) A lot, a lot of good ideas in this Horror themed thread.

4) One of my favorite tricks is setting up a random encounter that just spells out DANGER, but makes sense and is purely a choice. Like a wayside inn that's coated entirely in spiderwebs with no light coming forth.

5) Just wanting to toss this out there (not saying people subscribe to the opposite) but random encounters need not be ones involving combat, or even threats. RP encounters where NPCs are encountered, coming across interesting things to interact with/explore but are more curious or interesting than dangerous, etc.

 

[Rechan]

As a sidenote, the book GM Gems is really nice for random color.

There's an entire section for random events/things to encounter while traveling. Sections like "Extraordinary Campsites", "Traveling Merchants" and "Roadside Ruins", covering other things like weather and caravans and such. It doesn't deal with monsters per se, merely "Here's a paragraph or two, and an adventure hook" that get the brain moving.

 

[I'm A Banana]

How do you spice up your "random" encounters?

Sexy underwear.

 

[theRogueRooster]

Sexy underwear.

I'd give you xp for that, but I can't get this mental image of a banana in a thong out of my head.

-tRR

 

[Hereticus]

I never use 'random' encounters, they are all planned.

 

[Theo R Cwithin]

Sexy underwear.

DM: Just up ahead, you hear the deep, mellow sounds of Isaac Hayes drifting through the trees.
Ralph the Gnome: Moving silently. (rolls) No problem there? OK, so I continue onward.
DM: Very well. Breaking into the clearing, you find it to be lit with low-burning candles. A bearskin rug is laid out, upon which two dire were-rhinos are doing... rhino things. One glances up, sees you and utters a startled cry. The other-- obviously perturbed-- huffs and turns in your direction, a tiny leopard thong stretched over his rhino bits. They are, umm, distracted, so you get a +8 on your initiative roll. What do you do?
Ralph the Gnome: I cry out, "Hail, great were-rhino, Sir! Is that a horn upon your snout, or are you happy to see me?"
DM: