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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Over the Hill Gamer" data-source="post: 7125550" data-attributes="member: 6791968">Do other DMs use terrain and location based encounter tables that are completely irrespective of PC level? Most random tables are level-based, meaning if you are 1st level and travel through the Great Forest you won't ever encounter a troll.  And if you're 10th level you probably won't encounter a band of goblins. The monsters that you encounter randomly are “level appropriate.”  Kind of like taking your kids to an age appropriate movie. My tables ignore level and consider only the terrain or location and maybe the time of day.  I know it's sort of an old-school concept but I find wandering monster tables generate a lot of fun at the table. Encounters could range from fellow travelers to something truly horrific. Whether you are just 1st level or 10th level, if you travel deep within the Great Forest you have the same probability of encountering "it." If you bat in the league you must take the calls for the league! Well what happens when your fledgling band of low level heroes gets unlucky and runs into a marauding dragon?  Does the fiery drake just wipe them out of existence?  Well it could I suppose, especially if they were warned repeatedly about venturing in the Great Forest.  But what I almost always do is allow them to see the dragon from afar. The dragon is flying to some destination, the PCs take cover, and the dragon flies on.  Or perhaps if they encounter a troll, it merely wants to collect a toll.  Seeing such powerful creatures increases the sense of danger without risking the necks of PCs.  Of course, if they fail to follow common sense such encounters could turn deadly -- like flagging down the dragon or refusing to pay the toll.Alternatively, if your 10th level group of stalwarts runs into a few lowly kobolds seeking to ambush the unwary do you waste time with such a pointless encounter?  Nah.  Perhaps the kobolds could offer some clues or rumors.  Or maybe the group just notices them but the kobolds wisely take stock of the situation and beat it. Such lopsided encounters can become great opportunities for roleplay since one side has no interest in fighting and must talk their way out.There is something fun and exciting about exploring the great outdoors --danger, adventure, and fortune await.  A good wandering monster table is helpful and also fun for players and the DM, too.  Especially, if there's no telling what you might encounter "out there."</blockquote>

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