Developing encounter tables for my Wicked Maze-like game.
Some encounters are characters and may react in various ways.
In Wicked Maze, monsters have a difficulty (roll d20 reach or exceed target number to defeat monster) and a damage score one takes when a roll fails. I think a rolled damage feels more natural.
For Cultists, I created three categories, mooks, priests and archpriests (minibosses and bosses) but for mutants I just gave a d10 for the Difficulty Rating. Perhaps damage should just meet the DR by highest die type.
So if it gets a DR of 8 damage is d8.
For some creatures, I have multiple DR the first is the ability to evade (or avoid) and the second is to defeat. Evaded or avoided enemies can recur in subsequent encounters.
Encounter 5. Is the Pit Kraken. A hole from which emerge tentacles which will ensnare the unwary and drag them into the pit never to be seen again.
Tam H table making is usually interrupted by a desire to split into subtables.
ReplyDeleteI want to put off subtables for when I need them, during play.
Those are great! A bit more specific than I usually go for, but then that makes them more evocative too!
ReplyDeleteI spent a lot of time thinking of the moody manscorpion last night. He dresses only in shirts and hats.
ReplyDeleteHe might grow facial hair.
He might sport an ironic mustache.
The manscorpions (or Womanscorpion) enjoy music and fine art but only if it matches their abstract condition.
They can become morbid and even bitter when they, too long, languish without adequate amusement.
Bards are well respected. People who attempt art but are not yet skilled are called poseurs and attacked.
The slug makes very little noise unless its breaking something or someone beneath its 800 pound bulk. They are easily evaded but difficult to destroy. It won't chase you unless you bother it.
ReplyDeleteIt will treat you like a rock unless you act like an ant.
The cyborg might join you if it finds you trustworthy. They are always suffering bouts of amnesia, recalling bits at a time, sometimes they remember dreams as if they were real. A technomancer may stabilize their minds.
ReplyDeleteAt cost, of course. Necrotechnomancers may want him for a Zomborg.
It would be like trying to run the Tomb of Horrors with Dory the fish. I'm simultaneously horrified and intrigued.
ReplyDeleteI want at least ten wizards. A hundred is better. They want different things. They would attack under different conditions.
ReplyDeleteI wish my laptop had its charger. I'd make a PDF.