Encounters

Reaction

NPCs do whatever the GM determines is the most appropriate for them based on their motives and the current situation.

Your GM might call for you to roll a Reaction for interactions such as surprise encounters, persuasion, deception, or intimidation.

The GM sets a Difficulty based on the Encounter’s current disposition towards you. The Difficulty may or may not be kept secret.

• Check: Charisma Modifier + Reaction Bonuses

• On success, the interaction leans in your favor. Otherwise the NPC(s) react defensively or are openly hostile.

• On success you gain Advantage on your next Reaction Check against the Encounter. On failure you have Disadvantage on your next Reaction Check against the Encounter.

The following table contains suggested Difficulties for various Encounter dispositions.

Loyalty

Followers, hirelings, and other NPCs will have varying loyalty to you. Many situations may call for a Loyalty Check.

Situations might include: asking an NPC to give you something of value, persuading an NPC to follow you contrary to their beliefs or best judgement, or remaining by your side in battle when things are looking grim.

The GM sets a Difficulty based on your relationship to the NPC and the current situation. The Difficulty may or may not be kept secret.

• Check: Charisma Modifier + Loyalty Bonuses

• On success, the NPC aids your cause! Otherwise, the NPC might Flee, resist, or attempt to deceive you

Perception

Your Perception measures your overall awareness of your environment. Detect noises, spot a tower on the distant horizon, or locate hidden doors and objects. Perception might be the difference between ambushing a Goblin or being their lunch.

• Check: Wisdom Modifier + Perception Bonuses

Wanderlust

Each Hex that is Explored (see Exploration) has a chance for a wandering monster Encounter, using the following tables. Adjust probability based on your realm’s population density.

A Note On Fairies: Due to their invisible nature, and their natural appearance as mundane organic objects, such as stones, leaves, water, etc., Fairy encounters—marked with an asterisk (*)—typically go completely unnoticed. Spellcasters can often sense their presence, but know that if you don’t bother them, typically they won’t bother you.

Aquatic

Encounters while traveling between land are rare. 10% Encounter chance per-hex.

Conjured

Manifestations of powerful Spellcasters.

Forest

Forest encounters range everywhere from prankster sprites to sleepy forest Dragons. 30% Encounter chance per-hex.

Hills

Anything from small Halfling settlements to rampaging Cyclopses. 35% Encounter chance per-hex.

Mountains

Treacherous peaks and snowy ice-caps. 20% Encounter chance per-hex.

Ruins

The discarded ruins of lost Civilizations.

Subterrane

Lurkers of the dark underground realms.

Swamp

Bogs obscured by mist—crawling with dangerous creatures. 40% Encounter chance per-hex.

Urban

Every day people, strange acquaintances, and the supernatural who inhabit Civilizations.

Wilderness

Raw, untouched biomes of the Earth: forests, canyons, deserts, grasslands, lakes, and rivers. 30% Encounter chance per-hex.