Randomized Tables

In the realm of Alantrus, random tables are intended to be tools that the DM can use to provide players with an enjoyable experience. How these randomized tables are used is up to the DM. If you are a new DM, then an explanation of how to use random tables appropriately is in order.  

What are Random Tables?

Random tables are tables that provide a random scenario, or, outcome. In general, they provide an engaging and / or entertaining scenario that players need to navigate. Sometimes, players will choose violence, and at other times, players will choose a creative solution. This provides players, as well as, the DM, with surprising scenarios.  

How do I use Random Tables?

If you are just starting out as a DM, then you will need to figure out your DM style. Some DMs are incredibly skilled at weaving an engaging and ongoing story using improvisation and random tables. Other DMs are strong at crafting highly structured adventures. Most DMs fall somewhere in the middle of these two styles.   When using random tables, you can choose whether you want players to feel like their characters are in more of a sandbox environment, or like they are playing a well crafted story. To create the first style, come up with several story hooks and roll on tables that are appropriate to the situation. For instance, if traveling, then roll on a random encounter table that is appropriate to the environment. If in a dungeon, roll for a trap, or puzzle and see how players engage.   If you are wanting to create a story with more structure, then prep an adventure ahead of time, rolling on the appropriate tables. This includes things like specific encounters, dungeons that have a mix of puzzles, traps and encounters and a final boss fight for the adventure. There will most likely be a few times when you need to improvise, however, these times will be much less frequent than having to improvise the entire time.  

How can I Create my own Random Tables?

Creating random tables will largely depend on your DM style. What works for one DM may not work for another. For instance, looking at any of the random tables in the realm of Alantrus, one will quickly notice that they all have either 2 d6 tables or 1 d12 table. This is may seem like a weird choice, after all, why not just add eight more slots and make them all d20 tables?   While standardizing all tables to d20 would probably make things easier, it does not allow for flexibility. Why flexibility is an important consideration in random table design is that not all players will enjoy a swing dice roll when determining an event. Likewise, some players may not enjoy having a bell curve distribution when rolling. By setting up random tables in this way, DMs are able to provide a level of flexibility when delivering an adventure to their players. Additionally, by setting up random tables in this way, DMs have to flexibility to pick and choose what form of probability to use in any given situation.   When setting up random encounters, consider what the encounter is with, what the environment the encounter is taking place in and the loot that players will receive at the end of the encounter. For traps, consider what the triggers are, how far away the trap is from the party and what the mechanism of the trap is. For a puzzle, consider what the goal of the puzzle is, the mechanics of the puzzle and consequences players may face as a result of failing to solve the puzzle.