An encounter begins when the party stumbles onto a monster — either a planned encounter or a wandering monster roll. The referee runs a fixed sequence to determine surprise, distance, who acts first, and what happens. An encounter takes at least 1 full turn to play out (including resting, regrouping, binding wounds afterwards).

Map

Encounter takes place on the same dungeon/wilderness map as exploration.

• Encounter distance (if uncertain):
  • Dungeon: 2d6 × 10 feet.
  • Wilderness: 4d6 × 10 yards (or 1d4 × 10 if surprised).
  • Waterborne: 4d6 × 10 yards (or 1d4 × 10 if surprised).
• Encounter movement rate: 1/3 of base movement per round (feet in dungeon, yards in wilderness). Max 60 rounds (1 turn) at this rate.
• Light gives presence away: characters carrying light in dark cannot surprise opponents.

Time-tracking

Time switches from turns to rounds (10 sec each). 60 rounds = 1 turn. The encounter as a whole consumes 1 turn of dungeon time regardless.

Encounter sequence:

1. Surprise: roll for any side not aware of the other.
2. Encounter distance: determined (see above).
3. Initiative: non-surprised sides roll 1d6.
4. Actions: each side decides how to respond.
5. Conclusion: 1 turn has passed.

Main Actions

One action per round per character. The four common encounter responses:

• Combat — attack, cast, or move tactically. Switch to the Combat procedure (round-by-round).
• Evasion — flee before combat begins. Opposing side decides whether to pursue.
• Parley — attempt to communicate. May change monster behavior (modified by CHA on the reactions table).
• Other — any action the referee allows.

Surprise

• Each unaware side rolls 1d6. Result of 1-2 = surprised.
• One side surprised: unsurprised side gets a free round; surprised side cannot act.
• Both surprised: momentary confusion, no advantage to either.

Monster Reactions

If circumstances don't make the monster's behavior obvious, roll 2d6 (modified by the speaking character's CHA reactions modifier):

Evasion (Dungeon)

Only possible before combat begins.

• Fleeing side faster: evasion automatically succeeds (unless forced to stop).
• Fleeing side not faster: pursuit. Both sides run at full base movement (feet/round).
• Pursuit can be broken by: leaving line of sight, dropping treasure (3-in-6 chance monsters stop to grab it), dropping food (3-in-6 for hungry/dumb monsters), burning oil, obstacles.
• Mapping is not possible while running.
• Exhaustion: after 30 rounds of running. –2 to attacks, damage, and AC. Recovered after 3 turns of rest.

Initiative

• Each side rolls 1d6 at the start of each round. Highest acts first.
• Slow weapons (two-handed melee, some missile) always act last regardless of initiative.
• Ties: re-roll, or resolve both sides simultaneously (both can deal killing blows).