Random Encounters (Deadworlds)

System Encounters

When the players' ship enters a region, and each week spent in the region thereafter, there is a 2-in-6 chance of a system encounter: another ship entered or was in the region. On a 1, it is staying in the region for some reason (ambushing, surveying, refueling), while on a 2, it is passing through or leaving the region.

If there is a random system encounter, roll 2d6 on the Region Encounter Roll. If the ship is Scanning (Active or Passive), roll to see if it gets a detection lock on the player's starship. If they get a detection lock, they make a Reaction Roll. All permanent/preplaced entities in the region (planets, ships, space stations) also roll for detection locks if they are Scanning.

If the Reaction roll is less than Friendly, the ship will take action. Neutral ships will attempt to continue their mission unless engaged. Defensive ships form a defensive line around their ward. Aggressive ships will attempt to engage the player's ship. Evasive ships will attempt to fleet the region.

Pirates are a common enough sight in the Deadworlds, and are dangerous to travellers and traders. Hunting Pirates are looking for targets or waiting in ambush at the edge of systems. Loot-Laden Pirates have already filled their holds, and are fleeing back to their hidden lair. Raiding Pirates are in the middle of raiding a planetary settlement or space station. Unless stopped, they will succeed and escape with loot in 48 hours.

There are specific Pirate Fleets operating in the Deadworlds, each with a different composition. If one is destroyed or driven out, another will rise to take its place. When determining which Pirate Fleet is in the region, roll below:

Local Pirates are the pirate fleet based in the current system. Adjacent Pirates are pirates from a randomly-determined adjacent system. Distant pirates are from either a Deadworlds system more than one jump away, or from outside the Deadworlds.

Deadworld Pirate Fleets:

• [[Turrita Pirates]] (Trinculo)
• [[Ragnarsson Fleet]] (Zelotupia) Specific encounters:
• [[Antwerp|SDS Antwerp]] - Espionage Ship
• SYS Coahila - System Hauler
• [[Aunis|SDS Aunis]] - Free Merchant

Ground Encounters

Wilderness Encounters

Wilderness encounters have a 2-in-6 chance per day of travel. Traveling stealthily, and at least at half speed, reduces this chance to 1-in-6. Lifeless Body is used for planets, moons, or other bodies that can be navigated, but have no life or atmosphere.

Settled Encounters

Encounters are primarily with law enforcement, roll 2d6-2; if less than Law Level, a law enforcement encounter occurs.

Other settled encounters are rare, and typically only occur when players are looking for trouble. They occur when:

• The Law Level roll is doubles.
• When entering a district on a 1-in-6 chance.
• Searching through a settlement on a 2-in-6 chance.

Toughs and gangs require protection money, and may also demand a Readied item. Thieves will attempt to sneakily remove an item or container, either through pickpocketing or nicking it when the characters are distracted. Con artists will typically arrive with a bad deal, and attempt to convince the players to give them money for a reward. There's a 25% that it will, in some way, actually pay off for A Patron has a job offer for the characters Merchants are willing to transact with one piece of adventuring gear, energy, pharmaceuticals,

Other encounter ideas:

• Civil unrest/riots: 1d10×100 people are in the streets, blocking paths and demanding to be heard