R/andom Tables

You might know that I am a big fan of randomized content in my RPGs. I use things like magic cards for inspiration when I need to quickly come up with an adventure and random tables to aid my improvisation during the game.

There is a lot of great random tables online, either on blogs, forums or even in some fully fledged pdf supplements. The problem is, that they are scattered all over the interwebs and quite difficult to find. I usually bookmark my finds, but even that makes it somehow tricky to find what you need. Well, it's possible that I am really bad at organizing my bookmarks. Nevertheless, I thought it would be cool to have a comprehensive list of good random tables. The original idea was to go trough my bookmarks and make a list of random tables I enjoy and post it on this blog. Well, many have tried that, and those lists are as scattered around the web as the random tables itself. Instead of joining the legion of hard-to-find random table lists, I have decided to open a subreddit, so anyone can add and up/dowvote random tables. This way we can create a somehow central database of random tables and generators for our sessions. This is why, earlier today, I started the:

r/RandomTables

Come and check it out, even if you are not registered on reddit. You can access all the tables without registering. And, if you are a reddit user, join us and post more cool random stuff. This way others can use it in their games. In the coming days, I will continue adding random tables from my bookmarks and probably start some discussions on how people are using them in their games. On the blog side, look out for more random tables related content.

Procedural tabletop RPG content?

I have a soft spot for random generators. Random encounter tables help me design adventures on the fly, random critical hit effects add flavor to the battle scenes... and so on.

My obsession with random generator really started when I discovered rougelikes in the late 90s. It was when I learned what procedural generation is and I got hooked. There seems to be something magical and intriguing in the way a simple man-made algorithm can create a variety of content from random ingredients and formulas... and it seems that I am not the only one. This aspect of digital gaming seems to be quite popular nowadays. More and more developers are jumping on the random generation train. Either creating rougelike-like games (Spelunky, Binding of Isaac) or just adding randomized elements to their creations (like equipment in Borderlands and Skyrim).  Random dungeons, random loot, random enemies. It's everywhere! Even on a tabletop...

Tabletop procedures

Randomized board of Settlers of Catan

Random elements where always present in tabletop games. From simple random number generators (dice!), through randomized elements of board games, to the (in)famous random tables from the RPGs of yesteryear. While the RPG fandom moved away from all this randomness, preferring pre-made scenarios, a bunch of players (mainly those involved in the OSR movement) continued using random tables. With time, this practice evolved from simple random encounters with a fantasy critter corresponding to a number to fully fledged adventure generators that will create a hook, twist and nemesis for your session. On a Savage Worlds side of roleplaying games like Savage Worlds of Solomon Kane or Shaintar have good examples of such.

While random tables are being sort of a niche within the RPG niche they seem to thrive. There are whole websites dedicated to them that help inspire GMs. You can find a random generator for everything, from strange fungi consumption to city generation. Internet seems to be the right medium for those, as whole generators can be scripted to work in your browser and they don't get lost in a humongous binder full of printed tables. This, however, comes at a price - we have taken it away from the tabletop. Many GMs that I know use them exclusively to create adventures before the session and not taking advantage of them "on-the-fly".

Now, years after the birth of online random generators we see next step of this evolution - decks of cards that aim to help and inspire game masters in the art of improvisation. You probably seen some of them on Kickstarter in recent past. I am talking about projects like Concept Cards, Creature & Encounter Decks, Combat Description Cards, The GameMaster's Apprentice (this one is quite cool!). If you think about it, cards are a great tool for this sort of thing. Portable, quick and big enough to pack a good amount of content. When used by a skilled GM those can make for an amazing experience.
If you are curious about improvisation, I would encourage you to check some of them out. Each of those decks has a different flavor and different uses, so shop around to see what suits you.

What do you think about those card aids? What kind of info would you like to see on them? I am toying with an idea of creating some decks like that under CC license so people could create their own - would you be interested in such a template so you could create your own cards? After all, roguelikes survived and had their re-birth thanks to Open Development, why can't random "tables" have the same?

What's in this bog? [D12]

Swamplands and bogs, while seemingly full of life, with all it's frogs, snakes and mosquitoes, don't have much to offer for an adventuring party apart from the wet, sticky and smelly obstacle of the swamp itself. But this time, the party stumbled upon something.

What's in this bog? [D12]
1	A magical abomination covers the whole bog bed, it's tentacles look like vines.
2	A group of partially submerged swampfolk preying on unsuspecting travelers.
3	A creature, covered in decomposing bandages, releasing spores everywhere.
4	Nothing apart from the really bad smell that makes you gag (disease?)
5	A cyst covered bog witch collecting ingredients for her potions.
6	Nutritious looking mushroom covering every tree, some have bite marks.
7	An altar to some long forgotten gods, swarming with fireflies and mosquitos.
8	A boat-sized hollow log filled with green-glowing frog egg-like things.
9	A body of a trapper, covered in maggots, his equipment mostly intact.
10	An abandoned rowboat in decent shape. With a lantern still lit sitting in it?
11	A hermit. He can aid the party, if they promise that to leave him alone.
12	Sealed barrels with rusted chains, they must have been anchored here.

Where does the blood trail lead to? [2D6]

Doesn't matter if it's in the wilderness, city or some gods forgotten dungeon - it is easy to miss a small blood trail. But, when you found one, you know that it leads to something interesting.

Where does the blood trail lead to? [2D6]
2	A ferocious monster finishing eating it's last victim. It's still hungry!
3	Straight into bandit ambush. They clearly outnumber you.
4	A blood covered obelisk, it's starts to siphon your blood as you get closer.
5	A harmless looking woman covered in fresh eldritch scars. She's got a knife.
6	An Unconscious messenger with a crude arrow in his knee. His bag is gone.
7	Dead peasants, they where clearly attacked by some kind of animal.
8	A strange creature, not native to this land; died here of a poisoned arrow.
9	A family is hiding here, they rush you to get down and stay quiet.
10	A blood stained magic tome on the ground. The trail ends here.
11	A dying adventurer – his plan to slay [wandering monster] has gone south.
12	A wounded nobleman. He will do anything in exchange for your help!

What are those bandits doing? [D10]

Bandits have lives too, they don't just wait around to attack everybody they encounter. 
Roll D10 to see what are they doing as you notice them:

What are those bandits doing? [D10]
1	Sleeping? Nope – it is an elaborate ambush!
2	Looking angrily back at you, their weapons drawn.
3	Guarding the camp and waiting for rest of the band to come back.
4	Preparing an ambush you up ahead, there is still time to back away.
5	Just a off day at the camp – talking, resting, washing clothes.
6	Unloading some heavy loot from a stolen cart.
7	Getting ready to leave the camp, leaving only few sentries behind.
8	Drinking heavily from barrels full of wine and dancing half-naked.
9	Treat their wounded after a recent robbery.
10	Fighting among each other for loot from a recent robbery.

Introducing Randomday

NEW! As seen on the Internet! Saves Times and Money! 

RANDOMDAY RANDOM TABLES

What?

Randomday is a random table "feature" of this blog that will take place on a random day at least once a week. It even has a tag and everything - so you know it is official and professional. Randomday is a place for system agnostic tables for role-playing games spanning across different genres... but will probably start with generic fantasy.

While OSR in it's nature, I believe that even non OSR games can benefit from some fine narrative randomizer (as written here). I will try to create each random table based on a question that can show up during play, and make results interesting enough that they'll spawn at least an interesting scene. I am using tables like that to add some fluff and detail to my games, but feel free to use them as you wish.

How?

The rules are simple. You have a detail that needs filling, either for a pre-planned scenario, or something that came up on the spot. You get a random table that has a question/topic that you need, you check the die/dice needed for it, roll them and you get your detail! ...or you can just choose whatever you fancy. The rule of thumb is, that high results are good for the players and low are bad.

BUT WAIT! That's not all! You can use the tables as inspiration for your games, maybe scene/adventure seeds, maybe idea for a magic item, or an NPC? Use it in any game you want, as the tables are supposed to be a narrative and system-agnostic fuel.

Why?

I decided to create Randomday for many reasons; because I feel random tables (when used correctly) create great RPG experiences, because I appreciate your readership and something like random tables is a quick way for me to give something to you that you can use during your games, and because I want to keep myself motivated to post more often. I have few big('ish) projects going on now and it would take weeks, if not months, before I can deliver something worth sharing... so in the meantime, I will make myself create some random fluff for RPGs, hopefully you'll find Randomday tables as much fun to read and use, as I have them to read.

I like it! What should I do?

Feedback is always a great reward, comments make me happy and motivated, but if you would like to help, drop a comment with a topic idea for a random table - the more eclectic collection of random tables we will have, the better; I am also planning on periodically releasing a free Randomday pdf, collecting those tables - so you will be able to see your name/nickname in a electronic booklet that will probably reach tens, if not dozens, of readers!

So check-in on a random day each week, for some random fun!