encounter

name	encounter
description	Resolve OSE encounters — surprise, distance, reaction, monster stats, flee/evasion, parley. Use when the party encounters monsters or another entity.
allowed-tools	WebFetch Bash AskUserQuestion Read Edit Glob

Encounter resolution for Old-School Essentials

Resolve encounters step-by-step using SRD rules, from surprise through reaction and non-combat resolution. Hands off to a combat skill if fighting starts.

Core principles

The referee's constitution governs all behavior. Read it before beginning play if it is not already in context. Additionally:

1. Look up rules from SRD — read the SRD map or monsters submap to find the right file, then Read it
2. Roll dice with roll.py — use uv run plugins/bx-referee/skills/referee/scripts/roll.py "<expr>"
3. Use AskUserQuestion only for administrative setup. During gameplay, narrate the situation and wait for the player to respond

Tool paths

• Dice roller: plugins/bx-referee/skills/referee/scripts/roll.py
• SRD map: plugins/bx-referee/skills/referee/references/srd_map.md (rules, classes, equipment, treasure)
• SRD monsters: plugins/bx-referee/skills/referee/references/srd_monsters.md
• SRD spells: plugins/bx-referee/skills/referee/references/srd_spells.md

uv run plugins/bx-referee/skills/referee/scripts/roll.py "2d6"

Input format

The GM invokes with /encounter <monster> <count> <environment>, e.g. /encounter Goblin 3 dungeon. Arguments are available as $ARGUMENTS. If any are missing, use AskUserQuestion to prompt for them.

• Monster type ($0): SRD monster name (e.g., "Goblin", "Ogre")
• Count ($1): Number of monsters, or "random" to roll from SRD range
• Environment ($2): dungeon or wilderness

Encounter sequence

Step 0: Preparation

• Read SRD rules: use the SRD map to find and Read Encounters.md, Evasion_and_Pursuit.md, Morale_(Optional_Rule).md

• Read the monster page: use the monsters submap to find the file path, then Read it

• Read party data from the active adventure's PARTY.md (determine adventure path from conversation context — the game root and adventure name are in SESSION.md)

Step 1: Present monster stats

• Roll HP individually for each monster using their HD
• Present a compact stat block (see format below)
• AskUserQuestion: Confirm encounter details (monster count, environment)

Step 2: Surprise

• Follow the surprise procedure in srd/Encounters.md (Surprise section)
• Check monster SRD entry for special surprise rules
• Report results clearly

Step 3: Encounter distance

• Determine distance per environment rules in srd/Encounters.md (Encounter Distance section)
• Report the distance

Step 4: Reaction roll

• Only roll if monster reaction is not predetermined (some monsters always attack)
• Use the reaction table in srd/Encounters.md — roll 2d6, apply CHA modifier
• Narrate the monsters' demeanor based on the result and wait for the player to respond

Step 5: Flee/evasion

If the party chooses to flee:

• Compare party movement rate (lowest in party) to monster movement rate
• If party is faster: automatic escape
• If monsters are faster: check evasion chance by party size (from Evasion_and_Pursuit SRD page)
• If the player drops food or treasure, monsters check morale to see if they stop to collect it
• If evasion succeeds: encounter over
• If evasion fails: combat handoff (step 7)

Step 6: Parley or spells

If the party chooses to parley:

• The player states what they say or offer
• Make an additional reaction roll, modified by the quality/relevance of the offer
• Report the monster response
• If parley succeeds: encounter resolved
• If parley breaks down: narrate the breakdown and wait for the player to respond
• If fight: combat handoff (step 7)
• If flee: go to step 5

If a PC casts a spell during the encounter (before combat):

1. Deduct the spell slot in PARTY.md using Edit
2. Read the spell's SRD page via the spells submap for range, duration, and saving throw
3. Roll saves via roll.py if applicable — do not reveal target numbers (Article II)
4. Apply the effect and narrate the result
5. If the spell has a duration in turns, note it in SESSION.md
6. If the spell is hostile (e.g. Charm Person, Sleep), this typically triggers combat — proceed to step 7

Step 7: Combat handoff

Output a structured handoff block for the future combat skill:

## ENCOUNTER HANDOFF: COMBAT
**Environment:** [dungeon/wilderness], [terrain if wilderness]
**Distance:** [distance] feet
**Surprise:** [which side, if any, and rounds remaining]
**Party:**
[stat blocks from characters/ files]
**Monsters:**
[stat blocks with rolled HP]
**Notes:** [any relevant conditions — surprise, lighting, terrain]

Monster stat block format

Present monster stats in this compact format:

## GOBLIN x3
- AC 6 [13] | HD 1-1 (hp: 3, 5, 2) | Att 1 weapon | Dmg 1d6
- MV 60' (20') | ML 7 | Save D1 | AL Chaotic | XP 5 each
- SPECIAL: -1 to hit in sunlight. Hate dwarves.

Notes:

• Roll HP individually per monster using their HD
• Include both descending and ascending AC
• Only include SPECIAL line if the monster has notable abilities
• Use the exact values from the SRD page

SRD page slugs reference

Core encounter rules:

• Encounters
• Evasion_and_Pursuit
• Morale_(Optional_Rule)

Encounter tables (fetch as needed):

• Dungeon_Encounters
• Wilderness_Encounters

Monster pages use the monster name as slug (e.g., Goblin, Ogre, Black_Dragon).