The Encounter Chart is something I never quite understood when I was 12. And I continue to have trouble with it today. Just to make sure I’m not misunderstood, I’ll explain what I believe I “understand” versus what is giving me trouble.
What I understand. The players make an open-ended roll. The GM makes and open-ended roll. The difference (after various modifiers, if applicable) is applied to the Encounter Chart. If the value is negative, there is no encounter.
What I don’t understand. Under each population type in the Encounter Chart are two columns (in “Dense,” for example, ranging from s/- to t/t). How does one interpret these? Is the column on the left supposed to signify the PC party, that on the right the “encounter”? Or vice versa? But, either way, how is one supposed to interpret a result of “h/h” (hostile group/hostile group) or “t/t” (trap, ambush, or surprise attack...)?
I would appreciate any clarification. I am impressed with the range of encounter qualities that are possible (and even that, on average, encounters are unlikely). I just don’t know how to read the results.