Subplot Design Tables: Random Encounters

Random Events are unforeseen events that may throw a monkey wrench into the teams operation, or provide them with a unique possibility. Depending on how the event unfolds this may take the campaign into a whole new direction or be used as a sub story for later development.

Bystanders: the team runs into an innocent bystander (or group). The bystander(s) may be injured in the course of a battle with the enemy, or they may witness details of the operation that they should not have. Or perhaps they are now able to identify you and your team. If you mission is covert and your government wants to be able to deny your mission those bystanders may have to be taken care of. Perhaps you or one of your team recognizes a bystander, does this effect their performance, distract them, or do they witness them being injured/killed.

Friendly Fire: You or a member of your team suffers damage/injuries from friendly fire. If you survive you will have to explain the events surrounding the friendly fire accident. Or perhaps it was not an accident at all; perhaps someone was taking shots at you disguised as a friendly? You may have some investigating to do later. That’s assuming that the friendly fire incident itself did not cause catastrophic damage to a key system or organ. If a key system was damaged by a friendly during combat you may have to make field repairs or fight a battle with a damaged machine/equipment.

Terrorist Ambush: Rebel forces, an enemy squad or terrorist organization(s) has ambushed you and your team. Who ever the perpetrator was you have made yourself an enemy. Was any or your equipment damaged in the ambush? Do you need to make field repairs, or are the parts/equipment you need hard to come by. If they are you might need to steal replacements from local enemy troops or find a way to quietly acquire them so as not to arise the suspicions of the locals, after all maybe the set the ambush.

Unstable Ground: The ground you are walking on suddenly begins to rumble. You quickly realize you are in the middle of a quake (mild, sever, catastrophic?). Do you manage to get through the quake whole or did you suffer damage/casualties. If so you must make repairs before getting underway, or you might need to take a friend for medical attention. Did any of your equipment get lost or swallowed up by the earth? Did a captured agent or criminal make an escape while the quake distracted you?

Sensor Echo’s: Either environmental in nature or your equipment is faulty, but ever once in a while your sensors ready an enemy bogie following you. It could be a sensor echo or is it an enemy stealth unit that you are only able to get a bead on every once in a blue moon. If it’s a sensor glitch you had better repair it before heading into battle, but if it’s an enemy stealth unit you may want to take cover before you are attacked.

Storm of the Century: You have been caught by a sudden and extremely violent storm. It may be a series of tornadoes, a hurricane, blizzard, etc. Whatever the nature your sensors are virtually useless, and you (or your team) may be taking damage from the storm. You should probable find shelter to wait out the storm, but the enemy may be closing in on your location. If you stop moving you had better be prepared for battle. On the other hand if you continue on you risk further damage from the storm and running into an ambush, after all your sensors aren’t work dirt in weather like this.