Reaction Rolls

Sometimes, it’s obvious how an encounter is going to go. When an orc scales up a siege ladder and leaps onto the rampart, the defenders know it’s there to kill or be killed. Likewise, if an adventuring party bristling with weapons and wearing holy symbols of Law bursts into a den of chaotic creatures, the creatures know it’s time to fight. Sometimes, however, an encounter might occur without both sides immediately coming to blows. 

<a id="_Hlk145178037"></a>In such cases, the Judge will make a __reaction roll__ of 2d6 and determine the monsters’ reactions by consulting the Encounter Reaction table. A reaction roll is subject to a number of modifiers. The CHA adjustment of the party’s “face” (typically whichever has the highest CHA) is usually added to the roll. If the “face” has certain class powers and proficiencies, such as Mystic Aura, those might grant a bonus to the roll as well. Certain conditions and effects on the adventurer or monsters might also modify the roll. The Judge can apply a wide range of modifiers based on the circumstances in which the encounter takes place (these are in the __*ACKS II Judge’s Journal*__).  Regardless of modifiers, however, an unmodified roll of 2 is never better than unfriendly, and an unmodified result of 12 is never worse than indifferent. 

Sometimes the adventurers might not have a clear “face,” or may disagree as to who their “face” ought to be. In this case, whichever adventurer is encountered by or speaks to the other side first is considered to be the “face.” The Judge can call for an initiative roll to determine who speaks first if it is unclear. If the context of the encounter is such that no social interaction could take place at all, then the Judge will roll on the Encounter Reaction table without any modifier from the “face.”

EXAMPLE: Tavus is a paladin (CHA 18, Mystic Aura, Intimidation, \+7 total bonus) nominally leading a party of 1st level adventurers. One of his comrades is an explorer named Morne (CHA 7, -1 penalty). The party encounters a group of 5 orcs. Tavus tells the Judge, “I draw my sword and tell them to surrender or die.” Morne, who enjoys disrupting the paladin’s plans, immediately says “I show my bare hands and say “let’s talk\!” The party erupts into dispute around the gaming table. The Judge calls for Tavus and Morne to each roll initiative. Morne wins, so he speaks first. The orcs consider him the spokesperson of the adventurers.

<a id="_Hlk145179340"></a>__Encounter Reaction__

__Adjusted Die Roll__

__Result__

2-

Hostile, attacks

3 – 5

Unfriendly, may attack

6 – 8

Neutral, uncertain
…