Random Encounters with Military Units in a Feudal Japanese Setting

I was flicking through the mass battle guidelines in the Rules Cyclopedia this morning, and was struck by inspiration. I quickly cobbled together this random encounter generator for feudal Japanese military units.

Random Encounter Generator for Feudal Japan-inspired Settings

For large swathes of its history Japan was riven by internecine warfare, notably the periods of ‘feudal anarchy’ in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. During those years the feudal lords (Daimyo) kept large standing armies which were constantly on the move throughout the country. It stands to reason that adventurers traveling in such a setting would have a relatively high chance of stumbling across one or more military units. This is a system for generating random encounters with such units.

The results will generate encounters with units varying in size from 11 individuals to 10,000 soldiers. Larger armies will include scouts, usually mounted, so DMs should take their existence into consideration when such an encounter is rolled.

Table 1 assumes that the DM wishes for a completely random encounter. Obviously the result should be chosen non-randomly if that would serve the game better.

The first step is to determine the force's general mission. This will affect its size and composition. Roll a d100 and consult the following table to determine the type of force, then note down the letter in brackets (the unit type), as this will affect the composition of the unit.

Table 1: Type of Force

0-5. An escort for a minor noble (A).
6-10. An escort for a major noble (A).
11-25. A raiding party (B).
26-40. A force being sent to clear out bandits from a local area (B).
41-50. Troops being redeployed to a nearby castle (C).
51-65. A small force sent to deal with a minor skirmish (C).
66-80. A small force sent to deal with a boundary dispute (C).
81-86. A screen or feint for a larger force (D).
87-95. An army, representing a part of the military strength of a major lord (E).
96-100. An army, representing the bulk of the military strength of a minor lord (E).

Next, determine the force's size. Roll a d100 and multiply according to the following guidelines in order to find out the number of individuals in the unit. Always re-roll results of less than 10.

Table 2: Size of Force

A - x1
B - x3
C - x10
D - x5
E - x100

The third step is to determine the force's general composition. Roll a d6 and consult the relevant chart for the force's unit type.

Table 3 - Force Composition

A
1. 50% light cavalry, 50% medium infantry
2. 50% light cavalry, 50% heavy infantry
3. 50% light cavalry, 50% archers
4. 50% medium cavalry, 50% medium infantry
5. 50% medium cavalry, 50% archers
6. 50% heavy cavalry, 50% heavy infantry

B
1. 25% light cavalry, 50% medium infantry, 25% archers
2. 25% light cavalry, 75% medium infantry
3. 25% medium cavalry, 50% medium infantry, 25% archers
4. 25% medium cavalry, 25% heavy infantry, 25% medium infantry, 25% archers
5. 50% light cavalry, 50% heavy infantry
6. 25% heavy cavalry, 50% heavy infantry, 25% archers

C
1. 10% light cavalry, 10% medium cavalry, 25% heavy infantry, 40% light infantry, 15% archers
2. 10% light cavalry, 35% medium cavalry, 40% medium infantry, 15% archers
3. 10% light cavalry, 10% heavy cavalry, 10% heavy infantry, 50% light infantry, 10% archers, 10% special troops
4. 10% medium cavalry, 10% heavy cavalry, 25% heavy infantry, 40% light infantry, 10% archers, 5% special troops
5. 10% light cavalry, 10% heavy cavalry, 25% heavy infantry, 40% medium infantry, 15% archers
6. 15% light cavalry, 15% medium cavalry, 50% light infantry, 15% archers, 5% special troops

D
1. 20% light cavalry, 10% horse archers, 20% medium infantry, 40% light infantry, 10% archers
2. 10% light cavalry, 10% horse archers, 20% medium cavalry, 35% light infantry, 15% archers, 10% special troops
3. 25% light cavalry, 25% horse archers, 10% medium cavalry, 40% archers
4. 10% light cavalry, 10% medium cavalry, 25% horse archers, 50% light infantry, 5% special troops
5. 20% medium cavalry, 25% medium infantry, 40% light infantry, 15% archers
6. 10% heavy cavalry, 25% light cavalry, 50% light infantry, 15% archers

E
1. 5% light cavalry, 5% horse archers, 10% medium cavalry, 5% heavy cavalry, 10% heavy infantry, 20% medium infantry, 35% light infantry, 10% archers
2. 10% medium cavalry, 5% heavy cavalry, 15% heavy infantry, 15% medium infantry, 30% light infantry, 15% archers, 10% special troops.
3. 10% light cavalry, 5% medium cavalry, 15% heavy infantry, 20% medium infantry, 40% light infantry, 10% archers
4. 5% light cavalry, 10% horse archers, 10% medium cavalry, 20% medium infantry, 35% light infantry, 10% archers, 10% special troops
5. 10% horse archers, 5% medium cavalry, 5% heavy cavalry, 25% heavy infantry, 40% light infantry, 10% archers, 5% special troops
6. 5% light cavalry, 15% medium cavalry, 5% heavy infantry, 10% medium infantry, 40% light infantry, 15% archers, 5% special troops

Next, determine the nature of the troops. Roll once for each variety of troops present to find out their level of experience and equipment.

Table 3 - Nature of Troops

Light Cavalry (軽騎兵 - Keikihei).

1. Keikihei - 0-Level Fighters, 4 hp, light lance, javelins, leather armour, AC 7
2. Keikihei - 0-Level Fighters, 6 hp, light lance, short bow, studded leather armour, AC 6
3. Keikihei - 1-Level Fighters, 6 hp, light lance, short bow, leather armour, AC 7
4. Keikihei - 1-Level Fighters, 7 hp, light lance, javelins, studded leather, AC 6
5. Mounted Samurai - 1-Level Fighters, 8 hp, light lance, short bow, longsword (katana), brigandine armour, AC 5
6. Mounted Samurai - 1-Level Fighters, 8 hp, naginata, short bow, longsword (katana), brigandine armour, AC 5

Medium Cavalry (中騎兵 - Chukihei)

1. Chukihei - 0-Level Fighters, 4 hp, medium lance, javelins, banded mail, AC 4
2. Chukihei - 0-Level Fighters, 6 hp, medium lance, javelins, banded mail, AC 4
3. Chukihei - 1-Level Fighters, 8 hp, medium lance, banded mail, AC 4
4. Mounted Samurai - 1-Level Fighters, 8 hp, medium lance, longsword (katana) splint mail, AC 4
5. Mounted Samurai - 1-Level Fighters, 8 hp, naginata, longsword (katana) splint mail, AC 4
6. Mounted Samurai - 1-Level Fighters, 9 hp, longsword (katana) splint mail, AC 4

Heavy Cavalry (重騎兵 - Jukihei)

1. Mounted Samurai - 1-Level Fighters, 6 hp, longsword (katana), short sword (wakizashi), heavy banded mail, AC 3
2. Mounted Samurai - 1-Level Fighters, 8 hp, longsword (katana), short sword (wakizashi), heavy banded mail, AC 3
3. Mounted Samurai - 1-Level Fighters, 8 hp, heavy lance, longsword (katana), heavy banded mail, AC 3
4. Mounted Samurai - 1-Level Fighters, 10 hp, heavy lance, longsword (katana), heavy banded mail, AC 3
5. Mounted Samurai - 1-Level Fighers, 10 hp, naginata, longsword (katana), heavy banded mail, AC 3
6. Mounted Samurai - 2-Level Fighters, 14 hp, heavy lance, longsword (katana), heavy banded mail, AC 2

Horse Archers (弓騎兵 - Kyukihei）

1. Kyukihei - 0-Level Fighters, 4 hp, composite bow, short sword (wakizashi), leather armour, AC 8
2. Kyukihei - 0-Level Fighters, 5 hp, composite bow, light lance, short sword (wakizashi), leather armour, AC 8
3. Kyukihei - 0-Level Fighters, 6 hp, composite bow, light lance, short sword (wakizashi), studded leather armour, AC 7
4. Kyukihei - 0-Level Fighters, 6 hp, composite bow, long sword (katana), studded leather armour, AC 7
5. Kyukihei - 1-Level Fighters, 8 hp, composite bow, short sword (wakizashi), studded leather armour, AC 7
6. Kyukihei - 1-Level Fighters, 9 hp, composite bow, light lance, studded leather armoud, AC 7

Light Infantry (軽歩兵 - Keihohei）

1. Ashigaru - 0-Level Fighters, 4 hp, spear, padded armour, AC 9
2. Ashigaru - 0-Level Fighters, 4 hp, spear, javelins, padded armour, AC 9
3. Ashigaru - 0-Level Fighters, 4 hp, long spear, padded armour, AC 9
4. Ashigaru - 0-Level Fighters, 4 hp, long spear, javelins, padded armour, AC 9
5. Ashigaru - 0-Level Fighters, 4 hp, spear, leather armour, AC 8
6. Foot Samurai - 1-Level Fighters, 8 hp, spear, longsword (katana), studded leather armour, AC 6

Medium Infantry (中歩兵 - Chuhohei）

1. Ashigaru - 0-Level Fighters, 6 hp, long spear, brigandine armour, short sword (wakizashi), AC 6
2. Ashigaru - 0-Level Fighters, 6 hp, long spear, javelins, brigandine armour, AC 6
3. Foot Samurai - 1-Level Fighters, 8 hp, long spear, javelins, longsword (katana), heavy brigandine armour, AC 5
4. Foot Samurai - 1-Level Fighters, 8 hp, long spear, javelins, longsword (katana), splint mail, AC 4
5. Foot Samurai - 1-Level Fighters, 9 hp, long spear, javelins, longsword (katana), banded mail, AC 4
6. Foot Samurai - 1-Level Fighters, 10 hp, long spear, longsword (katana), splint mail, AC 4

Heavy Infantry (重歩兵 - Juhohei）

1. Foot Samurai - 1-Level Fighters, 10 hp, long spear, longsword (katana), heavy splint mail, AC 3
2. Foot Samurai - 1-Level Fighters, 10 hp, longsword (katana), heavy banded mail, AC 3
3. Foot Samurai - 1-Level Fighters, 10 hp, naginata, longsword (katana), heavy splint mail, AC 3
4. Foot Samurai - 1-Level Fighters, 10 hp, heavy flail, longsword (katana), heavy splint mail, AC 3
5. Foot Samurai - 1-Level Fighters, 10 hp, longsword (katana), short sword (wakizashi), heavy splint mail, AC 3
6. Foot Samurai - 2-Level Fighters, 14 hp, naginata, longsword (katana), heavy splint mail, AC 3

Archers (弓射手 - Kyushashu)

1. Light Archers - 0-Level Fighters, 4 hp, short bow, padded armour, AC 9
2. Light Archers - 0-Level Fighters, 4 hp, short bow, leather armour, AC 8
3. Medium Archers - 0-Level Fighters, 6 hp, composite bow, dirk (tanto) leather armour, AC 8
4. Medium Archers - 0-Level Fighters, 6 hp, composite bow, dirk (tanto) leather armour, AC 8
5. Heavy Archers - 1-Level Fighters, 8 hp, composite bow, short sword (wakizashi), banded mail, AC 4
6. Samurai Archers - 1-Level Fighters, 10 hp, composite bow, longsword (katana), splint mail, AC 4

"Special Troops"

1. Warrior Monks - 1-Level Fighters, 10 hp, naginata, brigandine armour, AC 6
2. Grenadiers - 1-Level Fighters, 8 hp, grenade*, leather armour, AC 8
3. Arquebusiers - 1-Level Fighters, 8 hp, arquebus, bridandine armour, AC 6
4. No-Dachi Samurai - 1-Level Fighters, 10 hp, two-handed sword (no-dachi), banded mail, AC 4
5. No-Dachi Samurai - 2-Level Fighters, 14 hp, two-handed sword (no-dachi), splint mail, AC 4
6. Elite Samurai - 3-Level Fighters, 20 hp, longsword (katana) short sword (wakizashi), splint mail, AC 4

NPCs

For every 40 (or part of 40) troops of a given type, there will be a leader or officer of one level higher than his comrades. For example, if there are 250 horse archers of 1st level, seven of their number are 2nd level leaders or officers. If there are 402 ashigaru of 0-level, there are eleven 1st level leaders or officers.

Each force also has a number of 'name' characters. The highest level character will be the general or leader of the force – or in the case of unit type A, will be the noble being accompanied. The number of name characters in a force is as follows.

A - 1 for every 25, or part of 25, troops
B - 1 total
C - 1 for every 500, or part of 500, troops
D - 1 for every 100, or part of 100, troops
E - 1 for every 1000, or part of 1000, troops

Such NPCs can be generated as follows. To determine level, roll:

Table 5a – Level of Named NPC

A - d8+3
B - d4+2
C - d6+3
D - d6+2
E - d8+3

To determine class, roll:

Table 5b – Class of Named NPC

1-4: Fighter, 5: Ranger, 6: Paladin, 7-8: Cleric, 9-10; Wizard

Each name character has a 50% chance of having a magical item or magical items of treasure type S.

Sample Forces

Some sample forces generated using the above tables.

320 Samurai of the Ishiwara Clan, led by Fujihira Kenzaburo, a 4^th Level Fighter. The force has been sent to deal with a boundary dispute with the Takamatsu Clan, and it consists of:

32 Light Cavalry - Mounted Samurai of 1^st Level, armed with light lances, short bows and longswords, wearing brigandine armour (AC 5), and with 8 hp each. Led by a 2^nd Level Fighter.

32 Heavy Cavalry – Mounted Samurai of 1^st Level, armed with heavy lances and longswords, wearing heavy banded mail (AC 3), and with 10 hp each. Led by a 2^nd Level Fighter.

80 Heavy Infantry – Samurai of 1^st Level, armed with naginata and longswords, wearing heavy splint mail (AC 3) and with 10 hp each. Led by two 2^nd Level Fighters.

128 Medium Infantry - Samurai of 1^st Level, armed with long spears and longswords, wearing splint mail (AC 4) and with 10 hp each. Led by four 2^nd Level Fighters.

48 Archers – Samurai of 1^st Level, armed with composite bows and longswords, wearing splint mail (AC 4) and with 10 hp each. Led by two 2^nd Level Fighters.

58 Keikihei and Samurai of the Muramatsu Clan, accompanying Muramatsu Tsuyoshi, an 8^th Level Fighter, as he travels from his castle at Mie to his winter residence at Awahashi. The force consists of:

29 Light Cavalry – Keikihei of 0 Level, armed with light lances and short bows, wearing studded leather armour (AC 7) and with 6 hp each. Led by a 1^st Level Fighter.

29 Medium Infantry – Samurai of 1^st Level, armed with long spears, javelins and longswords, wearing heavy brigandine armour (AC 5) and with 8 hp each. Led by a 2^nd Level Fighter.

560 Men of the Mizaru Clan, led by Bamba Tsutomu, a 7^th Level Cleric of Amaterasu. The force has been sent to head off a group of samurai of the Iwamura Clan who are making for an important fishing port owned by the Mizarus, in an apparent attempt to raize it. The force consists of:

84 Light Cavalry – Mounted Samurai of 1^st Level, armed with light lances, short bows and longswords, wearing brigandine armour (AC 5) and with 8 hp each. Led by three 2^nd Level Fighters.

84 Medium Cavalry – Mounted Samurai of 1^st Level, armed with medium lances and longswords, wearing splint mail (AC 4) and with 8 hp each. Led by three 2^nd Level Fighters.

280 Light Infantry – Ashigaru of 0-Level, armed with spears and javelins, wearing padded armour (AC 9) and with 4 hp each. Led by seven 1^st Level Fighters.

84 Archers – Archers of 0-Level, armed with composite bows and dirks, wearing leather armour (AC 8) and with 6 hp each. Led by three 1^st Level Fighters.

28 No-Dachi Samurai – Samurai of 2^nd Level, armed with two-handed swords, wearing splint mail (AC 4) and with 14 hp each. Led by a 3^rd Level Fighter.

99 Men of the Yamada Clan, led by Hitotsuyanagi Ushi, a 6^th Level Fighter. The force has been sent to clear a gang of bandits out from a rise of wooded hills on the borders of the Yamada Clan’s lands, and consists of:

25 Heavy Cavalry – Samurai of 1^st Level, armed with heavy lances and longswords, wearing heavy banded mail (AC 3) and with 10 hp each. Led by a 2^nd Level Fighter.

24 Archers – Samurai of 1^st Level, armed with composite bows and longswords, wearing splint mail (AC 4) and with 10 hp each. Led by a 2^nd Level Fighter.

50 Heavy Infantry – Samurai of 2^nd Level, armed with naginata and longswords, wearing heavy splint mail (AC 3) and with 14 hp each. Led by a 3^rd Level Fighter.