We are looking to build a more comprehensive database of encounter information, including various encounter responses and a list of known locations. Please contact us if you are willing to share historical turn files with this information. You will be credited for your contributions.
During the course of their travels, both characters journeying alone and commanders of armies may happen upon some of the many creatures, characters and places which make up the rich world of Middle-earth. These encounters may vary from the investigation of a cave, to a talk with Gandalf, to a brush with one of the great dragons! Depending on the character (their skills, allegiance, etc.) and their reaction to the encounter, they can result in anything from the gaining of artifacts, information or gold, to violent death.
Characters will first be made aware of an encounter by a message in the turn. Following this, any character in the same hex can then investigate the encounter. The following turn they will receive a more detailed account of whatever is awaiting them. Sometimes this is a fixed event, but often they will be given several choices of ways in which to react, such as attack, talk, run away, etc. It is then up to you whether or not to react to the encounter, but be aware that if the character does not react, they are assumed to run away. And turning your back on a potentially violent encounter is not always the best course of action...
Encounters come in two basic types: army encounters and character encounters. Army encounters show up as reports by the army commander. They do not allow any response. Character encounters show up either as something to be investigated (a hidden path, cave entrance, underground maze, etc.), or as a specific situation with a list of options. They only occur for characters traveling alone or with a company.
As some encounters span multiple modules, we are listing all known encounters here by categroy as well as by module. The recommended use of the encounters information on this site is via the search feature at top center of this page (or the magnifying glass icon if you are on a mobile device) and enter keywords from the encounter.
The recruitable dragons encounters are listed separately.
Encounters lists for other modules will be added in the future
The content in the Encounters section is from numerous sources, including player contributions and from The Middle-earth PBM Guide by Middle-earth Games.