The Traveller Book makes it plain that Referees can and should create their own custom encounter tables for their game. These custom tables will reflect the specific situations on the planets the Travellers visit.
From the Encounters chapter:
"The list provided is only an example, and other lists may be generated for specific adventures or situations. For example, if the adventuring group is on a world embroiled in a civil war, the random encounter list might be full of troops, refugees, guerrillas, war profiteers, petty warlords, and members of various factions."
"Reactions are an important part of random encounters. Once the encounter occurs, the referee should consult the reaction table to determine the specific response to the encounter by the other side."
Here are two that I've done, to get you started. While still 'generic', they have elements distinct enough from the baseline table to keep your players guessing.
Urban Encounter Table, sample:
|
31 |
Drunks (roll for SOC) |
- |
1D |
|
32 |
Noble with retinue |
L, G |
2D |
|
33 |
Street food vendor |
- |
1-2 |
|
34 |
Tourists |
+1 TL |
3D |
|
35 |
Street gear vendor |
- |
1D |
|
36 |
Police Patrol |
GA |
2D |
|
41 |
Fugitives |
G |
2D |
|
42 |
Fugitives |
L |
3D |
|
43 |
Criminals fleeing pursuit |
L, G |
1D |
|
44 |
Vigilantes |
L, G |
2D |
|
45 |
Muggers |
G |
1D |
|
46 |
Purveyor of Vices |
L, G |
1D |
War Zone Encounter Table, sample:
|
41 |
Artillery barrage |
- |
- |
|
42 |
Refugees |
2D |
G |
|
43 |
Field Hospital |
6D |
L, G |
|
44 |
Patrol |
3D |
L,G, A |
|
45 |
Abandoned civilian vehicle |
1 |
V |
|
46 |
Conscript labor party w/guards |
4D |
G, L |
|
51 |
Barracks (1-4 occupied, 5-6 abandoned) |
2D |
- |
|
52 |
POW camp w/ guards |
6D |
G, L |
|
53 |
Fortifications, active |
4D |
G, A, L |
|
54 |
Fortifications, abandoned |
1 |
- |
|
55 |
Mercenary soldiers |
3D |
G, A, L |
|
56 |
Guerrilla/irregular fighters |
3D |
G, L |
The full tables are available in .pdf format from the links below. Enjoy!

"Purveyor of vices" has a delightful ring to it!
ReplyDelete