random encounters
Unplanned crossing paths
Random encounters are unexpected meetings or confrontations that occur by chance rather than design.
The term originates in video games, particularly role-playing games, where players walking through an area might be thrust into combat with enemies at unpredictable intervals: I hate the random encounters in this dungeon.
The concept extends to any unplanned interaction: Dating apps have replaced the random encounters that used to happen at coffee shops.
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- chanceLikelihood of occurrence
- fortuityAccidental lucky occurrence
- arbitraryBased on personal whim
- surpriseUnexpected event causing astonishment
stranger danger · serendipity · happenstance · coincidence · dice rolling · game master · unpredictable · dungeon crawling · NPCs · tabletop RPG · video game · accidental · adventures · meetings · spontaneous · quests · role-playing game · character progression
- dungeon crawlersdungeon, loot, treasure chest, monster, trap
- GMingworld building, campaign planning, pacing, rulings, fudging
- video gamesvideo games, gameplay, Fortnite, mobile game, arcade
- side questsside missions, fetch quests, escort missions, bounties, errands
- unpredictablessurprises, chance, uncertainty, unpredictables, wild cards
- RPG mechanicsmin-maxing, level up, XP, HP, power leveling
random encountersformal introductions
Structured first-time meetings
diplomatic meetings · matchmaking · blind dates · arranged marriages · set-ups
random, randomly, randomness, randomize, randomized, randomization, encounter, encounters, encountered