Random Tables!

When inspiration fails, roll something inappropriate.

Sometimes the Editor knows exactly what should happen next. Sometimes nobody has any idea what is in the crate, why the machine exploded, what the Goons are doing or how the villain's plan became even worse.

That is what these tables are for.

Most use 1d6. Roll when you want a surprise, pick a result when one is obviously better, or combine two results when the first one is not ridiculous enough.

If a result seems awkward, resist the urge to fix it immediately. Awkward results are often where the best material starts.

What Just Fell From Above?

This table works outdoors, indoors and anywhere else gravity can be persuaded to participate.

d6	Incoming!
1	Piano
2	Large advertising sign
3	Bucket containing something unpleasant
4	Masked Science Goon
5	A piece of whatever building everyone is currently standing in
6	Something belonging to another character

If you roll 6, choose whose item it is. They may have been looking for it.

What's in the Mystery Gadget?

A character has confidently produced a device. Now we discover what it actually does.

d6	Result
1	Exactly what the character claimed, but backwards
2	Completely different gadget with a suspiciously similar label
3	Works perfectly once, then catches fire
4	Works much better than intended
5	Works, but affects everyone nearby
6	It actually works exactly as advertised

A result of 6 should make everyone nervous.

Why Did the Machine Explode?

Use this for laboratories, secret bases, robuts, vehicles, death rays and anything with the word ATOMIC painted on the side.

d6	Technical Explanation
1	Somebody pushed the red button
2	Nobody pushed the red button
3	An important component was installed backwards
4	The machine was never designed to do what everyone has been using it for
5	The villain deliberately included a self-destruct system
6	Mister Chips warned everyone about this three scenes ago

On a result of 6, Mister Chips may deserve a Kaboom.

He will probably not receive an apology.

Failed Power Stunt

Use this when a Power attempt fails and the Editor needs a complication quickly.

d6	What Goes Wrong?
1	Wrong target
2	Right target, wrong effect
3	The Power affects the environment instead
4	The Power works far too well
5	The Power rebounds on the hero
6	The Power succeeds, but creates a completely new problem

Whenever possible, make the failure fit the Power's SFX. A failed Ice Blast should create an ice problem. A failed Teleport should create a location problem. A failed Super-Strength Stunt should involve something extremely heavy being somewhere it should not be.

What Are the Goons Doing?

Use this when the heroes unexpectedly enter a room full of henchmen.

d6	The Goons Are...
1	Playing cards
2	Eating lunch
3	Arguing over instructions
4	Moving a very heavy crate marked FRAGILE
5	Attending mandatory workplace training
6	Actually doing their jobs

On a 6, give them a moment. It does not happen often.

Masked Science Goon Workplace Complications

The World Conquest Corps employs professionals, and professionals have procedures.

d6	Complication
1	Mandatory fifteen-minute break
2	That task belongs to another union local
3	Unsafe working conditions complaint
4	The supervisor has not signed the appropriate form
5	The equipment cannot be operated without a second certified Goon
6	A grievance has been filed against the supervillain

The villain may respond badly.

This may escalate the grievance.

What Does the Monologue Reveal?

Use this when a villain rolls badly on Monologue!, speaks for too long or simply becomes carried away.

d6	Oops
1	Location of the secret control
2	Stupid Weakness
3	Exactly how long until the machine activates
4	Escape route
5	Internal dispute among the Goons
6	An entirely separate part of the plan nobody knew about

The villain should not realize they have revealed anything until somebody points it out.

Then they may shout:

SILENCE!

What Is the Villain's Stupid Weakness?

Use this when you need one immediately. Roll once, then make the result specific.

d6	Weakness
1	Extremely ordinary household object
2	Specific food
3	Embarrassing word or name
4	Their own Power's SFX
5	One painfully obvious flaw in their equipment
6	Personal vanity

“Food” is not enough.

Drawn butter is enough.

“Embarrassing word” is not enough.

Kwak is enough.

The more humiliating the final answer, the better.

Wrong Button!

For the Peril Plane, Peril Sub, giant robots, villain machinery and anything with too many controls.

d6	Button Activates...
1	Ejection seat
2	Emergency siren
3	Weapon aimed in an unfortunate direction
4	Previously unknown vehicle feature
5	Something labeled AUXILIARY
6	Exactly what the character wanted

If the button was clearly labeled beforehand, that does not matter.

The label was wrong.

Previously Unknown Vehicle Feature

Useful after It Was There All Along! or whenever the dashboard has one switch too many.

d6	Feature
1	Secondary weapon
2	Escape vehicle
3	Amphibious capability
4	Extremely specific emergency equipment
5	Extra engine
6	Entire additional room

A vehicle can absolutely contain a room nobody has ever seen before.

What Does Chameleon Turn Into?

Use after a failed Transform Stunt or whenever justice demands it.

d6	Form
1	Chicken
2	Household appliance
3	Object much too large for the room
4	Object much too small to be useful
5	Perfect disguise except for one obvious gecko feature
6	Exactly the right thing, but facing the wrong direction

The chicken result should occur more frequently than probability suggests.

Why Does Chameleon Have to Leave?

Chameleon may roll here instead of inventing an excuse.

d6	Urgent Commitment
1	Dentist
2	Kettle's on
3	Forgot to feed something
4	Important appointment he cannot describe
5	“I have a thing.”
6	He suddenly remembers he is needed back at Peril Peak

None of these excuses have to be true. In fact, it is probably better if everyone knows they are not.

What Does the Cavalier Think Is Happening?

When The Cavalier enters a scene and there is any possibility of misunderstanding it, roll.

d6	His Interpretation
1	They want an autograph
2	This is a publicity event
3	His agent arranged this
4	Someone is filming
5	The villain is a fan
6	He completely understands the situation

Result 6 lasts approximately thirty seconds.

Random Superhero Prop

Use when somebody searches a glove compartment, opens a cabinet, reaches behind their back or spends a Kaboom on something suspiciously convenient.

d6	Found
1	Rope
2	Fire extinguisher
3	Oversized wrench
4	Extremely powerful magnet
5	Costume belonging to somebody else
6	Exactly the absurd object needed for the current plan

Result 6 does not guarantee the plan works. It merely guarantees that everyone now has to watch the plan happen.

Random Vehicle Arrival

Someone calls for transportation, hears a horn or looks up at exactly the wrong moment.

d6	Vehicle
1	Taxi
2	Police car
3	Ice cream truck
4	Armored vehicle
5	Extremely inappropriate military hardware
6	Peril Patrol vehicle nobody remembers dispatching

The driver may or may not know why they are there.

What's Written on the Big Red Button?

d6	Label
1	DO NOT PUSH
2	EMERGENCY
3	MORE POWER
4	RELEASE
5	ABSOLUTELY NOT
6	No label whatsoever

The unlabeled button is obviously the most dangerous.

What Happens After NEXT PANEL!?

Use this after somebody spends Kabooms to escape a predicament without explaining exactly how.

d6	New Panel
1	The heroes stand outside smoking ruins
2	Everyone is somehow in a moving vehicle
3	The heroes are prisoners
4	The heroes are wearing inappropriate disguises
5	The villain believes the heroes are dead
6	Everyone is exactly where they wanted to be, but something enormous is approaching

Nobody is required to explain the transition.

Instant Issue Generator

When the Editor needs an issue immediately, roll once on each of the following tables and combine the results.

Do not improve them too much.

Villain

d6	Villain
1	Mad scientist
2	Alien conqueror
3	Criminal mastermind
4	Monster
5	Rogue robut
6	Existing Peril Patrol villain

Scheme

d6	Scheme
1	Steal something enormous
2	Take over Skyscraper City
3	Kidnap someone important
4	Demonstrate a new superweapon
5	Get revenge over an absurd grievance
6	Scheme initially appears completely harmless

Target

d6	Target
1	City Hall
2	Peril Peak
3	Bank
4	Museum
5	Power plant
6	Entire city

Location

d6	Location
1	Secret underground base
2	Skyscraper rooftop
3	Abandoned factory
4	Harbor
5	Science exposition
6	Somewhere no villain should reasonably have built a base

Complication

d6	Complication
1	Hostages
2	Goons on strike
3	Another villain interferes
4	The heroes are blamed
5	Important equipment fails
6	The villain's plan is actually working

Big Finish

d6	Finale
1	Giant machine overloads
2	Something grows to enormous size
3	Vehicle chase
4	The base begins collapsing
5	Citywide countdown
6	The villain activates Phase Two

For example:

Alien conqueror + revenge over an absurd grievance + museum + science exposition + Goons on strike + vehicle chase.

Why is an alien conqueror taking revenge on a museum during a science exposition while the Goons are striking?

Excellent question.

Start playing.

When to Stop Rolling

Random tables exist to create ideas, not replace them. Once a result gives you something useful, stop rolling and follow it.

Do not roll six times looking for the “best” answer. The odd result is often the one that produces the better issue.

THE RANDOM TABLE RULE

Roll until something gives you an idea. Then stop rolling and make it happen.

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