CF: random encounters.

[Mark Wedel <>]

 Going through converting some objects, and I run accross the encounter
object.

 To refresh memory, if you compile with RANDOM_ENCOUNTERS on, the game will
randomly created encounter maps.  These encounter maps were 3x3 areas, and had
to be of the same terrain type.  There are random map in the map directory, and
these would randomly be chosen (3x3), merged in, and the player transferred to
it.  I believe it either put a bunch of monsters on it, or they were in the map.

 By default, this is turned off because you would tend to get these special
encounter maps where you don't want them (ie, the side lawn of the church or
whatever).

 The question is should these be retained.  From discussions, there are several
reasons why not:
 
1) With random map code which generates on preset exits, this method of random
maps are not needed as much.
2) If the outdoor scale is increased, should not be the need for these maps -
just add some code to have the terrain randomly generate creatures.
3) Discussion has been to reduce the monster count, and instead have fewer
interesting monsters.  With such a change, these encounter maps would be needed
much less (why make a big map if you are going to put a few monsters on it)

 Those are the reasons to get rid of it.  That said, if it is kept, the
following refinements are probably in order:

 1) If there are going to be fewer monsters, instead make it a 1x1 blowup (so
that 1 space perhaps becomes a 20x20 map)
 2) When the encounter map is active, make a link (exit) from the outside
terrain square to the encounter map, so other players can join in (might already
be there)
 3) Have this random encounter map disappear, and the space return to normal,
when all the players have left the map (might also already be done).  If this is
done, the space should probably be turned into a non encounter space so you
won't get an encounter there in the map resets.
 4) Change it so that random encounters are the non default behaviour (ie, you
need to put the random encounter space on the map to get it - if you use normal
grass, forest, etc, nothing will happen.)  With that change, random encounters
are effectively not used at all until maps get updated.
 5) As a nice touch, when the map is active, have that image appear slightly
different so other players can know that is where to go to join in.  When not
active, it appears as normal terrain (this slightly different could be just some
read eyes or the image of a non determined monster type in the terrain on that
space - something generic).

 My personal inclination is to let it go away.  But I am curious how many people
actually play with this code and would like it to stick around, or other people
in general would like to see the second list happen.
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