Question Random Encounters

So lately, I have been wondering how to implement a random encounter system. I know in video games, most use a grid system based on the map you are currently on. (FF1 is an example of this. That is how the PoP came to be due to a very small 1x1 grid).

Now the question is how would I do this in a MUD form. I was thinking about writing a check that when you enter a room, it checks to see if you get an encounter, but my issue is how do would I go about calling which enemies get loaded.

Anyone have any sugggestions?

This sounds like the job for a lookup table.

Perhaps from (room flags, zone number) -> [ list of possible envounters ].

Most DnD setups use such a table.