cout << "1) Move, 2) Rest, 3) View Stats, 4) Quit: ";
            cin >> selection;

            Monster* monster = 0;
            switch( selection )
            {
            case 1:
                gameMap.movePlayer();

                // Check for a random encounter.  This function
                // returns a null pointer if no monsters are
                // encountered.
                monster = gameMap.checkRandomEncounter();

                // 'monster' not null, run combat simulation.
                if( monster != 0 )

//refering to the once null pointer and now modifies something real?
monster = new Monster

0 = gameMap.checkRandomEncounter();

0 = null;

Monster* Map::checkRandomEncounter()
{
    int roll = Random(0, 20);

    Monster* monster = 0;

    if( roll <= 5 )
    {
        // No encounter, return a null pointer.
        return 0;
    }
    else if(roll >= 6 && roll <= 10)
    {
        monster = new Monster("Orc", 10, 8, 200, 1,
            "Short Sword", 2, 7);

        cout << "You encountered an Orc!" << endl;
        cout << "Prepare for battle!" << endl;
        cout << endl;
    }

monster = new Monster();

Monster* monster = 0;

// Check for a random encounter.  This function
// returns a null pointer if no monsters are
// encountered.
monster = gameMap.checkRandomEncounter();

// 'monster' not null, run combat simulation.
if( monster != 0 ) ...

if( roll <= 5 )
{
    // No encounter, return a null pointer.
    return 0;
}

else if(roll >= 6 && roll <= 10)
{
    monster = new Monster("Orc", 10, 8, 200, 1,
        "Short Sword", 2, 7);

    cout << "You encountered an Orc!" << endl;
    cout << "Prepare for battle!" << endl;
    cout << endl;
}

return monster;
}