Encounter Help Requested (my players stay out)

[PrinceZane]

Yes, you can charge as a surprise round action... still takes the regular full round, yaddah, yaddah, yaddah... but possible.

Also, if your going through a swamp, you could add a bog or something to add stench to the air, so the ghoul's stench might be disguised or something.

 

[Infiniti2000]

During the surprise round, the ghoul can probably only surface and get into attack position and then would have to win initiative to grapple and drag the victim down into the water, but that won't work in a single round either.

I would let the ghoul 'charge' up out of the water for a grapple/trip/bull rush with a successful jump check. I assume the bridge is not level with the water?

 

[meleeguy]

I assume the bridge is not level with the water?

The footbridge is on a smuggler's trail running along the northern edge of the swamp. I'm imagining a short, flat platform of wood that just barely clears the water and is about 6 inches or so thick. That would put the surface of the bridge about a foot above the water level, and parallel. A convenience rather than a necessity depending on how you feel about water filled boots and leeches.

Of course, I haven't lived on many smuggler's trails in swamps so if someone has something more plausible, I'm happy to imagine the little bridge differently.

 

[meleeguy]

Also, if your going through a swamp, you could add a bog or something to add stench to the air, so the ghoul's stench might be disguised or something.

A most wicked thought. Perhaps a wisdom check, or better yet a int check for the cleric to notice the difference.

"Where's Bob?"

"I dunno, I think the ghoul towed him off that way."

"Quick, follow the bubbles!"



I hope this encounter goes even remotely close to how I'm planning it.

 

[RigaMortus]

I'd make them have to do Balance checks anyway, as they are crossing and once combat begins, or fall off the slimey slippery bridge into the swamp water...