You know the drill kids. If you're in my game, please dont ruin it for yourselves! 
Hey Enworlders,
I thought I would fish for some ideas regarding swamp encounters. My players are now 7th level and they will have to go on a mission deep into a swamp. We are playing in the FR (taking a break from Midnight) and as expected, the party members pack a serious punch! Here is a breakdown of the party:
Dwarven Fighter 7 (War axe wielding maniac)
Wood Elf Ranger 7 (basically a machine gun)
Human Wizard 7
Human Rogue 7
Aasimar Bard 6
Human Fighter 3 / Cleric 4
Alright here is a general breakdown of my current ideas for the adventure thus far (explained in another post):
Essentially, the PCs are called by an old friend (basically an aristocrat) who resides in another kingdom to come to his nation's aid. A nearby swamp, which is quite typical as far as swamps go has been progressively growing in size over the year. The temperatures have been rising in the area, it rains almost every day, big storms break out etc. The swamp waters have spread out and risen around the surrounding farmlands, flooding crops and houses / barns, causing mass displacement of refugees, disrupting trade and wrecking roads. Moreover, the local Lizardfolk tribes (who usually keep to themselves) have begun to rally together and are striking out at nearby towns and farms, taking slaves, stealing livestock and weapons etc. With the swamps continuing to spread, the temperature disrupting the countryside and Lizardfolk making war - the kingdom is in dire need of adventurers.
What the PCs dont know is that a large number of Lizardmen Druids are responsible for the continuous rains and alterations in the weather. They have located an ancient Yuan-Ti temple in the swamps and have begun to excavate it. The structure is mostly sunken beneath the waters and the Lizardmen have found something deep in its lower chambers that have caused them to start working together. Perhaps they believe a prophecy is coming to pass, perhaps they found a black dragon in deep slumber who arose and assumed leadership of the tribes ... who knows.
To make matters worse, not only are the tribes working together, but they have become interested in acquiring metal armor and weapons. Something or someone is actively instructing the Lizardfolk on how to utilize metal martial weapons, bows etc. Arms - Trade caravans have been going missing in surrounding areas and survivors reported metal clad Lizard folk stealing their goods. Who or what is reponsible for this change in their attitude?
Eventually I want the PCs to have to stumble through the swamps which are misty, extremely warm, covered in thigh-high murky waters etc. Tipping trees and deep bogs, hungry snakes, rampaging boars and other typical swamp things. I want them to finally, after trying to find their way around, make it to this sunken temple and then delve into its ancient and moldy depths to root out the cause of the Lizardfolk uprising. However, in the swamps, I want some unique encounters both to challenge my players and give them a sense of being in an extremely uncomfortable, waterlogged and dangerous environment.
Thus far I have Lizardfolk Rangers hiding in the trees and raining arrows down upon them as they trudge slowly through the waters. I have Lizardfolk Fighters riding Giant Crocodiles (which have been bred in the new temperatures), Lizardfolk Commando Rogues who skulk around the Party, using hit and run tactics.
What else could they encounter? What have you used in swamps before? What encounters would help me maintain my theme? Im open for all and any suggestion!
My immense thanks in advance,
Hey Enworlders,
I thought I would fish for some ideas regarding swamp encounters. My players are now 7th level and they will have to go on a mission deep into a swamp. We are playing in the FR (taking a break from Midnight) and as expected, the party members pack a serious punch! Here is a breakdown of the party:
Dwarven Fighter 7 (War axe wielding maniac)
Wood Elf Ranger 7 (basically a machine gun)
Human Wizard 7
Human Rogue 7
Aasimar Bard 6
Human Fighter 3 / Cleric 4
Alright here is a general breakdown of my current ideas for the adventure thus far (explained in another post):
Essentially, the PCs are called by an old friend (basically an aristocrat) who resides in another kingdom to come to his nation's aid. A nearby swamp, which is quite typical as far as swamps go has been progressively growing in size over the year. The temperatures have been rising in the area, it rains almost every day, big storms break out etc. The swamp waters have spread out and risen around the surrounding farmlands, flooding crops and houses / barns, causing mass displacement of refugees, disrupting trade and wrecking roads. Moreover, the local Lizardfolk tribes (who usually keep to themselves) have begun to rally together and are striking out at nearby towns and farms, taking slaves, stealing livestock and weapons etc. With the swamps continuing to spread, the temperature disrupting the countryside and Lizardfolk making war - the kingdom is in dire need of adventurers.
What the PCs dont know is that a large number of Lizardmen Druids are responsible for the continuous rains and alterations in the weather. They have located an ancient Yuan-Ti temple in the swamps and have begun to excavate it. The structure is mostly sunken beneath the waters and the Lizardmen have found something deep in its lower chambers that have caused them to start working together. Perhaps they believe a prophecy is coming to pass, perhaps they found a black dragon in deep slumber who arose and assumed leadership of the tribes ... who knows.
To make matters worse, not only are the tribes working together, but they have become interested in acquiring metal armor and weapons. Something or someone is actively instructing the Lizardfolk on how to utilize metal martial weapons, bows etc. Arms - Trade caravans have been going missing in surrounding areas and survivors reported metal clad Lizard folk stealing their goods. Who or what is reponsible for this change in their attitude?
Eventually I want the PCs to have to stumble through the swamps which are misty, extremely warm, covered in thigh-high murky waters etc. Tipping trees and deep bogs, hungry snakes, rampaging boars and other typical swamp things. I want them to finally, after trying to find their way around, make it to this sunken temple and then delve into its ancient and moldy depths to root out the cause of the Lizardfolk uprising. However, in the swamps, I want some unique encounters both to challenge my players and give them a sense of being in an extremely uncomfortable, waterlogged and dangerous environment.
Thus far I have Lizardfolk Rangers hiding in the trees and raining arrows down upon them as they trudge slowly through the waters. I have Lizardfolk Fighters riding Giant Crocodiles (which have been bred in the new temperatures), Lizardfolk Commando Rogues who skulk around the Party, using hit and run tactics.
What else could they encounter? What have you used in swamps before? What encounters would help me maintain my theme? Im open for all and any suggestion!
My immense thanks in advance,
.
). 
