[3.5] What To Do *Before* The Swamp Pirates...

[Weirdlet]

Hey, all- looking for a bit of advice again. I've been commandeered into DMing again, and this time it looks like a short campaign instead of a oneshot. I'm going to have a party of three, with two definite magic-users (a binder and a modified spellthief, and the other yet undetermined), at 8th level.

I've got them in a New Orleans/Venice-like city in the middle of a swamp- copious use of mud-to-rock makes islands for buildings to settle on, lots of little bridges and canals. My basic premise is that the Deputy Mayor has sent out a call on the more discreet channels for hardy souls looking to retrieve something that was misplaced. That something was the beloved Mayor for 300 years running, a (friendly) mummy who had been shipped off for repairs and whose coffin was stolen on the way back with him inside.

Rather, the entire boat it was on was stolen away by vampire river-pirates, leaving the rest of the caravan to make its way to port. Possibly they're looking for a ransom, or their vampire-bardess-trapped-deep-in-the-swamp-by-running-water wants vengeance on him for something- either way, the Deputy Mayor wants the Mayor back before festival time, which is one of his rare public appearances.

The thing is, I'm trying to figure out how to fill this in and get some kind of pacing (which I am notoriously bad at). What do I throw at my players either on the way to the pirates, or after them?

[RTGoodman]

Take a while a look through the Swampgas project (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72683) that was posted in the Homebrew section here a while back. We came up with what I feel was a TON of good stuff, from items to monsters to PrCs to spells and everything else, all of which is designed for a swamp-based campaign or adventure.

[Weirdlet]

*clicks*

Holy Hera- that *is* useful. Thank you!

[HamsterOfTheGod]

Since you have the undead thing going you can always use aquatic undead like the lacedon. (Basically add a swim speed to any corporeal undead and your good to go.)

Hags are always good. A covey guarded by a few ogres or merrow (same as ogres with underwater breathing, swim speed and spears instead of clubs) can be used as side treks or to slow down the party...or perhaps the hags have much needed info.

Similarly you can have trolls or scrags (aquatic trolls who regenerate only underwater) as "wandering" or "random" encounters.

Other good monsters are chulls, lizard folk, oozes, shambling mounds, will-o-wisps and of course crocodiles, giant snakes, giant toads, giant fish, giant crabs, giant shrimp...

[KIDS]

Since you mention New Orleans, I suppose you have already looked into this but it never hurts to bring it up: Voodoo in Louisiana (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisiana_Voodoo). Also, Marie Laveau (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Laveau).

List of possible threats (not all might be appropriate, depending on level):
- Crocodiles
- Swamp gas traps & Quicksand
- Zombies
- Various cults
- Vampires & Mummies (you already brought those up)
- Humans (cultists and pirate crews)

Particularly interesting fights could take place on river barges or boats. Perhaps there are large boats travelling up and down the waterways, like the old floating casinos?

Anyways, your idea sounds very interesting. I hope your players will like it.

[Philaenas]

Those are like more than 50% of Temple of Elemental Evil encounters lol.

[Weirdlet]

Hags, hags with info, oh that is *very* helpful indeed.

[arguskos]

If they are high-ish level, maybe throw a Hydra in there. Perhaps the pirates pay off a hydra to guard their booty, including the mummified Mayor.