Jungle encounter tables? Anyone?

[PhoenixPhyre]

One of my parties is about to travel through a large (~5 days at top speed) jungle area. This hasn't been inhabited by major civilizations for over 800 years except at the very fringes. Anyone have an encounter table for such jungle areas? They're level 8 and have a magic carpet (that can't go higher than tree-top levels or faster than a horse). Ideally this table would have more than just random combat encounters on it.

Thanks in advance.

[INDYSTAR188]

One of my parties is about to travel through a large (~5 days at top speed) jungle area. This hasn't been inhabited by major civilizations for over 800 years except at the very fringes. Anyone have an encounter table for such jungle areas? They're level 8 and have a magic carpet (that can't go higher than tree-top levels or faster than a horse). Ideally this table would have more than just random combat encounters on it.

Thanks in advance.

I will list a few of my own ideas - but definitely iterate on it if you feel like it's a good starting point. Quick ideas;

- half-sunken ruin with lizardfolk, animated statues, traps, snakes, etc.
- another quick idea is a black/green dragon (which I'll list in the table) which the party stumbles upon (or maybe they follow some of its henchmen back to the lair?).
- last quick idea, a hag and her troll allies live in the swamp (at the fringe so she can be close to people and manipulate them).

Anyway, aside from the plot hooks, here is a random chart (inspired by the list here (http://www.tribality.com/2014/10/08/10-awesome-monsters-dnd-5e-swamp-encounter/)):


- Bullywug
- Black and Green Dragon
- Giant Crocodile
- Green Hag (but most hags will do)
- Hydra
- Lizardfolk
- Shambling Mound
- Stirge
- Will-O'-Wisp
- Yuan-ti
- Banshee
- Blights
- Giant Constrictor Snake
- Giant Frog/Toad
- Mud Mephit
- Pixie
- Giant Poisonous Snake
- Sprite
- Swarm of Insects/Grubs (Volo's)
- Treant
- Archfey Warlock (Volo's)/Ranger/Druid/Barbarian NPCs
- Darkling and Darkling Elder (Volo's)
- Thorny (Volo's)
- Vargouille (Volo's)
- Black Guard Drake (Volo's)
- Meenlock (Volo's)
- Vegepygmy and Chief (Volo's)
- Froghemoth (Volo's)
- Archdruid (Volo's)

[Corran]

A biffed up Goulthias Tree and some blights perhaps?
http://imgur.com/7VnxFde

A druid that can be either an enemy or an ally depending on how they interact with him/her?

Edit: Dammit, both included in the above post.
Hmmmm..... how about Mogly or Tarzan?:smalltongue:

[mephnick]

I know you don't just want combat but you gotta through some Girallons in there bro. Girallons are my jam.

[Richard369]

Don't forget Yuan-Ti and possible NPC's too, I've got a jungle table that has such. I'll find it and come back.

[hymer]

Some suggestions:

Risk of getting lost. Make Survival check to avoid losing travel time from retracing the route.

Weather. It would likely be fog or uncommonly heavy rain, but could be wind. Makes flying uncomfortable or impossible, and choices need to be made. Continue on foot or find cover and wait?

Wear and tear. Everyone rolls a Survival check. Lowest roll has a mishap, likely from a branch or something thorny as they whip past. Roll 1d8: 1-2 Footwear, 3-4 leg coverings, 5 shirt/vest/coat, 6-7 cloak, 8 bag. Chance to use Mending or tool kits.

Dead creature. Roll for a creature to see what it is. There's a 25% chance this creature has not been looted. Improvise if they do a close examination.

Beauty. A great view, a rare meteorological phenomenon, a pretty plant, a colourful bird, or something similar. Any who stop to react with roleplaying get Inspiration.

Fresh tracks. Roll for a creature. PCs can pursue with a Survival check if they care to have the encounter.

Double encounter. Roll for two random encounters and come up with a good reason they are both occuring at once.

Food acquisition opportunity. Could be a game animal, fruit or nuts.

[PhoenixPhyre]

I will list a few of my own ideas - but definitely iterate on it if you feel like it's a good starting point. Quick ideas;

- half-sunken ruin with lizardfolk, animated statues, traps, snakes, etc.
- another quick idea is a black/green dragon (which I'll list in the table) which the party stumbles upon (or maybe they follow some of its henchmen back to the lair?).
- last quick idea, a hag and her troll allies live in the swamp (at the fringe so she can be close to people and manipulate them).

Anyway, aside from the plot hooks, here is a random chart (inspired by the list here (http://www.tribality.com/2014/10/08/10-awesome-monsters-dnd-5e-swamp-encounter/)):

[SNIP]



Thanks. I've definitely included a set of dragon-like creatures (essentially degenerated green dragons who only have beast intelligence) and there will be hags down toward civilization.


I know you don't just want combat but you gotta through some Girallons in there bro. Girallons are my jam.

Oooh, I had forgotten about those. I'll make sure to include some.


Don't forget Yuan-Ti and possible NPC's too, I've got a jungle table that has such. I'll find it and come back.

Thanks. Due to setting considerations, I'll have to modify them a bit, but I think I have a place for the snake folk.


Some suggestions:

Risk of getting lost. Make Survival check to avoid losing travel time to retracing their path.

Weather. It would likely be fog or uncommonly heavy rain, but could be wind. Makes flying uncomfortable or impossible, and choices need to be made. Continue on foot or find cover and wait?

Wear and tear. Everyone rolls a Survival check. Lowest roll has a mishap, likely from a branch or something thorny as they whip past. Roll 1d8: 1-2 Footwear, 3-4 leg coverings, 5 shirt/vest/coat, 6-7 cloak, 8 bag. Chance to use Mending or tool kits.

Dead creature. Roll for a creature to see what it is. There's a 25% chance this creature has not been looted. Improvise if they do a close examination.

Beauty. A great view, a rare meteorological phenomenon, a pretty plant, a colourful bird, or something similar. Any who stop to react with roleplaying get Inspiration.

Fresh tracks. Roll for a creature. PCs can pursue with a Survival check if they care to have the encounter.

Double encounter. Roll for two random encounters and come up with a good reason they are both occuring at once.

Food acquisition opportunity. Could be a game animal, fruit or nuts.

Sounds great. I'll probably include a bunch of these.

[QUARE]

I once had my players defend themselves against a grove of animated shrubs and trees and then have to fight the Archdruid controlling them.

[EvilAnagram]

A lot of these seem really fun. I'm planning an island-hopping pirate campaign, so I'm definitely stealing some of these.

[Cyan Wisp]

Love Jungle adventures. Here are some encounters I have used, or made up just now...

Quicksand and the Ants
Have the party make a group Survival check DC 15 (all roll, half must succeed). If failed, the first person falls into a particularly well-hidden patch of quicksand. It requires an Athletics DC 15 to escape, though others may help if they have a rope or branch available. If not rescued in three rounds, the character goes under and starts suffocating. Meanwhile, a nearby nest of giant ants marches forth to attack the vulnerable party.

Insects: The insects here are diabolical. They swarm around travellers, biting and stinging.

Each night without an insect net or some other solution, each character must make a Survival DC 10 check or receive a level of exhaustion. This is a cumulative problem.
If anyone has a herbalism kit, they could make a Wis (Herbalism Kit) check DC 10 to concoct an insect repellent.
If anyone has weaver’s tools, they could fashion a functional insect netting body basket out of plants with a Dex (Weaver’s Tools) check DC 10. This takes 30 mins to make a single basket and each only lasts one night before needing repair. Repairing them requires a Dex (Weaver’s Tools) check DC 5 and 10 mins per basket, or a mending cantrip.
Other innovative methods are encouraged, such as cook’s utensils used to make a vile-smelling brew that simmers all night.


The Terror of Q’Barra!
The party hears something immense and powerful crashing through the jungle, followed by a blood-curdling roar. If they remain very still and quiet, it will pass them by. It is none other than the Terror of Q’Barra, a huge male Tyrannosaurus Rex. Scarred and pale, it stalks the jungle eating any fleshy creature that happens by it. [obviously, I play in Eberron]

Swamp Thing
A terrible behemoth (I used a Formorian) lurks in the swamps of the jungle. It rises forth and attempts to drag people into the swamp.

Grick Alpha (Jungle-adapted)
Slithering through the jungle seeking warm, tasty fare, the grick alpha attacks without fear.

Ochre Jellies
These lurk among the trees and drop on the party as they pass underneath.

Monkey Thieves
Little scoundrel monkeys sneak into camp and steal food or supplies, then head for the trees. They leave stinking droppings behind as a "thank you".

Barbarian Halflings (Oompa-Loompas?)
The party is accosted by a war party of savage halflings. Clad in bright feathers, hide armour, and bone fetishes, these halflings will not attack unless attacked for they have had dealings with Jungle Runners before. They speak a halting Common and will endeavour to escort the party to the village to talk to the chief, who has a little problem with their tribal "Burial Grounds". [This encounter is based on "Dwellers of the Forbidden City: Village of Parrots"]

Mosquitoes, Giant
The mosquitoes in the jungle can grow immensely. They attack without fear or any sense of self-preservation, so strong is their reproductive drive to consume blood. Their flight has evolved to sound like susurrus, masking their approach. [I used Stirges with enhanced Stealth]

Jungle Terrors
A form of insanity: The overwhelming feeling of being bottom of the food chain, this mental condition results in paranoia, feverish nightmares, and exhaustion while in or near a jungle. In can reduce the bravest explorer to a quivering, sweaty mess. [Side note: heh, when I first thought of this, I was going to call it "Jungle Fever", until I looked up what that actually is. :smallamused:]

Rival Runners
An NPC party of explorers is encountered and is immediately hostile to the party, claiming they are trying to muscle in on their "territory". Can be resolved with diplomacy, intimidation, violence, or cooperation.

Headless Beast
A weird, headless beast (actually an ankylosaurus) is discovered lying dead in a shallow pond. It is a victim of trophy hunters. A jungle ranger emerges and accuses the party of "murder".

Trapped Beast
A hunter's trap has snared an allosaur. It is enraged, aggressive, and in lots of pain. Should the party free it? Or leave it to die?

Sacred Ground
The party blunders onto sacred ground of a local tribe (bullywugs, barbarians, lizardfolk or whatever). The tribe demands recompense or need to undergo a dangerous purification ritual, or face the wrath of the entire tribe.

[damascoplay]

I know you don't just want combat but you gotta through some Girallons in there bro. Girallons are my jam.

Hey, mine to!