
Estimated Duration: 3 hours
Suggested Music: "Ritual Deep, Dark, and Wet" by Music
d20


One of the trademark characteristics of frogfolk is the
"kingdoms" which they form in the swamps of their
homelands. These bizarre mockeries of legitimate
monarchies may seem amusing, but make no mistake: the
frogfolk themselves regard their king or queen with the
utmost respect and authority and will tolerate no perceived
slight against them.

This side trek is designed for three to seven 4th- to 6th-
level characters and is optimized for four characters with
an average party level (APL) of 4. The encounter is great
for when the characters are traipsing through a swamp or
wilderness area and you need a quick, unusual encounter
before they reach their final destination.
Whether it's the promise of ill-gotten gains or the end of a
frogfolk warrior's spear, something convinces the characters
to stand before the infamous frogfolk queen.
Note: This encounter is meant to be handled in a
diplomatic fashion as the frogfolk will vastly outnumber the
characters. Characters with itchy fireball fingers may find
themselves served up on a platter to the frogfolk queen
before they can find the guano to cast the spell.
Note: For SRD-compliance purposes, there are frequent
references to "frogfolk" in this adventure. Be sure to use any
"frog-like" humanoids from the MM for frogfolk. Hint hint.

This DMDave-penned encounter is made all the better when
you get the accompanying items:
New monsters by IADnDMN.
New miniatures by Paper Forge.
New magic items by The Griffon's Saddlebag.
New battle maps by Cze & Peku.
New music by Music d20.

The frogfolk's kingdom is at the center of the Bog of
Rurpdurpnurp, a thick, obnoxious swamp of sucking mud,
biting mosquitoes, and plenty of ugly beasts floating in (and
out!) of the water.

The bog has the following features:
Dimensions & Terrain. The bog takes up an 86-square-
mile chunk of landscape at the center of a primordial forest.
Curtain-moss-draped cypresses and tupelos are the dominant
trees of the swamp, casting the majority of its brown, murky
waters in shadow.
Sounds & Smells. Certainly, mold catches the nose when
travelers first enter the swamp. But the bog is not without its
own array of wildflowers and other pleasant smells. Buzzing
insects, screeching birds, and even the occasional growl of an
alligator are common sounds in Rurpdurpnurp.
Frogs and Toads. All throughout the bog are thousands of
constantly croaking frogs and toads. The frogfolk at the
center of the bog use these amphibious allies to
communicate the presence of intruders.
Weather. Hope you like rain! During the wet summer
months, there's a 50% chance every hour that it rains. Even in
the winter, rain is common, with an average rainfall of two
inches throughout the dryer months (25% chance of rain).

Use the following rules while the characters traveling
through the bog.
1
     Travel. Travel through the swamp is slow; it takes an hour
for a party moving at a normal pace to travel two miles
through the swamp's unforgiving terrain. It takes a total of
five hours to pass through the swamp from end to end.
Becoming Lost. Few trails cut through the bog. As such,
it's easy to get lost. When the party first enters the swamp,
the party's navigator must make DC 15 Wisdom (Survival)
check. If the party is moving at a slow pace, the navigator
gains a +5 bonus to the check, and a fast pace imposes a -5
penalty. And if the navigator has an accurate map of the bog
(some can be found in neighboring villages for 1 gp), the
navigator has advantage on the check. If the check succeeds,
the party travels in the desired direction without becoming
lost. if the check fails, the party fails to leave the swamp. The
party's navigator can repeat the check after the party spends
1d6 hours trying to get back on course.
Insects. Clouds of insects plague the bog and their bites
are neverending. At the end of each hour, a creature traveling
through the swamp must make a DC 10 Constitution saving
throw. On a failed saving throw, the creature has
disadvantage on ability checks until the end of the next hour.
Creatures that are accustomed to living in the swamp or
creatures with natural armor automatically succeed on the
saving throw, as do creatures wearing insect repellent salves.
Gourds or vials of insect repellent salves cost 1 gp and have
20 applications. A single application lasts for 8 hours.
Foraging. The bog is lush with edible plants and animals
for hunting. Plus, there's literally water everywhere. Foraging
checks in the bog are made against DC 10.
Random Encounters. Every four hours that the characters
spend in the bog, roll a d20. On a result of 17 or higher, a
random encounter occurs. Choose a random encounter or
roll randomly on the Bog of Rurpdurpnurp Encounters table
to determine the nature of the encounter. Encounters marked
with an asterisk are detailed after the table.
Bog of Rurpdurpnurp Encounters
2d6 Encounter
2 1 wight
3 1d4 ghouls led by 1 ghast
4 1d8 + 1 orcs
5 1d6 + 2 giant snakes
6 1 swarm of insects
7 Frogfolk war party*
8 Frogfolk net trap*
9 2d4 giant frogs
10
11
1 crocodile
2d10 lizardfolk with 1d6 giant lizards
12 1 hydra
Frogfolk Net Trap. The frogfolk have set up a hidden trip
wire on a well-traveled (aka dry) path. If the characters are
traveling at a slow pace, they easily notice the tripwire.
If the characters are moving at a normal pace, they only
notice the tripwire if they have a character actively looking for
threats—and that's only if the character has a passive
Wisdom (Perception) value of 13 or higher.
2
  Characters moving at a fast pace fail to notice the tripwire
no matter what.
Once triggered, the net is released covering a 10-foot
square area. If there are four or less characters, all of them
are covered. If there are more than four characters,
determine randomly which character avoids the net.
Everyone caught in the net is trapped and restrained. Plus,
each character trapped in the net must make a successful DC
10 Strength check or be knocked prone.
A character in the net can use its action to make a DC 10
Strength check, freeing itself or another creature within its
reach on a success. The net has AC 10 and 20 hit points.
Dealing 5 slashing damage to the net (AC 10) destroys a 5-
foot square section of it, freeing any creature trapped in that
section.
While the characters deal with the net, a frogfolk war party
takes the time to surround them. Characters inside the net
have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks.
The tripwire can be disabled by a character with
proficiency in thieves' tools making a successful DC 15
Dexterity check.
Frogfolk War Party. The characters stumble into the
clutches of a frogfolk war party. The war party consists of:
1 frogfolk royal guard with 80 hp (the leader)
1d4 + 1 frogfolk royal guards
6d6 frogfolk warriors
4d6 giant frogs
1 special creature (roll on the table below)
Special Creatures
1d12 Special Creature(s)
1-2 1d4 crocodiles
3 1d4 + 1 giant constrictor snakes
4 1 green hag
5 1 hydra
6-8 2d4 lizardfolk
9-10 1d4 + 1 ogres
11 1 wight
12 1d3 trolls
The frogfolk war party only wishes to capture the
characters to present them to their feared beloved queen.
The characters can fight the frogfolk, but it will be a
dangerous battle. See options for fighting or fleeing from the
frogfolk on page 5 (without killing your players' characters).
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The crux of this side trek is meeting the frogfolk and
following them back to their lair. There are endless reasons
why the characters may need to seek an audience with the
Frogfolk Queen on her subjects, but if you need an idea or
two, roll for a random hook on the Frogfolk Court Adventure
Hook table on page 3 or choose one that best fits the party's
current predicament.

The frogfolk queen's lair has the following features:
Get this high-resolution map of the Frogfolk Queen's Lair on Cze and Peku's Patreon which includes multiple
variations.

3
 Frogfolk Adventure Hooks
d6 Hook
The characters are ambushed by a frogfolk war party.
1 See the "frogfolk war party" description under
random encounters for details.
An important artifact or magic item is owned by the
Frogfolk Queen. The characters must seek an
2
audience with the Queen and convince her to
surrender the item.
A group of adventurers—comrades of the
3
characters—vanished in the Bog of Rurpdurpnurp.
The characters must learn what happened to their
friends.
The frogfolk robbed the wrong noble! The noble
4 escaped with his/her life, but now seeks vengeance
against the despicable frogfolk queen.
The frogfolk's kingdom sits over the entrance to an
5
important location such as a dungeon or overgrown
keep. The characters must negotiate passage
through the kingdom to reach the entrance.
The characters are purusing a villain from a previous
adventure. The frogfolk queen claims to have
6
information about the villain that she is willing to
give the characters—for a price.
Dimensions & Terrain. The entirety of the queen's lair sits
in swamp waters of variable depths. A labyrinth of rickety
wooden platforms surrounds the territory, giving some
respite from the sucking mud. Overall, the frogfolk prefer to
swim through their waters rather than traverse the platforms.
In some areas, the waters count as difficult terrain, whereas
in others, the water is deep enough to warrant a swim.
Light. Frogfolk lack darkvision. Therefore, they keep their
home well lit with regular torches hung throughout.
Tents and Lean-tos. Atop the platforms are a few dozen
canvas tents, lean-to shacks, and other little-better-than-
temporary forms of shelter for the frogfolk to live in. Most of
the frogfolk store their treasure within these homes. In each
shelter, a quick search reveals 1d4 random trinkets (from
Chapter 5 in the PHB), and 1d4 - 1 cp. There is also a 10%
chance that the characters find a random gemstone worth 10
gp (see Chapter 7 of the DMG).

The frogs keep plenty of traps strategically placed throughout
their own lair in case a fight breaks out while in the presence
of the queen. Randomly place 1d6 traps from the Frogfolk
Lair Traps table or choose a trap that fits the scenario.
Descriptions for each of the traps follow the table. The
frogfolk know the location of all the traps. During combat, not
only do they avoid their traps, but they actively try to goad the
characters into them.
Crayfish Surprise. A tripwire hidden in the water—DC 15
passive Wisdom (Perception) check to notice it—triggers a
net filled with crayfish to drop onto the character that
triggered the trap. Treat the crayfish as a swarm of insects.
When the crayfish first drop on the character, the crayfish can
immediately make one bites attack against the character.
Afterwards, roll initiative for the crayfish.
4
Frogfolk Traps
d4 Trap
1 Crawfish surprise
2 Hunting Trap
3 Swinging spike
4 Underwater caltrops
Hunting Trap. The frogfolk have hidden a hunting trap in
shallow water or a patch of grass. See Chapter 5 of the PHB
for details on hunting traps. Noticing the trap requires a DC
15 passive Wisdom (Perception) check.
Swinging Spike. When the character stands on a certain
spot, a frogfolk can use its action to attack a nearby rope with
its spear (AC 11). If the attack hits, the rope snaps and a spike
swings out of hiding. Make a +6 attack roll against the target.
On a hit, the swinging spike deals 7 (2d6) piercing damage.
Once the trap is triggered, it must be reset before it can
attack again.
Underwater Caltrops. A 10x10 area has been covered in
caltrops. The frogs can easily swim over the caltrops. See
Chapter 5 of the PHB for details on caltrops.

The frogfolk queen is guarded by two frogfolk royal guards.
The lair itself has literally hundreds of frogfolk warriors.
While it's possible for the characters to fight their way out, a
better idea is for them parley with the queen and oblige her
unusual requests.
Roleplaying the Frogfolk Queen. More than anything, the
frogfolk queen fancies herself as better, smarter, stronger,
more attractive, etc. than all outsiders. Her royal guards and
servants offer plenty of fanfare, falling over themselves to
ensure she remains content.  The frogfolk queen is initially
indifferent to the party (after all, she is much better than they,
so who cares?). Through conversation (and bribes, see below)
the characters can change her attitude to friendly, allowing
them to escape with their lives. Similarly, they might insult
her or harm her in some way, causing her to turn hostile.
Once she's angry, she wants nothing more than the
characters' head on a pike.
After the characters spend a few minutes interacting with
the frogfolk queen, one of them can make a DC 12 Wisdom
(Insight) check to uncover one of the frogfolk queens'
characteristics. A failed check may give the characters
incorrect information about her characteristics—potentially a
deadly mistake.
Once the characters have a good feel for the frogfolk
queen's personality, they can attempt to bribe her or sweet
talk their way out of the swamp—without being stabbed by a
few hundred frogfolk, of course! Have a character who's been
an active diplomat make a Charisma check. This can be
Persuasion, Deception, or Intimidation (although the latter is
likely to get the party killed). The queen's current attitude sets
the DC as described in "Resolving Interactions" in Chapter 8
of the DMG. Giving the queen what she desires (see below)
gives the character advantage on the Charisma check.
Similarly, if the queen knows that the characters possess
what she desires and they deny her the request, the check is
made with disadvantage. The characters may make as many
checks as they like. However, the frogfolk queen may grow
weary of the characters' constant blathering and command
her warriors to attack (especially if her attitude is hostile).
The frogfolk queen has the following characteristics:
Personality traits: "I don't take insults lightly. Say something
cross towards me, and I'll have your head on a spear!"
Ideal: "The biggest and strongest are the only ones fit to
rule."
Bond: "I spare those who give me what I desire."
Flaw: "I believe that everyone is beneath me. This arrogance
often puts me and my subjects in danger."
    Frogfolk Queen's Desires. Although most frogfolk royalty
are considered petty, short-tempered, and mean, they are
notoriously easy to please. In addition to the aforementioned
characteristics, roll randomly to determine the frog queen's
desires on the Frog Queen's Desires table or choose one that
you feel is appropriate for the situation (or just funny as hell).
Frogfolk Queen's Desires
d8 Desire
The queen wants one of the characters to marry her
1 and become her king. (Either the most attractive
character or the strongest looking one.)
2
The lizardfolk have plagued her swamp for too long;
the characters must clear them out of the bog!
The queen fancies an item or trinket that the
3 character is carrying with him/her. They hand it over
and they get to live.
4
The queen loves magic. They must show her their
most impressive spell. The flashier the better!
There's nothing the queen likes more than gossip.
5 Share some dirt on a local leader and if she likes
what she hears, she'll let the characters go.
6 Tell the queen a joke. And it better be funny!
The strongest character in the party must fight the
7
queen's pet hydra one-one-one armed with only a
spear. If the character survives, the characters may
pass. No one can interfere!
The queen is a woman of simple pleasures—gold,
8
gems, and jewelry, please.

If the characters can't convince the frogfolk queen to let them
pass through her kingdom, the only option may be to blast
their way out. Because there are so many frogfolk present, a
normal combat will not suffice. Instead, run the combat like
so.
At the start of the combat, the frogfolk queen's two royal
guards and 2d6 frogfolk warriors gang up on the
characters.
The frogfolk queen prefers not to get her moist hands
dirty and stays out of the combat. She will defend herself
if necessary.
At the end of each character's turn, roll on the Frogfolk
Battle Complications table to determine if a complication
occurs.
Frogfolk Battle Complications
d8 Loot
The character is hit with a sling stone, taking 1d4 +
1
1 bludgeoning damage.
2
The frogfolk warriors toss a giant constrictor snake
into the fight.
3 1 more frogfolk royal guard joins the fray.
4-8 No complication.
During the second round of combat and every round
thereafter 1d4 more frogfolk warriors enter the combat
on initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties).
If the characters kill six or more frogfolk in a single round
of combat, roll a d20. On a result of 5 or higher, the
frogfolk continue to fight. On a result of 4 or less, the
frogfolk surrender.
If the characters kill the queen during the combat, the
court's morale is immediately shattered and they all
retreat in awe.

Alternatively, the characters may choose to flee from the
frogs. If this happen, a chase occurs. However, it's worth
noting that the frogs have a decided advantage in the swamp
over the characters thanks to their relatively high swim speed
and Standing Leap feature.
When the chase begins, the characters must flee from
literally dozens (if not hundreds) of frogfolk warriors. Refer
to the rules for Chases in Chapter 8 of the DMG. Assume
that there is usually enough water for the frogfolks to swim
through, granting them a pursuing speed of 40 feet per turn.
Out of Sight.  While there are plenty of things for the
characters to hide behind and the swamp is unusually noisy,
the frogfolk know the swamp too well to lose sight of their
quarry. As such, all advantages that the characters have are
ignored. Fortunately, the frogolk have lousy passive Wisdom
(Perception) scores, so it won't be difficult to lose them. Of
course, tell that to the plate armor-wearing paladin with the
Dexterity dump stat!
Complications. For complications, use the Wilderness
Chase Complications table in Chapter 8 of the DMG.

So what happens if the characters kill the queen? Well,
frogfolk live by the "the biggest are fit to rule" credo. It might
just happen that the frogfolk choose to follow the characters
from that point forward. Or, more likely, another big, grumpy
frog takes over as boss. To cement its position as the new
monarch, it vows to kill the adventurers who murdered their
queen. The characters may spend the rest of their journeys
constantly looking over their shoulder for hoppity assassins.

If the characters manage to defeat the frogfolk, they should
be awarded accordingly. The queen keeps a stash of treasure
near her lair.  To determine the nature of her hoard, use the
Treasure Hoard: Challenge 5-10 table in the DMG, but
instead of the magic items, add in 1d4 toadstones from the
Griffon's Saddlebag.
5

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