The Sunken Heron Rookery

• 1 × Hydra (CR 8, 3,900 XP)

XP

3,900 of a 5,200 XP moderate budget

Party

4 characters of level 7

Fog lies so thick on the water that the reeds seem to float in midair. Something large slips into the water nearby with barely a ripple.

Setup. A hydra has been driven out of their usual territory and is furious about it.

Terrain

• Reed beds: a creature in the tall reeds is Lightly Obscured and can attempt to Hide there.
• Thick fog: everything more than 20 feet away is Heavily Obscured.

Tactics. Hunger makes them reckless: they ignore tactics and go for the nearest meal.

Twist. A trapped spirit offers to help the party in exchange for being freed afterwards.

Adjust on the fly

• Easier: Give the hydra its minimum Hit Points and drop its strongest action for the first round.
• Harder: Add one more hydra (7,800 XP total, beyond the High budget: dangerous for a tired party).

Treasure. 1,400 gp in mixed coins and three gemstones worth 140 gp each; Potion of Poison; A pair of dice that always roll the same total.